In difficult times, animals also experience stress. Here's how to help your pet deal with anxiety

What causes an animal to feel anxious?

There are quite a few reasons. Apathy or inattention on the part of the owner, moving to a new place, repair or even a simple rearrangement of furniture, a long and exhausting trip, a visit to the veterinary clinic, a small child in the house, sudden loud noises from the street - any of these circumstances can provoke anxiety.

Different animals react differently to things. For example, dogs are characterized by the so-called separation anxietyG. Flannigan, N. H. Dodman. Risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs / Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - anxiety caused by loneliness. Many dogs feel better in the environment of relatives. Huskies, Beagles, Malamutes are the standards of pack dogs. Cats, on the other hand, relatively calmly endure the long absence of the owner nearby. The main cause of stress for them is the presence of other cats in the house,

He speaksWorried about your cat's unusual behavior? Take a look at our guide on spotting signs of stress in your cat / Cats Protection British charity Cats Protection.

Many pets are very sensitive to the emotional situation in the house. For example, the owner's anxiety can affect the dog. The authors of one of the studies discoveredA. S. Sundman A. C. Svenson, E. Van Poucke A. Faresjo, L. Roth. Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners / Scientific Reportsthat if a person and a dog spend a lot of time together, their levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can synchronize. Many parrots, especially cockatoos or grays, are extremely social birdsHow to Tell if Your Bird is Unhappy or Stressed — And What to Do / PetMD. If in a family they stop paying attention to a feathered one, he gets very upset and may even try to harm himself.

Even the emotional reaction and behavior of the pet is affected by the general condition of his body, hormonal background, the degree of personal involvement in a stressful situation and the experience of living a traumatic factor in past. Don't be surprised if the cat you picked up on the street, does not go to tactile contact. Perhaps other people treated him cruelly, so the animal is wary of stroking.

How stress manifests itself in pets

The first bell is a change in behavior and character. If a calm and affectionate cat began to fuss and show aggression, this is a sign of stress. An active and cheerful dog fell into apathy, and the veterinarian did not find any health problems - most likely, the pet is worried. The parrot does not want to leave the cage, although he used to fly around the apartment with pleasure - he may be upset or offended.

Stress in animals often manifests itself at the level of physiology. The pet can go to the toilet in the wrong place, refuse to foodmake uncharacteristic sounds. Stressed cats often begin to lick themselves uncontrollably, dogs tuck their tail under them and nervously sit down, and birds pluck their own feathers or gnaw their paws.

However, these factors can also be signs of various diseases. To exclude this option, it is better to first show the pet to a specialist and take tests. Animals, like people, are in a difficult emotional state when they are sick. In this case, a course of treatment will help the pet.

What to do to help your pet cope with anxiety

If the veterinarian has not found health problems and has not prescribed sedatives, help the animal survive fear, resentment or irritation. Here are some general techniques.

Create a security zone

Wherever you are, try to allocate a shelter place for your pet in which he can calmly wait out the emotional storm. Position the bed or cage away from harsh sounds and bright light sources. Don't forget to bring to the safety zone toys or things that the animal is used to: an old tennis ball, a soft blanket, a chewed teddy bear.

Establish tactile and eye contact

If your pet loves attention, hold it in your arms more often, stroke it or scratch it behind the ear. So the dog, cat or bird will understand that the attitude of the owner has not changed. Being close to a human gives a pet a sense of security. If the pet has never shown interest in tactile attention or in a particular stressful situation refuses from caresses, try to gently establish at least eye contact. It is also important not to stop talking to your pet. The owner's voice brings him back to his usual surroundings.

Support with treats and games

Invite your pet to play together. If a cat hits a toy with its paw or joins in the hunt for a "‎mouse"‎, this is a good sign that the acute phase of stress has ended. Encourage participation in games with treats: this is a positive assessment of the behavior of the animal. In a calm environment, getting a treat for a pet means that everything is fine and the owner is pleased with him. However, you shouldn't push too hard. If the animal does not respond to activity, the owner's excessive persistence can disturb him even more.

Avoid physical stress

This recommendation applies mainly to dogs that are actively trained. Try to make walks calm and do not make the animal run and jump a lot. 3-4 physically "boring" days will help to avoid overstimulation of the dog's nervous system.

Control your own emotions

The more familiar the situation in the house, the less the animal is worried. In moments of emotional jumps, try not to scream or quarrel with family members. Do not punish your pet for suddenly chewing on something or going to the toilet past the tray. If these are signs of stress, then you will only make the situation worse.