Pet Stress Control

You give them the best food on the planet, you take them to walks every day and have them chase their favorite toy at home. What else can you do for your beloved pooch Sparky or your feisty kitty Sassy? Beyond a high-quality diet, regular exercise, and reducing exposure to various environment toxins, the best thing we can do for ourselves and our pets is to reduce the stress we experience.

The connection between mind and body is no longer stuff of science fiction and it is now a well researched scientific fact that both in humans and in pets, the emotional stress plays a central role in well-being. While you may not be able to teach your dog or cat to articulate and chant holy sounds used for human meditation to relieve pet stress, there are other things you can do.

Causes of Pet Stress

Genetics – Some breeds of dogs and cats are genetically predisposed toward being “high-strung.” According to SitStayFetch writers these breeds include Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales.

Past Experience – Karma is not just for people and past experience leaves its mark. Almost any dog and cat that has been lost or abandoned and has gone through rescue process is susceptible to stress. Early weaning and separation from mom also contributes to pets getting stressed out quicker.

Neglect - while you may not be able to do much about the genetics and past experience, you have a lot to do with number one cause of stress in pets and that is pure and simple neglect.

Pets Are Soul Too

Humans and pets have quite a bit in common. What causes stress in a human, is likely to stress pets out too. Events like major life changes, environmental changes, changes in relationships. I have seen my female Siamese cat, Honey, sit by the door waiting for her wayward mate, Misha to come home from his nightly outing. When I lost Misha, Honey went through a deep depression that she never recovered from. Her upbeat and playful personality became an introverted one that lasted for the rest of her life. He only comfort was my wife’s lap and her gently strokes. Pets get as stressed with home improvement project and moving as we do and the stress of these events can stay many pets for months.

Cat Stress - Dog Stress

Cats can be particularly sensitive to environmental changes so before you install that new plush carpet make sure that you have your cat’s favorite toy, pillow or sleeping blanket handy and not packed away.

Dogs get more stressed with shifts in relationships and once more “security blanket” comes in and helps them out. The pack nature of dogs makes it necessary for you to be involved as a new member joins your ( I mean you and your dog’s) family. Take the time to ensure that your dog doesn’t feel left out and confirm your dog’s hierarchy for him.

For predictable events that cause your pet stress like going to the vet’s office, car travel, thunderstorms, boarding, family vacations, or visitors in the home there are effective remedies such as Pheromone-based sprays for pets or Only Natural Pet Phero-Soothe for Dogs to soothe dogs.

For pets susceptible to extreme physical reactions like crying, nausea, vomiting or trembling, you can checkout herbal remedies for stress to help calm them physically. And there are toys for dogs who suffer from separation anxiety.

The following are some specific products for your consideration.