by Team WellJoy
“Ted used to be terrified of the vacuum cleaner when he was a puppy – he’d hide under the sofa every time it came out. But with enough patience (and a pocket full of treats) we’ve slowly taught him it’s not his enemy.”
Anxiety is a common worry for Pet Loyalists, and it’s also completely normal. Feeling anxious is part of how animals stay safe, and some breeds are just naturally more sensitive or reactive.
However, your pet’s early experiences play a significant role, and giving them the right foundations can reduce the potential for later-in-life anxiety. Kittens and puppies learn about the world from their Pet Loyalists; we teach them what’s normal, what’s not, and how they should respond.
Raising a well-adjusted pet starts as soon as you bring them home.
How do I raise a well-adjusted pet?
Offer positive, gentle exposure
For puppies and kittens, everything is new. A walk in the park or a visitor in the house is totally normal for us, but for young pets it’s strange and different. Teaching them that these experiences are ok means introducing new things gradually, and pairing them with positive reinforcement like treats, pets or play.
Repetition is key
Young pets learn that things are safe by a process of consistent, predictable exposure. The first time they see and hear a vacuum cleaner might be frightening, but by the sixth or seventh time you’ve calmly brought it out, and maybe offered a reward, they’ll likely feel differently.
Don’t overwhelm them
It’s tempting to invite everyone round to meet your new kitten or puppy, but it’s better to introduce new experiences slowly and gradually. A brief visit from one person, and a handful of treats, can be less overwhelming for them. Over time, this careful exposure builds up a bank of positive experiences that they can continue to draw on as they grow up.
Don’t force interactions
It’s important that puppies and kittens are given space to make their own decisions, rather than being forced into interactions they’re not ready for. Well-meaning owners might insist a shy puppy says hello to a stranger, but this can make them more fearful in the long run. Letting your pet decide when and how to interact builds their confidence.
Be calm and confident
Introducing your pet to new things can be nerve-wracking for a Pet Loyalist – think of the first time your kitten meets another cat, or the first outside walk with your puppy. But however you feel, getting through these potentially scary moments means being calm and confident, so pets can look to us and mirror this behavior.
Handle the fear stages carefully
Puppies experience fear periods around the 8-11 weeks mark, and again during adolescence. During these times, experiences that might have been normal before can start to feel frightening. Kittens also have a critical period of socialization at 2-7 weeks, when they might be more sensitive to stress.
During these times it’s essential to continue with gentle, positive experiences, to remain respectful of your pet’s space and, critically, to never punish fearful responses.
It’s all about being slow, gradual and gentle
No kitten or puppy can be completely fearless, and each pet is an individual. What feels frightening to one animal might be fascinating to another, and raising a confident pet means taking note of how they’re responding – and stepping in when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Kittens and puppies thrive on safe, repeated, positive experiences. Predictable routines, and giving them the space to make their own choices, all contribute to their long-term development.
Once your pet is older than six months, you can also start to think about introducing WellJoy’s Calming+ supplement for Cats and for Dogs into their routine, to support all the hard work you’re doing with training.
“The goal isn’t a fearless pet, as fear is a natural protective instinct, but the key is supporting the development of a pet who can recover quickly and cope effectively during periods of fear so that they don't develop anxiety.”
Kathryn Miller DVM, CVFT, CPFFCP, CVNAN, PCQI, PAS Director of Veterinary Services at BSM Partners.
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.
