Like people, dogs can experience stress, anxiety, depression, grief and other mental and emotional issues. But unlike people, they can’t tell us how they’re feeling or seek help. So how can we tell if our dogs are suffering? And how can we help them?
What are some sign of stress, anxiety & depression? When your dog’s daily life becomes disrupted, you will begin to see some changes. A few signs are they are not interested in eating, they aren’t seeking attention, reluctant to go outside, they can’t seem to get comfortable or can’t do their normal daily routine.
Sometimes the signs won’t be obvious. Compulsive licking is one indication of stress or anxiety. When a dog show the whites of their eyes during an interaction. Even if a pet loses their companion (human or animal) they go through a grieving process.
To help identify stress look for the following signals:
- Excessive licking of paws, nose or lips
- Panting that isn’t heat related
- Pacing back & forth
- Trembling
- Pinning back ears and cowering
- Hiding
- Refusing treats
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Whimpering for no reason
- Clawing at walls, doors or gates trying to escape
- Destructive behavior to things in the house that are not normally touched
- Lethargy, when the dog is normally active
- Do they ignore you when you call for them?
Here are some ways to help elevate your dog’s mental health!
Exercise Your Dog! Taking your dog for long walks, playing fetch, spending time learning new tricks, running up and down the stairs or just playing in the backyard together. Exercise is great, when you do this with them it helps you and your dog get out of a FUNK. We love heading to the nearest EMPTY park for 30 minutes!
Mental Enrichment! Dogs experience boredom just like humans, and a lack of mental stimulation can lead to anxiety and destructive behaviors. We have lots of different ideas we use in the Bostwick house like….. Puzzle Games, Kong Wobbler, Dog Toy Games, Sticky Bones!
Here are some options from my closest PET LOVING friends!
- Keri Foreman recommends you check out Trixie on Amazon: Gambling Tower – L1, Mad Scientist: Windmill L,Mad Scientist: Slide and Feed, Mad Scientists: Poker Box 1 – L2, Mad Scientist: Poker Box 2 – L2, Chess Game – L3, Move To Win – L3
- Joie Lee recommends the Treat Tumble
- Lee Ann Stidham recommends the Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Toy
- Brandy Kalakis recommends the GYRO
- Kristina Mohr recommends the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball
- Tammy Jorgensen recommends the Snuffle Mat
- Cedar and Tukki recommend the Sticky Bone. (Our mom uses this when she trims our nails too!)
Try Massage! Just like with humans, our dogs love a good massage! This will also help you to bond to you pet. I did this in the vet clinic when I was a vet tech. I would massage the pets and it would help them relax and release endorphins. Massage provides a host of health benefits for your dog, both physically and mentally. According to Sally Morgan, PT, CST, holistic physical therapist for pets and people, dog massages can improve the health of your dog by increasing circulation, relaxing muscle spasms and muscle tension, correcting muscle imbalances, improving posture and gait, and promoting relaxation. “A dog that is in physical balance is likely to be in emotional balance, so massage can provide many layers of benefit for your dog,” Morgan says. “Massage for your dog can improve his connection through his body, so that he is more aware of where his body is in space, [and] more able adjust to shifting environmental factors or emotional stresses.” How to Massage Your Dog?
Give Your Dog Space! When we see our dogs are unhappy, it’s tempting to smother them. But, helicopter pawParenting can make dogs more anxious. We want to make sure our dogs get everything they need and not all dogs are equipped to handle being smothered. Cedar is a perfect example. We can see his signs of anxiety or unhappiness, but he also needs his alone time to decompress. If I smother him too much he will instinctively leave the room . If I follow to make sure he is okay. He actually gets annoyed! He also needs space from Tukki Bear. Tukki on the other hand wants to be in your pocket all the time and always has to touch Cedar. Learn to know the difference. Even though we are living in a quarantined world. We are home now more than ever. Maybe your pets needs a little space. Just know this is also something to watch for.
(Cedar just wanted to sit alone, but Tukki had to find a way to be next to him. Whatever works to make them both happy. To be close, but not to close)
Find Out What Your Dog Loves! Do things your dog excited about. Does he love to chase things, play tug or go fetch. If your dog loves to please, teach them a new trick! Be intentional and make a plan to do it with them at least 3-4 times per week. NO EXCUSES! You will also realize you needed it as much as they do.
Cedar LOVES tricks! I want to teach him some new tricks. He humors me all the time, but knows he gets rewarded with not only lots of treats, attention, unconditional love and sleeping in my bed! Yup, I am that kinda pet parent!
I would love to hear how you are coping with the coronavirus and keeping your pets mental health elevated. Our dogs love us unconditionally, let’s help make this the best for them, because they are exactly what help us to stay strong!! Let’s work together to help our dog’s mental health.
‘SOMETIMES THE BEST MEDICINE IS A DOG WHO THINKS THEIR LOVE CAN CURE YOU.’
DOG MOM VIBES BLOG
Elka Bostwick 