September is here in full swing! Cooler weather is on the horizon, and many pets and people are settling into a new groove. With kids and teachers heading back to school, and schedules shifting for lots of us, this could spell trouble for some pets.
Any time we change our schedule or routine, especially if it involves leaving the house for longer periods of time, our pets often wonder, “What the heck is going on?!”
While some furry friends handle the shakeup with ease, many animals develop anxiety with this kind of change. Their meal times may shift, walks and playtime are set at a new pace, and they may be left home alone for many hours at a time. Our pets thrive on routine and certainty, so it’s normal for these small changes to send them reeling.
A pet who is experiencing separation anxiety (or really, any anxiety or stress in general) will display symptoms like:
- Pacing or whining (especially if they sense you are about to leave the house)
- Change in appetite or sleep patterns
- Housetraining accidents
- Excessive grooming
- Destruction of items, furniture – even walls, windows and doors
- Depression: they may isolate themselves or stop participating in activities they usually love
If your favorite furball begins exhibiting any of these behaviors, it may be time to offer a little reassurance. Make it a point to love on them a little extra when you are home, being sure they’re still getting the exercise and attention they need. It’s worth noting that you should keep your goodbyes rather simple when leaving the house in the morning – if you make a big deal of it, they’ll really sense that something may be wrong.
Aside from offering your furry family member a little extra TLC, you can also help your pet feel better by recentering their physical health. Controlling inflammation, supporting a healthy gut, and improving brain function will help your pet overcome the hurdles of stress and anxiety.
My Holistic Anxiety Support Protocol breaks down some of the basic supplements you can add to your pet’s daily routine, that will help reduce the brain and gut inflammation that encourages anxiety. Liquid Nutricalm is a great place to start for very anxious pets. It’s an herbal tincture that works quickly to get them through the roughest part of their day, and will soothe stress while you work on getting inflammation under control.
Still have some questions about your pet’s anxiety, or how you can really nab inflammation? No problem, I’m here to help! Send in your questions via email, or on my Facebook page, and I’ll answer them for you weekly on Wednesday at 4PM PST.
If my group Q&A isn’t your thing, or you think your pet needs more individualized attention, I’ve got your back there, too. My one-on-one consultation programs are designed to help me give your pet the help they need, on your schedule, from anywhere. We’ll tackle their toughest issues, and I’ll be here to walk you through any problems that pop up along their path to healing.
Now, you can download my app, iPet’s Ally, and keep your go-to pet health source right in your back pocket. Check out last week’s Facebook broadcast, where I give you the full rundown on what the app offers, and how it works.
I look forward to seeing you this Wednesday at 4PM PST on Facebook, and to learning more about how I can help your pet live their healthiest life.
See you soon,
Dr, Ruth Roberts
