Any dog owner will tell you canines are sensitive creatures.
Dogs are great companions largely because of their ability to love unconditionally and they’re
good at reading our emotions.
Just like humans, dogs can also experience anxiety and fear.
Pet anxiety can be caused by a number of factors and manifest itself in a number of ways.
For some pooches simply being left alone can cause separation anxiety.
Pet anxiety can be stressful for the owners as well.
We want our furry family members to be healthy and happy.
Seeing them in distress is frustrating because you know something’s off but pinpointing the
problem isn’t always easy.
For that reason, it’s always best to exhaust your natural treatment options before moving on
to pharmaceuticals.
Sometimes the simplest changes lead to the biggest improvements.
“Pet anxiety can be caused by a
number of factors and manifest
itself in a number of ways.”
Schedule Together Time
One of the most common sources of anxiety in dogs is lack of attention.
It’s easy for us humans to forget that we are the world to our dog.
We’re their primary point of contact and dictate their social life.
They love us to pieces and can get easily bored when they’re left on their own.
Your dog doesn’t have to be with you all the time, but they do need companionship.
They want to make an emotional connection with their owners, which is why dogs that bounce
from home to home tend to be anxious.
If you have a puppy, social outings together are extremely important since they can help prevent
anxiety and fear as your pup grows older.
When your dog is exhibiting signs of anxiety, make spending time together the first remedy.
It could only take a few minutes of cuddle time to calm your dog’s emotional and psychological anxiety.
Exercise Together
Dogs are very active creatures that need to burn off energy.
Some working breeds, like the Australian cattle dog, are high energy and need to be able to run around.
If your dog is anxious and doesn’t get enough exercise, they’re more likely to have destructive behaviors
like chewing.
Calm your pooch down by scheduling workouts together with your dog.
One of the many benefits of having a dog is it gives you a reason to get out and on your feet.
By working out together you’ll make sure your dog has an outlet for their energy and you’ll get to spend
quality time together.
Try one of these fun dog-friendly workouts.
Nutritional Changes
When your dog’s demeanor is off, their gut may be to blame.
Not getting enough nutrition, overeating and food allergies are just a few ways diet could create
anxiety in dogs.
Making nutritional changes can be tricky.
It’s best to phase a new food in rather than simply swapping it cold turkey.
Making a drastic change could have the opposite effect and upset their stomach.
Cannabinoid infused dog food is another natural nutrition solution for calming pet anxiety.
If your dog is maturing and you haven’t adjusted their diet now is the time to do so.
Aging causes a number of physical changes that can drum up anxiety in dogs.
Making adjustments to their diet can help slow the side effects and keep your dog’s energy levels up.
Make Adjustments to the Environment
Has your pet’s living arrangement changed lately?
If you’ve ever seen a search and rescue dog at work, then you know how aware dogs are of their
surroundings.
It doesn’t take much to throw off the environment that they know and feel comfortable in.
Moving with your dog is one of the most stressful situations for a pet, but there are other
environmental changes that can also create anxiety, including:
· A new pet coming into the home.
· A new person in the home.
· Loud noises or sounds.
· Changes to their sleeping arrangement.
· Recent remodels to the home.
The goal in any of these situations is to make your pet feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
In addition to spending more time with your dog at home, you can surround their living spaces
with familiar furniture, toys, blankets, etc.
It also helps to find a daily routine they’re comfortable with and stick to it.
Work on Your Own Anxiety
Much of the time our dog is a reflection of how we’re feeling.
They pick up on our mood within seconds and being the faithful companions that they are,
our dogs quickly adjust their own disposition.
If your dog has been acting anxious lately stop and think about how you’ve been behaving.
Owners that have been experiencing elevated levels of stress may appear on edge, yell more
or change their normal routine.
All of these things can make a dog anxious.
“It’s always best to exhaust your natural
treatment options before moving on
to pharmaceuticals.
Sometimes the simplest changes lead
to the biggest improvements.”
The good news is spending time with your dog is a natural way to reduce stress for both of you.
However, you may need to find other ways to minimize anxiety so it doesn’t affect your dog.
Mindful meditation, deep breathing, stretching and exercising are all proven ways to lessen anxiety.
Do you have a pet?
What are your favorite tips for minimizing or treating pet anxiety, naturally?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
Great article! I have a cat who has anxiety and it is a constant battle! Although since we moved to a house without carpet his allergies have decreased and it seems like that has really helped his anxiety levels!
I have a dog I love to bits with severe separation anxiety. He was not able to be home alone while I worked. He truly suffers if left alone.
He gets anxious over staying in the car etc. I feel for him.
This is a great article. Printing it to study. Thanks for posting
Some fab tips here! Thanks so much for sharing over at Friday Frivolity 😀
I have pets and like that they do suffer with anxiety – we had one cat that pulled out her fur when my daughter left for College ! I have natural supplements in their food and it really helps.