In the last two years, the percentage of dog owners who report using a calming product for their pet, such as a toy, treat, or collar, has more than doubled.
Arielle Carey has a 7-year-old neutered male American pitbull terrier named Odin who is as sweet as pie at home in Atlanta – that is, until Odin gets scared of strangers and dogs.
Carey returned to Georgia after her former community in South Carolina refused to allow privacy fencing. It was not a cheap journey: the relocation and additional training cost thousands of dollars.
But the effort was worthwhile. “He’s a lot calmer and more relaxed now,” says Carey.
Odin is not an outlier; he is the norm. According to a new Dog Anxiety Awareness Survey conducted by research firm Kantar Group on behalf of CEVA Animal Health, 57% of dog owners report that their furry family members are anxious.
And that can come at a high cost. Owners of anxious dogs report spending $400 (about R6 700) more per year on care, including vet visits and Puppy Prozac.
Pet anxiety appears to have increased since the pandemic, especially as people return to work and routines are disrupted, according to Kristen Levine, a pet expert and co-author of the book Pampered Pets on a Budget.
In an era when many people are living paycheck to paycheck and inflation is driving up prices, additional pet care costs can feel like a punch in the gut.
According to the American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, the percentage of dog owners who use a calming product for their pet – such as a toy, treat, or collar – has more than doubled in two years, rising to 51% in 2020.
What are the most common sources of stress in dogs? Noise (40%), separation anxiety (33%), and “reactivity” (15%), such as seeing deer in the yard or meeting another dog, are all factors.
gastrointestinal issues, diarrhoea, skin conditions, and vomiting are among the most commonly reported health conditions in pets, all of which “could very well be caused by anxiety,” according to North American Pet Health Insurance Association spokesperson Samantha Bell.
Various interventions, some behavioural and some medicinal, can be beneficial. Here are some strategies for reducing anxiety-related costs:
GET THEM EARLY
Once you’ve identified the triggers – fireworks, doorbells, or losing it whenever you leave the house – taking action early will not only improve your dog’s quality of life, but will also save you money in the long run.
If the condition worsens to “severe,” as reported by 21% of dog owners, it will almost certainly become more expensive, including the destruction of property.
THINK ABOUT MEDS
Medication may be an appropriate response in some cases. When Levine’s former dog, a Dalmatian mix named Chilly, developed a thunderstorm phobia, an oral gel called SILEO, which costs around $40 per month, helped.
According to the National Pet Owners Survey, 19% of owners are considering CBD products as a possible solution to relax their dogs.
MODIFICATION OF BEHAVIOR
Smaller fixes can sometimes suffice. Consider a “anxiety wrap,” a calming vest that applies pressure in the same way that weighted blankets do for humans.
Pheromone diffusers, which cost around $25 online, are also recommended by experts. Pheromone diffusers work similarly to plug-in air fresheners, dispersing chemicals known to soothe pets into the air.
GET PROTECTED
Some expenses are covered by pet insurance. Policies, like humans, will be more affordable if purchased at a younger age.
Do your homework on what a policy addresses and what it does not. Standard dog training costs may not be covered, but interventions prescribed by veterinary behaviourists are likely to be, according to Levine.
Most importantly, do not expect your dog’s anxiety issues to go away on their own.
