Is your pet stressed? Here are the major warning signs

Stress gets to us all but we at least can voice our worry and get help. Our pets obviously can’t be vocal about their concerns so we have put together a guide to help you tell if they are stressing and how to relieve them.

Dogs

Signs that your dog is stressed: 

1. Excessive shedding
2. Pinned-back ears
3. Destructive behaviours
4. Avoidance
5. Illness – vomiting, diarrhea or allergies
6. Barking excessively
7. Loss of appetite
8. Increased sleeping

How to help them: 

If you have noticed these behaviours in your dog then there are a few things you can do to help get their tails wagging again. If your dog’s behaviour has changed quite suddenly then the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, an underlying medical problem could be the cause of the stress. Here are some things you can do to help your dog destress:

Spend some quality time with your dog: Playing and exercising with your dog on a regular bases is a great way to reduce stress.

Stick to a routine: Dogs are a bit like young children, they like their routine. Knowing where they sleep, when they eat and when they go for walks helps them feel less stressed.

Create a safe zone: Have a space in the house where your dog can escape from high-stress situations like thunderstorms or loud parties. Stay with your dog until the even has passed if possible.

Cats

Signs your cat is stressed:

1. Loss of appetite
2. Excessive grooming
3. Isolation
4. Aggression – towards people or other animals
5. Urinating outside the litter box
6. Digestive issues – constipation or diarrhea
7. Excessive scratching
8. Increased sleeping

How to help them: 

Create a safe retreat – Its important that your cat has one or two places that they can go to hide away from unwanted attention.

Active engagement – Having interactive playtimes with your cat will build up their confidents and will allow them to create a positive relationship with you.

Slowly introduce change – Cats hate even the smallest change so if you are planning on switching their food, brand of litter or even the food bowl, do so gradually.

Is there anything you do to take special care of your pet?