Feeling anxious?
Companion animals suffering from anxiety have become a more and more common issue just as it has become more common for humans. As we share our everyday lives in such an intimate way, we shouldn't look at these as different and unrelated phenomena.
However, there are several factors to take into consideration when taking a close look at each individual experience, keeping in mind that the spectrum of anxiety covers a very broad range.
If we want to find real solutions, the ideal will always be addressing the cause instead suppressing a symptom, understanding that the symptom is there only to tell us that something isn't going well and needs some attention and help.
We shouldn't take the signs of anxiety in our companion animals lightly as anxiety can have not only a significant impact in their behavior but also in their physical health. Some of the effects of anxiety on the body are:
increased blood pressure
breathing problems
upset stomach
muscle aches
weakened immune system
skin problems
gastrointestinal disorders
But, what can anxiety look like? Most of these behaviors will also apply not only to dogs but cats and other species
Withdrawal, hiding
Tense body posture and expression
Reduced activity
Whining, crying, excessive barking, excessive vocalizations
Constant pacing
Destructive tendencies
Excessive licking, biting of self, panting
Jumpy, easily scared
Overprotective actions (growling in dogs, defensive behavior)
Passive or active escape behaviors
Resistance, stubbornness, freezing response
Not taking treats
Lack of bladder control
Diarrhea and digestive upset
So when addressing the problem, let's take as an example a dog barking excessively. It will be important to understand why is he feeling this way. Is he bored? Is he scared? In cases like this, some guardians and vets choose sedation and some have gone to the extreme of cutting the dog's vocal cords. Needless to say this doesn't address the anxiety resulting from boredom or fear but only stops the inconvenient noise for the human. I am mentioning this only as an example of what suppression of a symptom may look like.
If you are reading this article, chances are that you wouldn't go for this kind of solution, but it is true that sometimes facing challenging circumstances which may involve conflict with neighbors, landlords, being desperate and under pressure or even threat of being fined, people will look at different ways of suppression of the symptom as a quick fix and as a better option than getting rid of the dog, not knowing that there are more humane options available although they may require a bit more effort from the human in charge.
When looking at anxiety symptoms in animals (not only cats and dogs but also rabbits, birds, and other species) these are key factors that we need to take into consideration:
Physical exercise and stimulation
Every dog needs physical exercise and stimulation in order to balance physical and emotional needs. Some dog breeds, originally created for working, have a high demand for physical activity and need even more exercise. In this group we can include sheep dogs, some hunting dogs, and nordic breeds. Some of these breeds have become popular choices as companions which translates to a much more sedentary lifestyle. When making the decision of bringing a dog in to your home it's very important to consider whether the kind of dog that appeals to you is compatible with your lifestyle. Do you like spending time outdoors? Are you athletic? Are you willing to make changes in your routine in order to offer a fulfilling life to your new furry family member? If you are not keen on much outdoor time or for different reasons you do not have the time to provide the exercise your dog needs, are you ready to budget for hiring a reliable dog walker?
MYTH: small dog don't need to be taken for walks
Many small dog breeds need to exercise and require just as much stimulation as larger high energy breeds. Jack Russells, Schnauzers (Terriers in general) for instance, are extremely active and curious. Chances are that they will suffer anxiety if they are expected to spend extended periods of time, quietly on a couch or a lap or even worse, in a crate.
Regarding cats, they also need exercise and stimulation specially when they are not allowed to go outdoors. If you always keep your cat indoors, be sure to take care of enriching his/her environment.
Traumatic experiences
Experiences of abandonment (being re-homed several times), being neglected, or abused, can also be an important factor in suffering anxiety. These influences could be in the profile of a rescue dog. Although usually rescue organizations do their best to find the perfect match for a happily ever after adoption, we still need to consider if we are ready to offer the unconditional love, patience and needed compassion (please, notice the difference between compassion and pity) in order to offer to our new family member a safe space to heal emotionally, understanding that each individual is different and the speed of progress is impossible to predict.
Diet
As I mentioned in a previous article about the importance of raw meaty bones for dogs and cats. Bones can make a big difference in their health and quality of life, being stimulating at the same time as soothing. If you haven't read the article you can find it clicking on the following button
Diet has an effect on behavior. It is well accepted that food additives can play a part in hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder in young children. Since many cats and dogs consume still higher levels of the same additives, similar effects can be expected. According to Dr Tom Lonsdale's experience when he started to change animals to a natural diet, an unexpected effect came when guardians reported that animals who previously showed agitated and aggressive behavior, had become contented.
Corn (maize) is the principal ingredient in many processed foods. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is in short supply in corn protein and the vitamin niacin is largely unavailable. Tryptophan is a precursor of the important brain chemical serotonin and in humans, these deficiencies cause a disease known as pellagra, the signs of which include dementia. In 1983 Professor David Kronfeld speculated that peculiar pet behavior may be attributable to the high corn levels in processed food. (1) He also reported that one large pet food company was testing diets for their behavior impact.
Dr. Lonsdale also mentions, from the '80s, several cases of aggressive Golden Retrievers inflicting serious wounds on their owners and making dramatic behavior improvements when their diets were changed.
Of course, this leaves us with the question of how many animals euthanized for aggressive behavior could have been saved if their nutritional needs would have been properly addressed.
Pain or illness
Animals tend to hide their pain. If you notice changes in the behavior of your animal friend and suddenly she is more grumpy consider the possibility a physical problem. A visit to the vet to assess it would be a good place to start.
Unfamiliar situations
The ideal when facing a new situation and the most gentle approach is to do it gradually. This includes socialization. Basically the best way to avoid anxiety and fear is not forcing or imposing a situation. I definitely advocate for a non-dominant approach, and I ask you to listen to your companion animal as he will let you know whether he is ready or not to take the next step, and it will make a big difference for him if you take into account what he is telling you.
Always, introduce in advance and gradually whatever you are planning to use and do with them. Also explaining to them what is going to happen, believe it or not, can make a difference. Even though it may sound weird to many people, in my own personal experience it has given me good results and it has worked well for others.
Times of crisis
The way lock-down has affected numerous families, and the changes that have brought, such as losses of jobs, involuntary change in routines, lack of socialization, uncertainty about many things we have always taken for granted, also includes our animal companions as any stressful situation within a family, will also affect them. They are very sensitive and can perceive when something is not going well which can make them feel unsafe. There are great resources to help people to build resilience and cope with adverse circumstances. So please if this is your case, reach out for help. this will not only benefit you but your animals.
Summarizing
When animals show signs of anxiety there are a number of things we need to take into consideration such as the individual temperament plus the characteristics of the breed, history, diet, general health, and we'll also need to look at our own personal situation which could give us important clues. I hope what I have offered in this article will help you and your beloved friend if you are going through this and also to prevent anxiety and unnecessary stress.
Anxiety is a big subject and there is more to share about it, I'll do it in future articles.
The Trust-Technique is a great resource to support animals and their humans to overcome trauma and accept new situations.
If you would like to know more about it go to
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References
Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health, by Dr Tom Lonsdale