Decreasing Holiday Stress for Dogs (Zoomiesode)

Decreasing Holiday Stress for Dogs (Zoomiesode)

While yearly holiday routines can brighten up our lives, they can also stress out our precious pups. Today we explore some ways for decreasing holiday stress for dogs, by treating or preventing these common stressors.

Holidays Can Be Stressful for Dogs…

From cnn.com:

All those holiday greetings and happy meetings are part of the fun of December, but it might not be so fun for your dog.The hustle and bustle of the holidays can cause stress and anxiety for pets, especially if you have a household full of guests or new faces. Unfamiliar people, loud noises and new environments can cause fear-related anxiety in dogs, according to The American Kennel Club. Dogs can also experience anxiety from being separated from their family members, being left alone or moving into a new home. That’s good to keep in mind if your holiday plans involve traveling or adopting a new pet.

“It’s normal to expect a change in our dogs or cats behavior during this time of the year,” said Dr. Jose Arce, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “And it’s important that we recognize some of the signs of anxiety so that we can do something about it.”

As the holiday season gets into full swing, here’s what experts say to look for and advice for keeping your animals calm.

What behavior to look for

Panting, pacing, aggression, excessive barking, drooling, destruction and having accidents in the house may all be signs of anxiety. So can restlessness and not eating on a typical schedule. Pay attention to body language — for example, a dog pulling its ears back or showing the whites of its eyes — can also indicate fear.