Pet Parents Community
In a few weeks, it will be time to change the clocks again. Changing the time reminds me that the holiday season is right around the corner! It’s only October. But if you love shopping, you can find Black Friday and shop-early-for-Christmas sales in the stores this month.
I’m also thinking of other ways to make the holidays meaningful for my animal friends and pet parent community.
Continue reading “Volunteering For Pets 🐱 🦜 🐶”In the United States alone, over 393.3 million are living in their forever homes. Worldwide, over 1.1 billion pets live with their pet families. Pets need veterinary care and mobile veterinary clinics are stepping up to fill the gap.
Mobile clinics give veterinarians the benefit of running a business. And pet parents everywhere are taking notice of alternatives to the traditional veterinary clinics as the only source for pet care.
Continue reading “Mobile Veterinary Clinics Pros and Cons 🚚”September is National Preparedness Month. And June 1 through November 30 is the Atlantic hurricane season. We are keenly aware of the power of hurricanes like Hurricane Dorian this year, and Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018.
The damage from hurricanes is life threatening and devastating, for pet parents and their pets. One way you can prepare for bad weather is to create a pet emergency plan.
Continue reading “Planning Ahead: Your Pet Emergency Plan ⚠️”Veterinary care is expensive for any pet. Many pet parents have trouble paying for vet care, especially emergency vet care for their pets. Is pet insurance the answer? Are there other options to pay for costly veterinary bills?
Continue reading “Affordable Vet Care: An Affordable Alternative 😷”The month of August seems to be a peak season for kittens. Weather permitting, kitten season can run from spring into winter. I volunteer for a local animal rescue, Bay State Animal Cooperative (BSAC). Since late July, I’ve processed adoption applications mostly for kittens. But I’m excited to share that more people are also looking for senior cats or special needs cats!
Continue reading “Pet Adoptions: Kittens, Special Needs and Senior Cats Too! 🐱”I’m happy to share another interview with our pet parent community! July is a special pet month to celebrate pet safety, pet loss prevention, and quality of life. Your pet’s quality of life includes their long term care in case something happens to you. Attorney and pet lover, Peggy Hoyt offers a solution: A Pet Trust. Peggy talks to us about a Pet Trust and what it means for your pet’s quality of life.
Continue reading “Interview: Founder Peggy Hoyt from Animal Care Trust USA ⚖️”Cats like their alone time. And they like to be social. Cats don’t like to be bored. Let’s face it, people still think cats are mysterious, aloof and not affectionate. People also think living with a cat is easier than living with a dog…
But cat pet parents know differently. Your cat will let you know when (and if) she wants to play, socialize or just wants her alone time. It’s about the quality of life you share with your kitty.
Continue reading “10 Cat Parenting Tips: Quality of Life 🐱”Summer is outdoor time for people and pets. Cats might get excited about summer. Unsure if indoor cats really feel the need to wander outdoors in the good weather (or if that’s what their pet parents think they feel.)
Either way, if you let your kitties out for some fun in the sun, be aware of those summer dangers: Bug bites, UV exposure and parasites.
Continue reading “Summer Dangers for Cats: Heatstroke and Bug Bites 🌞”July is in full swing. Pets and pet parents are spending more time outside. This month is about pet safety: pet safety tips for July 4th, and keeping a pet first aid kit for home and travel. July is also Lost Pet Prevention Month.
You’re a good pet parent and try to keep your pet safe and away from danger. But sometimes a cat jumps the fence. Sometimes a dog escapes through an open door.
A lost pet can be a pet parent’s worst nightmare.
Continue reading “July is Lost Pet Prevention Month 🔍”Separation anxiety is a growing worry for pet parents returning to the workplace. During the 2020 lock down, loving families adopted cats and dogs from rescue and shelter organizations.
Many rescue pets came from unknown pedigrees. But some breeds are more prone to separation anxiety. Breeds like the Alaskan Klee Kai, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Vizslas and Cocker Spaniels are just a few. What are the myths about pet anxiety? What are the causes of pet anxiety? How can we help our pets struggling with anxiety?
One study revealed four types of separation anxiety. The best solution is to treat these four underlying reasons rather than see separation anxiety as a diagnosis.
The four main areas of distress are:
Pet separation anxiety may be caused by incomplete or unsuccessful/traumatic puppy socialization, and underlying frustrations.
The study explained that pet separation anxiety was considered to be a single condition. Dependency on the owner was the cause and the cure was to make the dog more independent.
But the study suggested that separation anxiety is actually a symptom (elimination, destruction, excessive vocalization) resulting from many possible causes and many forms. Potential treatments should be very focused on an individual symptom.
Dogs and cats suffer from anxiety. Signs to watch for include:
Cat anxiety: Excessive meowing, aggressive behavior, hiding, vomiting, lethargy, peeing outside the litter box and following you around the house.
Dog anxiety: Panting, drooling, aggression, pacing, depression, destructive behavior, and pee or poop around the house.
Pet anxiety can result from loud noises, a new pet, feeling stress from you or other triggers in your pet’s environment.
Separation anxiety is a common form of dog anxiety. As more dog parents return to work, their furry friends may have trouble getting comfortable when left alone at home.
Separation anxiety is not the same as boredom. If your pet doesn’t have enough mental stimulation, try chew puzzles and chew toys to stop the boredom. Excessive barking, destructive behaviors and aggression can be signs of separation anxiety.
#1. Exercise is the cure. Not necessarily. Exercise is good for all dogs, but exercise alone is not always the cure for separation anxiety.
If your dog needs more than exercise, give her something to do before you leave. One source said to try a Kong stuffed with frozen treats.
Stuffed Kongs work so well because they give your dog something to do while you’re leaving, and take the focus off of you. Kongs are mentally stimulating, strong and and will hold your doggy’s attention.
#2. Crate training is the cure. Once again, crate training alone is not a guaranteed cure. Remember that your dog must feel comfortable with a crate. If not, leaving him in a crate while you’re away won’t cure his separation anxiety. He will feel trapped and can increase his anxiety.
If you want to leave you dog in a crate while you’re are work, train him properly. Try crate training games and make him feel the crate is a safe place.
#3. A second dog is the cure. You may think that this popular myth is the cure for your pet’s separation anxiety. Remember your dog’s anxiety is not from loneliness – her anxiety is from missing you.
Dogs learn from each other and your current dog can teach the second dog to be anxious when you leave.
You don’t need two dogs suffering from separation anxiety. And your dog may still have separation anxiety when you leave.
#4. Separation anxiety is just a phase. Your dog will experience different phases in her lifetime. But separation anxiety is progressive and can get worse over time. Intervene early to prevent the behavior before it gets out of hand.
Managing your pet’s anxiety means you need to change your dog’s negative association with you leaving. Positive change takes time and effort. Try to find the triggers that set off your pet’s anxiety and use desensitization methods.
#5. Once you manage it, it’s gone forever. Wishful thinking. Without regular maintenance, separation anxiety can return. Stress, changes in routines and even your added stress are examples of triggers that set off separation anxiety.
When anxiety returns, manage her separation anxiety with the same methods used the first time around. Use them whenever you see signs of your pet’s anxiety.
You can help your pet feel more self-confident using various behavior modification techniques. As you shift the focus away from you and toward treating the symptoms of separation anxiety (versus a diagnosis), she will feel safe when you’re away.
Helpful practices include:
Many pet parents may be happy to return to the workplace. But think about keeping your pet happy and calm when you’re away from home.
If your pet is very destructive when alone, find a pet sitter, enroll in doggy day care, or take her with you.
Sources: 5 Myths About Managing Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Understanding, Preventing, and Treating Dog Anxiety
The Great Misunderstanding About Separation Anxiety
12 Dog Breeds With The Worst Separation Anxiety Who Hate Being Left Alone
Anxiety In Dogs
Thanks for stopping by!
Dr. Pet Mom
“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”
–James Herriot
