Behavior Tips: What Leads to Stress in Cats and Dogs and How Can You Help?
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Tips to help manage your pet in stressful situations
When your pet is stressed, it may look like destructive behavior, excessive barking, hyperactivity, or inappropriate elimination. Cats and dogs have triggers that bring on these feelings of stress such as routine changes, unusual sights/people, loud noises, and being left alone.
Below are a few tips to help manage your pet's stress in these situations.
Make Time For Play
Toys can keep your pet busy and help reduce stress. Let your best buddy channel their excess energy and stress into a favorite toy. Toys not only provide stimulation but distract your pet from changes to environment and routine.
Keep Them Busy
Take your pup out for a strenuous walk or game of fetch. Exercise gives your dog a chance to stretch its legs and burn up excess energy. A tired dog is less likely to engage in destructive behavior, excessive barking, digging or pacing.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward good behavior with your pet’s favorite treat. Use positive reinforcement to shape your pet’s behavior and prevent unwanted behavior.
Establish a Routine
Does your pet experience separation anxiety? Keep exits and arrivals low-key to prevent stress when you’re away. Staying calm will help desensitize your cat or dog to your every move
Know Your Pet
Managing stress starts with knowing your cat or dog. Whenever possible, keep them away from anything that may cause stress like loud noises, large crowds or commotion.
Create a Safe Space
Provide your pet with a comfortable and quiet space away from events that may trigger stress like parties, guests, loud music and home repairs.
Add a Supplement
Calm & Confident supplements from VetriScience are clinically shown to promote calm behavior within 30 minutes, so your pet can feel more relaxed in times of stress. Supplements are not sedatives, so they will not alter the personality of your pet!
Consult Your Vet
There's no shame in discussing your pet's behavior with a veterinarian. Leave it to a trained professional to properly assess the situation and determine a corrective course of action.
How To Get the Most Out of Calm & Confident
- Choose the right formula for your pet
- Safe to double or triple the dosage to achieve desired calming effect
- Plan ahead since many pets won't eat when already stressed
- If necessary, break up chews or add liquid to pet's bowl
