Anxiety
Call it writer's block, call it the overwhelming stress of having a first child, call it laziness. Keeping up with writing blogs is challenging.
The Connection: The underlying cause for my delay is something we see in our pets constantly: Anxiety.
The Goal: Just like their owners, pets experience stress in many forms. My goal is to help you understand why they do what they do.
Important Note: Anxiety and Aggression are two different things. While anxiety can cause aggression, treating aggression requires professional help. Do not try to "DIY" an aggressive dog.
Part 1: Building a Secure Foundation
Before we treat anxiety, we have to look at the lifestyle. Here is how to improve your relationship with your pet before issues start.
1. Be Consistent (The "Weekend" Rule)
The Logic: Animals thrive on routine.
The Chaos: If you tell my five cats it's the weekend and breakfast is late... absolute mayhem ensues.
The Fix: especially for puppies, stick to a schedule. Use consistent, one-syllable command words.
Example: I used to get frustrated when our dog wouldn't "Crate," only to learn my wife had been teaching him "Kennel." (Oops).
2. Match the Breed to the Lifestyle
The mismatched Husky: If you have an open yard, don't get a Husky who loves to run.
The mismatched Shepherd: Please, for the love of everything holy, do not buy your 90-year-old grandma a German Shepherd that needs strict discipline.
The Cat Factor: Cats... well, they do whatever they want. Good luck.
3. Learn the Language
Dogs: Yawning when not tired, "whale eye" (showing the whites of eyes), lip licking.
Cats: Tail twitching, flattened ears, "ripple back" skin twitching.
The Skill: Learning to read your pet’s body language is the cheat code to training. Knowing what rewards work best for them (treats vs. toys) changes everything.
Part 2: Managing the Meltdown
If your pet is already showing signs—destructive behavior, vocalizing, or urinating everywhere—here is your action plan.
Step 1: The Medical Rule-Out "Is it behavioral or medical?"
The Suspects: UTIs, thyroid issues, diabetes, and arthritis pain can all look like "bad behavior."
The Story of Bart: We couldn't figure out why Bart (my loud, sensitive orange cat) was urinating outside the box.
The Cause: A stray cat was wandering outside, causing redirected anxiety.
The Fix: We closed the blinds. Problem solved.
Step 2: The Safe Space
Crate Training: Having a dedicated "Safe Spot" away from the chaos (and the baby) is excellent for decompressing a stressed pet.
Step 3: The "Drugs" Talk Medications are a tool, not a magic wand.
Over-the-Counter: For mild cases, I recommend:
Dogs: Purina Calming Care or Adaptil Collars.
Cats: Feliway Diffusers.
Pressure Wraps (Thundershirts): Like a swaddle for a baby, these can help some pets during storms or fireworks, though they don't work for everyone.
Prescription Meds: These should only be used after a chat with your vet.
Warning: Meds can sometimes make aggression worse by removing inhibition. Never stop long-term meds abruptly.
Summary: Empathy Goes a Long Way
Your pets have to deal with us putting them in weird costumes, calling them every baby name except their own, and stealing their poop in little plastic bags. They have every right to be anxious sometimes.
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