All of us deal with stress and anxiety throughout our lives, but those levels have recently skyrocketed. This doesn't just affect us; it's passed onto our pets through our daily interactions. It's our responsibility to manage their anxiety as well and ensure that they don't become overwhelmed. 

Destressing Your Furry Friends

We have many ways to relax after an incredibly stressful day, but our pets don't have the luxury of choosing how to destress. This is where we can have a positive impact on your pet's mental health.

Exercise and Healthy Eating

Keeping your furry friends in good health is a fundamental part of being a pet owner. You have control over what they eat, so treat your doggo with a healthy snack. Making sure that all their nutritional needs are met will keep your pets in high spirits. 

Another part of keeping your animals healthy is to let them get some exercise. Your pet is like any other living being and needs to stay active. If you don't have a backyard, you should make sure to take them for a walk at least once a day.

Dogs aren't the only pets that get frustrated from lack of exercise. Cats can also exhibit anxious behavior and lash out by scratching, spraying, or having fits of unprovoked aggression. 

Understanding Your Pet's Negative Triggers

Just like us, our fluffy pals have specific triggers that are linked to their distress. It would help if you could determine under which circumstances your pets become agitated. This'll allow you to avoid these as much as possible. 

There are a variety of triggers that contribute to stress. They can include loud noises, weather conditions, isolation, or barking dogs. If your pet's trigger is something you can't help them avoid, like thunder or lightning, then you should aim to reduce their discomfort as much as possible. 

Stay Calm to Keep Them Calm

Stress can be contagious. When you're working on reducing your pet's tension, it's vital that you approach them with a calm demeanor. If they feel threatened or uncomfortable, anything you try to do to help them will be in vain. 

Doing breathing exercises will help you stay in control of your emotions, and you can let your pets do them with you. Follow some of these techniques and allow your furry friends to relax and enjoy the moment. 

Play as Often as Possible

Having fun with your pets is not only an excellent way for them to destress, but also helps improve the bond you have with them. A chew toy or ball can be enough to get rid of that pent up energy, which leads to feelings of frustration. 

Whether it's indoor or outdoor play, you should make the most of having their attention. Keep your pet engaged in the moment, and make sure the game is exciting enough to expel their excess energy.  

Be a Source of Comfort 

A simple yet effective way to relax your pets can be to spend some time with them. The bond your animal has with you can be a great source of comfort to them. You're essentially their support system, and just spending time with you will improve how they feel.

Playing some soothing music can also help ease their stress levels. There are a variety of musical compositions that have been proven to calm animals. Go through them and see which one works best for your pet. 

In Conclusion 

Stress and anxiety aren't exclusive to humans. Our pets are just as susceptible to these unpleasant feelings. Taking some time to understand and empathize with your animals will allow you to reduce their tension. 

There's no one size fits all technique that works for everyone, but using some of these tricks will help you see improvements in your furry friends.