Common causes of anxiety in your pet and what you can do about it

Pets get anxiety too

Pets, like humans, can suffer from anxiety or fear. Across the United States pet owners are returning home daily to find that their dog has chewed the furniture or their cat has sprayed on the carpet. These behaviors are often mistaken for the pet being angry but many times that isn’t the case.

Important note: If your pet is displaying problem behaviors, it is recommended you visit a veterinarian to make sure there are no underlying medical issues. For this article, we will focus on the causes and resolutions for anxiety in your pet. Pets can express anxiety and fear in multiple ways:

  • Destruction of property
  • Abnormal communication (whining, barking, meowing, hissing),
  • Going to the bathroom or spraying in the home
  • Aggressive Behavior

There are many reasons that can be causing your pet’s anxiety or fear and they can be situational or behavioral  An example of some situational triggers can be:

  • Separation from the owner
  • Abnormal Weather / Storms
  • The Introduction of new people or animals
  • Travel

Try to find the trigger for your pets behavior. You need to think like your pet and observe their habits. The signs aren’t always obvious so you will need to pay close attention. Finding the triggers can aid you in helping to relieve their anxiety. Is their trigger situational or behavioral? Situational triggers such as the ones above can be managed a few ways:

Create a calm environment and offer a safe space for your pet to go that is theirs. This is especially helpful for weather related events and when new people or pets are around. Make sure their space has their favorite toys and blankets and is away from the noise or commotion as much as possible.

Introduce Full Spectrum Oil to their diet. The Hemp plant contains ingredients that have been known to be effective in pets with anxiety. Scientific studies increasingly show that Full Spectrum Oil derived from the hemp plant has positive effects for anxiety reduction and multiple other ailments. Read how Natural Pet Oil helped Boomer (an American Bulldog breed known for separation anxiety).

If your pet is acting up by being aggressive they might need some behavioral training. As always, you should consult with your veterinarian when it comes to your pets health.

References

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/steps-to-identify-and-ease-anxiety-in-pets