Expert Tips for Alleviating Stress in Pets
As states across the U.S. begin phased reopening, you may see an increase in service requests on Rover. Similarly to humans, pets likely experienced a shift in their routines in the past few months. As a result, it’s possible you see some level of increased stress in your clients’ cats and dogs.
We turned to Certified Trainer and Dog People Panel member, Nicole Ellis, to share tips for how to identify potential stress in pets and what to do about it. We hope this is particularly helpful as you start to potentially see clients again. You can watch the full video here or read the recap below!
What to Look For in Dogs
- A really tight, closed mouth
- Obvious over-blinking
- Lip licking
- Excessive yawning (more than twice)
- Ears pinned back
- A head turned away
- Whale eyes: when you can see a large amount of the white of their eyes
- Shaking off (not due to water)
What to Look for in Cats
- Hiding
- Tense face
- Hair sticking up
- Tighter eyes
- Hard staring
- Stiff body
Ways to Help Alleviate Stress
- Stick to a schedule (walking, mealtime)
- Ask your client to provide an item from their home that the dog is bonded with (blanket, bed)
- Ask the dog to sit, stay or lay down
- Try a DAP diffuser
- Play calming music
- Keep them mentally stimulated (puzzle toys, a KONG)
- Make DIY puzzle toys for them
Nicole shared great tips during a live Q&A, which you can check out on Facebook. Community members asked about various topics including:
- How to introduce your dog to other dogs
- How to stop dogs from chewing
- How to tell between normal dog play and a fight
- How to greet a dog
- How to keep a dog busy
Learn more about separation anxiety in dogs and how to mitigate it in our guide here.