Stress in dogs and cats is not just a behavioural problem. It can also affect their physical health, disrupt their appetite, exacerbate digestive problems, encourage repetitive behaviours, increase irritability and reduce their general well-being. In some cases, moreover, stress can be mistaken for pain or a medical condition, so it is advisable to have a veterinary practice in Benissa to assess the situation fully.
According to the clinical team at Benivet Benissa, when a pet suddenly changes its behaviour – stops eating, hides more often, vocalises, destroys objects, has diarrhoea or becomes more sensitive to touch – we don’t always simply put it down to ‘nerves’. Sometimes this is due to anxiety, but at other times there may be an underlying medical condition that requires a clinical examination. The clinic has veterinary internal medicine in Benissa, diagnostic imaging, hospitalisation and a range of medical and surgical specialities to assess each case on clinical grounds.
How stress can affect dogs and cats
Prolonged stress can affect various aspects of your pet’s health.
It can affect their appetite, causing them to eat less, eat compulsively or refuse food altogether. In some animals, reviewing their diet and feeding environment with a service that veterinary nutrition in Benissa helps to improve digestive tolerance and general wellbeing.
It can also cause digestive symptoms, such as vomiting, loose stools or diarrhoea. When these changes persist or recur, it is worth assessing whether the problem is genuinely emotional or whether it requires investigation by a specialist in the field of veterinary internal medicine.
Stress can exacerbate skin problems, such as itching, excessive licking or hair loss caused by scratching or over-grooming. In such cases, it may be helpful to have a check-up at veterinary dermatology in Benissa to determine whether the cause is allergic, infectious, inflammatory or behavioural.
Furthermore, it can affect sleep, lead to hypervigilance and alter social behaviour, increasing fear, irritability, isolation or reactivity. In dogs, this may manifest as panting, excessive barking, destructive behaviour or intense dependence. In cats, it may manifest as constant hiding, excessive grooming or elimination outside the litter tray.
An important point is that stress does not always manifest itself in obvious ways. In many animals, it is detected through small, gradual changes in their routines.
Common signs of stress to look out for
Some common signs include hiding more than usual, sleeping poorly, stopping playing, loss of or increased appetite, repetitive licking, more intense meowing or barking, urinating or defecating in inappropriate places, trembling, panting, excessive salivation, irritability or destructive behaviour.
If these changes last for several days, get worse or are accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, pain, lameness, a cough or listlessness, it is best not to put it all down to stress without first checking their general health. In such cases, a visit to veterinary clinic for dogs and cats It can help to determine whether the problem is behavioural, related to pain or medical in nature.
Where there is a suspicion of pain, stiffness, difficulty moving or changes in behaviour, it may also be worth assessing the veterinary pain unit or even the area of veterinary orthopaedics and traumatology, as some animals express pain through avoidance, irritability or apathy rather than obvious lameness.
What situations tend to cause stress in a pet?
The causes can vary greatly. Among the most common are changes of address, the arrival of another pet or a baby, moving house, travelling, loud noises, building work, storms, sudden changes to routine, a lack of environmental enrichment, prolonged loneliness, negative associations with vet visits, chronic pain or conflicts with other animals in the home.
In older dogs and cats, moreover, behavioural changes may be linked to sensory problems, joint pain or internal illnesses, not just emotional stress. Therefore, if you notice apathy, weight loss, or changes in drinking or urination habits, it may be advisable to carry out further investigations with veterinary blood tests o urine analysis for dogs and cats, according to the clinical examination.
In cats that urinate outside the litter tray, lick their genital area excessively or change their urination habits, the problem is not always behavioural. Sometimes it is worth checking the area of Veterinary urology in Benissa to rule out urinary discomfort or inflammation.
How to safely reduce stress at home
Reducing stress starts with identifying what triggers it and what that particular pet needs.
Stick to a regular routine
Try to ensure that mealtimes, walks, playtime and rest periods are fairly predictable. A routine provides a sense of security and helps the animal anticipate what is going to happen.
Create safe havens
Your pet should have a quiet space where it can retreat without being disturbed. For cats, this includes high-up areas, hiding places and well-placed litter trays.
Avoid punishment
Punishment increases insecurity and can make the problem worse. It is better to use environmental management, anticipation and positive reinforcement.
Enrich your surroundings
Interactive toys, scent-based activities, scratching posts, cat shelves, adapted walks and playtime help to relieve stress and improve wellbeing.
Respect their pace
Do not force your pet to interact with people, children or other animals if it shows signs of fear, avoidance or discomfort.
Introduce changes gradually
When there’s a move, a new pet or a significant change to their routine, it’s best to make the adjustment gradually.
Check your diet, rest and pain levels
A pet that is hungry, has disturbed sleep, is suffering from a digestive disorder or is in persistent pain is less able to cope with stress. Therefore, as well as considering its environment, it may be useful to check its general condition using services such as veterinary nutrition, internal medicine or the veterinary pain unit.
When should you take your pet to the vet?
It is advisable to book an appointment if your pet stops eating or drinking, is vomiting, has diarrhoea or is losing weight, displays sudden aggression, is constantly hiding, avoids contact, is urinating outside the litter tray or has changes in urination, is licking excessively, showing signs of itching or self-inflicted wounds, or if you suspect pain, lameness or illness alongside the behavioural change.
In such cases, the aim is not simply to ‘calm’ the pet, but to find out whether there is a medical, painful or environmental cause behind the problem. Depending on the symptoms, it may be useful to supplement the examination with veterinary ultrasound in Benissa, veterinary radiology or laboratory tests if the vet considers them necessary.
How we can help you at Benivet Benissa
At Benivet Benissa We can assess whether the condition is related to stress, a medical illness, or both. The clinic offers veterinary consultations, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, hospitalisation and various specialisms, enabling us to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the patient when the symptoms are not solely behavioural. Furthermore, Benivet has over 15 years’ experience and specially adapted facilities, with separate areas for dogs and cats, which helps to reduce stress during the visit. You can find out more about their veterinary facilities in Benissa o book an appointment at the Benivet Benissa veterinary clinic if you have noticed any changes in your dog’s or cat’s behaviour.
If your dog or cat’s behaviour has changed, you shouldn’t just assume that ‘it will sort itself out’ without first assessing what is going on. A clinical and personalised approach helps to improve their wellbeing and take action before the problem becomes chronic.
