Is Your Pet Stressed Out?

Soothe anxious pets with drug-free protocols from chakra balancing to music therapy.

- Julia Szabo

As creatures of habit, ani-mals become stressed by any disruption, large or small, in their routine. This anxiety manifests in behaviors such as destructiveness, excessive licking, scratching or biting at themselves, frantic barking in the wee hours, and/or inappropriate urination. The first step to take when coping with an anxious pet is scheduling a visit to your veterinarian to make sure there isn’t an underlying physical problem. After that, it’s time to explore natural stress-busters. With a caretaker sensitive to their needs—and armed with an arsenal of natural remedies—anxious animals can maintain their calm and thrive, even in the most stressful circumstances.

A PURR-FECT BALANCE OF CHAKRAS

Reiki, a Japanese energy healing technique based on the concept of universal energy, can help reduce discomfort by balancing the body’s chakras (energy centers). It has a calming effect on the recipient by lowering stress levels and boosting the immune system. This time-honored healing modality is not just for people anymore: Animal Reiki practitioners around the country report success calming anxious four-footed patients—and they don’t even have to be in the same room, or even the same state! “Reiki also works remotely,” says practitioner Ingrid King, guardian of two cats, author of five books, and publisher of the blog The Conscious Cat. “Most of my Reiki sessions are remote.”