Pet Wellness – Pet Stress Awareness

Pet wellness encompasses many areas of a healthy and happy pet, so in appreciation of Stress Awareness Month, learn how you can identify and eliminate pet stress to give them a longer, happier, and healthier life. healthier.

April is Stress Awareness Month and this applies to all living things, big, small, human or not, particularly our pets. Are you surprised to read that animals have stress? Stress affects our dogs and cats and various types of pets across the board. Pet stress, like human stress, causes health problems, lowers quality of life, causes depression, and shortens life. For these reasons, among others, there is a need for pet owners to practice another part of pet wellness, which is finding out if their pet is stressed, identifying stressors, and using techniques to eliminate stress and increase quality of life. your pet. life.

Signs of Pet Stress

Many signs of pet stress can also be signs of other problems, so don’t assume it’s stress. It is important to consider all avenues to help your pet efficiently and save yourself and your pet from future health problems and expensive vet bills.

1. Itching

Itching is a sign of several things, such as fleas, ticks, lice, or skin allergies, but it can also be a sign of stress if your dog or cat itches more than usual. Eliminate the possibility of fleas, ticks, lice and allergies first, and then consider that your pet may be stressed. Natural pet health care treatments offer effective allergy itch remedies that can be administered at home. Treating the itchiness and discomfort of allergies and eliminating the source of the allergy will also prevent your pet from experiencing stress caused by discomfort from continued itching.

2. Excessive shedding

The more stress there is on the pet, the more shedding there will be. However, shedding is also common with poor quality dog ​​food, a poor diet, and can also be due to genetics, as well as a dog not getting enough sunlight. Another excessive shedding condition is when the pores in the dog’s skin do not close completely, allowing hair to constantly fall out. This usually requires a vitamin like biotin to help. However, your pet could be too stressed.

3. Lethargy

A lethargic pet is always a sign that something is not right and should be urgently investigated. Lethargy can come from depression, poor health, lack of exercise, and unhappiness. But your pet’s stress is on fire. Usually, a vet will request a stool sample to get to the root of this problem.

4. Aggression

A sick, injured or in pain pet may be aggressive if approached or petted, other than that your pet’s aggression could be stress related.

5. Lack or lack of appetite

Pets that are stressed, sick, or depressed often eat less or lose their appetite altogether. This is another area, obviously, that needs to be addressed immediately if noticed by pet owners.

6. Lake of interest

A dog or cat that suddenly shows a lack of interest in things they have always been excited to do or enjoyed doing is a sign of a sick, sad, or depressed pet. Check for illness first, and then consider stress as a reason.

7. Passive behavior

The opposite of aggression, some pets become passive when stressed.

8. Negative behavior

Bored pets often dig, chew, or bark constantly. A stressed or sad dog will be destructive, this is also a common behavior of intelligent breeds that are not left alone for long periods of time or are not physically and mentally exercised enough for their breed.

9. Change is swimwear

A dog that is house-trained or a cat that is litter-box-trained who suddenly forgets about this and walks into the house could be stressed or sad. Take into account the age of your pet and how long it has been trained because accidents do happen and especially during the puppy stages or learning stages.

10.Sounds

As funny as it is, cats often purr when stressed, sad, or even dying, unlike a dog who growls when unhappy or agitated.

11. Body language

Many pets, particularly dogs and cats, will have a change in body language, such as slouching while walking, lowering their heads, walking slower than normal, and lying down all the time. This could be a sign that your dog or cat is unwell, has an injury, is depressed, or is experiencing pet stress.

happy pets signs

1.curious

2. Playful

3. Show appreciation to people you meet

4. Normal stools and bathroom habits that are rarely disturbed

5. Mostly happy appearance and behavior.

6. Good appetite

Just like people, dogs and cats have different personalities and owners, with different lifestyles and different environments. Dogs and cats will handle their stress in different ways: some are more tense and nervous, while others just go with the flow and may not be bothered too much by things. When a pet owner is stressed or depressed, it can affect their pets, particularly a dog or cat, as these animals are very open to their owners’ feelings, spirit, and environment. If you’re stressed, anxious, or depressed, chances are your dog or cat is, too.

But there are other factors that can cause your dog or cat stress.

1. Pet wellness requires pet owners to identify if their pet is stressed and take steps to improve the situation. Consider yourself first. Are you stressed more than usual? Are you depressed, sad, or do you feel anxious and nervous? Remember that just like your children, your pet will be aware of your stress and if it has a direct impact on your behavior, mood, actions and personality, it will undoubtedly affect your pet as well.

2. If your pet is sick and doesn’t get better, it can cause stress and unhappiness for them as well as for you. So keep an eye on your pet and be sure to take action in any unusual situations that may arise. Don’t delay because you don’t know what the situation might be and could be time sensitive, which could mean the difference between recovery or death. For pets who already have an illness or health problem, stress can slow healing and even make the problem chronic if your pet is dealing with unrelenting stress.

3. Constant television, flashing lights, lack of visual stimuli, smoke, or polluted living environments can cause stress on the dog’s eyes. Consider turning off your television for some time during the day, soft lights at night, toys, and a clean, stimulating air environment.

4. Once again, as with our children, television can become a problem if it is not handled at home. A constant loud TV can add stress through your dog’s ears. Loud noises, other dogs barking constantly, people arguing, children screaming, sirens, video games, thunderstorms, and constant slamming doors in a pet’s environment are other stresses through sound that can affect your dog. Consider classical music for your dog or cat when left home alone instead of the TV or radio. Classical music is calm, slow and relaxing, and has proven to be a favorite with dogs and cats. There are plenty of pet music CDs available these days that have clinically proven types of music that are best suited and enjoyed by dogs and cats. An antistatic cloak can be used to help dogs suffering from thunderstorm stress. Consider the noise level in your home and make changes to a quieter and calmer environment if necessary.

5. Perfumes, excessive or irritating essential oils, hairspray, air fresheners, deodorants, and smoke are also stress culprits that cause anxiety or agitation through the dog’s nose. For health reasons and signs of global warming it is preferable that people do not use air fresheners in their homes or vehicles. Instead, get to the root of the odor problem and try a natural freshener like boiling or cooking a cinnamon stick. Do not use perfume, deodorant, hairspray, or smoke around your pet. Instead, use these items in one room to keep the rest of the house clean.

6. For anxiety and fear, pet owners will often consider a product called a calming pheromone for dogs. Before you go down that road, however, consider lavender aromatherapy, which has been shown to be successful in reducing stress, sadness, and restlessness in dogs housed in shelters and kennels.

7. A dog’s mouth and digestive system also differ from stress. A poor diet, unhealthy teeth and gums that don’t get enough water, or having to compete for food are sources of stress for pets. Make sure your dog gets regular dental checkups and regular cleanings. A safe and trustworthy food environment, clean and fresh water every day, a healthy and balanced diet

8. Temperature and weather are also sources of stress. A pet in uncomfortable, painful, or isolated living conditions will have high levels of stress.

9. Excessive exercise, poor training techniques, and untreated injuries can lead to arthritis and joint disease. Poor training can also cause fear and a lack of confidence, all of which lead to stress. Exercise should be breed and age appropriate, fun, stimulating, and moderate. Training should be age and breed appropriate and never on a harsh and cruel basis. To protect against injury, joint disease, and arthritis, make sure your dog or cat receives beneficial treatments for the body, such as massage, hot or cold heating pads and swimming in the pool if possible. Make sure your dog is comfortable with the water first and that you are with him when he is taking a dip. As a child, never leave your pet alone in or near the water. Massages don’t have to be expensive, you can learn how to do them at home, as well as many other natural pet health care practices.

In the spirit of stress awareness month, remember that being a conscientious and responsible pet owner requires you to put pet wellness into practice and stay on top of any changes in your pet, just as you do with your children. . Watch for behavior changes of any kind to address them and find the root of the problem. Stress is not the cause of all the problems your pet may encounter, but it should never be ruled out. Give your pet the quality of life they deserve by making sure their meals, treats, exercise, training, lifestyle, treats and environment are healthy and age and breed appropriate. Giving your pet a natural healthy pet diet, enhanced with vegetables and free from poor quality feed ingredients, unhealthy additives will maintain your pet’s internal and external beauty and protect it from disease. Maintain your health further by doing everything you can to eliminate pet stress and improve the length and quality of your pet’s life.