Are you stressing out your dog?
My dog, Bonkers, seems to always know when I’m sick or tired. He will snuggle up to me as if to say “here Mom … pet me, it will make you feel better”…. and he’s right. It does make me feel better.
Studies have shown that having a pet can reduce stress and help humans heal faster.
But what about our pets? What kind of effect does our mood or stress have on them?
With the economic stresses of today and the increased workload, more and more people are dealing with higher and higher levels of stress. As our tempers grow short and our tone sharper, our pets are increasingly left confused, frightened and stressed.
Dogs especially take their sense of security from their human, Alpha Dog. If we are agitated, they are agitated. The constant stress can cause the same types of health issues in your pet that you may be experiencing. Things like …eating problems, heart problems, depression and a number of even more serious illnesses.
Next time you come home full of anger at the traffic or the idiot at work, remember to hug and comfort your dog first. Take time to walk your dog and give him a dog treat. You will be amazed at much better you both will feel.
Tags: , Dog Health, dog stress, dogs and stress, stressed out dogs