Pet Anxiety and Pet Care from a Veterinarian on Our Veterinary Team

It isn't just humans who experience anxiety. Your dogs, cats and other pets can too. At South Federal Animal Hospital in Ft Lauderdale, FL, a veterinarian on our veterinary team can help guide you through the process of easing your pet's anxiety. 

What Your FL Veterinarian Can Tell You About Pet Anxiety

Pets are like humans. If they are experiencing anxiety, it can result in them becoming frightened. While being frightened at times is normal, there are times when it's not. Irrational fears can lead to aggressive behavior in your pets. This may cause them to fight other pets or even the people in your house. There are other reactions to anxiety too.

Your pet may either run away from perceived fear or it may cause it to freeze and remain still. Alternately, he may just fidget or fret in the face of anxiety. There are many reasons why these things might happen. A common reason is that the pet was previously in a situation that caused them anxiety and they believe they are in that situation again.

However, pets can also experience anxiety when their owners do. If you or anyone in your household is anxious, your pets can sense that. They then might adopt your anxiety as their own.

Ways Veterinary Medicine Can Help Treat Pet Anxiety

Just like humans, both cats and dogs can be prescribed anti-anxiety medication. However, the first step is usually to try behavior modification instead. This can include desensitization. When it comes to physical activity, taking your dog on regular walks can help calm anxiety. In the case of cats, it might be better to engage them in playtime. 

Removing the triggers for your pet’s anxiety might go a long way to helping them. If that is not possible, or you do not know why your pet is anxious, then a vet on our team may be able to help. Vets have a lot of experience dealing with pets and we may be able to help you determine what is causing your pet’s anxiety and we may have creative solutions ourselves.

Finally, many pets experience anxiety surrounding medical procedures. This is why anesthesia is used for many procedures that dogs and cats undergo. 

Get Answers for Your Questions about Anesthesia from a Veterinarian on Our Veterinary Team

If you live in the Ft Lauderdale, FL, area, be sure to make an appointment with us at South Federal Animal Hospital if your pet is experiencing anxiety. We are here to help your pet get the pet care he may need. Call us at (954) 523-8527 for more information.