Storms can be scary for humans, even though we are able to look at technology to see and hear exactly what’s coming. Imagine being an animal and not understanding what’s going on or how long it will last. We love our pets like we do family members and hate to see them in distress. When they’re upset, it feels natural to sit with them and coddle them. The reality is, however, that when owners coddle pets who have anxiety during storms they are reinforcing the pet’s anxious behavior. So instead of coddling, here are four simple steps that pet owners can follow the next time their pet begins to display anxiety when a storm is approaching.
Four Steps to Take to Ease Your Pet’s Anxiety During A Storm
1. Pet owners must stay calm. If your pet senses your anxiety, they will get even more anxious.
2. Provide your pet with an enclosed, safe space (crates are good) where they can wait out the storm. Soften it with a blanket and include a chew toy for gnawing.
3. Prepare the room that will contain the safe space. Make sure there are no small sharp objects that could be chewed or swallowed, since some pets are prone to this behavior when anxious or stressed. Close doors and windows to buffer the noise and light from the storm.
4. Make sure you also keep your pet away from your homes’ exits and entries. When pets are stressed, they may bolt out the door or even attack people coming in or out if extremely overstimulated.
After the Storm
After a disaster, you are likely to experience anxiety if your home has been damaged. Once you’ve gotten your family and pet to a safe place, contact Parker Young to see how we can help get your home back in order. We are experienced Atlanta disaster repair specialists, and our goal is to help you get things back to normal as quickly as possible.
