Understanding Pet Mental Health and Behaviour: Tips for a Happier, Healthier Pet
by PetsDrugMart

As a society we have come a long way in recent years in terms of understanding how health encompasses not just physical well-being, but mental health too. Almost everyone has dealt with mental health challenges, or knows someone who has. We are now learning that pets can also experience similar issues with anxiety or depression, and it can be challenging to address these issues since our beloved pets can’t tell us how they’re feeling. We’re here to help you translate - let’s explore some common signs of mental stress in pets and go over a few simple tips to help support a stimulated, happier, and more content pet.

Enrichment and Engagement

Behavioural changes such as increased sleeping or destructive behaviour could indicate your pet is dealing with depression or stress. Your pet is smarter than you may think, and they get bored just like we do! Pets of all kinds desire mental stimulation to relieve boredom and anxiety.

If you are someone who can’t spend more time with your pet directly, have no fear: Many toys for cats and dogs are designed for individual play, and mimic natural hunting or foraging behaviour, like the Catit Play Treat Puzzle Feeder Cat Toy or the Pioneer Pet SmartCat Peek-a-Prize Toy Box. Both of these will keep your cat happy, active, and alert while feeding their natural hunting instincts. If your pet isn’t food motivated, toys like the Bergan Catnip Cyclone use catnip as a motivator to encourage self-directed play.

If your dog tends to chew up any toy you give them, KONG’s Classic Dog Toy has been trusted as the gold standard for enrichment. This natural rubber toy can provide hours of playtime with its unpredictable bounce and roll, and it can be filled with your favourite healthy treats or a smear of peanut butter to entice play and interaction. Animals wouldn't get fed on schedule in the wild, so making your pet work a little harder for treats is a great way to provide mental stimulation and build confidence in their instincts.

Calming Supplements for Anxiety

Common occurrences like storms, changes in environment, or simply being left alone can cause fear in our furry friends. A calm voice and touch may help, but when we can’t be with them, they can’t understand when we’ll be back or where we’re going. It can be tough to see our pets going through anxiety, but we’re here to share options so you can support them. If you’re dealing with an anxious pet, they may benefit from natural calming aids like UbaVet UbaCalm Soft Chews for cats and dogs. UbaCalm’s non-medicated formula uses a unique blend of Colostrum, Thiamine, Tryptophan and herbal extracts to support a relaxed state without drowsiness.

PetsDrugMart also carries unique calming products from Zenidog like the Long-Acting Collar that releases calming pheromones, helping your dog feel comfortable in a variety of situations. The Zenidog collar is ideal for kennel stays or house sitting situations where your dog may need more long-term support.

If your vet has been prescribed a specific anti-anxiety drug to help your pet, PetsDrugMart is also equipped to fulfill prescriptions like Sertraline at a lower cost with convenient, at-home delivery nationwide.

We hope you feel more prepared to identify and manage mental health issues pets face. Caring for your pet includes not only physical healthcare, but mental healthcare as well, and PetsDrugMart is here to support ALL pet families through all stages of life. Please feel free to chat with our pet care experts through any of our Contact channels to ask questions and get advice.