Signs of Stress in your pets
Probably your pets are super glad you’ve been home with them more in the past few months. If you’re like me, your pets are getting more love, more attention, and more play time than usual! Long walks, extra belly rubs and more can keep you and your pet from getting overly stressed during stay-at-home orders and the general stress of COVID-19. However, pet stress is a real thing and it can be influenced by you.
Of course you don’t mean to cause your pet stress. However, if you’re stressed, they know. They see it in your body movements and they hear it in your voice. The same changes in routine that cause you stress cause your pet stress. It’s possible your cats enjoy that time alone each day. They use it to nap, play together, and generally have some downtime. They get uninterrupted sleep when you’re gone. Now that you’re home all the time, their daily routine has to change a little bit too.
Signs of stress in your pets
We want you to be aware of some signs of stress in your pets and some ways to help them relax.
For dogs, signs of stress include:
- pacing
- excessive whining or barking
- yawning, drooling and licking
- changes in body posture
- shedding
- panting
- changes in bodily functions
- hiding
- going to the bathroom in the house
- changes in eating patterns or habits
- not wanting to play or not having the same enthusiasm as usual
Signs of stress in your pets really can be defined as anything out of the ordinary for your pet. Just like stress and anxiety in humans, stress and anxiety in pets can manifest itself in a variety of ways. For cats, signs of stress include:
- excessive grooming
- peeing outside the litter box
- changes in behavior
- lack of appetite
- a desire to be alone/hiding
- inappropriate scratching
- diarrhea
- hiding or extra clinginess
To help your pet with stress and stressful situations, there are several things you can do.
First, try to keep their routine as similar as possible. Feed them at the same time, take walks at the same time, etc. Next, if you can, keep yourself calm. Try yoga or meditation to relieve some of the stress and anxiety you have that your pet is sensing. Get outside and get some fresh air and exercise for yourself too!
If that doesn’t work, consider some stress relieving products like Colorado Hemp Honey, True Leaf Hemp Chews, or HomeoPet anxiety relief. We have all of these in stock at 2851 1/2 North Avenue in Grand Junction. You may even find that certain music helps both you and your pet feel less stress.
If you see signs of stress in your pets that worry you, call your veterinarian for a check up.
