Nowadays, stress is an integral part of human life. We get tired at work, we get tired at home, and to cope, we turn to friends for advice, or, at best, to a psychologist, to prevent it from developing into something more serious. But pets, who joyfully greet us at the door, don't have this option. And yet, mental health issues persist.
Compulsive overeating
This disease can be caused by a number of reasons: social, cultural, psychological and even biological.
Compulsive overeating is uncontrollable food consumption, typically following some kind of trauma (loss of loved ones, pregnancy, stress). This type of eating inevitably leads to obesity, as the foods consumed during this period are often high in fat and sugar.
Pets face the same problem, but it's often the fault of the owner, who believes that a well-fed pet is healthy and begins overfeeding them. This is a grave misconception. Excess weight in animals leads to problems with the cardiovascular, respiratory, and excretory systems. A minor cold can be severe, often leading to complications.
Overeating in dogs and cats can also be associated with feeding outside of a schedule.
How to solve the problem:
- review the animal’s diet to ensure that it receives all the nutrients it needs to thrive;
- Always feed at the same time. Eliminate human food;
- increase physical activity - play or walk more often and longer.
Depression
It's one of the most common mental health problems in humans. The main symptoms are depressed mood, sleep and appetite disturbances, anxiety, and guilt.
In animals, this manifests itself in exactly the same way, but fear, aggressive behavior, loss of interest in games, and a desire to withdraw are added.
The causes of depression in animals include a change of residence, the appearance of a new pet in the house, restriction of freedom, pain of various kinds, and longing for the owner.
How to solve the problem:
- devote more time to your pet, provide care, show love;
- do not raise your voice, reduce punishments to a minimum;
- buy new toys or treats;
- If depression is caused by the appearance of a new family member - a child, another cat or dog - introduce them and show that he or she does not pose a danger;
- In extreme cases, drug treatment prescribed by a veterinarian is necessary.
Autism
This disorder occurs as a result of developmental disorders of the brain and leads to disruptions in social interaction and communication, lack of emotional contact with people, bouts of aggression and a desire for order.
In animals, this disorder appears at birth or when transferred to new owners, that is, after a severe shock. A sign of this type of disorder is unpredictable behavior: excessively active, excited movement, followed by prolonged staring at the same object with an uncomprehending gaze. Aggression toward even the most innocuous human actions, such as the movement of a toy or bowl, is also possible.
How to solve the problem:
- Contact a veterinarian who will prescribe regular human antidepressants for the animal;
- create a comfortable atmosphere in which the animal will feel safe.
Sleep disorder
Sleep disturbances in humans arise from both external and internal causes: stress, noise, unfamiliar surroundings, heredity, anxiety, and poor nutrition. Insomnia or, conversely, excessive sleepiness lead to impaired coordination, memory, and emotional state.
In pets, sleep disturbances can be associated with cold or hot weather, pregnancy, the onset of illness, or stress. Severe sleep disturbances are also possible, causing the pet to twitch its paws erratically or jump up.
How to solve the problem:
Unfortunately, this area is very poorly researched, and a solution has yet to be found. All you can do is record your pet's behavior on video and show it to your veterinarian, who might be able to offer you a solution.
A pet's owner is the most important person in their life, determining their physical and emotional well-being. Their body is as complex as a human's. It's important to remember this and provide timely assistance and love.
