PART 2 – KEEPING YOUR DOG HEALTHY BY BEING AWARE OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL HEALTH
Does stress affect your dog’s health and can it damage their immune system?
Stress is ‘a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances’.
Just like us, our dogs experience stress too. Research has shown that stress manifests in very similar ways for our dogs as it does for us.
Did you know stress has the potential to suppress our dog’s immune system and leave them more vulnerable to illness?
Stress affects dogs physiologically and emotionally, with both being so interconnected, the impact of stress will always affect their health.
If your dog is exposed to frequent levels of stress, it can result in a chronic/constant state of stress.
A chronic state of stress puts their immune system under a great deal of pressure, making it harder for your dog to respond and deal with many of the challenges they have to face every day.
A range of different conditions such as skin issues, digestive problems and even weight issues can have stress as a significant factor in their cause.
What are common causes of stress in dogs?
- Arguments and tension in their home environment
- Changes in their routines/environment
- Insufficient social interaction
- Insufficient stimulation
- Separation anxiety
- Loss of a family/pack member
- Poor quality food
- Pain/Injury
What are some of the signs that stress may be affecting your dog?
- Yawning
- Lip/Nose licking
- Excessive salivation
- Tense Body
- Shaking/Trembling
- Whining
- Restless/Irritable
- Excessive grooming
- Obsessive behaviours
- Destructive
- Loss of appetite
If you want to help build your dog’s immune system, it would be worth spending some time observing your dog and seeing if there are any circumstances and environments that seem to be stressful for your dog.
Stress can make our dogs miserable and adversely affect their health and potentially affect their ability to live a long, happy life.
What can you do if your dog is stressed?
Check with your local veterinarian to see what they can do to help.
Seek out a qualified behaviourist to get some advice on what you can do to help manage their stress related behaviours.
At Both Ends Of The Lead, we can also help manage your dog’s stress through Acupuncture protocols, T Touch Techniques and connecting you with our trusted referral network of canine professionals.
If you would also like to know more about how we can help your dog, contact me NOW at [email protected] or CALL ME on 0408 699371.
Best Wishes
Tim & Mimi
