How To Keep Your Pet Calm
Just as humans experience anxiety, so do pets. It is natural for pet owners to become concerned when their pet is displaying signs of distress. An anxious pet often makes for an anxious owner. Although pets can become distressed any time during the year, it is typically more common in autumn and winter, with trick and treaters on Halloween, fireworks for bonfire night, and changes in routine on cold days and around the holiday period. When your pet is suffering from anxiety or is distressed, it can be difficult to know what to do, but there are many ways you can soothe a distressed pet. Read on to discover some of the most effective methods of reducing stress and how to keep your pet calm.
Provide a safe space
Ensure that your pet has a safe space it can retreat to if they feel anxious or distressed, away from people or other animals.
Set up a safe place in an area with minimal stimuli or potential triggers – ideally somewhere quiet or with white noise in the background to drown out any scary noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks.
Put on music or TV
Having calming music playing, or having a podcast, the TV or radio on, can help to keep your pet calm. It serves as a distraction and can help to mask outside noises. Some dogs find classical music in particular to be soothing.
There are videos and playlists on YouTube which are made specifically for pets, featuring calming music and sounds, videos of birds and squirrels, and dogs on walks. Some pets find it comforting to hear the sound of people’s voices.
Use a spray or diffuser
You can use a spray or diffuser to disperse calming scents into the air, such as lavender or camomile, to help keep your pet calm.
There are even sprays and plug-in diffusers that you can get which release synthetic pheromones which imitate the natural chemicals produced by a species to help them feel like they are in a safe space and can settle. Just make sure that the one you use is specifically for pet use.
Give supplements or medication
Supplements or prescribed medication may be the best solution for pets who suffer more than others or that are anxious most of the time.
Pet-friendly CBD oils, camomile and melatonin supplements are readily available and can be effective in reducing a pet’s heart rate. However, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian before giving your pet any supplements, to check their suitability.
If you find that supplements are not sufficient in reducing your pet’s anxiety, ask your veterinarian about prescription medication.
Put them in a vest
Just as swaddling is calming for a baby, it can also be calming for your pet. The mild pressure of a calming vest or jacket, such as a Thundershirt, can help to provide comfort and reassurance to an anxious pet, or even calm an overexcited pet.
Seek professional help
If you have tried several techniques and are still struggling to keep your pet calm, it may be time to consult a professional, such as a veterinarian, a behaviourist, or a trainer.
The team at WitsEnd is on hand to help you and your pet to thrive, through physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, individual training sessions, and behaviour therapy.
Working with people from all over the country, we have had over 2000 success stories! To book an appointment or for more information, please call us on 0116 244 2455.