Do you board your dog?  Do you also cook for your pet?  I cook all of Daisy’s food.  I cook for my dog not only by choice and common sense, but also because of her chronic illnesses.  I used to send her off to her boarding facility with dry kibble.  When I’d get her back, even if it was only for a couple nights, she would be ridden with inflammation and her chronic UTI’s would return.  Only 3 days of dry kibble!  That told me just how important it is, especially when your pet is in distress, to provide holistic, nourishing foods. 

I usually cook stew for Daisy, but when I board her I find that stew doesn’t ‘travel well.’  So I created a meatloaf off of my friend B.A.’s recipe.  It has the same nutritious ingredients that her stew has, just with a few twists and not as much liquid.  I cut the meat loaf into servings, put each serving in a separate zip lock bag and then add a couple calming herbs to help ease her anxiety while I am away.

Here is the recipe:

2lbs of ground beef, venison or buffalo

1 bunch of celery

6 med-large carrots

3 med apples

4 eggs

2c dry rolled oats

2c peanut butter

2c whole milk cottage cheese (optional)

1/4c olive oil

In a food processor, finely process the carrots, celery and apples.  You may need to do this in 2 or 3 batches.  Place in a large mixing bowl.  With hands, mix in rest of the ingredients until evenly mixed.  Put even amounts in two large baking pans.  Spread evenly and put in a 400degree oven for 30-40min.  Look for slight browning on the edges of the pan.  Pull out and allow to cool till only warm to the touch. 

For a 50lb dog each pan will have 4 servings: 2breakfasts/2dinners.  You can change the serving size according to your own pet’s weight.  Put each serving in a separate zip lock bag or container and in each serving put: ¼ dropper chamomile calm and ½ tablet of chewable acidophilus.   See my post on Anxiety for more information on chamomile calm.

When you bring the food to the boarding facility, tell them to keep it refrigerated and to give your dog one bag/container of food in the morning and one in the evening.

How to know if your pet is showing signs of anxiety.

Most anxiety in pets is due to the separation of you from your pet.  This is more commonly known as Separation Anxiety.  Here are some behaviors, signs, symptoms and all-natural remedies for you and your pet. 

BEHAVIORAL signs/symptoms of Separation Anxiety in pets:

(Resource: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=2266)

1. Overly anxious behavior due to separation from owner or unable to see owner.
2. Obsessively following or ‘checking on’ owner in the home
3. Pacing
4. Excessive salivation
5. Prolonged barking, howling or whining
6. Hyperactivity
7. Excessive scratching, chewing or digging
8. Urinating and/or defecating in the home
9. Destruction of owners’ personal property
10. Overly excited behaviors once owner returns such as jumping, running in circles, licking, rubbing against owner, whining.

PHYSICAL signs/symptoms of Separation Anxiety in pets:

(Resource: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=2266)

1. Broken teeth from excessively chewing/destroying of owner’s personal property.
2. Torn nails and/or foot pads from excessive scratching/digging.
3. Torn skin from trying to ‘escape’ while left alone in a crate and/or home.
4. Excessively worn foot pads from pacing, running, excessive movement due to pet’s inability to self-calm or stop anxious behaviors.
5. Loss of hair in patches due to stress.
6. Sores on skin from excessively biting or scratching skin that is not otherwise afflicted.

CAUSES of Separation Anxiety:

Separation Anxiety is not fully understood in animals.  It is hard to communicate directly with our furry friends and therefore it is hard to fully retract their innermost thoughts.  However, one can translate some of their behaviors and conclude that their anxious behaviors could be due to:

1. Previous Abuse- If an animal was rescued, they may be expressing behaviors due to previous abuse and/or neglect from previous owners.
2. Fear- Animals have fears just like us!  Animals can be afraid of being alone, of being caged, even of storms!  Loud noises, dark places and strange occurrences can all contribute to an animal’s personal fears.
3. Personal Disposition- Each animal has it’s own personality.  Just ask anyone!  They will tell you how their pet exudes their own ‘personal traits.’  Some animals are more prone to anxious behavior due to body chemistry, hormones, breed and/or upbringing/training. 
4. The Unknown- Since Separation Anxiety is not fully understood in animals, there are a lot of unknown factors that may cause this disorder.

WHAT TO DO for your animal if you think your animal has Separation Anxiety:

Having had multiple animals with various Anxiety disorders, I have honed in on some wonderful, all-natural remedies for Anxiety in Pets.  Please note that these remedies are not guaranteed and may have varying effects on your pet.  These remedies are not meant to take the place of your primary Veterinarian.

1. Training- I found that by taking Daisy to simple training classes (even through she knew all the basics) helped her to feel more in control.  She already knew a lot before going into the class, but the personal training time between her and I allowed her to gain some control and feel confident in our bond.  She learned to ‘self-soothe’ through good behavior.
2. Pet Massage- Being a massage therapist for both humans and animals, I found that there are some great massage/pressure points that can help your pet either immediately or on a long term basis.  One point to quickly mention are to rub the base of the ears slowly and working your way to the tips.  (more will be written at a later date)
3. Consistency and Love- Number one… LOVE YOUR PET.  Yes they need boundaries and discipline, but they also need and want your LOVE!  Also, being consistent with your routine in the beginning stages of your pet’s life with you (no matter what age your pet is) is critical to them feeling comfortable.  Every time you get up, go to bed, leave the home or return home, do the same thing every time.  Here is an example of how I do this for Daisy: 
   1. When I leave the home, I gather my purse and jingle my keys. 
   2. I sit on the couch with my jacket and purse until Daisy calms down and lays on her bed in the living room (it used to take her up to 20 min, now it only take about 1 min). 
   3. I get up and put peanut butter in her large Kong (you can use another toy that your pet likes, just make sure it is a toy they LOVE!)
   4. I let Daisy out for one last ‘potty break.’ 
   5. I bring her inside, shut bedroom/bathroom doors so she is safe from harmful items/substances
   6. I give her the Kong and while she is distracted I leave the house.
4. Herbal Supplements- I am not afraid to give Daisy supplements.  I have been using herbal supplements for years on myself, my family and my pets.  Here are some very specific herbs that have helped Daisy tremendously!
   1. Chamomile- I use a chamomile tincture that is specific for children called ‘Chamomile Calm by Herbs For Kids.’  This is a great, mild tincture that will help to ‘take the edge off’ when your pet just needs to calm down slightly.  For instance, if your pet can not calm down while you are home.  I give Daisy, who is 50lbs, ½ dropper full. You can get this and other similar tinctures at any holistic food store or drug store.
   2. Valerian- I use a valerian tincture that is specific for children called ‘Valerian Super Calm by Herbs for Kids.’  This is to be used only once in a while and during the most stressful situations.  It is MUCH stronger than Chamomile.  It can be instrumental in your early stages of controlling anxiety or when you will be making huge changes in the pet’s life/routine.  You can also get this and other similar tinctures at any holistic food store or drug store.
   3. I have also seen some various ‘calming tablets’ at pet stores and other online stores.  Just make sure you read the instructions and ingredients and consult your Veterinarian or Holistic Animal Consultant before trying any of these remedies.