All pets get stressed at times and some are in a constant state of anxiety, so it helps to know how to keep pets calm in stressful situations. Michael Karp from Entirely Pets has summed up how we can tell if our pets are stressed and what we can do about it…
How to Keep Pets Calm in Stressful Situations
Pets get anxious and stressed out, just like humans do.
When your pet hears strange noises, meets new people, or encounters other animals, these experiences can cause him or her to worry and feel threatened (even if there isn’t any real danger).
As their owner, it’s your job to help your pet stay calm in these situations. In this article, we’re going to break down some common stressful situations your pet might encounter, how to tell if they’re stressed out, and some remedies to help keep them calm.
Let’s get started:
Common Stressful Situations for Pets
You have to remember, your pet’s world is a bit smaller than yours. They aren’t aware of all the things they could potentially encounter on a daily basis.
Your pet gets used to its surroundings very quickly, so when something changes, it’s a big change in their mind.
Here are a few common situations that can be stressful for your pet:
Parties
Parties at your home can cause a lot of anxiety for your pet. Think about it…
They’re used to seeing you, your family, and maybe a couple close friends every once in a while. Now, suddenly, a horde of new people are flooding into their home.
This is their territory. You are their pack. Many dogs are going to become protective. Many cats are going to find a safe spot to hide.
Travelling
Travelling can be a jolting experience for many pets. Car rides provide a sensory overload of new things to look at, and plane rides are totally unnatural to them.
Many pets get anxious while travelling, sometimes causing them to lose control of their bowels.
Keeping your pets relaxed and feeling safe while travelling will make the trip a much more pleasant experience – for them and you.
Loud Noises
Loud noises, like thunder, fireworks, and large vehicles, can startle and sometimes traumatize pets.
In the United States, 4th of July celebrations involve heavy use of fireworks. Hours of loud, seemingly random bangs make dogs bark and cats run and hide. And it’s no surprise. If you didn’t know where you were, you’d think you were in a war zone.
Well, that’s kind of what it feels like to your pet.
Random loud noises cannot be prepared for, but celebrations like the 4th of July can be.
Veterinarian Visits
Nobody likes going to the doctor, including your pets. A vet visit can be scary!
Scary offices with other animals, white coats, and needles can make even the bravest pet a little uneasy.
How to Tell If Your Pet Is Anxious Or Stressed Out
If you can’t tell whether your pet is anxious or stressed, you won’t be able to help them. So it’s important to know which signs to look out for.
Reading these signs is all about analyzing their body language. This is how pets communicate with us. You can learn a lot about how they’re feeling by watching the way they act.
Dogs
Here are some signs that your dog might be feeling uneasy or anxious in their current situation:
- Trembling and shaking
- Frequent yawning
- Whimpering
- Yelping
- Restlessness
- Agitation and growling towards people or other pets
- Loss of bowel control
- Chewing or scratching furniture
- Averted gaze
- Ears down or backwards
Cats
Cats react to stressful situations slightly differently than dogs do:
- Urinating outside of their litter box
- Digestive issues (diarrhea, constipation)
- Excessive grooming
- Excessive scratching
- Hiding themselves from you
- Panicked meowing
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Aggression towards other animals or people
Source: PetMD
Other Pets
If you have another type of pet you’re concerned about, trying searching Google for information on how they act when they’re stressed out and what situations might cause them to feel that way.
Home Remedies to Calm Your Pet
Home remedies are natural ways to keep your pet calm in stressful situations. Let’s break them down:
Play Soothing Music – Soothing music, like classical music, can help drown out the noises that are making your pet anxious and provide calming stimuli to counteract the stressful one(s) they are experiencing.
Petting and Cuddling – This is a natural reaction for most pet parents, but it’s still worth mentioning. Petting, cuddling, and holding them can let them know they’re in safe hands and remind them of the comfort they usually feel around you.
Exercise – If your pet is stressed out, take him or her out for a walk or play in the backyard. This exercise can help release some of the energy they’re using towards being anxious.
Distract with a toy – Try distracting your pet with a toy, chew stick, or treat. This helps them forget about what is stressing them out and focus on having fun or eating something tasty.
Isolate From the Source – For instance, if you’re throwing a party, you could try placing them in another room and play soothing music to drown out the noise of the party.
Medications and Supplements
Medication and supplements can be used in conjunction with the home remedies mentioned above. These treatments help calm your pet and are great to prepare them if you know they will be entering a potentially stressful situation.
DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Collars – A DAP collar, like Adaptil, releases the same type of pheromone released by mothers to keep their puppies calm after birth..
Electric Diffusers – Diffusers work similarly to DAP collars. Diffusers release a scent that duplicates the smell of pheromones. The smell helps keep pets calm. In cats, it can also minimize behavioral problems, like scratching and spraying. Try Feliway and for cats Adaptil for dogs.
Zylkene Supplements – Zylkene uses alpha-casozepine, a natural ingredient found in cow’s milk, that helps to ease stress in dogs, cats, and other pets. It’s one of the best natural calming supplements.
Veterinarian Prescription – If the above methods don’t work for your pet, head over to the vet and ask what their prescription recommendations are. Your pet may require specialized medicine to calm their nerves.
Prepare Before Your Pet Enters a Stressful Situation
If you know your pet is going to enter a potentially stressful situation, the best thing you can do for them is to prepare beforehand.
Give them a supplement before travelling, make sure your diffusers are active before the party starts and have treats ready to distract them in the vet’s office.
This way, you will minimize the amount of stress and anxiety your pet might feel in these situations.
About the author:
Michael Karp is a content writer for EntirelyPets, an online store that sells thousands of pet supplies, supplements, treats, toys, and more.
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