Pets can experience stress just like people, and even though such can affect both their mental and physical health, it often goes unrecognized when its signs are misunderstood.
Chronic stress can raise cortisol levels, heart rate and blood pressure; weaken the immune system; and even cause fluctuations in weight—all of which increase a pet’s risk of becoming ill.
Professor Audra Jones of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences says that recognizing stress early and responding appropriately is essential to keep your pet healthy and happy.
What Causes Stress in Pets?
Pets face a variety of stressors in their everyday lives. Some situations that may seem harmless to us—like veterinary visits, car rides, moving houses and introducing new pets to the household—can be especially challenging for them.
“Pets may associate veterinary visits with stress related to the pain of injections or treatments, or even the smells of other animals in the same space as them,” Jones explained.
“While car rides are enjoyable for some pets, others can have very different responses due, in part, to motion sickness; past negative experiences; and unfamiliar sights and sounds.”
Changes at home are another major factor. Moving to a new house or introducing a new pet can unsettle animals who thrive on familiarity.
“Cats and dogs are territorial in nature and like to be in places that are familiar to them,” Jones said. “Pets also don’t like to share space with another animal that may threaten their environment and peace.”
What Are The Signs of Stress in Pets?
Recognizing stress in pets is crucial. Early signs can be subtle—for example. yawning or licking their nose and lips—before turning into severe issues. As stress increases, they may display more obvious behaviors, which often differ by species.
“Both dogs and cats might freeze and it is possible to see them shaking in fear,” Jones said. “They might also tuck their tails between their legs and lower their bodies closer to the ground in an attempt to ‘shrink away’ from the stress.
“Pets might also defecate or urinate under severe stress,” she added. “And stressed-out pets will usually not want to eat treats or drink water until the stressful situation is resolved and they feel comfortable enough to let their guard down.”
In dogs specifically, stress can cause panting and smacking of the lips or jaws; while in cats stress can trigger fear, causing them to look for hiding places.
How to Help a Stressed Pet?
Owners play a key role in reducing stress. It is important to remain calm and make them feel safe, avoiding any loud noises or anxious reaction which may intensify the situation.
“Try to recognize what’s making the pet feel stressed or unsafe and, if possible, remove that threat from their environment,” Jones said.
Positive reinforcement and gradual exposure to stressful experiences are effective strategies. For example, “happy visits” to the veterinarians—where pets are allowed to simply explore the place and receive treats without actually seeing the doctor—can help form positive associations and make future vet trips less stressful.
In some cases, veterinarians may recommend anti-anxiety medications for pets that consistently struggle with chronic stress.
“If you know that your pet gets stressed about car rides or vet visits, ask your veterinarian about prescribing an anti-anxiety treatment,” Jones said. “These prescriptions are catered to each individual patient and have a great safety profile. They can make stressful experiences much more enjoyable for pets and all others involved.”
As high-stress creatures, cats in particular benefit from gradual desensitization, including things such as leaving their carrier out before a visit, which allows them to explore and feel more comfortable, and spraying the carrier with synthetic pheromones at least 15 minutes before travel.
“Pheromones are natural chemicals that are secreted by cats to mark a safe spot,” Jones said. “When cats rub against a tree or your leg, they are marking that spot as ‘safe’ by secreting pheromones.
“Luckily, there are products available that contain that same ‘safe’ chemical,” Jones said. “Using these sprays in a cat’s carrier and/or putting the spray on a towel and placing it in the carrier will help ‘mark’ safe spaces for cats.”
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