pet anxiety – Taste of the Wild Pet Food

Will Cats Notice It’s Back-to-School Time?

Posted on August 17, 2023 - 1:54 pm by [email protected]

A black-and-white cat staring out a window.

Dogs are notorious for missing their owners two seconds after their human steps out the front door, sometimes with destructive results. But will your family’s favorite feline have separation anxiety after the kiddos go back to school? Fluffy was the go-to adventure buddy for your kids’ summer shenanigans, after all. So, it’s only natural that your cat will miss their tiny humans when the daily routine is altered later this August. But with cats, sometimes it’s hard to tell how they really feel.

Rest assured, your cat misses you (and the kids!) when you’re gone — especially if the absence is a drastic shift from the norm, like during back-to-school time.

Like dogs, cats are social creatures who crave consistency and have unbreakable bonds with their humans. They just have a different way of expressing themselves than our slobbier companions. Some of those ways might be easy to miss, and they can vary from cat to cat.

Cats Act Differently When They Miss You

As schedules pivot and their daily playmates go back to school, every cat might react a bit differently, but most will note the change if they’re suddenly alone more. They may experience some level of loneliness, depression or anxiety — similar to how a human might feel during changes in their environment. This separation anxiety could show up as:

Excessive meowing
Behavior changes like eating less or litter box accidents
Extreme excitement when the humans return
A swipe of the paw when the humans return
They may try to go with you the next time you leave

One reaction is not more worrisome than another. It’s simply their way of responding to the situation at hand. If you notice a drastic or lingering change in their eating or bathroom habits, contact your veterinarian.

Your Kids Can Be Part of the Solution

We recommend informing your kiddos of these potential reactions so they can be sympathetic to however Fluffy reacts. Let Fluffy come to the kids at their own pace when everyone returns home in the afternoon. Your pet will likely need grace and patience as they adjust, not to mention lots of attention when everyone is back together.

Prep Your Kitty for Back to School

What other ways can you help your cat adjust? Advance preparation. Making small shifts during the weeks ahead could help ensure the changes are not as jarring to your cat’s nervous system.

Most children spend about six to seven hours per day in school (not including after-school programs). In the time leading up to school starting back up, try leaving the house for short amounts of time. Start running errands or adventuring around town for an hour or so each day — slowly increasing the time you spend away from the house.

When arriving back home, greet Fluffy with love, affection and words of affirmation that all is OK. You’re letting them know they are still loved and that the tiny humans will return home — no matter how long they may be gone throughout the day.

Provide Sources of Entertainment for Your Cat

Add interactive toys around the house so your pet can stay entertained without their human playmates. These could include automatic laser pointers that come on throughout the day, catnip hide-and-seek toys or wall shelves for climbing. Before leaving the house, teach your cat how to use each option. Upon returning home, be sure to still spend one-on-one playtime with Fluffy for added mental stimulation.

Consider setting up a bird feeder outside a safe, secure window where your cat frequently looks out. Place their cat tree or pet bed nearby so they can sit in comfort and watch birds or small animals eat the food. It’s another great way to keep your cat entertained and happy throughout the day!

Warm Up to the School Year Routine

Visit with your kiddos about a new school year routine with Fluffy. Find guaranteed pet playtimes for showering your cat with attention that make sense with your family’s schedules. Whether it’s after breakfast before the bus arrives or after school before they start homework, Fluffy will be ready for a new consistent setup. So will the kids as they ease into their new fall routine.

Bonus tip that can help the whole family: On the days leading up to the new school year, try getting your kiddos and your cat on this new sleep, wake up, play and leave schedule. While the kids aren’t leaving for a full day of school quite yet, it can help your cat adjust to the new agenda before your kids start school. It might just help the kids adjust to it as well!

As Fluffy and the tiny humans adjust to their new routines, remember you could notice an increase in affection from your cat whenever the kids re-enter the house. Or you could notice a slightly standoffish cat who is trying to show the kids they didn’t like having their trusty playmate gone all day. Your cat’s reactions are completely normal. Once Fluffy understands that their playmates are back home for the evening, they’ll let go of any grumpy cat emotions and be ready for an adventure. Fluffy just missed their tiny humans is all.

A Taste of the Wild Guide to Pet Anxiety and Stress

Posted on November 17, 2022 - 7:57 pm by [email protected]

There aren’t many issues that are more upsetting to pet owners than pet anxiety, especially when it comes to anxious dogs. An anxious dog can lead to destructive behavior, health conditions or repetitive or compulsive behaviors that can have major ramifications on your pet’s life.

Types of Anxiety

A dog’s anxiety or stress can come from many sources, but there are three major causes.

Separation Anxiety

Dog anxiety caused by separation from their pet parents or other companions has always been an issue, but it might be exacerbated by the recent COVID years, as many pets got used to being around their owners all the time. Sudden time apart can lead to destructive behavior in anxious dogs.

Loud Noises

If you’ve ever seen how thunder can cause anxiety in dogs, you immediately understand how loud noises like storms, fireworks or gunshots can cause pet owners to cringe. Not all dogs are impacted by these noises, but an anxious dog might need prescribed medication in the worst cases.

Changes in environment or routine

Certain dog breeds are more chill than others when it comes to anxiety, but most are impacted by lifestyle changes in some way. Different bed or wake times, other changes in sleeping habits, new items in a dog’s environment — they can all trigger anxiety.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs

Dog body language is a prime indicator of stress and anxiety in dogs, but it’s far from the only indicator. Depending on how well you know your dog, you can read these signs to determine how they’re feeling, mentally. Other things to look for:

Barking or howling
Panting or pacing
Digging
Escaping the yard
Destroying furniture

Any sudden addition of these behaviors might be an indication that your dog may need to relieve stress or be taken out of a stressful situation. Dog anxiety can be hard to read, but if you know these signs you can get with your veterinarian to plan to treat anxiety in your dog.

For more details on specific situations or types of dog anxiety or stress, read on!

Separation Anxiety in Pets

A Dog Looking Out of the Window. | Taste of the Wild

Do the Sunday Scaries get you down, knowing that work on Monday is coming? Your pet may hate it even more than you. Up to 17 percent of dogs suffer from separation anxiety. That time spent away from your pet can be extremely stressful, almost like a traumatic event. Extended anxiety in pets can cause health issues or behavior problems.

Knowing that a pet is stressed can be distressing for an owner, too. Your best option is to work with your veterinarian or a veterinary behavior specialist to help your pet overcome his or her fear.

Back to School Can Be Stressful for Pets

A Dog Standing in Front of a School Bus. | Taste of the Wild

If your pet and the kids have been inseparable all summer, that first day of school can be a rude awakening to the pets, especially if they’re now all alone in the house.

Helping a dog cope with the sudden change in play and snuggle time can be tricky, but with some extra chew toys and other minor changes, you should be able to ease your dog’s symptoms.

Calming Pet Stress and Pet Anxiety When the Thunder Rolls

Two Dogs Under the Covers in a Bed. | Taste of the Wild

For some dogs, the sound of thunder can cause a major anxiety disorder. But it might not just be the noise; it can be everything surrounding the storm. Or it might not be the storm at all! It’s important to work with your veterinarian to determine whether your dog is suffering from noise anxiety, storm anxiety, separation anxiety or a combination of stresses, so you can find the right treatment to help your pet. If your dog’s anxiety is so extreme that they are hurting themselves or destroying property, your veterinarian may recommend prescription medications to help.

De-Stressing That Trip to the Veterinarian

A Dog Being Treated by a Veterinarian. | Taste of the Wild

We all hate going to the doctor, but did you know dogs can feel that same anxiety when going to the veterinarian? Dogs may not speak the same language as us, but they can pick up on shifts in your mood, and they tend to know when they’re being rounded up to go somewhere.

Puppies and Adoption Stress

Three Puppies Playing Together. | Taste of the Wild

That puppy might be all happy and wiggily in the window, but the adoption process can be hard on a young pup! Here are all the ways a pup’s anxiety can be exacerbated by the adoption process, as well as a few ways you can help your puppy with a stress-free transition to a new home.

Dog Anxiety Is Real But Can Be Helped!

Dogs are wonderful creatures who somehow relieve the constant pressure that we humans face on a day-to-day basis. But dogs experience many of the same anxiety issues that we do. It doesn’t take much effort to reduce anxiety in dogs. Luckily, the root cause and many symptoms of much dog anxiety can be handled without much difficulty, and your dog will be back to their silly, wiggly self in no time.

How to De-Stress the Holidays for Your Cat

Posted on November 10, 2022 - 5:25 pm by [email protected]

The holidays are coming, and celebration with loved ones is always on the to-do list. But our time of cheer and merriment also brings about some change to your feline’s routine and habits, and that can be stressful on a kitty!

They might not outwardly show it, but cats are sensitive beings who are affected by stress in ways that will be familiar to humans. Stress can lead to behavioral issues, physical concerns or emotional challenges in your cat, and the holidays are some of the most stressful times of the year. For everyone.

But what are you to do? Great Aunt Frida has already invited four of her friends to your first big Thanksgiving celebration, completely disregarding your cat’s feelings about crowds!

The good news is you don’t have to switch up your plans or trim the guest list. There are five ways you can help Mittens de-stress before, during and after the celebrations. Grab your pen and get ready to take notes — because even your cat may have questions about how to de-stress their holiday.

1. Introducing Great Aunt Frida and guests

Has your furry friend met everyone on the guest list? If not, add peaceful introductions to the agenda. You can do this by letting your cat decide when they would like to interact with party members.

If your cat backs away when approached by a new face, let your guests know it just takes your fur baby some time to warm up to folks. When your cat is ready, they’ll come and say hello. Pressuring your cat into being held or petted will only cause unnecessary anxiety.

2. Create a cat haven

A cat can take great comfort in a safe space when overwhelmed. Grab their favorite blanket, pet bed or one of your old t-shirts. Next, find a space out of the way, like under a side-table in the home office or a quiet spot under your bedroom window. Now add the little bed and a few favorite toys. Voila! You’ve created a cat haven for Mittens to retreat to during stressful moments.

If your cat’s food and litter box are in central areas, consider moving them to a quieter location.

Be sure to show your pet their safe space and new locations of their cat food and litter box. And like tip #1, let your pet come out of their cat haven when they’re ready. Like humans, some cats are more introverted than others, and that’s perfectly okay.

3. Caution on the holiday décor and plants

This tip can be just as much a de-stresser to you as to your pet. Holiday décor and plants can bring an array of hazards to your cat, so choose unbreakable décor to avoid the risk of broken glass when Mittens tries to knock it all off the table or tree.

If you already have decorations that are breakable, place them out of reach to keep your cat from playing with them.

Additionally, many holiday plants like poinsettias, holly and mistletoe are poisonous to pets when ingested. Try opting for fake holiday plants instead. Bonus: You’ve got your plant décor covered year after year with a fake addition.

4. Keep Your Routine

Try to keep your pet’s routine in place as much as possible. Before, during and after your holiday celebrations, keep the same feeding times or designated play/walk times to avoid adding extra stress to your feline. Older cats especially cope with stress better by keeping to their set schedule.

5. A little extra TLC

Cats form attachments to their favorite humans, and even if they don’t show it, they crave that human touch and general human interaction. Therefore, it’s important to show your pet a little extra love before and after the festivities. Snuggling can let them know these holiday celebrations were only temporary and that all is well in the home.

6. Add soothing pheromones to the dwelling

Synthetic cat pheromones found in sprays or diffusers can make your cat feel less anxious and stressed. Studies show that when the synthetic pheromone is released into the air, it can mimic a variety of naturally occurring pheromones known to signal a safe, familiar territory. This method can also help cats with litter box issues, spraying or aggressive behavior.

Note, you’ll want to pick up pheromone sprays or diffusers from your local pet store at least a month before your upcoming holiday shindig. Each cat is different, so it could take as little as 2 to 4 days for them to respond to the synthetic pheromone; or it could take up to 30 days for them to feel the calming effects.

We hope this list brings you and your furry feline peace during your upcoming holidays. However, if your cat still seems stressed as you put up the holiday décor and extra guests make their way into your home, it might be best to call your local veterinarian. Sometimes our pets need a little extra anti-anxiety help from their doctor.

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