Holidays Got Your Pet Stressed?

The holidays can be stressful for everyone—even our furry friends. Travel, extra house guests, loud gatherings, and the stress of the people around them can all cause a pet’s nervous system to kick into high gear.

They can experience fear, anger, jealousy, and depression, among other things. And just like humans, pets who experience stress can act out in different ways. They might become territorial, more lethargic, start growling or barking, or any number of unpleasant behaviors.

So how can you help diffuse your pet’s stress during the busy holiday season?

Flower remedies, first created by Edward Bach, are natural flower-infused solutions which act upon the emotional state. The essences are made by charging a flower in a bowl of water under sunlight or by boiling the flower in water, causing the water takes on the subtle healing vibrations of that particular flower. Bach’s remedies are then preserved in brandy. Dr. Bach believed that the energies from different flowers could alter our emotions and lead to better health.

There are 38 individual remedies by Bach’s which can all be used to address your pet’s specific needs. For example, Beech is recommended if pets seem intolerant toward other animals or people. Walnut is recommended for furry friends who are facing any sort of change. Or for a dog who is traveling and seems homesick, Honeysuckle may help them adjust to a new environment.

Alternately, a very popular blend is Rescue Remedy Pet which is a combination of five Bach Flower Remedies to help your pet deal with stressful situations. Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Impatiens, and Clematis work together to help your pet feel more calm and assured. Rescue Remedy can be rubbed on the animal's gum, ears, or paws as needed or two drops can be added to drinking water.

If your pet needs a bit of stress relief this holiday season, try Rescue Remedy, which has been used safely on animals for over 80 years.