If you’ve ever experienced anxiety, you know how terrifying and debilitating it can be. For pets, it can be even harder to deal with, especially considering they aren’t able to tell you exactly how they’re feeling. In these cases, finding a way to soothe your anxious pet can be a challenge.
This anxiety can increase significantly if your pet is travelling. If you find that your pet suffers from anxiety, especially during long distance travel, here are some tips for calming their anxiety.
Play some music
Experts say that playing music for your pet while you’re away can help them feel more relaxed, especially if they suffer from separation anxiety. This can be especially helpful if your dog is afraid of fireworks or thunderstorms: just throw on their favourite music, and you’ll potentially have a much happier fur baby. This can even be helpful before you travel, as putting on some soothing music before setting off on your journey can put your pet in a better frame of mind for their trip.
Use essential oils
Essential oils have been used for calming stress and anxiety for several years, but did you know that you can actually use them on your pet as well? Dogs in particular have been known to be responsive to essential oils, especially when used in tandem with a soothing massage.
When travelling, you can diffuse a few drops of soothing essential oils with water and apply it to your pet’s toy or blanket. That way, the animal can benefit from the soothing properties of the scent as they continue on their journey.
Go in for a cuddle
One of the best ways to keep your pet calm is to provide them with physical affection. Cuddling releases serotonin and dopamine, two chemicals in the body that promote a feeling of happiness and wellbeing. If your pet is stressed, bringing them in close for a hug can help them feel more calm.
If you’re not able to cuddle your pet during travel, try wrapping them in their favourite blanket. This will give them that snuggly sensation that will tide them over until they’re reunited with you.
Keep it familiar
When a pet is anxious, it can really help if they have some of their favourite things within reach. This is especially important when they’re travelling: blankets, toys, beds and anything else that has your smell on it can make them feel more at ease during stressful situations.
Creating a familiar environment is especially key when your pet is travelling. By having them surrounded by the things they know, they will feel more comfortable in an environment that’s unfamiliar.
Although your pet’s anxiety may be challenging to work through, there are ways that you can overcome it. Contact a trusted vet for further tips on how you can keep your pet calm, either at home or during travel, and contact Worldwide Animal Travel to take care of the rest of your pet’s travel arrangements.
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