| Going on Holiday - leaving your pet behind? |  |
When summer comes and we humans can't wait to get away from the home to enjoy our holiday in the sun, many pets are left behind and have to be put into temporary accommodation such as kennels or catteries. Even when they are put in top-class accommodation, many pets suffer from stress, fears and anxiety during holiday time. We know we are coming back to collect them in a few weeks, but as far as they are concerned, they are alone in a strange and bewildering place, their humans have left them and may not be returning. Some animals suffer from bouts of diarrhoea due to the stress, others go off their food, and others seem to pine away and "shut down" emotionally.
Many people are unhappy about taking their pet somewhere unfamiliar during the holiday period, knowing that this could affect them badly. Instead, these owners go to the expense of hiring pet sitters to live in their home and care for the animals. But even though the home is a familiar environment for the pet, they can still feel quite stressed and anxious due to the absence of their normal carers.
The holiday period can be a stressful time for both pets and owners. Animal professionals now recognise that our pets can experience a very similar range of feelings to ours. This is where Dr Petals' Elixirs come in. The Separation Anxiety Elixir has been specially designed with these kinds of problems in mind, based on years of research with animals suffering from separation stress problems. Separation Anxiety Elixir can help to reduce the amount of stress felt by the animal and allow it to adapt more easily to its new surroundings, companions and carers.
For pets that have responded very badly to separation from their owners, another effective choice may be Loss Elixir. This Elixir was designed for the emotional trauma that an animal experiences when owners or animal companions are suddenly gone, whether due to death, divorce or other more temporary circumstances. An anxious pet has no way of knowing that this stressful new arrangement is not permanent; this can affect the animal just as though its owner had passed away. Loss can be very important to help it cope with the emotional feelings of loneliness and vulnerability away from your comforting presence. If unsure about which Elixir to choose, remember that you can safely and effectively use both together.
Interestingly, Separation Anxiety Elixir can also work the other way around and help people who feel a strong sense of concern about the welfare of their pets while they are away. Even though it is branded as a remedy for pets, Separation Anxiety Elixir can help anxious humans to relax and trust that their animals will be fine during the separation, and to look forward to a happy reunion. Loss Elixir can also be used by humans who are finding it emotionally difficult to deal with bereavement, or divorce.
We advise starting your pet (and yourself, if needed!) on Dr Petals' Elixirs at least 7 days before the start of your holiday, to allow for the calming effect to start working by the time you leave.
- Do not make a fuss of pets as you leave
- Act coolly and casually as though you were just popping out for five minutes
If you are still having difficulties, you may need expert help from a behaviourist, who can provide you with more detailed advice and guidance.
Please ring us if you have any questions, or see our website www.k9centre.co.uk
Carol Martin (AACC)
Edmiston House
Nethermill
DUMFRIES
DG1 3NG
Tel: 01387 860322
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