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I,f you have ever experienced anxiety, you know that stress, anxiety, & the emotions that come along with that can quickly become overwhelming...even debilitating at times. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for pets to also experience anxiety & just as with humans, there are varying degrees and manifestations of this emotion. It can be extremely difficult for you as a pet parent to watch your beloved pet suffer from anxiety. Over the next 2 weeks, I will be discussing a variety of ways to help soothe & decrease stress in your home & also in different stressful events such as fireworks or when company comes over.  As always, PLEASE do your own research prior to deciding to purchase or try any of the following methods. Each pet is different & has different needs. If ever in doubt, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR ADVICE. Set Up A Routine Having a predictable daily routine that helps your dog anticipate when he’ll get to eat, go outside, & spend time playing with you could help him feel more confident and less nervous. That’s especially true if their stress seems to stem from separation anxiety. Get your family together to come up with a daily routine that works best. Try & include a morning activity, such as a walk or 10 minutes of playing with a tennis ball before work along with another active session once you get home. This helps release energy & can help relax pets prior to being left while you head to work & also helps release energy when you come home in a constructive manner instead of destroying furniture or your home like we can see sometimes with stressed or anxious pets. Set up a "safe space" If your pet tends to be nervous around strangers or new people in your home, or struggles with loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks, setting up a safe area in the home may be a great option. It can be something as simple as a crate or room in a quiet and dimly lit part of the home where guests do not go into. There are also sound proof kennels that are made specifically for our more anxious furry friends. I have found some & included them below. **Photos are links for purchase if desired**
Pheromone Products Calming pheromone products are available for both dogs and cats in the form of plug-in diffusers, sprays, wipes, and collars. Dog appeasing pheromone contains a version of the hormone nursing mothers produce to calm their puppies while feline facial hormones are secreted by cats when they are greeting one another in a friendly manner and marking their home environment. The pheromone products take these calming hormones in a variety of form to help create a less stressful situation, similar to the relaxation feeling we get with lavender or mint. Whatever product you elect to use in your home pheromone products are a cheaper, less invasive route to start with if you have an anxious pet. These are also great products to try if your pet is inappropriately marking in your house. Cats Pheromone Products **Photos are links for purchase if desired**
Dog Pheromone Products **Photos are links for purchase if desired**
 Massage & Acupunture Anything that makes the body work better will make the brain work better. Some locations on a dog’s or cat’s body like the feet, ears, & the top of the head are natural pressure points where as little as 15 minutes of massage will make a world of difference for your pet’s stress level. This can be a sensitive type of stress relief depending on your pet's behavior or disposition so I have included a beginner video below to consult if you are interested in pursuing this type of natural remedy. PLEASE do your own research prior to deciding to purchase or try any of the following methods. Each pet is different & has different needs. If ever in doubt, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR ADVICE. Stay tuned next week Monday for part II of Keeping Your Pet Calm (Natural Remedies). I will be covering 3 more methods to help keep your pet's anxiety down.
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December 2018
Kasey Kent
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