Most of us are very familiar with what it is like to feel stressed, fearful or anxious. Our animals often have a significant dose of these experiences too. These “states” arise for many different reasons and can show up in equally different ways.
Some signs of stress, anxiety or fear could include (and this will be dependent upon the species concerned) vomiting and/or diarrhoea, not eating, cowering, shaking, protesting, excessive panting, excessive vocalisation, nervous jumping around, hiding, self-mutilation or obsessive behaviours, aggression, submission, facial tension, tail tucked under, whites of eyes showing, excessive yawning, involuntary urination/defaecation, ears back, pacing, drooling or turning away, depression and potentially a physical manifestation like an illness.
The contributors of worried behaviour and feelings are also many and varied. They include physical pain, viewed or personally experienced trauma (past and present), confinement, confusion, separation from significant people or animals, fear for safety, abuse, neglect, grief, loss of habitat, a deficient diet and of course, that list goes on.
In nature, a relationship exists between prey and predator that is understood. Prey animals recognise whether a predator is on the hunt or not. Cortisol and adrenaline are released when an animal senses danger and in response they flee, fight or freeze for their survival. Following that experience, their body trembles, returning them to a state of normalcy or homeostatis. They then get on with what they were doing. However, when it comes to many animal relationships with humans, something else happens as our lives have become somewhat complicated. Animals’ experiences with us can be repeatedly traumatic and there is not the same release available to them in a captive situation. We become emotionally entwined. Our motives are not always clean, clean like the need for survival that a predator animal has.
Fear, stress and anxiety are often the result of sustained uncomfortable or stressful experiences, rather than one-offs, unless that one off is particularly traumatic.
Once you recognise that something is going on for your animal and even maybe for yourself too, you can explore options for helping lessen the anxiety, fear and stress. Naturally, to address what is causing this state and the symptoms, means attending to and changing what is influencing the animal’s behaviour, in practical and realistic ways.
If our own behaviour, mental and emotional state are contributing to what the animal is experiencing, then that is a good place to start too. No matter what is going on for the animal, as their guardians, it is going to be far more beneficial to get ourselves into a calm and grounded state. We cannot always change our personal circumstances easily, but practices, such as focusing on our breath with a mantra like “all is well”, may be helpful in reducing our own anxiety. There are many teachers who can assist us with this focus. Some situations are tense and challenging emotions can arise quickly, so this is a useful practice, which can come into play when calm is needed.
Being in nature, taking time to be outside if possible and even being there with your animal friend, can be so beneficial for everyone’s wellbeing. Sadly, not all animals have access to time outside in nature.
Ultimately, to have a heart centred and kind relationship with ourselves, to calm our own anxieties and worries, will have a ripple effect on our animals. We may need to seek expert advice for not only ourselves, but also to assist us in working with any issues that are troubling our animals. Becoming uptight and punishing nervous or anxious behaviour will only exacerbate what an animal is experiencing. It will not serve us well either.
Different approaches to training may be needed. So much of our relationships with animals are focused on us getting them to do what we want. Over the years of being involved with animals, I have made many mistakes, out of ignorance and a lack of emotional and mental maturity. New ways of working with and therefore relating to animals are constantly evolving, just as we are. Maybe they are not new, they have just been overlaid for centuries by methods and thinking which are often aggressive and demanding, lacking in respect or gratitude for animal life and wellbeing.
Our touch or the way we physically interact with the animals can either alert them to danger or reassure them. It is important to recognise how our touch impacts animals. Are we slapping or stroking? Do we rest our hand on them with awareness and consideration or unconsciously pat in an annoying and thoughtless way? Would they rather we did not touch them?
As we come to know ourselves better, we can learn how better to understand the languages of the animal kingdom. To reduce anxieties, to bring calm and harmony between human and non-human, involves a degree of self-reflection and self-honesty. We need to be honest with ourselves about why we want them to act in a particular way and for what purpose do they exist in our eyes. How can we make their lives as stress-free as possible with so many expectations of them? Are our expectations realistic or fair?
Do we barge into their space, assuming it is our right or do we approach with respect and a request? Do we coerce, demand or manipulate them into doing what we want, or are we aware of coming to them from a place of heart, without ego?
Certain boundaries and practices are required for animals and us to co-exist in the household, on the farm or wherever. Boundaries can be of a physical nature, such as fences and gates, while other boundaries could be to do with training or body language. These involve an understanding of animal behaviour and animal language. A willingness to observe how animals react or respond to our requests and expectations, or to the limitations that we place upon them, may reveal gentler and non-threatening ways of communicating.
This is not about being ineffectual and “fluffy” in our approach. It is about standing in our own strength, having our own sense of personal space, knowing our capabilities, our weaknesses and working honestly from that place. And not asking too much of ourselves.
There is a strong emotional and mental component to stress, fear and anxiety, as well as in a physical sense. The First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® have a role to play here, in supporting an animal in their soul journey and helping to address the trauma, anxiety and fears felt or experienced by the animals. The essences make a valuable addition to other support structures put in place. They can be given to human and non-human alike. I always give essences where possible, as they can work at levels unseen by people, working energetically or vibrationally to address trauma, to support challenging experiences and help change negative attitudes.
I encourage anyone to take steps to address causes of anxiety, stress and fear effecting their animals, steps that bring more understanding and an openness to new ways. Perhaps this will include a change in an animal’s diet or it will mean finding people who are making inroads in improving animal/human relationships and care.