Animal Mental Health Awareness Week
1st to 7th November
WHEN
Launched in 2023 from 1-7 November and every year going forward we shall bring awareness to how many of our pets suffer with various mental health challenges.
BACKGROUND
More so around November due to firework displays and the prolonged use of fireworks after bonfire night itself is why we have chosen this week in November. Our aim long term is to help people understand the impact of their actions when excessive use of entertainment such as fireworks are being over used and to promote better practises to support our animal family and reduce the impacts on those that suffer with their mental health.
We know many people suffer from mental health disorders, but what about animals? If you have ever suspected your dog is depressed or your cat has an obsessive-compulsive disorder, you’re likely to be right! Most vets and animal psychologists agree that animals do suffer with various mental health disorders, although not quite the same as we as people do. For example, mental health challenges in people are often a result of chemical imbalances in the brain for animals it tends to be due to other factors such as not getting enough of what they need or they have been mistreated.
Here we have complied some fascinating things we need to know to support our pet’s mental health better and give us some insight to how to provide better support to our pets that maybe suffering with their mental health.
STRESSED PETS
What to look for
Animals are incredible. If you pay attention to your pet, they always let you know something is wrong. There is no “false bravado” that you see in humans. Pretending not to feel pain is a big thing. Stick around and see if perhaps your pet has been trying to tell you something.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet’s health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.
DOGS
Many dogs suffer from a phobia called “Thunderstorm Phobia” many dogs also suffer from noise anxiety and it is very common in dogs and a very real problem for many dogs. Dogs can become over whelmed with fear during firework seasons and thunderstorm seasons causing some to become frantic. Astraphobia is the technical term fort this pet parents become helpless and feel frustrated with others for not understanding how it effects their furry family.
Animals especially dogs can suffer with PTSD many dogs that have served in the army or police force can develop signs of needing support after their time and go into retirement.
We now know dogs can show signs of having autism behaviours such as obsessive tail chasing.
CATS
House cats tend to have OCD behaviours such as excessive grooming, pacing and mewing all of these behaviours indicate a cat is bored, anxious or possibly in pain. Research has been carried out to suggest these behaviours allow pain reliving chemicals in the brain to be released giving the cat temporary relief from these stresses and anxieties. A cat that is not given enough attention or lacks stimulation with activity can exhibit further unhealthy behaviours if we do not address them.
RATS
Rats are binge eaters! When rats are given food in intervals, they respond by binge eating as much as they can when rats are given full time access to food, they ate more responsibly rather than trying to eat all their food in one go.
HAMSTERS
We have all seen adorable images of hamsters with full mouths. As cute as this looks it is actually a behaviour that stems from instincts of the pet’s wild ancestors. They collected food stores to help survive in periods of hibernation. Although they no longer hibernate these cute fur babies still hoard food in every corner of their cage and fill their little mouths with food to store making them huge hoarders!
BIRDS
Stress, overexcitement and boredom can cause captive birds to exhibit signs of depression and anxiety. Signs of avian depression include over-preening and feather plucking, similar to the human condition of trichotillomania, or compulsive hair plucking.
PIGS
Pigs are very sensitive and can become so stressed by their environment or social surrounding that they will starve themselves. This behaviour is so common in pigs that it is called “Thin Sow Syndrome” Similar to anorexia in people, this condition can affect a pig that has a poor diet pr plenty to eat so their happiness like ours depends on their eating habits.
HORSES
Horses are active herd animals. Those that spend too much time cooped up alone in small paddocks or stables often exhibit odd behaviours caused by boredom and anxiety. These behaviours include “Cribbing” or chewing wood, pacing, kicking the walls of their stables and biting to help avoid these bad and dangerous habits it’s important to give your horse or pony plenty of exercise. They should have time spent turned out with other horses. You can also buy toys like balls that provide stimulation.
During bonfire week many horses suffer due to being outside and the loud noises and bright lights frighten them.
RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS
Due to their natural tendency to be anxious animals, rabbits can become stressed by their environment such as loud noises from fireworks, storms or foxes visiting their garden. As a result, there are quite a few things that can trigger a stress response from your rabbit or Guinea pig they may do several things to display their stress such as panting, biting bars of the cadge stomping and ears held back against the head (rabbits )are a few.
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