As we know, life isn't static; on the contrary, it's dynamic and in constant movement or transformation. It's natural to experience changes over time, since this is part of the essential cycle of any living being's existence. Nowadays, changes, especially in the environment or in routines, can significantly influence life with our companion animals. Situations such as a move, home renovations, a trip, meeting another animal, the arrival of a new member of the household, the loss of a human or animal companion, a family breakup, or even a visit to the vet are examples of events that can have a major impact on the emotional wellbeing of our furry companions. Even though these circumstances may seem ordinary or unimportant to us, for them they can represent highly stressful events that require a significant adaptation period; and if not managed properly, behavioral problems stemming from poorly handled stress may appear.
It's important to understand that pets are creatures of habit and routine. Their way of relating to the world is based mainly on the senses of smell, hearing, and sight. They also form emotional bonds based on positive or negative experiences, which makes them especially sensitive and vulnerable to any change in their environment or daily routines. That's why it's essential to give them the right support during these changes, so that we can minimize, as much as possible, the stress they may experience.
First of all, it's advisable to introduce changes gradually whenever possible. This will help lessen the negative impact they may have on your pet and make for a calmer, more effective adaptation process. We can also prepare our furry companion before the change by giving them natural flower essences. The Siu Adaptation and Travel formula can be very beneficial during transition processes, such as arriving at a new home or adjusting to a different environment. If our furry companions feel terrified by unknown fears, or on the contrary become aggressive, or even become excessively anxious, we can give them the Siu Peace and Calm flower blend, which provides emotional support in situations of high stress, helping restore balance and tranquility in our furry companions. The advantage of flower essences is that, in addition to balancing emotional states, several formulas can be given at the same time without causing adverse effects. This makes them a safe and effective tool for accompanying our pets through prolonged adaptation processes.
Likewise, it's essential that we stay calm, since our furry companions easily pick up on our emotional states — if they sense that we're calm and secure, they'll feel the same way. It's also essential to positively reinforce calm behavior with pets, play, or treats. It helps a lot to create a safe space where they can take refuge or hide; in these spaces we can apply flower essences in spray form and relaxing essential oils like lavender, which will increase the sense of security, trust, and harmony.
Finally, we should stay alert to signs of stress or discomfort they may show, such as changes in appetite, destructive behavior, isolation or excessive clinginess, excessive vocalizing, inappropriate elimination or marking, trouble sleeping or resting, among others. These signs should be attended to, and depending on their intensity or persistence, it's essential to consult a veterinarian or ethologist, who can provide the appropriate guidance to best help our furry companions and thus avoid serious disruptions to their physical and emotional wellbeing.
