Alternatively Speaking:
Pets Have Anxiety Too! W
Dr. Anne Carroll DVM, CVA
hat a time of uncertainty we are all living in these days. Everything about life has changed and continues to change all the time. Even if COVID hasn’t created worries about our health and finances, the inability to create a “new normal” to have predictability and stability is stressful for many. Humans are not the only ones feeling stress and anxiety; pets can struggle with those issues too. Stress can cause behavioral issues, trigger new fears, and even impact their health. So in this article, we will talk about how to recognize how your pet is doing emotionally, how to help them, and in doing so maybe even help yourself navigate these difficult times. It may not be obvious how current circumstances impact our pets, but they do pick up on our emotions so they often share our emotional state, and changes in our work schedule impact their schedules 36 4 Legs & a Tail
too. Granted, most dogs are enjoying the quality of family time and exercise that comes with more of us homebound. The verdict is still out for some cats, clients tell me they feel like a relative who has outstayed their welcome when they intrude on their cat’s ‘alone time’ in the middle of the workday. But even if this change has been a positive for many pets, when it is time to return to work that transition may be hard for dogs with anxiety, or for new pets that haven’t experienced being left home alone yet. It is safe to say any pet will miss our company as we are away more in the future. Another new stress for our pets is going to the veterinarian. Car-side appointments and pet-only entry into hospitals is the new norm for most veterinary practices since social distancing between staff and pet owners is not possible in small exam Fall 2020
