Anxiety
Call it writer's block, call it the overwhelming stress of having a first child, call it laziness. Keeping up with writing blogs consistently is challenging. However, the prominent underlying cause for my delay in writing is also something we see in our pets constantly: anxiety. Just like in their owners, anxiety can take on many forms and levels of severity for pets. Behavior is a vast topic, and I aim to help you understand why your pet does what they do.
I will start by saying anxiety and aggression are two different things. Anxiety can be the cause of aggression; however, treating aggression needs to be discussed with a professional, as being left untreated could result in severe consequences.
Like people, every animal is wired differently, and its behaviors can vary drastically. Here are some general guidelines for how to improve your relationship with your pet
Be consistent and patient: animals thrive on routine. You tell my five cats that it's the weekend, and they aren't getting fed for another hour so I can sleep: absolute mayhem. This is especially true for puppies who need a consistent schedule to get used to their lives. Use one-syllable, consistent words for commands and keep it simple, starting with their name or clicker training. Being consistent with all family members is also essential. I used to get frustrated when our dog wouldn't obey me, saying crate, only to learn that my wife had been teaching them kennel.
Get a breed that fits your lifestyle: if you have an open yard, don't get a husky who likes to run and is stubborn. Please don't buy your 90-year-old grandma a German Shepherd who needs strict discipline. Cats….well, do whatever you want mostly; they aren't going to listen anyway.
Get to know your pet: being able to read your pet’s body language and what rewards/punishments work best will help make the training process much easier.
If you've noticed your pet is showing signs of anxiety: destructive behavior, vocalizing, urinating outside of the litterbox, etc., here are some steps to take to help manage their stress.
Ensure there isn't a medical condition causing their behavior: urinary tract infections, thyroid issues, diabetes, other endocrine diseases, or even pain (arthritis) can cause behavioral symptoms. Routine bloodwork and physical exams done by a veterinarian are crucial to rule these out. Address outside factors: We couldn't figure out why Bart (my loud, sensitive orange cat) was urinating outside the litterbox for weeks. It turns out another cat was wandering outside, which caused redirected anxiety. By keeping our windows closed in certain areas, the problem went away. We also have a very loud 5-week-old that is causing everyone to have increased anxiety (if anyone has a solution for that, I'm all ears). Some things are outside your control; your veterinarian can help manage some of the stress by identifying them.
Crate training: Having a safe spot away from everyone is usually an excellent solution to having a stressed-out pet.
Drugs: Drugs are great, for anxiety. However, medications can make aggression worse and should only be used after chatting with your vet to make sure the right ones are used because there are a bunch of them. There are some over-the-counter options to try for more mild cases of anxiety. I typically recommend Purina calming care for cats and dogs, Adaptil collars for dogs, and Feliway diffusers for cats. However, these are just supplements. While they will likely not cause any adverse effects, they may or may not be effective and take time to work correctly.
A couple of essential points:
All medications are used to facilitate training to manage anxiety. They are not meant to be used without a behavioral training plan.
Stopping behavioral medications after long-term use can be dangerous.
Medications can make aggression worse, not better.
Anxiety in pets is a common issue that can manifest in various ways. Addressing this requires an approach that combines patience, consistency, understanding your pet's needs, and seeking professional guidance when necessary. Your pets have to deal with putting them in weird costumes, calling them every baby name except their own, stealing their poop, and placing it in little baggies. They have every right to be anxious sometimes.
Here are some other resourses that may help as well: ASPCA, AKC, and Humane Society
