Adjusting to change can be challenging for the best of us, even when these changes are positive. As humans, we often have the advantage of being prepared and having many resources to support us. Our pets, on the other hand, need to rely on us to help them adapt to change. This is why it’s important to do some planning and to identify when our furry friends are struggling to cope so we can seek professional help as needed.
It’s quite common to hear from owners that their dog or cat is behaving differently after some change in their lives. Although our pets can’t always tell us how they’re feeling in the same way as humans, many behaviours can be signs of stress. Learning to identify the possible signs of stress will help you notice when your pet may be struggling to cope in a situation. Without being addressed, stress can become chronic, affecting your pet’s health and happiness. Your veterinarian can help with chronic conditions caused by stress, so seek their advice if your pet shows any changes in:
- Appetite
- Eating or drinking
- Toileting
- Grooming
- Activity levels
- Personality
Some of the biggest changes to the lives of our companion animals are changes to their household or environment. The following checklist provides tips for helping your pet adjust to new situations.
Download How to help your pet adjust to change [Checklist]
Dr Rosemary Elliot
Dr Rosemary studied veterinary science at the University of Sydney after having established her career as a clinical psychologist, and has qualifications of BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), MPsych (Clin), BA (Hons) as well as previously establishing her career as a clinical psychologist. Her experiences during veterinary training fostered an ambition to focus directly on animal welfare and ethics, with a particular interest in animal sentience and the human-animal bond. Currently working in small animal practice, Dr Rosemary combines her psychology background and veterinary skills to contribute to and promote animal welfare, and regularly contributes quality content to RSPCA Pet Insurance's Pet Care blog.
13 Feb 2019