anxiety Archives - NuVet Labs Blog

Just as some cats can be super calm, other kitties can be somewhere on the other end of the spectrum. Some cats experience anxiety, where they act restless or nervous. This can be frustrating and worrisome for cat parents who simply want their cat to be happy.

If you find that your cat tends to be a bit more on the nervous end of the behavior spectrum, read more to learn about kitty anxiety and what you can do to help your furry friend relax.

Reasons For Anxious Behavior

There are many reasons why your cat might be nervous. Some potential reasons are listed below.

1. Negative Experience as a Kitten

Your cat could be anxious because of a negative experience they encountered as a kitten. This could include abuse, homelessness or even improper socialization or lack of experience with other animals or people.

2. Fight of Flight Genetics

Most cats, believe it or not, are genetically predisposed to have very well developed survival instincts that can trigger a flight (versus fight) response, which can make a cat flee or hide.

3. Fear Induced Anxiety

Feline fear, when your cat is genuinely scared of something, can result in skittish and nervous behavior.

4. New Environment

If you are bringing home a new kitten or even an older cat for the first time, there is a good possibility she is going to be a bit anxious. Usually a few days in her new home is all your new family member will need to become acclimated and begin to relax.

If you find your kitty hiding under the bed, don’t worry. She’ll eventually come out on her own. With time she will most likely prefer being curled up on your lap than with your dust bunnies.

5. Other Felines or Pets

Introducing your cat to other cats or bringing a new cat into your home can quite easily cause your kitty to be a bit more guarded and nervous. Time is usually the best remedy.

Like previously mentioned with introducing your kitty to a new cat or cats, the same holds true with dogs and puppies. Most cats do pretty well with dogs. Again, usually a little time is all it takes to create peace and harmony for your favorite feline.

6. New Family Member

Cats are super sensitive creatures. So if you change their environment in any way, such as adding a new human to it, your cat might become a bit discombobulated. This could lead Fluffy to hide out for a bit.

This is normal and should only last a brief time. If you notice that your kitty is having a harder time it may be a good idea to visit your veterinarian.

7. Health

Not feeling well can be scary for anybody, and this includes felines as well. A cat with health issues is inevitably an anxious cat.

While health issues can lead to anxiety, stress can also lead to potential health threats. Anxiety or stressors can weaken the immune system, making it more vulnerable. An immune system builder, like the one created by @NuVet, can help support your feline’s health.

The sooner you can get your cat to a vet, the sooner your little ball of fur will return to her former happy-go-lucky self.

Things To Watch Out For:

If you notice any of the following new behavior in conjunction with newly acquired anxiety, a call to your vet is a good place to start.

Loss of appetite
Overly aggressive behavior
Hiding for no reason
Weight loss
Meowing or hissing more than usual
Vomiting
Drooling or coughing
Biting herself

Once you find the source of your cat’s anxiety, chances are you will have her back to normal in no time. Remember, a call to your vet might be all that is needed to get your pet back to normal.

Even if you can’t always keep your cat relaxed, you can always provide her with great nutrition. This is where NuVet Plus comes in. The immune system building supplement is comprised of highest quality ingredients and especially formulated for cats.

NuVet Plus is meticulously manufactured in an FDA approved labratory. This superior pet supplement is one way you can boost your beloved pets immune system to help keep her healthy.

We regularly receive testimonials from cat parents who have made the switch to NuVet Plus. Visit https://www.facebook.com/NuvetLabsOfficial to learn more about NuVet supplements and see what NuVet pet parents have to say.

Many new pet parents get anxious about leaving their new dog alone for any extended period of time. After a full day at work, they rush home to see their canine companion and ease their anxiety. However, pet parents are not the only ones who get anxious when separated from their pets. Fido can also experience separation anxiety.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Once Fido has been introduced to his new home, he may start partaking in undesirable behavior. For example, you may come home to scratched furniture, caused by frantic clawing or digging. Maybe he urinated or defecated inside even though he is properly housebroken.

These are not necessarily signs of a rebellious or poorly behaved canine. What many owners do not realize is that these difficulties can often be due to separation anxiety in dogs. Understanding how this anxiety manifests itself and what can be done to overcome the problem can help both the owner and dog.

What Does Separation Anxiety Look Like?

Dogs with separation anxiety often manifest certain behaviors, such as clawing, chewing, accidents or whining. When these behaviors are a result of anxiety, they will typically begin soon after the owner has left the home. The behavior occurs regardless of how long the dog is left alone.

The dog may also show extreme attachment when owners are home, such as following them from room to room. Fido may also show signs of anxiety when it is clear that he is about to be left. When the owner returns home, the dog is generally frantic in greeting them.

Affects of Anxiety

Separation anxiety in canines can lead to more than just destroyed furniture. The stress caused by separation anxiety can weaken your pet’s immune system, leaving it vulnerable.

The immune system is the body’s “first line of defense” against free radicals. NuVet Plus is an immune system building supplement that helps support overall health. It contains over 30 highest quality ingredients, including amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and herbs. Each ingredient is combined into a delicious chewable wafer that can be fed like a treat!

Talk to a pet professional to see if your dog could benefit from a pet health supplement.

What Causes Anxiety?

No definitive answer exists for why certain dogs experience separation anxiety. Just like people, different dogs have different needs and react differently to various situations.

Sometimes it may be simply that the dog is accustomed to human companionship and is now being left alone suddenly. Other times it can arise after a traumatic experience for the dog, such as a stay in a kennel or the loss of another pet or member of the household.

Easing Separation Anxiety

If the problem is relatively mild, you can begin to address the issue by not making a big deal out of arrivals and departures. This can help keep the dog feeling relaxed rather than building up emotion in anticipation of what is to come.

It may also help to leave certain ‘comfort’ items, such as a shirt or blanket that smells like you, for your canine companion. Fido can also benefit from a distraction. For example, leaving a Kong filled with his favorite treat will help occupy Fido’s mind and make time go by quicker.

Time to See a Veterinarian

If necessary, there are anxiety medications that can be used with the guidance of a veterinarian.

Sometimes owners find themselves facing a severe and destructive case of separation anxiety. In these situations, it may be necessary to speak to a vet about a prescription for Fido.

This will not be a sedative, but rather something to help keep the anxiety under control. If necessary and with the guidance of a veterinarian, there are over-the-counter options to help ease your canine’s anxiety.

Other Suggestions

When getting ready to leave, it may help to keep your dog in a particular room or area to limit the possible destruction. Leave your canine companion a few favorite toys and select an area with a view of some sort to help provide distractions.

Again, a shirt, blanket or other laundry can be used to help provide the scent of the owner to help ease an anxious dog. Some owners may also find it helpful to leave the dog with a friend, family member, or doggy daycare to help them cope with their absence.

Things to Remember

It is important to note that the behaviors that accompany separation anxiety are not done out of spite or ‘naughtiness’, but rather in a panic. For this reason, punishment will not help correct the problem. Similarly, while training will help in many areas, it will not reduce anxiety and cannot help with the associated behaviors.

For dogs that do not already regard their crates as a safe place, crating will also not be helpful. Nor will getting another dog, as the anxiety comes more from being separated from the owner, not just being alone.

Finding a solution to separation anxiety can be a difficult part of being a dog owner. Speak with the dog’s veterinarian and review the above tips to help devise a successful plan to amend the troublesome behaviors.

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Can My Feline Friend Have Anxiety?