Help Pets Be Less Anxious At Home

Pets experience anxiety for many reasons. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, pet anxiety is often a byproduct of aging, separation and/or fear.

Recognizing the causes of anxiety in a pet can help pet parents figure out how to make a home more comfortable and alleviate its anxiety. There are various remedies that may work.

• Introduce new people and stimuli gradually.

• Try counterconditioning. According to the AKC, counterconditioning changes the pet’s response to stimuli responsible for anxiety by replacing anxious or aggressive behavior with desirable behavior, such as sitting and focusing on you.

• Provide safe areas.

• Limit stimuli as much as possible.

• Remain calm.

Speak with a vet and a trainer if a pet experiences uncontrollable anxiety. These professionals may suggest other strategies, including training or medications, that have been effective with other animals.