Like us, our pets experience anxiety...

Anxiety in pets is a stress response that occurs when an animal feels fear, uncertainty, or discomfort-often triggered by a situation, environment, or past experience. It can affect both dogs and cats, and just like humans, it can range from mild nervousness to severe distress.

Anxiety can affect not only their behavior, but their physical health and quality of life overtime. The good news is that anxiety is manageable and treatable with the right care.

What are the signs of anxiety

• Aggressive or destructive behavior

• Constant barking/meowing

• Excessive shaking or trembling

• Hiding or attempting to escape

• Immobility or “freezing”

• Excessive lip or nose licking

• Increase respiration or heart rate

• Excessive urination or defecation

If you see signs of anxiety in your pet, talk with a veterinarian. They can work with you to identify possible triggers, determine if it's a situational or an ongoing condition, and develop a potential treatment plan tailored to your pet's specific needs.

Tips on how you can help your pet's anxiety

• Provide a quiet, comfortable area where your pet can retreat when feeling overwhelmed

• Expose them to calming sounds such as music or white noise to mask potentially stressful sounds

• Establish consistent routine and predictability with their feeding times, walk schedules, and playtime

• Promote exercise and mental stimulation to help release their endorphins, which can have a calming effect

• Introduce them gradually and positively to new things that may trigger their anxiety

• Give them positive reinforcement by rewarding calm behavior and positive associations with their anxiety triggers

• Consult with us to determine cause of anxiety and how to help treat it

When we know better, we love better.

Find Pet Care Now >