Treating frustration in cats and dogs

Treating frustration in cats and dogs

Did you know that your dog can feel frustrated, and your cat can suffer from 'chronic boredom'? Just like humans, pet health isn't limited to good food and veterinary visits; it also includes mental well-being and stimulation.

Here is a detailed article that explores how pets think and how we can make their lives happier and more active.

Mental health for animals: 

more than just a 'wagging tail'

Pets are intelligent creatures with a complex nervous system, and they are susceptible to real psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders
Signs indicating deteriorating mental health:
Excessive lethargy: loss of desire to play or move
Destructive behavior: chewing furniture or scratching walls excessively (often to relieve stress).

Excessive licking: 

a cat or dog may lick their fur until the skin appears as a form of 'obsessive' behavior caused by anxiety.

Changes in appetite: 

eating excessively or suddenly refusing food

Mental Stimulation: 

"Exercise for the Mind"

If walking is exercise for the body, mental stimulation is exercise for the brain. An animal whose mind is not engaged will look for other ways to release its energy, which often leads to behaviors that bother the owner.

Effective ways to mentally stimulate your pet:

Puzzle Toys: Use toys that hide food inside and require the animal to "think" to get it. This simulates the natural food-searching instinct.

Training New Skills: 

Teaching a dog a new trick or training a cat to respond to its name is not just a display of talent; it boosts their dopamine levels and strengthens the bond between you.

Sensory Enrichment:

For Smell: Change walking routes for dogs to expose them to new scents.
For Sight: Set up a platform for the cat by the window to watch birds (a cat's natural TV).

Interactive Play: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to direct play (laser chase for cats, or fetch for dogs) to significantly reduce stress hormones.

Creating the Surrounding Environment

The home is your pet's entire "world," so it should be a place where they feel safe and stimulated:

Providing safe spaces: a high spot for cats, or a quiet and secluded bed for dogs.

Social interaction:

 animals are social beings; prolonged isolation is the number one enemy of their mental health.

Golden tip:

"A mentally tired animal is a happy and calm animal." Mental stimulation tires the animal in a positive way more than continuous running

Do you notice any specific behavior in your pet that worries you, such as fear of loud noises or withdrawal? I can help you create a simple training plan to deal with that