28/06/2012
Calming the Anxious Animal
Just as humans suffer from fears and phobias, so do animals. Through my volunteering with animal rescue organizations, I have met many wonderful animals that were surrendered due to the destructive behaviors brought on by their anxieties. Two of the more common anxieties found in animals include Separation Anxiety and Thunderphobia (or other loud noises). Luckily, there are tools and techniques available that Guardians can use to help ease their animal’s anxieties.
One very important component of helping to ease an animal’s anxiety is for their Guardian to be calm first. Animals are very good at picking up on our feelings and moods, so your anxiety will only increase your animal’s anxiety. Before calming your animal, check in with yourself to see how you are feeling at the moment. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, take a few minutes to calm yourself down by taking some deep breaths and relaxing. Once your anxiety and stress is under control, you can then focus on your animal.
Massage works wonders on helping an animal relax. Performing a light massage around the base of the ears is very soothing for most animals. Using one or two fingers and a gentle touch, move your fingertips in a circular motion around the base of the animal’s ears. Keep in mind that if your animal doesn’t like having their ears touched, or if they have an injury in or around the ears, or are suffering from an ear infection, you should not use this technique as it may cause pain or more stress for your animal.
In addition to massage, there are many other “tools” available to help calm the anxious animal. Try playing soothing music – you can even order CDs of music recorded specifically for animals. The right flower essence, such as ‘Anxiety’ from Green Hope Farm’s Animal Wellness Collection, can help calm an anxious animal. Aromatherapy is another option, but be careful when using essential oils with animals since some oils are toxic. Lavendar is one essential oil that is safe to use as aromatherapy with animals, but use sparingly since animals have a heightened sense of smell and can be easily overwhelmed if you use too much. There are a variety of herbal products available to help ease stress and anxiety. It is best to consult your veterinarian first to ensure the product you want to use is safe for your animal and won’t interact with any other medications or supplements your animal is currently taking. Comfort Zone makes D.A.P. for dogs and Feliway for cats, both of which contain naturally occurring pheromones that help some animals relax.
In my practice, I have seen wonderful results using energy work to help decrease anxiety in animals, some have even overcome their fears and anxieties all together. Another option is working with a trainer who specializes in behavioral problems. For those animals with severe anxieties, talk with your veterinarian about medications you can try to alleviate your animal’s anxieties. Medications won’t resolve the issues, but they can lessen your animal’s anxieties. This will allow you and your animal to live harmoniously, without fearing your animal causing harm to themselves or to your home during an anxiety attack.
©2008, Susan King. Susan King, HTACP, helps animals heal through the use of massage and energy work. Susan specializes in helping animals overcome fears, phobias, traumas, anxieties, and behavioral issues. Susan also offers animal massage workshops. www.companionchi.com, (919) 244-1264, [email protected].
