Integrative Veterinary Care
  • Welcome
  • Services
  • Our Practice
  • Behavior & Training
  • Pet Resources
  • Contact us
  • On the topic of...
  • News
  • Emergency Locations & Information

Pandemic Stress

5/26/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Most of us are experiencing some form of pandemic-related stress right now. We have all had our routines disrupted, even those of us who are considered “essential workers” and still get to go to work and have social contact there. We have lost our usual day-to-day contacts and activities, and are now restricted in how often we can go out, when we can run errands, etc. Add to that the generalized anxiety many of us share with respect to the future and it’s easy to feel like our lives are out of control.
 
Welcome to the world of your dog. Or your cat.  Or your bird or goldfish, for that matter.
 
We all have a taste now of what it feels like to have an external force that is beyond our control,  determining where we can walk, when we can walk, where we can eat, and what recreational activities are available to us. Our household companions grow up with these restrictions. However, think about how unsettling it must be when their regular daily patterns change. Every time our work schedule changes, or we alter our exercise routines, move to a new house, add another family member or pet, rehome an animal… Some animals are very adaptable and “go with the flow” even when accommodations are not specifically made for them, but many cannot. They feel threatened by the new level of unpredictability that is introduced into their lives with change.
 
These animals sometimes exhibit destructive, passive, or aggressive behaviors as a result of their stress. We may mistake these behaviors as “acting out” because our pets are “angry” when, in reality, they are trying to soothe or protect themselves.  Have you been snappy with your partner, felt like staying in bed all day, not even been able to decide what to eat, or just wanted to PUNCH SOMETHING? If so, you know exactly how stressed pets feel!
 
All of our pets are”captive species,” a term we used to reserve for wild animals in captivity. Please let your own experience as a “captive species” during the pandemic inform your view of the world your pets inhabit. Their lives will be better for it!


0 Comments

    Authors​

    Dr. Brenda Mills and staff members

    Archives

    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    Categories

    All
    Behavior
    Chickens
    Health Maintenance
    Vaccinations

    RSS Feed

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Hours

M-F: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Telephone

925-449-7922

Email

ivcnurse@yahoo.com
  • Welcome
  • Services
  • Our Practice
  • Behavior & Training
  • Pet Resources
  • Contact us
  • On the topic of...
  • News
  • Emergency Locations & Information