There’s one person in your life more important than nearly anyone else, no not your spouse, your beloved pet of course. Your pet’s there for you regardless of what’s going on in your life, happy or sad, good or bad. So, when their little world starts to crumble, or when you start to notice them being more moody, sad or anxious, there’s nothing more important to you than getting to the root of their problem and solving their anxiety.
This can be a lot easier said than done. The difficult aspect about pet anxiety is that, like young children, your beloved pet can’t talk or communicate their problems to you. This makes getting to the root of the problem fairly difficult. While it’s always best to consult the vet first, the natural anxiety brought on from taking your pet to the vet can prevent them from getting to the bottom of what’s really causing the anxiety. If your pet’s anxiety doesn’t quite warrant a trip to the vet or vet trips haven’t been able to solve the mystery that is your pet’s anxiety, try one of these top three at-home tips to reduce your pet’s anxiety.
Get your House in Order First.This is meant both metaphorically and physically. Your own mental health and the structure and stresses around the home can have a huge impact on your pet’s mental health.
How your Mental Health Affects Your Pets Anxiety
Your pet sees and feels everything you do. If you have a bad day, they’re probably having a bad day too. You’re their whole life, so how you feel directly affects how they feel. By destressing yourself, you’ll positively affect your pet’s mental health as well. This also will be positive for you as well as it will make you more aware of your own mental health and force you to periodically check in with yourself. If you’re looking for ways to actively keep an eye on your own mental health, try meditation with the headspace app. It’s a great way for beginners to begin with meditation.
This can be a lot easier said than done. The difficult aspect about pet anxiety is that, like young children, your beloved pet can’t talk or communicate their problems to you. This makes getting to the root of the problem fairly difficult. While it’s always best to consult the vet first, the natural anxiety brought on from taking your pet to the vet can prevent them from getting to the bottom of what’s really causing the anxiety. If your pet’s anxiety doesn’t quite warrant a trip to the vet or vet trips haven’t been able to solve the mystery that is your pet’s anxiety, try one of these top three at-home tips to reduce your pet’s anxiety.
Get your House in Order First.This is meant both metaphorically and physically. Your own mental health and the structure and stresses around the home can have a huge impact on your pet’s mental health.
How your Mental Health Affects Your Pets Anxiety
Your pet sees and feels everything you do. If you have a bad day, they’re probably having a bad day too. You’re their whole life, so how you feel directly affects how they feel. By destressing yourself, you’ll positively affect your pet’s mental health as well. This also will be positive for you as well as it will make you more aware of your own mental health and force you to periodically check in with yourself. If you’re looking for ways to actively keep an eye on your own mental health, try meditation with the headspace app. It’s a great way for beginners to begin with meditation.
How your Home and the People in Your Home Affect Your Pets Anxiety
Your home itself and the people involved in your home can also have an impact on your pet’s mental health. For example, if you and your household all work long hours, your pet may get separation anxiety or anxiety simply from boredom as well. If you think that’s the reason your pets anxiety has increased, try using Wag, the dog walking service, to help break up their day and give them more attention. In addition, different guests and new additions the household and family can also cause pet anxiety; making sure to keep a schedule and slowly adjust it when change does occur can help to combat pet anxiety.
Try Natural Supplements.Lavender
Lavender is known for being a great way to calm and destress not only for pets but also for humans as well. It’s best used in a dehumidifier or as incense. The problem most people run into with lavender is that a lot of times it’s not quite strong enough to regularly use for strong anxiety.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a great way to destress and can really be a good solution to extreme anxiety for your pet when they need to calm down quickly. Melatonin, however, can be problematic as it promotes sleep and will cause your pet to sleep. So, if your pets’ anxiety is regular, melatonin might not be the perfect solution for regular anxiety relief.
CBD Oil/Chews
CBD is a newer solution to pet anxiety as well as anxiety as a whole, however, it’s fast proving to be a great long term/regular solution for pet anxiety (and your own too). It’s something that can be taken every day, is stronger than lavender, but won’t cause your pet to sleep either. If your dog has regular anxiety, this could be the perfect solution.
Play
Increased play time with your pet can relieve anxiety, increase your bond, and generally make them happier as well. While this might seem like a simple solution, it’s something that also can go to the wayside as the everyday intricacies of life begin to get in the way. People also think that as your catt ages, they want less play time, but that’s not the case. The more play time your pet has as they age, the healthier they’ll stay.
And in the end, your cat’s health is your top priority. By keeping them happy and their anxiety levels low, you’ll make sure their health stays in tip-top shape. And what could be more important for your very best friend?
Blog contribution by our friend Mollie Wilson
Your home itself and the people involved in your home can also have an impact on your pet’s mental health. For example, if you and your household all work long hours, your pet may get separation anxiety or anxiety simply from boredom as well. If you think that’s the reason your pets anxiety has increased, try using Wag, the dog walking service, to help break up their day and give them more attention. In addition, different guests and new additions the household and family can also cause pet anxiety; making sure to keep a schedule and slowly adjust it when change does occur can help to combat pet anxiety.
Try Natural Supplements.Lavender
Lavender is known for being a great way to calm and destress not only for pets but also for humans as well. It’s best used in a dehumidifier or as incense. The problem most people run into with lavender is that a lot of times it’s not quite strong enough to regularly use for strong anxiety.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a great way to destress and can really be a good solution to extreme anxiety for your pet when they need to calm down quickly. Melatonin, however, can be problematic as it promotes sleep and will cause your pet to sleep. So, if your pets’ anxiety is regular, melatonin might not be the perfect solution for regular anxiety relief.
CBD Oil/Chews
CBD is a newer solution to pet anxiety as well as anxiety as a whole, however, it’s fast proving to be a great long term/regular solution for pet anxiety (and your own too). It’s something that can be taken every day, is stronger than lavender, but won’t cause your pet to sleep either. If your dog has regular anxiety, this could be the perfect solution.
Play
Increased play time with your pet can relieve anxiety, increase your bond, and generally make them happier as well. While this might seem like a simple solution, it’s something that also can go to the wayside as the everyday intricacies of life begin to get in the way. People also think that as your catt ages, they want less play time, but that’s not the case. The more play time your pet has as they age, the healthier they’ll stay.
And in the end, your cat’s health is your top priority. By keeping them happy and their anxiety levels low, you’ll make sure their health stays in tip-top shape. And what could be more important for your very best friend?
Blog contribution by our friend Mollie Wilson
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