Pet Anxiety Related Articles

What Are Ways to Ease Pet Anxiety?

Dog Behavior Articles

Anxiety is not just a condition reserved for humans. Pets can suffer from anxiety too. Physiologically, our pets’ bodies operate in much the same way we do. We know they anticipate, perceive, and react to stress very similarly; anxiety leads to rapid heart rate and breathing, raised cortisol levels, and outward signs of stress like panting, whining, shifting of weight off the front limbs, yawning, or pacing.

For pets that come from shelters or rescues, this dependency and anxiety can be much more intense. This could be due to past neglect and abuse resulting in pet anxiety. The good news is that there are many tools to help pet owners reduce their pets’ anxiety.

What are signs my pet has anxiety?

How can we assist our pets during times of stress or change and enable them to cope with situations that may prove taxing? First, recognize that some events are inherently hard on animals, taking into consideration your own pets’ personalities and environment. Animals are very perceptive. For example, if your human family is experiencing stress, your pets may become agitated as well. Change, whether it be a move, an animal or human addition to the family, or the loss of a loved one can be upsetting.

Every pet deals with anxiety in different ways, but some common signs that can indicate that your pet is stressed out can be:

Pacing
Hiding
Trembling or Shaking
Excessive Panting or Salivating
Hypervigilance
Lip licking
Frequent yawning
Decreased appetite or refusing food
Destructive behavior
Potty accidents
Increased frequency of needing closeness

Once you learn how to detect when your dog is anxious, you can begin to identify the triggers that are causing the anxiety and then try to minimize them. By keeping records of the issues your pet is facing and working closely with your veterinarian, you can help diffuse problems before they occur.

What can cause my pet to have anxiety?

Anxiety can be caused by a lot of external and internal factors. First, recognize that some events are inherently hard on animals, taking into consideration your own pets’ personalities and environment.

Animals are very perceptive. For example, if your human family is experiencing stress, your pets may become agitated as well. Change, whether it be a move, an animal or human addition to the family, or the loss of a loved one can be upsetting.

Travel, storms, babies crying, separation from family (even for just a few minutes), pain, and illness are also common stressors.

Some other common causes of anxiety in pets include:

Dog Breed

Certain dog breeds are prone to separation anxiety. A first step is to make sure you research any breed of dog that you consider – making sure it fits into your lifestyle. If you are bringing one of those breeds into your home, be sure that you have the time to commit to reassuring, training and setting your anxious dog up for success.

Pet History

If your pet has a history of abuse, abandonment, or life as a stray can all lead to anxiety that does not automatically go away when he or she enters your loving, stable home.

Age and Health

In older dogs, pain is a common cause of physiologic stress and can be treated via a multi-modal approach involving anti-inflammatory medications, massage, acupuncture and supplements. It is best to consult your veterinarian to see which therapy and dosage is best for your animal depending on their specific condition. Board certified veterinarians who specialize in rehabilitation and recovery, chiropractic, and physical therapy are available at most veterinary teaching hospitals and major metropolitan areas.

How Can You Manage Anxiety in Your Pets?

Exercise Your Dog

Exercise is a keyway to help your pet burn off excess energy that can build up to cause anxiety. Routine exercise creates a time for bonding with your pet as well as an opportunity to tire out your pet. Exercise your pet by taking long walks, tossing a toy or attending an obedience or agility class. Giving your pet a “job” or place to succeed can work wonders for calming nerves and instilling confidence.

Physical Contact

Petting your pet or cuddling with your pet regularly can help reduce his or her anxiety. Especially when your pet is experiencing an anxiety episode, physical contact can help reduce it. Simply picking the pet up, cuddling it on the couch, or giving them a good long petting session can be a great solution.

Create a Safe Space

Make sure your pet has a calm place in which to retreat such as a kennel for a dog. A quiet interior room or bathtub may relieve anxiety during a thunderstorm or fireworks.

You can help your dog associate their kennel or safe space as the best place to be by offering a treat every time they rest quietly in their “den”.

Give Your Dog a Massage

Anxiety causes muscle tension, making massage therapy a perfect way to reduce tension. Keep one hand on the pet for comfort while using the other to massage long strokes along the pet’s body.

Calming Clothing

Clothing items such as coats and t-shirts can offer comfort for your anxious pet. These heavy clothing items offer mild, constant pressure to a pet’s body like the swaddling of a newborn baby. Thundershirts can provide relief by essentially wrapping your dog in a protective “hug”. By utilizing gentle, constant pressure, symptoms of anxiety decrease.

Time Outs

When anxiety leads to bad behavior, it may be time for a little time-out session for your pet. Pet crates can allow pets to feel safe and secure and provide a place for them to calm their nerves. Reduced light, lowered motion, and less background activity reduces stress.

Do not inadvertently reward unwanted behavior such as crying or shaking by reassuring your dog things will be ok. Such positive reinforcement can cause the behavior to persist or escalate.

Separation Anxiety

If separation anxiety is a problem, try to ignore your pet for the first few minutes after you arrive home. Allowing them time to settle, and don’t forget to reward calm, quiet behavior with your attention. Also, try to vary your departure and arrival routine and schedule. Your dog will come to associate the sound of the hair dryer or garage door opening with your departure may cause anticipatory stress.

Learn more about separation anxiety in dogs and how to manage it.

Alternative Methods for Treat Stress and Anxiety in Dogs

Natural Supplements

Many pet owners have explored natural supplements and alternative products to help pets suffering from anxiety. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian prior to use.

Natural chemicals such as dog appeasing pheromone (DAP or ADAPTIL) can calm dogs under stress. Collars, plug-ins, and sprays are impregnated with the odorless product and are worn or placed strategically on bedding during travel or throughout the home.

You may also explore things like CBD, melatonin, thiamin, chamomile, L-Theanine or L-tryptophan to help your pet deal with his or her stress and anxiety.

Calming Music or Videos

Both dogs and cats have been shown to respond positively to music therapy as a calming and relaxing effect. Classical music has been extremely impactful for dogs in stressful states.

Videos that show familiar, comforting images and sounds can help pets relax while you are away, or from causes of stress such as thunderstorms.

Essential Oils and Other Fragrances

Beware of using essential oils and other fragrances to try and calm your dog’s anxiety, as they can irritate your dog’s skin or other senses. Concentrated doses can even be toxic.

Learn more about safety with essential oils and candles for pets.

Tips for the Holidays

Pets can have an especially difficult time managing stress and anxiety around the holidays. Loud noises, large gatherings and an abundance of food and alcohol all present challenges for keeping your dogs and cats safe and anxiety-free.

Read our 4th of July safety tips and New Year’s Eve safety tips for more information.

At Pet Butler, we understand that pet anxiety can have a crippling effect on you and your pet’s relationship. We know you want to give them the best care you can. That is why we specialize in caring for your pet’s special area by scooping up their waste. Call 1-800-PET-BUTLER or find a Pet Butler near you to learn how we can make your pet’s life happier, healthier, and cleaner.

Preparing Your Pup For Day Light Savings Time

Dog Behavior Articles

For some people, Daylight Savings Time can throw their sleep cycle slightly out of sync. For our canine friends, it affects them much more. Dogs don’t live life by the digits on the clock. Time is driven by their human companions. Dogs use their internal circadian rhythms to tell them when to sleep, eat, use the bathroom, and other activities throughout their day. You would think that dogs can adjust to Daylight Savings Time just as well as humans, but in reality, they don’t. That is why it is important to understand why and how you can help your dog.

How does it affect your dog?

Their Bathroom Habits

Dogs typically need to use the bathroom first thing in the morning, or if they’re accustomed to a schedule, they expect to relieve themselves then. With Daylight Savings, your dog may be confused why you aren’t waking up to take them out, or why you’re waking them up early for their morning bathroom time. We all know that “when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.” So, pay attention to your dog who may be whimpering or creating unwanted surprises on your rug.

Their Eating Habits

Just like you, your pooch typically eats around the same times throughout the day, especially since you’re the one providing them the food. If you’re off an hour on feeding, you very well could find your sweet dog behaving differently like chewing your favorite shoe or knocking over the kitchen trash.

Their Behavioral Habits

Your dog’s behaviors may change if they are conditioned to you coming home from work at a specific time. Your dog is just like any other family member that misses you during the day. Some dogs even await their parents at the door or watch for him/her in the windowsill. Just an hour off from their normal schedule, can induce anxiety and lead to destructive behaviors such as chewing objects or potty accidents.

Is there a way to prepare your dog for Daylight Savings Time?

Yes, and it’s important that you think ahead to prevent unnecessary stress for your furry friend! Some of the best practices require you to be proactive.

To adjust your dog’s sleep patterns, you can start training him a couple of days ahead of Day Light Savings Time by waking them up a couple of minutes early each day. This will allow your dog’s circadian rhythm to gradually change and adjust to the new wake up time.

You can do the same to prepare your canine friend for different eating times. Their circadian rhythm tells their stomachs when it is time to eat. Start a few days earlier than Daylight Savings and adjust your pup’s eating times by a couple of minutes each day. By doing this, your dog won’t feel confused and aggravated and feel like he needs to beg for food.

To adjust your expected welcome home time, come home a few minutes later for a few days. Gradually transitioning the time will lessen your pet’s anxiety of wondering where you are.

In any transitional situation, your pet’s expectations are the most important place to start. When you notice Daylight Savings coming up on your calendar, think ahead and give your pet a little extra attention. Absorb the extra cuddle time and enjoy your extra hour of sleep. At Pet Butler, we understand how important your pet’s expectations and schedules are. That includes the expectations of a clean yard to play in. Call the pet waste experts for a quote. We understand that consistency is key for your pets.

Reduce Pet Anxiety on New Year’s Eve

Dog Behavior Articles

No time is more fun (and stressful) than the holiday season. Super-charged with anticipation, the rush of Black Friday shopping, and capped by the ball drop as we ring in the new year, our bodies are in physiologic overdrive. Our pets also react to stress and the irregular holiday schedule with elevated heart rates, cortisol dumps, changes in blood pressure, and increased anxiety. Regular exercise and meditation help humans release natural feel-good chemicals that can reduce the effects of holiday strain. And we can assist our pets do the same by giving them a festive, safe, and stress-less New Year’s celebration with some safety essentials and having a coping strategy to guide them into the new year!

Establish Safe Spaces

First, make sure your pet has a calm place in which to retreat such as a kennel or a den created in a cozy bathroom or laundry room. Loud noises which accompany New Year’s Eve celebrations such as fireworks, balloons popping, and the screech of noisemakers can startle dogs. Owners often think of their fearful pets during a thunderstorm or 4^th of July celebration but forget about the excessive holiday cheer. Offer the same safe space with insulated walls and few exterior noises or the comforting pressure of a thunder shirt during the chaos. Ask “Alexa” to play Classical Music for Pets. She will happily oblige (I recommend Canon in D).

Partygoers may inadvertently leave exterior doors open or meander into unmarked rooms looking for the lavatory or another bottle of champagne. Make sure your pet is secure in their space and their haven is clearly marked with a hanging sign reading DO NOT DISTURB. If the ringing doorbell triggers your dog, you may want to indicate guests to knock first or just walk right in if your pet is behind closed doors.

Get Active Before the Festivities

Other ways to assist your pet navigate the transition into the new year include giving them room to run prior to being kenneled. A good romp in the snow, a game of fetch, or a pre-party outing at the dog park can work wonders at reducing energy and tension. Natural stress reducers include not only exercise but calming pheromones such as Adaptil collars and plug-ins, Composure Pro supplements containing L-tryptophan and L-theanine, and supplements containing valerian root or Bach flower essence. If your dog is overly stimulated and anxious by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around (and aren’t we all) talk to your veterinarian about prescription medications to provide relief. It is never in your pet’s best interest to ignore symptoms of stress; they rely on us to provide a safe environment and meet all their physical and emotional needs.

Keep Human Treats Out of Reach

Noisy revelers often snack on chocolatey desserts or drink alcohol while celebrating. Make sure all treats and snacks are out of reach. Alcohol consumption by dogs, even just one mixed drink, can lead to depression, an unsteady gait, vomiting and in some cases, a serious drop in blood pressure and body temperature. As marijuana consumption, especially in the form of edibles, becomes more commonplace, pet exposure has substantially increased. The National Animal Poison Control Center educates owners on the side effects of ingestion which may include drowsiness, unsteadiness, a decrease in heart rate, and possible seizure activity. If you suspect your pet has consumed any known toxins such as alcohol, chocolate, marijuana, human medications, or foods containing raisins or sugar substitutes, call your 24-hour veterinary clinic or the APCC right away at (888) 426-4435.

As I get older, the thrill of staying up until midnight has diminished. Instead, I like to snuggle on the couch with my pups, watch a movie, share a few bits of popcorn or pretzels, and give them some extra love. My furry family appreciates it!