Are You Making Your Dog Sick?

Too many people worry too much about their dogs. They worry that they might be getting sick, might be ill, and any little sign of fatigue or illness causes them to rush their pet to the vet, determined to put their dog through every scan and test imaginable until they unearth whatever might be wrong with their precious pet. This can end up being a self fulfilling prophecy as their very concern and stress causes their dogs to become ill, creating a negative spiral of self reinforcing disaster. How can you break this cycle, and take control of what might be a horribly unbalanced situation?

The first thing you need to do is understand how stress can effect your pet, and why they might suffer if you are yourself stressed about them. Stress causes our bodies to release cortisone, a powerful short term stimulant that causes our blood sugar levels ot elevate and help us survive tough times. Over the long term however stress can cause cortisone to shut down our immune system, make a mess of our stomachs and suppress our energy levels.

Why does this matter? Because your pet is a pack animal. Dogs are descended from wolves, and as such are genetically built to pay attention to their pack leader. They watch the pack leader for cues and information, and respond accordingly. If you as the pack leader are sick with worry, they will pick up on this regardless of their natural health and become stressed as well. Over time this stress will cause them to become sick, and before you know it your dog is actually ill, and you will feel vindicated for having worried in the first time, and it's off to the vet you go.

How can you break this vicious cycle? The first step lies in realizing that your dog will pick up on your emotion cues. Then you need to see that by constantly worrying you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, and that in order to break it you need to simply relax and smile. Enjoy time spent with your dog, trust in its naturally robust health and immune system. Believe that if you exercise your pet and give it good food it will be fine, that your happiness is the best tonic available, and that your stress acts as a slow moving poison in its system. Once you take responsibility for its well being, you will see that your own behavior will change, as will its health.

Get rid of your own stress through exercise and good nutrition! Try the fabulous P90X protein bars or workout with the P90X chin up bar!

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