The Top 5 Stressors for Pets and How to Avoid Them

Pet owners may feel that their pets live in luxury and don’t have to worry about anything. People may not understand that a variety of factors can stress pets. 

Our pets are guided by their inherent survival instincts, regardless of how attractive they are or how well (or poorly) they obey directions. Conflicts between their inherent nature and immediate surroundings might put them in a difficult scenario. Fortunately, by better understanding how our pets think and act, pet owners may help to lessen these instances. Let’s look at the top five stressors for dogs and discover how to prevent them.

Sharing Resources

Protecting resources is a common approach for the survival drive to prevent scarcity and hardship. Even if you believe there is enough food in the cabinet for all of your pets, they may not be and will become upset if another animal or human appears to be threatening their supply. 

If your pets appear concerned about sharing resources, make sure there is enough to go around. Toys, litter boxes, and beds are all items that your pets may be too concerned about. Try giving each pet its bowl if one or more pets become unduly possessive of the food bowl. No one’s supply is jeopardized, and the survival instinct isn’t triggered. 

Strangers

Pets, like humans, want to be in familiar surroundings with familiar people. When someone visits, be conscious of your pet’s comfort level and don’t force any interactions. It’s the same with bringing new animals into the house. Allow time for them to get to know one another and develop their dynamic. Also, keep in mind that introducing cats is different from introducing dogs or cross-species.

The Vet

Taking your pet to a veterinarian may be a very stressful experience for them. Unless your pet has been attending the same clinic from birth, the vet is likely a stranger to begin with, which your pet may be apprehensive of. The scenario can soon become upsetting for your pet if they proceed to examine and perform unpleasant things like giving vaccinations without your pet realizing what is going on. Rewarding excellent behavior with treats and soothing pets may go a long way. Be mindful of your pet’s coping abilities and degree of comfort. You’re attempting to visit as pleasurable as possible.

If your pet is frightened of going to the vet, you might want to explore just dropping in for a visit. Going to the office only to say hello and eat a few goodies without getting inspected can teach your pet that it isn’t a terrifying place and will perhaps make their next visit less stressful. 

Miscommunication

Both pets and their humans might find communication distressing. Although many of us like talking to our dogs, keep in mind that they only understand a tiny portion of what we say. Remember these fundamental guidelines to communicate as clearly as possible:

• Use as few words as possible in your commands. Don’t make your pets attempt to figure out what you’re talking about. 
• Be constant with your orders, as pets will not comprehend if you use different words. We can’t expect a dog to grasp what we’re asking for when we say “paw” one day and “shake” the next. 
• Keep your vocal tone in mind. Even though our pets don’t comprehend what we’re saying, they may sense our emotions by listening to our voices. Too much noise may be frightening for many animals, causing them to lose attention to what we’re saying. It’s fine to be tough, but shouting at pets usually doesn’t work.  
• Keep your rules constant. Allow children to sit on the sofa one day and then punish them the next. Our pets don’t comprehend exceptions or special events, so having a set of rules can help them feel less anxious. 

Loud Noises

Other loud noises, like screaming, can be frightening to dogs. Many pets are afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms, but there are certain things we can do to assist them from being stressed. If your pet is anxious or nervous, make sure they have a pleasant, safe place to go. Distracting your pet from loud noises might be as simple as playing music or playing with toys. Consult your veterinarian about drugs or natural supplements, such as CBD pet products, if the issue is serious. 

Being a pet owner comes with a high learning curve, but seeing the world through their eyes may assist. Understanding what causes our pets to get stressed might help us avoid unpleasant circumstances in the future, giving more time for butt scratching and playtime.