by Ingredia USA | Apr 4, 2022 | Pet Health
If you’ve ever had a household pet, you know that these furry friends quickly become special members of the family. You care for them and spoil them as if they were one of your children, and the home wouldn’t be the same without them.
However, life is full of change, and new life events may cause some pet stress for you and your family. Whether it’s moving to a new home or welcoming a new baby to the family, it’s an adjustment for everyone.
Regardless of the occasion, moving with pets or having dogs and babies together in the house for the first time can be stressful. Don’t worry too much, though, because there are ways to make the transition easier for everyone.
These life events should be exciting. The stressful little things shouldn’t keep you from enjoying these milestone moments. If you have an upcoming move or a baby on the way, keep reading for some tips on dealing with pet stress.
Tips for Moving with Pets
Whether this is your first time moving with a pet or your pet has traveled with you numerous times, the moving process becomes extra complicated with pets.
Because dogs and other pets are not used to new environments and do not process them the same way humans do, this new change can be very stressful for them.
Keep Their Favorite Items Handy
One thing you can do to make the transition a little bit easier is keep a bag on hand with essentials for your pet. Having items available that the pet is used to and enjoys can keep them occupied and make the new environment feel a little more comfortable.
Some good ideas of things to include are favorite toys, treats, and food and water. Think of your pet’s favorite comfort items, and just be sure that they’re easily accessible during the chaos of the move.
Make them Feel at Home
It’s also helpful to set up the pet’s area as soon as possible so they have a designated spot that makes them feel at home.
You don’t have to keep this area for them permanently, but giving them a designated spot during the move is helpful. Pets love routine and comfort, so the key is to give them as much of a sense of normalcy as possible.
The first night in the new house or even the first few nights may be difficult as everyone gets settled, but patience is key. Remember that you and your other family members are the only familiar thing about this new environment for them.
You can comfort your pets by giving them plenty of attention and care and staying home as much as possible within the first few days of the move. Even if this means just taking the dog for a walk around the block a few times a week or giving them some belly rubs, these little acts of love can help relieve stress for the pet–and for you too!
Pets and Babies
Bringing a new baby home can be one of the most beautiful and exciting moments in a growing family’s life. However, having pets and newborns under one roof can certainly be overwhelming and stressful at first.
Just like moving into a new home, bringing a new family member home is a huge change in routine for your pets. But, again, you can plan ahead to make the transition a little bit smoother for everyone.
You may be worried about how the pet will react to this new baby, especially if you consider your pet to be your “first baby”. Your pet is likely going to be overwhelmed with all of the new lifestyle changes that come with a new member of the family, especially if this is their first time interacting with a child, specifically a newborn baby.
Introduce Your Pet to New Changes
Before the baby even comes, there may be significant lifestyle changes happening at home. You can prepare your pet by helping them adjust to these changes during this period. Some helpful ideas might be introducing them to new smells such as baby lotion or baby powder, or even playing baby sounds on a speaker around the house.
The more you can introduce to your pet before the baby arrives, the better the transition will be. If the pet is becoming prepared before the chaos of the new baby, they will be less stressed and overwhelmed when you return home.
Give Them Plenty of Attention
Another big change is that you may not be able to give your pet as much attention as before. It’s very important to prepare your pets for this beforehand so that they don’t feel suddenly neglected.
A good way to prepare them for this change is by spending quality time with them beforehand, like going for long walks or setting aside playtime. Be sure to create a routine with these activities that you can keep up with once the baby comes.
Bringing the Baby Home
When it’s time to bring the baby home, it might be a good idea to let everyone else go into the house first before you bring the baby in. Dogs especially tend to be a bit rowdier when everyone first arrives back home, so this will allow them to get all of that energy and excitement out first.
Once the pet has calmed down, calmly enter your home with the baby. A dog can sense if you are nervous or tense, so try your best to stay as calm as possible.
When you’re ready for the pet and baby to meet, be sure that you’re present and alert during these interactions. Pets can be unpredictable especially around new people, so it’s important that you’re there to keep everyone safe.
If you follow these tips, you might notice your baby and pet become the best of friends in no time!
Relieving Pet Stress: Caring for Yourself
Changes in life can always be stressful, and pets can certainly make these transitions a little bit more complicated. We know how important your pets and other family members are to you, but you deserve to take care of yourself, too.
Be sure that you have coping skills in place to manage your own stress. Not only can pets and babies sense if you’re stressed or tense, but you also deserve to fully enjoy these special moments with your family.
If you’re looking for more guidance on how to manage pet stress and baby stress during these life-changing transitions, visit our website for natural stress-relieving supplements you can implement in your daily routine.
We hope that we can help you relish in the beauty of these special life milestones and cherish every moment.
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by Ingredia USA | Apr 1, 2022 | Pet Health
Separation anxiety is one of the more common behavioral issues you may have to deal with when raising a dog.
It affects every four to six dogs and is a serious condition that causes ongoing distress when you are gone. They chew off furniture, claw at the floor, and continuously bark when you aren’t at home.
The good news is that there are ways to help your dog cope better. This post looks at eight ways to help with separation anxiety in dogs.
Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Different dogs may exhibit different signs of separation anxiety. Some of the common ones include:
- Anxious pacing, whining, or trembling as you prepare to leave the house and after you’re gone
- Destructive behavior like digging or chewing around windows and doors
- Desperate and continued attempts to escape confinement, which could result in serious injury
- Excessive barking and howling
- Excessive drooling, salivating, and panting
If possible, take time to film your dog when you notice these potential issues. It’ll come in handy when you decide to involve an expert.
How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Treatment for separation anxiety is necessary because it makes your dog calm and happier. There are several effective ways to manage separation anxiety in dogs.
Exercise Your Dog Before Leaving the House
Many dogs, particularly ones suffering from separation anxiety, can benefit from regular exercise. Start your day by taking your furry friend for a walk to exercise their body. If you have a large, high-energy dog, you can use a dog backpack with extra weight to make the walk more rigorous.
Mental exercise is just as important for treating separation anxiety in dogs. Consider investing in cognitive games, puzzle toys, and training sessions. They will leave your dog exhausted and ready for a rest.
In addition, a tired dog who’s had brisk playtime and exercise before you leave will be more likely to relax when the house is empty.
Avoid Punishing Your Dog
Separation anxiety in dogs often manifests destructive behavior such as clawing on upholstery. What you do when you come home can either make the behavior worse or calm your dog.
You must not punish or yell at your dog if you come home to a mess. Rather than let the dog see your annoyance, let them outside and then clean as they play in the yard.
Telling your dog off will only cause it to lower its head, pin its ears backward, and put its tail between the legs. The dog won’t associate your irritation with their earlier behavior. As a result, the anxiety will worsen the next time you leave the house.
Desensitization and Counter-Training
An important aspect of raising a mentally healthy dog is teaching them to form positive associations with every experience. This helps them be comfortable in the world, even when you aren’t around.
You can start the desensitization process by leaving your pup for short periods. Then, gradually lengthen the amount of time you’re out of the house.
Try combining this with high-value treats. Your dog might look forward to your departure if you give him a special treat every time before leaving the house.
You can also desensitize your dog by making your departure less distressing on them. For instance, try tossing a tasty treat before grabbing your coat.
If going out in the evening, pick up the keys then make dinner rather than going straight to the car. Your dog will learn not to panic when you are about to leave with time.
Leave Your Dog With Interactive Toys
If you are gone for more than six hours, interactive toys can prove helpful. A toy stuffed with food or treats will keep your pup busy when you’re gone.
However, we must caution against using this tactic with dogs suffering from severe separation anxiety. The dog might take the food as a cue that something bad is about to happen, especially if you toss them a treat before leaving. They’ll panic when the food is consumed and realize you still haven’t returned home.
Don’t Encourage Clingy Behavior
Clinginess can make exacerbate the symptoms of pet separation anxiety. However, encouraging a sense of independence has the opposite effect. You can start by leaving your dog in another room even when you’re at home.
At first, leave the room for short periods and play it cool when you return. Eventually, the dog should be able to remain calm even when you’re out of sight.
When you get home from work, keep things calm and avoid fanfare. Even when he’s done some damage, getting worked up will only worry your pup unnecessarily.
Use a Sitter
Dogs suffering from severe separation anxiety may start feeling anxious mere minutes after you leave the house.
If that’s the case, a sitting service may prove useful for treating separation anxiety in dogs. This is particularly helpful if you’re not home for more than four hours a day.
You can rest assured that someone will keep your dog company, so they aren’t alone when you use a sitting service. They even take your dog for walks to dispense of the excess energy. In addition, the sitter will help your furry ease any stress they may feel in your absence.
Comfort Items May Help
Things with your scent, such as dirty laundry, can comfort your dog until you get back home. However, you must also eliminate stress factors like collars, crates, chains, and chokers.
You can also hide treats around the house so the dog can hunt for them – like a treasure hunt. Last but not least, soothing nature sounds can prove a comforting item to help your dog relax and sleep.
Prescription Medication
Medication can help ease the symptoms of separation anxiety when your dog harms itself or other animals due to anxiety. Anxiolytic drugs reduce anxiety and are often used long-term. It takes four to six weeks to take effect. Additionally, using this medication requires annual medication.
Event-specific medications are used when a trigger is going to occur. You can use them alongside desensitization training to reduce anxiety and allow positive experiences in your absence. Be sure to consult your vet before using any anti-anxiety medication to treat separation anxiety in dogs.
Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs One Step at a Time
Effective treatment can feel challenging when you don’t know how to deal with separation anxiety in dogs. However, with patience, determination, and the above tips, you may be able to end your pup’s suffering.
Contact us today to discover more information and research to help your pup live a healthier life.
