Managing canine stress levels: dietary approach

摘要

The worldwidepandemic hasM*. focused our minds on the problems of stress and anxiety in our communities, yet veterinary professionals are all too familiar with canine patients presenting with signs of stress and anxiety, which can be initiated or exacerbated by a wide variety of environmental factors (Vincent et al, 2020; Dixon and Mistry, 2020).Stress in dogs is often demonstrated in unwanted behaviours, which can lead to a cycle of interrelated stress in the owners, surrender of the dog to the rescue sector or, in extremis, euthanasia. Veterinary practice can offer drug and/or pheromone treatment, as well as referral to qualified animalCOVID-19behaviourists, in an attempt to break this cycle, but the overall aim is to manage rather than cure the condition.