Anxiety is a common disorder in humans, but did you know that pets can suffer from anxiety too? Many of the behavioral and mood problems that pets display can be attributed, at least in part, to anxiety caused by events that have happened in their lives or just from a predisposition to it. Chronic anxiety in pets can affect the quality of their lives and cause difficulty in adapting to their environment. If you have a pet that is exhibiting signs of anxiety, you should know that treatment is available and that there are steps you can take to lessen the impact of anxiety issues.
Causes And Symptoms Of Anxiety In Pets
Pets that suffer from severe anxiety and aggression have often been the victims of mistreatment in the form of cruelty, neglect, or abuse. This is especially true if the abuse occurred in the first few months of their lives. Pets that have been adopted from shelters often show anxiety because of former experiences. But anxiety isn’t always the result of mistreatment. Pets that are suddenly exposed to things that they have never experienced before can exhibit anxious behavior. For example, dogs and cats that haven’t previously been around children may become anxious and aggressive in their presence. This can be true for any type of sight, sound, or environment that they aren’t familiar with. Separation anxiety is also very common in pets.
Some of the symptoms of anxiety in dogs include:
- Extreme shyness and cringing
- Urinating and defecating in the home
- Chewing up and destroying things
- Howling and barking
- Trying to escape or prevent you from leaving
- Digging
Anxiety symptoms in cats include:
- Social withdrawal
- Refusal to eat
- Twitching tail and aggression
- Dilated pupils
- Panting
Treatment And Prevention Of Anxiety In Pets
The first thing is to rule out any medical conditions or medications that may be causing anxiety in your pet by having your vet perform a complete physical examination. Counterconditioning and desensitization treatments are often effective but they are best left to trained professionals. Crate training can moderate unwanted behaviors and simply giving your pet plenty of exercise can help to alleviate anxiety. In severe cases special medications and supplements are available. Consult with your veterinarian about treating anxiety problems in your pet.
If you have questions about anxiety in pets or any other health care issues, contact the Sea Oats Animal Hospital in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, to schedule an appointment.
