Feb 9, 2023
When a life-changing event happens, it’s not just the humans who are affected. Pets can also experience a range of emotions, including grief, anxiety, and stress. To learn more about the impact of crises on our furry friends, Aimee chats with veterinarian Dr. Steve Nichols. Dr. Nichols explains the effects of stress on pets and shares tips for caring for pets during a crisis -- whether they’re your own or a friend’s loyal companions.
Episode Highlights
Pets grieve, too.
The human-animal bond is strong. To many pets, their owners are the greatest humans on the planet, and pets can feel when owners change the way they are living. When pets grieve, they can show it through changing behaviors like not eating, vocalizing, or hiding.
“It’s very hard for our furry friends,” Dr. Nichols said. “They show grief sometimes differently than we would think they would.”
Pets need routine.
During a crisis, it's important to consider the impact on both the human and the pet. Pets like routines and when their routine is disrupted, it can be confusing and stressful for them. Keeping the routine as close to normal as possible can help maintain the bond.
“The dog is used to its routine, or the cat is used to its routine, and the horse is used to its routine,” Dr. Nichols said. “Whenever that is broken, they’re lost and we can start to see it.”
Get a check up for stressed pets.
To comfort a grieving pet at home, give them extra love and attention, such as by taking them on an extra walk, sitting with them, or petting them. But sometimes pets need more than just extra TLC.
If your life has changed and your pet starts to act differently, it could be worth calling a veterinarian, who will have tools to help manage the behaviors of grieving, anxious, or stressed animals. For instance, when cats are stressed, their cortisol levels increase, which in turn causes issues with eating and their urinary bladder.
“If those things start happening, I would encourage getting that pet to a veterinarian so they can maybe come up with some things that will alleviate some of that stress,” Dr. Nichols said.
Tips when caring for someone else’s pet.
If you’re going to watch someone else’s pet as a favor, Dr. Nichols suggests being respectful and sticking to the pet's routine as much as possible to avoid confusion and stress for the pet. For instance, don’t assume it’s okay to move a cat’s litter box.
“We have the potential to create problems if we don’t stick to what’s been going on in the household,” Dr. Nichols said.
Communication is key.
Whether you’re the person watching a pet or the owner in need of help, Dr. Nichols stressed the importance of communicating and understanding the pet's preferences and habits, such as if a dog likes to go to the dog park or not. It’s crucial for owners to be upfront about the dog’s characteristics and potential problems for the benefit of the pet and your friends.
“Some people don’t feel comfortable sharing that information, which just creates another potential problem,” Dr. Nichols said. “As long as everybody’s honest and open, it works out much better.”
Resources + Links
About Aimee and WhatFriendsDo
Aimee Kandrac is a speaker, consultant, and the co-founder and CEO of WhatFriendsDo. Her work is instrumental for organizing support during life-changing events, and she speaks to organizations about creative ways to help friends and family during times of crisis. Aimee has been recognized as a Top 50 Mompreneur by Babble.com and is the first female CEO in the state of Indiana to close a $500,000 funding round. She has been featured in Forbes, Time, the LA Times, Oprah.com, the Indianapolis Star, and more.
WhatFriendsDo is a simpler way to create organized and actionable support during a time of crisis. The free, online platform empowers healthcare facilities, HR departments, families, and friends to easily coordinate meals, errands, transportation, childcare, communication, and more for those in the midst of a life-changing event. The women-founded and women-led company started as a solution for a friend with terminal cancer. WhatFriendsDo is based out of Indianapolis.