How to Handle Anxious Pets

Just like humans, dogs and cats also deal with mental health conditions, such as stress and anxiety. It is important for humans to recognise the warning signs of anxiety in their furry family members so they can take the necessary steps to ease those anxieties and improve their beloved pet’s quality of life. Continue reading to learn more about anxiety in dogs and cats.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health condition and a natural stress response that results in feelings of fear, dread, apprehension and tension. While anxiety is normally a short-lasting reaction to a specific event, sometimes it manifests in an excessive and persistent manner that begins to impact daily life.

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

Some of the most common signs of anxiety in dogs include:

• Destructive behaviour (chewing and digging)
• Persistent whining or barking
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Pacing and restlessness
• Waking up at night
• Hiding
• More aggressive behaviour
• Accidents in the home

Signs of Anxiety in Cats

The most common signs of anxiety in cats include:

• Going to the toilet outside of their litter box
• Hiding and avoiding contact with humans (withdrawn)
• Excessive meowing
• Reduced appetite
• Overgrooming or other compulsive behaviours

What Are the Main Causes of Anxiety in Dogs and Cats?

Dogs and cats can struggle with anxiety due to the following reasons:

• A change of routine
• A new addition to the home (new pet or baby)
• Being left home alone for extended periods of time
• Moving homes (new environments)
• Unfamiliar visitors to the home
• Loud noises (fireworks, thunderstorms or construction)
• Travelling (being left at a boarding facility or animal hotel)
• Going on public transport
• Visiting the vet

Anxiety can be regarded as either fear-based anxiety or separation anxiety.

• Fear-based anxiety: Mostly triggered by loud noises, unfamiliar places, people and events, such as visits to the vet, moving homes, meeting new people or being exposed to loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms Fear-based anxiety is usually short-lasting and goes away with time. However, if the cause of the anxiety is ongoing, the anxiety can continue.
• Separation-based anxiety: Anxiety that is caused by pets being left alone at home. This is more common in dogs than in cats, though cats can experience separation-based anxiety as well. As a sign of their anxiety, pets can have toileting accidents and destroy the home in protest. In severe cases, they can even injure themselves.

Anxiety’s Impact on a Pet’s Health

Long-term stress and anxiety can result in multiple health issues, which can include:

• Malnourishment or obesity: Anxiety may suppress your pet’s appetite, resulting in malnourishment. In some cases, it may cause your pet to overeat, resulting in obesity. This can lead to various diet-related health issues.
• Immune system: Suffering from anxiety and stress in the long term can cause high cortisol levels, which can weaken an immune system’s response and cause slower healing and a higher risk of infections in your pet.
• Skin issues: Cats can overgroom when they are anxious, causing skin lesions or fur loss. Dogs may also develop skin infections from persistent scratching.
• Chronic conditions: Anxiety can exacerbate certain chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma and diabetes in animals.
• Urinary tract issues: Anxious cats can suffer from Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), which is a painful inflammation in the bladder caused by stress and anxiety.

How Can I Calm My Anxious Pet Down?

Here are some of the best ways to calm your pet and alleviate their anxiety.

Create a Safe Space

Whether your animal is anxious due to loud noises or separation anxiety, creating a safe space in the home can help calm them and make them feel safe. Place bedding, blankets, pillows, and your pet’s favourite toys in this safe space, as well as their food and water bowls nearby, so they have everything they need when they need to have some time to themselves.

Training

Training is especially important for anxious dogs and can go a long way to minimising their anxious behaviours.

• Keep a routine: Maintaining consistent meal, walking, and sleep times can help a dog know what to expect each day and reduce their stress levels.
• Keep departures calm and low-key: Leaving home discreetly, without making a big deal, can teach your dog that leaving home is not a bad thing and that they have nothing to be anxious about.
• Desensitisation and distraction: If your dog or cat is scared of loud noises, specifically thunderstorms or fireworks, reward them when they are exposed to the loud noises and do your best to desensitise and distract them by playing music or putting on the TV and giving them lots of attention.

Diet

There are foods that are specifically designed to minimise stress and anxiety levels. Some of the best foods for anxious pets include:

• Royal Canin Calm: Available for dogs and cats. This food contains L-tryptophan and hydrolysed milk protein, which promote a calming effect and relieve stress.
• Hills Prescription C/D Stress Urinary Care: Specially formulated to support a cat’s urinary health. It contains hydrolysed casein (a peptide) and L-tryptophan (an amino acid), which can reduce anxiety-related behaviours in cats.
• Important vitamins and minerals: Give your anxious pet foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, B Vitamins, and L-tryptophan.

Make sure to ask your vet about the best diet for your anxious dog or cat.

Pheromones

Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats are available as sprays, diffusers and collars, and mimic the natural odours that dogs and cats release when they are happy. Place them around the home to help ease anxiety.

Special Treats

There are special calming dog and cat treats formulated with a blend of natural ingredients that encourage calmness and relaxation. These ingredients include hemp seed oil, chamomile, L-tryptophan and valerian root. The most popular calming dog and cat treats include Doggylicious and Feliway Happy Cat.

Distract Them with Interactive Toys and Games

Keep your dogs and cats busy and occupied with interactive puzzle games and toys that require their time and attention to solve and get the reward (often a treat or access to their food). Rubber chew toys and lick mats are designed to keep animals entertained and reduce anxiety and stress.

Play Calming Music

Yes, there is a playlist for everything these days, including for anxious dogs and cats. Just like humans, music can calm and relax anxious dogs and cats, especially classical music and nature sounds. Play a calming playlist during a thunderstorm or while your pet is home alone to help soothe them.

Natural Supplements

Natural supplements can be added to your pet’s diet to help minimise stress and anxiety levels. Popular products include Thunder Wunder Calming Chews and Paw Blackmores Complete Calm.

Fresh Air

Don’t underestimate the positive impact fresh air and some sunlight can have on your pet’s mental health. Get your pet outdoors and running around to encourage mental stimulation.

When Should You See a Vet?

Sometimes, your pet’s anxious behaviour can be short-lived and disappear as soon as it arrives. But in some cases, it may persist and even seem to get worse, which is when you should take your beloved furry family member to see their vet. The vet can carry out a physical examination and diagnostic tests to rule out any physical reasons for the anxiety. Make sure you keep a journal of their signs and behaviours, so your vet has a clear understanding of their symptoms. Based on the medical results and the vet’s observation, they will be able to provide you with some helpful tips and tricks to help ease your dog or cat’s anxiety and bring peace and calm back into your lives. At Potiki, we understand how precious your pets are. We also know that the unexpected can happen at any time, resulting in extremely high vet fees. These unforeseen circumstances are why it is best to be prepared with pet insurance. Potiki offer our customers flexible covers with excess and extras to give you and your family peace of mind. Visit our website to obtain a quick quote and explore our various coverage options.

FAQs