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Cats and Dogs

Summer Stressors for Pets

The Paw Print

Essential Pet Blog

cat under blanket stressed

Summer is the season of leisure for many of us. The kids are out of school and we might be trying to slow down at work to accommodate busy family life at home. We plan vacations, spend more time outdoors, and partake in more activities we love. But what about our pets? We may not realize it, but summertime can actually be a very stressful time for our beloved furry friends. Whether they’re tagging along on our warm-weather adventures or patiently awaiting our return at home, changes to our pet’s routines can be difficult for them to deal with.

It’s no secret that we love our pets, and we definitely don’t want them to feel stressed. We lean on them for comfort and companionship, and we treat them like part of the family- because they are. When our pets get stressed it can manifest in various ways, including but not limited to increased indoor accidents, destructive or aggressive behaviors, and changes in appetite.

The first step to caring for our pets mental and emotional well-being is to simply be aware of what is going on in their world. Here are some of the common summertime stressors for our pets.

End of the school year/beginning of the school year

If you have school-aged children in your home, you know their schedules can be stressful enough for you to manage. Consider your home routine through your pet’s eyes. He or she spends 9 months out of the year getting used to a quiet home, and then, come May or June, there are suddenly more people spending more time around the house. By the time August or September rolls around, your pet is used to all of the extra love and attention (and let’s be honest, crumbs), and their little buddies are headed back to school, leaving them in a lonely house.

Your pet will adapt to the changes in your home with a little bit of time, but you can help them maintain a sense of routine and normalcy by giving them their own space in the house. Make it a comfortable, quiet place where the kids don’t go. That way, if things start getting a little too intense for their liking, they’ll be able to remove themselves from the situation.

Holidays, gatherings, and vacations

Anything that disrupts your pet’s regular routine is a potential stressor. This even includes the fun interruptions, such as the big family reunion you’ve offered to host in your home, or the week-long vacation you plan to take. Your pet doesn’t understand what is going on, so it’s hard for them to get on board with the plans you’re making.

Loud noises

The 4th of July just wouldn’t be the same without the fireworks exploding in the sky, but for many pets, it’s a really stressful event. Similarly, loud summer storms can make your pet feel fearful and nervous. Offer your pet refuge in a comfy spot in a quiet, interior room of your home. It can also be a good idea to include a calming relief product into your pet’s routine as needed.

With a little bit of planning and foresight, you can make your pet’s summer a calm one. What kinds of things stress your furry companion out, and how do you deal with them? Share with us on our Facebook page. We would love to hear from you!

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