How to Reduce Your Pet’s Anxiety

Did you know that 40% of Brits say they love their pet more than their partner? Don’t worry, we won’t tell if you don’t. Whether you’re one of those people or not, it’s safe to say the UK is a pet-mad country. From dogs and cats to guinea pigs and goldfish, we love our pets in all shapes and sizes, which makes it extra hard to see when they’re struggling with anxiety. 

There are lots of things that can cause anxiety in pets. We explore a few of the most common ones, and give you a few ways to get your pets purring or wagging their tails again. 

What can cause pet anxiety?

There are lots of things that can stop your pet from feeling themselves. Some of them are totally natural, while others are just because of how much your pet loves you. Yes, seriously. If your pet is acting strangely lately, it could be down to one of these things.

Pet anxiety in thunderstorms

It might not surprise you to know that pets can get especially anxious in bad weather. Just like some humans, pets get freaked out by the sound of rumbling thunder and claps of lightning. Even heavy rain can unsettle them. Pets like cats and dogs have incredible hearing, and unexplainable noises like thunder could see them cowering beneath the sofa.

Searches for ‘dog anxiety in thunderstorms’ have gone up by 200% over the past year, which could well be explained by our second cause…

Separation anxiety in pets

Yep, that’s right, your pet just hates being apart from you. While some pets (like certain cats) love their independence, they all love spending time with you even more. When they’re apart, anxiety can strike. This can be especially bad for any pets bought during Covid lockdowns. After spending almost two years being glued to our sides, our sudden return to a more normal way of life can seem frightening. 

In fact, searches for ‘dog separation anxiety’ peaked in August 2021, just as the toughest lockdown measures were ending. 

Pet anxiety in cars

If you’ve ever tried to get your pet to the vet, you’ll know just how much they hate being in your car. While we’re sure this isn’t a reflection on your driving, it definitely is a sign that pets weren’t designed for that kind of movement. Sudden turns, speed bumps, and the feeling of going much faster than their legs can take them, can mess with a pet’s internal sensors. When coupled with the feeling of being trapped inside a carry case, it must feel like the world is about to end. 

Add a visit to the vets on top of that, and we can totally understand why pets hate going for a drive. 

Pet anxiety around strangers

While your pet might be your best friend, we can’t guarantee they’ll feel so warm around other people. Some pets will rush to meet your mates when they step inside, sniffing them and leaving their scent to know they can be trusted. However, others would rather not take the risk, and the feeling of having a stranger in their home won’t go down well. 

Pets can be very territorial, and having someone that isn’t part of their pack in their space will put them on edge. It might take a few visits before your pet starts to feel comfortable.

Pet anxiety with children

Having children in your home can pose a risk to many of your most expensive items. For pets, it poses a risk to their safety. All kids want to do is make friends, but as far as your pet is concerned, that isn’t how they like to be stroked, and they’d rather not have their tail pulled. You should try and get your pet used to children before you leave them on your own, teaching kids how to handle them correctly and showing your pets that there’s no need to be afraid.

Pet anxiety around other pets

Ok guys, you’re not helping yourselves here. Some pets get on perfectly with other animals, but if you’ve had one on its own for a while and introduce a new friend, well, it could be a totally different story. Just like when you invite a new human into your home, a new pet can make your existing one feel very territorial. That’s their food bowl, their favourite spot to sleep, and most importantly, their human. This anxiety could turn into stress or even violence, as both try to assert their dominance.

Dog anxiety is on the up

Searches for dog anxiety have been rising recently, as more people look to calm their pooches down. Since lockdown ended, more of us have had to come to terms with leaving our pets at home while we go to work, meet friends or just enjoy freedom again. While this is fun for us, it can leave our pets feeling a bit neglected. Dogs in particular love their person’s company, and being left on their own for too long isn’t their idea of a good time. 

Separation anxiety has seen a staggering 1378150% increase over the past 12 months. Remember, a dog is for life, not just for lockdown. 

Anxiety also peaks around certain times of the year. Take Bonfire Night for example. Loud noises can easily trigger some pets’ anxieties, and fireworks going off at all hours will drive some animals wild. Searches for dogs and fireworks saw a 31.58% increase between 2020 and 2021, when public displays would have been back on after lockdown lifted. If you dog suffers on November 5th, read on for ways to calm their nerves.

It’s not unusual for dogs to be anxious

According to research carried out by Medical news today, more than 70% of dogs display signs of anxiety. For some, this might just be whining at the door when you go outside, but for others this can develop into destructive behaviour. Aggression, poor toilet habits, drooling and excessive barking are all signs of dog anxiety, and it can even result in them messing up your home when they’re left alone. If you’ve ever come back to find a chewed-up cushion or wrecked toilet roll, they’ve not just done it for a laugh - they’ve done it because they were feeling anxious. 

Cat anxiety can be harder to spot

Cats’ displays of anxiety can be easy to confuse with just standard cat behaviour. Hiding, erratic movements and being picky with their food are all common cat traits, but if they start to become persistent it could be a sign of a problem. Look out for cats meowing more than usual, or maybe drooling while they rest. You should also keep your eyes peeled for any excessive grooming. When a cat grooms, they calm themselves down as well as keep themselves clean. Doing this too often can result in bald patches or infection, and is usually a sign of stress.

Ways to treat your pet’s anxiety

Obviously no-one wants their pet to be anxious. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to treat it, which should leave both you and your pet feeling much better off. If you’ve got any doubts, be sure to chat to a vet before trying any remedies. They always know best.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to treat pet anxiety. Just like with humans, if your pet is feeling stressed and unhappy, going for a quick run or some outdoor time can really help put things right. Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel happier, and will also tire your pet out, meaning if you do have to leave them alone they might spend the bulk of the time apart napping. 

Playtime

Pets absolutely love to play. Not only is this great stimulation for their bodies and minds, it’s also a wonderful bonding experience, and shows your pet that you’re someone they can trust. For a dog, this might involve throwing a ball or playing tug of war. For cats, play can be as simple as dangling a bit of string, or giving them a toy mouse to chase around the house. Just don’t be surprised if it ends up in all kinds of unexpected places.

Music therapy

Did you know there are certain songs that can really make your pets smile? Just hit Spotify up with a search for ‘cat soothing music’ or ‘dog jazz’, and you’ll be served up hundreds of relaxing playlists. Something about the notes in these songs clicks in your pet’s head, making them feel less like dancing and more like curling up. We’ve listened to a few ourselves, and we quite fancy a nap too.

Massage

Not only does stroking a pet feel nice for you, it also feels incredible for them. Stroking soothes your pet, and going a little bit firmer can even give them a nice massage, easing any tense muscles. If you don’t fancy getting hands-on yourself, there are professional pet masseuses that will be happy to help. Yes, it’s a real job.

CBD oil

CBD oil has been clinically proven to help with pet anxiety. It reacts with the body’s central nervous system, enhancing its ability to produce serotonin - the thing that makes us happy. Not only can it help with anxiety, it can also aid with arthritis, diabetes and neurological issues. 

How much you give your pet depends on their size. You should always follow the manufacturer’s dosage guidance. And don’t worry - CBD oil absolutely CANNOT make your pet high. While it comes from the same plant as marijuana, it doesn’t contain any of the THC, the component that gets you high. CBD oil is a totally harmless aid for your pet’s anxiety, and can turn howling dogs into tail wagging companions in no time.