Tips to Help Your Pet’s Anxiety

Both dogs and cats can deal with anxiety and the sometimes painful habits that come with it. Anxiety among pets is actually a very common issue, but luckily there are some things that can be done to help. Let’s take a look at what can be done for dogs and cats that need help with reducing anxiety.

Dogs

Causes:

• They need more exercise
• They have separation anxiety
• They’ve been abused in the past
• Generalized anxiety

Solutions:

Dogs tend to have a lot of energy they need to get out to release it on a regular basis. To reduce anxiety take them on regular walks or playtime at your community dog parks. If they’re by themselves all day long, there are various options to give them exercise while you’re gone including hiring a dog walker or taking them to doggie daycare. This will help with not only releasing that pent up energy, but also with separation anxiety which is along the same lines.

For dogs that have been abused in the past, creating a predictable feeding, walking, and quality time routine will help ease their anxiety. You may also want to hire a dog trainer or behaviorist to help them feel comfortable within the “dog pack” of your family.

Cats

Causes

• They need more playtime
• Their home territory has changed
• They’ve been abused in the past
• Generalized anxiety

Solutions:

Whereas dogs tend to have more anxiety surrounding their pack and family, cats tend to have anxiety based on their territory. Cats are by definition territorial, so for example, if they are moved around a lot or you’ve changed your furniture layout in your home and your cat is more on the sensitive side, this could cause them anxiety. Cats also do need a release for their pent up energy as well, which is why playtime is essential for indoor cats especially.

If your cat still has anxiety even after giving them plenty of playtime and a secure home/territory, you can try a pheromone diffuser like Feliway, which uses a synthetic version of the pheromone released by mother cats while they’re nursing.