{"id":1488,"date":"2020-05-21T15:56:19","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T20:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medicaldistrictvet.com\/blog\/?p=1488"},"modified":"2020-05-21T15:56:19","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T20:56:19","slug":"could-covid-worries-be-bothering-your-pet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medicaldistrictvet.com\/blog\/could-covid-worries-be-bothering-your-pet\/","title":{"rendered":"Could COVID Worries Be Bothering Your Pet?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Care for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Pet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like many of you, I never expected to experience the pandemic we are currently facing. Social distancing, quarantine, virtual gatherings, and isolation have become part of our daily lives due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting to this new normal has been challenging for many people. Pets can often sense an owner\u2019s stress and anxiety, which in turn the pets can absorb. Signs of stress in pets can be very subtle, and these behaviors can mimic pets\u2019 normal behavior, so identifying stress can be difficult for owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indicators of stress in dogs include pacing and shaking, whining and barking, trembling, changes in eyes and ears, shedding, panting, changes in bodily functions, hiding, and acting more withdrawn. While cats can exhibit the signs above, they also commonly overgroom (which can lead to sores on the skin) and fail to use the litter box. Cats in particular, are prone to developing urinary symptoms when they are stressed, so it is important that owners keep a close eye on their cat\u2019s litter box habits. It is clear that our mental health impacts our pets, which is one more reason to be mindful of self-care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-care Strategies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In honor of Mental Health Month<\/a>, here are some strategies to help deal with COVID-related stress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n