Is Your Pet Acting Weird? Stress Busters – Quarantine Edition
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only taken a toll on the global economic conditions but also on our stress levels as a natural response to real or perceived threats. According to research, 4 of 10 American adults reported a rise in symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. This, in turn, may have influenced your eating and sleeping patterns, along with greater chances of substance abuse making chronic conditions much worse. The resultant social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders have forced many of us into our homes, which means the impact is not only limited to you but also your pet.
The Effect of Quarantine with Pets
Did you know a dog registers human emotions through facial expressions? Pets tend to acutely attune themselves to human behaviors and emotions, which means any feelings of stress you're experiencing are likely to get transferred into your pet. The canine brain picks up emotions by analyzing facial features, posture, body odor, and voice. This stress that you're experiencing may have been manifested in your pet, causing them to act differently.
Signs of Stress in Pets
These symptoms tend to appear as behavioral issues in dogs as they seem more aggressive, bark often, less playful, and increase licking and chewing of themselves or other household items. More severe symptoms include decreased appetite and gastrointestinal changes such as vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence.
As for cats, a prolonged quarantine may result in increased hairballs and need for grooming, changes in litterbox usage, gastrointestinal changes, and decreased food intake.
However, these symptoms may also be the cause of another underlying chronic condition, which is why it's best to visit your local veterinarian before adopting any lifestyle modifications.
Stress Reducers for Pets
Physical exercise plays a significant role in alleviating stress for dogs — thus, a proper exercise regimen must be included in the set of daily activities for your pet. As for your dog's mental health, you'll want to opt for mental exercises through brain games and interactive toys to engage and entertain them cognitively. It's enriching for dogs to practice sniffing (i.e., the use of their sense of smell) as it allows them to burn excess energy while allowing their brain to process information. Soothing scents also offer greater comfort; for example, ginger, vanilla, and valerian are readily known to calm anxious dogs.
On the contrary, cats would also want to engage more often by playing the interactive game and getting patted more often. Puzzles allow for greater cognitive stimulation in cats, acting as an essential enrichment tool. Soothing sounds can also impact your pet's emotional state by offering relief and resting the heart rate.
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