DO YOU LIVE WITH AN
ANXIOUS, ANGRY OR REACTIVE PET?
Here is Dr Susanna’s Holistic Guide to ‘Grounding’ to help
Anxious, Angry, or Reactive Cats and Dogs
Many Pets are Stressed – but why?
As much as we think safe indoor living with loving people is the best for our pets,
a lack of natural sensory input cause in sensitive furry kids overstimulation and pent-up energy resulting in anxiety and reactivity in so many pets.
But this isn’t something our furkids and we have to suffer through –
Nature & adjustments at home are effective & 100% cost-free powerful calming tools!
The Power of ‘Grounding’
Have you ever heard of ‘grounding’?
It means spending time with our feet – or paws – on natural ground.
This is proven to support both, the physical body and the emotional energy, of all living beings!
Benefits for pets start immediately when touching natural surfaces.
Grass, soil, sand or even stones lower stress hormones. You will notice your pet’s body relax and know that this is resulting in a balanced nervous system.
- One is about getting rid of static discharge – that electricity spark when we touch something synthetic. – which contributes to instant relief in anxious pets!
- The power of ‘Smelling the Roses’ – sniffing plants, earth, and fresh air provides sensory enrichment and calms the brain.
- As you try areas of (safe) outdoors, take note how your pet will naturally choose specific spots on the earth. From a holistic perspective, these areas offer energetic grounding and emotional balancing!
All of this gently resets your furkid’s nervous system.
Great Ways for GROUNDING FOR DOGS
The #1 calming tool for dogs are “Decompression Walks” – slow wandering through nature — no commands and no pressure. Daily.
#2 Earth contact time of 5-15 minutes on grass, soil or sand and even stone layered areas! ‘Grounding’ by simply laying there has an incredibly calming overall effect. Park visits twice weekly minimum!
#3 A ‘sniffary’ or aimless sniffing while meandering around to take in the world specifically for your dog – which is similar to us humans scrolling on social media. Daily.
This is how my dog – Ruby – is ‘grounding’:
she enjoys natural materials to sleep on cotton and linen
has spots for daily sunbathing,
a grass patch to nibble on safe plants and
every morning she receives a chewy (bully-stick or pig or lamb-ears) for “doggie meditation”
Last but not least, Ruby is taken for short sniff walks and also twice daily for 45 min ‘work-out-walk’ – all at predictable times.
These routines help to ground her in both locations, in KL as well as in Penang to overcome her
4-year long traumatic abandonment before she joined us.
The best Ways for GROUNDING CATS
1 . Daily ‘sun-bathing’ near an opened screened window with natural airflow and unfiltered daylight.
2 . A safe balcony or patio spot (check out the new secure “invisible screens” for cat safety) to release ‘pent-up energy’.
3 . Sniffing and exploring – yes also cats do that (!) – from bark and tree branches, to safe plants like mini-bamboo in a pot stimulate our felines and calm their mind.
4 . The best way for us humans to get involved is slow and mindful playing by mimicking natural hunting: Take your time to move a toy slowly. Move that toy like an injured prey animal would move, with pauses between and ‘hiding in plain sight’. End the game with a “catch” – a tiny snack! Your cat’s grooming and sleeping after are proof for a well-regulated feline nervous system.
5 . Cat furniture’ that’s vertical and over-cat-length-high, steady and strategically placed around corners and near doors, climbing steps or wall-scratch mats to reach higher-up resting and observation places and at least two different cozy and ‘sacred’ hiding spots where your cats feel safe but not trapped.
Most cats are “suckers” for predictable daily rhythms and routines (same meal times, same ‘bed times’, same treat times and play-times) help them reset their inner balance, regularly!
What can you expect from Your ‘Grounding Efforts’ for your Dog or Cat?
“Cleansing of energy” – releasing tension into the earth results in calmer and more balanced (nervous system regulated) pets who sleep deeper, show less (severe) anxiety and stress responses (like over-grooming, paw licking) and less reactivity to other pets or to stressful situations generally.
Grounded or well-balanced cats are stretched out, seeking out specific spots for sunbathing, enjoying scents and groom themselves with dedication – without over-grooming (fur-less spots)!
Dogs often seek grass, cool soil to roll on, they are calmer / less triggered by noises and more settled when people or other animals are around them.
Last but not least, calmer, energy-regulated pets are healthier and live longer!
For more tailored information, solutions and treatments for your pet, book your slot with Dr. Susanna.
