If you’re like me, you sometimes rely on your dog for emotional support. At other times, you may realize that you are actually your dog’s emotional support person. Our dogs’ mental and emotional health is just as important as their physical health, but maybe we don’t think about it as much.
I’m still learning how to support my dog’s mental health. I’ve found that under perfectly normal conditions, cows always have visible, outward signs of anxiety. She barked, cried and pressed pants wherever we went, and she seemed so afraid of walking on hardwoods that she refused to enter the kitchen.
But what about Matilda? She is usually confident and carefree, but she started turning white at the age of four. At seven, she should be more white than I thought she should, and I can’t help but wonder if Kao Niu was stressing her out, or if she had unseen anxiety.Or, as I keep telling myself to appease mine Anxiety…it might just be vitiligo.
Whether your dog is clearly struggling with everyday life or they seem completely bulletproof, their mental health is important.
I asked pet professionals for their best advice on supporting your dog’s mental health – let’s learn together how to do more for our dogs this year.
mental health feed
As I just mentioned, the cow is my “anxiety dog” and she has always had gut issues ranging from food intolerances to chronic pancreatitis. These days, she finally has healthy, firm poop. So I can certainly refer to the advice of mental health coach (for humans) Jen Mayo.
My advice is to buy or make the highest quality food (not kibble)
Supports gut and nutritional health.A healthy, happy mind starts with
A healthy happy gut and most commercial foods are of such poor quality that
It is impossible to create a healthy person.Find organic pastures
meat, and consider exploring raw options.a good, holistic, nutritious
A savvy veterinarian can guide you in making your own pet food from scratch.One
A healthy gut microbiome will support brain health and, ultimately,
happiness. Likewise, monitor your dog’s excretion habits.chronic
Diarrhea or constipation are signs of impaired bowel function,
Rescue pets that may come from previously abusive families especially
Intestinal disturbances easily caused by trauma
the autonomic nervous system, which puts them in a permanent combat state or
flight.even if their behavior doesn’t reflect that nervous system
dysregulated, its energetic and endocrine performance can still be
wreak havoc on their digestive system.
benevolence may
www.jenmayo.com
Trauma-Informed Holistic Health Coach
Call out the stressor
This is something I hadn’t thought of at all, so I’m glad Julie Burgess of CPDT-KA brought it up. We live in an apartment facing the parking lot so we hear people coming and going throughout the day. Matilda and Cow bark and get irritated when they hear a stranger’s voice. When I asked them, they were happy to stop, but they had no way of knowing when the sound was coming from our next door neighbor or the dreaded puppy napping.
Consider buying a fan, a white noise machine, or both. Our dogs are less anxious about the white noise machine because it does a good job of blocking out general household noise. The daily noise made her panic. Be careful with your choice of soundproofed music, as thunderstorm tunes are not very calming! In warm climates, you can use a fan to cool the air and help you manage an anxious dog.
Certified Dog Trainer Julie Burgess, CPDT-KA
pet expert SeniorTailWagers.com
Prepare your dog for time apart
Separation anxiety has always been a hot topic in dogs, but in these times, I think it’s more important than ever. We’ve been relying on our dogs to get us through the loneliness of the pandemic, but when we start leaving the house more often, they can have trouble adjusting.
But remember, dogs sleep more than we do. They probably sleep 12-14 hours a day, so they can doze off while waiting for us to get back.
Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a veterinarian, recommends giving your dog a small amount of alone time to cope with longer absences, even if you are at home. While life changes may not always give you time to prepare in this way, it’s healthy to get your dog used to being alone, even if you don’t plan on going back to the office anytime soon.
Treatment of separation anxiety is based on creating a predictable and
Provide your dog with a consistent routine.Gradually increase the time apart
It’s important to use this program, even if it starts with taking time
separate rooms, or different parts of the garden, but gradually increasing
Take time apart so your dog gets used to being alone and is happy alone.
Get your dog used to pre-departure cues such as picking up the keys or
Wear shoes that can keep your dog away from you and say goodbye
And low-key greetings are important.
Crate training is a great teaching tool so your dog gets used to it
a safe space, it is also movable, so if
Visiting friends and family or traveling by car, they all have their own crates
And know it’s their safe space.
Dr. Corinne Wigfall,
BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons) Veterinary Spokesperson Spirit Dog Training
go on an adventure
We all know that walking your dog to the toilet is important, but taking a mental health walk is also a priority.Sniffing can actually lower your dog’s heart rate — they need Ability to explore without being dragged from one place to another. Veterinarian TB Thompson offers some tips to free your dog’s mind during adventure time:
1. Go for a ride in the car. Even right around the block, there are plenty of dogs who love to see the world out of the window.
2. Go to a park they haven’t been to or haven’t been to in a long time. They can socialize with other dogs if that’s their thing, but even sniffing places other dogs have been can be fun for dogs.
3. Give your puppy a sandbox to burrow in or go to the beach. Some dogs really like to dig.
4. Make your dog do things that you might consider disgusting. It’s normal for them to want to roll around in the stinky stuff, lying in puddles. Taking a bath will make them socially acceptable, and the joy they get from it is priceless.
TB Thompson DVM, Founder Natural Pet Headquarters
take out the toy
Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinarian, points out that most bad behavior stems from a lack of mental stimulation. Dogs can get bored, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves, and bad habits can be a source of comfort when they’re stressed.
A good tip is to ditch the food bowls and start making mealtimes fun and interesting. This means using Kongs, snaffle mats, lick mats and slow feeding bowls. If your dog isn’t used to these things, start slowly with one or two simple food puzzles to avoid getting frustrated at mealtimes. Rotate your dog’s toys so they don’t get bored with toys that keep being missed. This might mean having a “toy box” and choosing 2 or 3 different toy boxes each week. Look for toys that will last. Don’t expect your dog to keep themselves busy; they need your interaction while they’re playing. Make sure you have a variety of options, including drag toys, educational toys, interactive toys, balls, and more.
Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and Veterinary Consultant Five bark.
