How lockdown stress can affect your pets

THE stress and anxiety that some people experience during lockdown can impact their pets as dogs and cats pick up on stress. This is according to Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s veterinary advisor, Dr Guy Fyvie.

“Dogs and cats suffering from chronic anxiety or stress may consequently experience different physical symptoms. Lockdown and all that comes with it for your pet such as changes in their household routine, lack of predictability and invasion of their personal space, to name a few, can have a direct impact on their health,” said Fyvie.

There are several ways to relieve a pet’s mental stress, including, soothing sounds, affection, mental stimulation in the form of a new toy or making time for daily activities such as going for a walk or setting aside time to play with your pet, said Fyvie.

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“Nutrition, along with the suggested physical and mental enrichment points help reduce pets’ stress levels,” he added.

Stress manifests itself differently in cats and dogs, said Fyvie.

“When a cat is exposed to a stressful environment, the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is turned on. Long term, this can have various negative effects in the body, including changes to the urinary tract,” he said.

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“Dogs exposed to chronic stress or  have an abnormal stress response (the inability to adapt to sudden changes in their environment) can develop stress colitis, which has a direct impact on the gut,” he added.

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