Underlying Illness Anxiety

Welcome and Thank You!

I'm so glad you took the Dog Anxiety Pitfall quiz, (Or dog anxiety type quiz?)  and congratulations on taking this big step towards understanding and overcoming your dog's anxiety. You're on your way to creating a more harmonious life for them, and I'm so excited to join you on this journey!

Hi, I'm Sarah Lea. I'm a Professional Animal Communicator, the Founder of Heel - a pet wellness brand dedicated to tackling pet anxiety at its core, and the creator of this quiz.

I've spent over 15 years working with animals struggling with severe anxiety, and I've made it my mission to find solutions that truly get to the root of their anxiety and rewire it. 

I believe in going beyond simply numbing the symptoms with medication and truly addressing the behaviors that cause your pet's distress.

Below, you'll find a detailed description of your dog's unique anxiety type, along with solutions tailored specifically for them.

From one committed pet parent to another, thank you for putting your dog's mental and emotional well-being first. It's an honor to be part of your journey with them.

Now, let's dive into your results!

Pet anxiety type Map? Or quiz?

Based on the information you've shared and the little I know about you, your dog’s anxiety type is

ILLNESS-INDUCED ANXIETY

What that means…

This type of anxiety is directly related to the dog's physical health.

Illness-induced anxiety in dogs happens when they feel stressed and scared because of pain or discomfort from being sick or having a health problem. Consequently, this can lead to changes in their emotions and behavior.

Just like humans, when dogs feel unwell, they feel anxious because their routine is disrupted, and they don’t understand what's happening to them.

This kind of anxiety usually comes out of nowhere. Imagine your normally happy and calm dog starts acting anxious and scared for no clear reason. 

 

This sudden change could be a warning sign that your dog is in pain from an illness you can't see. 

It’s more than just a bad mood, it's a clue that something is wrong. This sudden change could be a warning sign that your dog is in pain from an illness you can't see.

Dogs Who Commonly Struggle with Illness-Induced Anxiety

Dogs with Long-term Health Issues
If a dog has ongoing health problems like arthritis (joint pain), diabetes, or heart issues, they can feel uncomfortable a lot. 

 

This constant discomfort can make them feel anxious because they don’t understand why they feel bad.

Older Dogs

Just like older people, older dogs can have more health problems. These might include pain in their joints, confusion, or even trouble seeing or hearing. 

These issues can make them feel scared or nervous because they can’t do things as easily as they used to.

 

Active and Working Dogs
Dogs that are used to high levels of activity or those trained for specific tasks (like service dogs or sports dogs) can become highly anxious if an illness suddenly restricts their ability to perform or move as usual. 

 

These dogs often have a lot of energy and drive, and not being able to channel this energy due to illness can lead to frustration and anxiety.

Breeds Prone to Specific Health Issues

Some breeds are genetically predisposed to certain health problems that can lead to frequent or severe anxiety. 

 

For example, breeds like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, which can cause chronic pain and mobility issues, leading to anxiety. 

 

Similarly, breeds prone to genetic disorders, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (with a propensity for heart issues), may also suffer more from anxiety related to their health conditions.

How It Shows Up

 

• Sudden crying, barking, panicking
• Weight gain, Excessive thirst, Lethargy
• Abnormal onset of seizures as well as many other signs 
• Potty in home
• Excessive howling
• Loss of cognitive understanding, or memory, in elderly dogs 
• Constant self-soothing
• Appearance of cataracts
• Thyroid issues
• Loss of hearing, vision, mobility
  
  
  How It Feels for Your Dog
  
  
• Being sick and anxious can make your dog feel completely overwhelmed, not understanding what's happening to them.
• Illness brings physical discomfort, which can be hard for your dog to deal with as they can't tell you where or how it hurts.
• The combination of illness and disrupted routines can scare your dog, making them more timid or nervous than usual.
• They might seem more vulnerable, look for quiet corners, or want to be alone more often.
• Your dog might lean on you more for support and security, staying close to you
  and need more comfort through pets and cuddles.

 

2 Top Mistakes People Make with Dogs with Illness-Induces Anxiety

MISTAKE 1
Underestimating the Impact of Physical Symptoms on Mental Health

I often hear pet owners say things like, “Oh, he’s just old” or “She’s not sad, she just seems that way because she has cancer, arthritis, diabetes, etc.” 

 

But what many don't realize is that the anxious behavior we see in our pets is often a direct result of physical discomfort they're experiencing - be it pain, inflammation, or general unease. This discomfort can lead to excess energy, which then turns into anxiety.

Let me explain a bit more. When your dog seems off, it might actually be their way of showing that something deeper is bothering them, something that's stealing their joy and comfort. 

It’s easy to dismiss these signs if we think they're just part of aging or a specific disease.

MISTAKE 2
Ignoring the Need for a Supportive Environment

 

Imagine if, when you felt your worst, your home suddenly became noisy, unpredictable, and uncomfortable. That’s what often happens to our dogs when we overlook the need for a supportive environment during their illnesses.

For instance, creating a quiet corner where they can retreat without disturbance can make a big difference. Keeping to a regular schedule helps them know what to expect throughout their day, which adds a layer of comforting predictability. 

Also, simple acts like speaking softly, gentle petting, or sitting quietly with them can reassure them that they’re not alone in their journey to recovery.

Supporting Your Dog with Illness-Induced Anxiety

Dealing with your dog's illness-induced anxiety can be challenging, but there are effective steps you can take to improve their well-being and, as a result, yours too. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

STEP 1.
Consult a Veterinarian

Always start with a visit to your veterinarian when you suspect your dog might be dealing with an underlying health issue. They can provide a diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatments.

STEP 2
CBD for Anxiety Relief

If you prefer a non-medical solution and care deeply about your furry friend, CBD is one of the best and most powerful ways to manage anxiety alongside illness. 

 

The calming effects of high-quality, pet-formulated CBD can help manage symptoms of stress and panic, making it a natural and effective solution.

That is why I created “HEEL”, an organic CBD brand designed specifically for dogs.

Our product, Creature Comfort CBD | Physical support for pets, is designed to support daily wellness in dogs facing conditions like inflammation, arthritis, hip dysplasia, injuries, and seizures.

Additionally, consider using a topical solution like "Goodbye Aches| Topical Pain Relief”

to directly target and relieve pain areas. This can provide immediate relief and can be particularly helpful for managing localized pain.

Use the code QUIZ15 to get a 15% discount at checkout.

Important Safety Note: Please consult with your veterinarian to ensure that it is safe to use “HEEL” alongside other medical treatments. It’s crucial to align any new supplements with your dog’s current health plan.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, and this information is not intended as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a licensed professional for your pet’s healthcare needs.

 

Pro Tip: Be Patient and Consistent

This process takes time, but you can rewire how your dog responds to stress, gradually reducing their anxiety and improving their overall behavior.

Stick to these steps for at least three months, and stay consistent with your routine. It’s not a quick fix, but with time, your dog will feel more relaxed.

 

THANK YOU! 

I truly appreciate you taking the time to prioritize your pet's mental and physical health and recognizing that our furry friends can feel stress and anxiety, just like we do. 

Having worked with hundreds of clients and their pets, I can tell you there's always light at the end of the tunnel. There's always a path to success if you take the time to understand your pet in their unique ways and address their specific triggers.

Keep going! You're on the right track.

 

Your pet’s anxiety type is
I L L N E S S I N D U C E D A N X I E T Y

 

And it's the number one cause of their Pitfall, Based off of the information you've

shared and the little I know about you...

What that means...

 

This type of Anxiety means that your pet may be experiencing

underlying health issues that are causing a physical discomfort and

thus, reflecting in their behavior and emotions.

This type of anxiety usually comes on suddenly in a dog that was

not normally anxious or with no history or recent events that could

have created this sudden change in behavior.Often described as a

sudden onset of anxiety with no reason.

Often times when there is an underlying health issue, there may be

pain or discomfort present and this is causing a build up of energy

and manifesting its self as anxiety. The pet may be expressing this

behavior due to pain or ailment specific stress

If your dog displays anxiety “out of nowhere or sporadically” or fits

the behavior above then you definitely want to keep reading.

 

This anxiety type is often seen in: ??

Signs of this anxiety Type

 

• Sudden crying, barking, panicking
• Weight gain, Excessive thirst, Lethargy,
• Abnormal onset of seizures as well as many other signs.
• Potty in home
• Excessive howling
• Loss of cognitive understanding, or memory, in elderly dogs.
• Constant self soothing
• Appearance of cataracts
• Thyroid issues
• Loss of hearing, vision, mobility

 

Mistakes people make

 

When an animal has an underlying condition, we often ignore the excess

anxiety that is caused by the condition, when in fact, we can reduce the

anxiety all together, regardless of if the condition is present or not.

Let me explain…

I hear pet parents say all the time, “oh he’s just old” or “she’s not sad or

unhappy, she just seems like that because he has

cancer/arthritis/diabetes etc”

When in reality, their anxious demeanor is simply a byproduct of

something going on physically. The pain, inflammation and discomfort

that they may be experiencing is actually causing excess energy, and

THIS is creating the anxiety.

You see, left unchecked, your dogs demeanor may be signaling to you

that there is something else going on that you aren’t aware of,

something taking away from their ability to enjoy themselves…

Anxiety doesn’t have to be a consequence of the underlying illness

Thankfully there are some practical and achievable steps you can take to

avoid those outcomes and create a thriving home environment for your

pet, that is pain and anxiety free!

Solutions

Consult a veterinarian! Always seek medical advice and

attention when you suspect there may be an underlying health

issue

If you are aware of medical conditions and the pet is on

specialized treatment, I suggest using Creature Comfort CBD

daily to manage the anxiety, coupled with the illness

management (consult veterinarian to ensure it is safe to use

Heel in conjunction with medical treatment)

If the underlying illness is caused from inflammation due to

ailments such as Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, injuries, I love adding

Curcumin, a natural Hip and joint support supplement and

something like Goodbye Aches, that you can roll directly onto

the area to target the pain at the source

Here’s what you can do almost immediately to start delivering a

more harmonious experience for your pet and ultimately, for

yourself too!

 

As always, I am not a veterinarian and I am in no way, shape or form

giving you medical advice. You should always seek medical advice

from a licensed professional

YOUR NEXT STEPS

 

Now you might be wondering,

“My dog can’t talk to me in words so how exactly am I meant to know what

they are experiencing?And how to do I fix this anxiety without going crazy and

without it taking over your entire life?

Well, this is what I do all day, every day… I help pet parents, both new and

experienced, find the source of their animals discomfort and create the Full

Spectrum Plan that targets the core and returns them AND the family, to a

more harmonious and balanced experience.

 

And I just so happen to have a step-by-step Method to achieve this

desired, anxiety free outcome,

And because you’ve taken the time to take this quiz and tell me a little about

you and your situation, I’d love to hook you up with a FREE access pass to

watch my training on how to have an anxiety free dog instantly without

having to spend thousands on vet bills!

In this training, I cover how to Implement a Full Spectrum plan to get to the

root of the issue and rewire it, now that you know what your pets anxiety type

is

I will go in depth on how to discover what the unique cause of their anxiety is, where it is coming from, why and how to target and rewire it successfully, 

 

And the crazy part is… I'm giving it to you, totally free

Now, the only catch is this:

 

This webinar will not remain free to you forever, so go ahead and claim your free access now!

 

Simply click the button below to claim your free access pass and get instant access to the training! 

THANK YOU!

I would like to say thank you for taking the time to prioritize your

pets mental and physical health and for recognizing the animals

ability to experience stress and anxiety.

As someone who has worked with hundreds of clients I can tell you

that there is light at the end of the tunnel, there is a perfect recipe

for success as long as you take the necessary steps to firstly

understand your pet in all of their uniqueness and target their

specific triggers accordingly.

 

This is why I created this webinar and granted you free access!

I created Tools to serve people like you in the most useful way

possible and if you choose to apply these tools and these tips to

your daily lives, you open yourselves up to living a much more

harmonious and stress free life!

Have questions about the webinar, My Pet anxiety Brand or My

Animal Communication sessions?

Feel free to contact me at any time

With Love

Sarah Lea