Whose Stress Is It?
When a Cat Shows Stress… Is It Really Just About the Cat?
I came across a story today in a neighborhood group that really hit home.
An elderly woman had recently moved into a new community. With her came her beloved indoor/outdoor cat — a companion and emotional support in every sense of the word. But not everyone welcomed her.
One neighbor, in particular, began harassing her:
Shining lights at her house
Calling animal control on the cat
Yelling at kids, dogs, and anyone who passed by
Soon, the woman shared that her cat began to show signs of distress — withdrawing, hiding, becoming reactive.
But here’s the real question:
Who’s truly stressed in this situation?
They both are.
As pet parents, we often zero in on what we can see — pacing, hiding, vocalizing, changes in appetite, or sleep. But many times, the root cause is deeper than what meets the eye.
Our animals mirror us.
They absorb our energy.
And they often carry the emotional burdens we don’t realize we’re holding.
This is exactly the kind of case where I’d recommend:
Gentle essential oil work to support the nervous system
Calming emotional release techniques like The Emotion Code
Reiki or energy work for both the pet and the guardian
Home detox strategies to reduce energetic and environmental overload
Our pets are so much more than companions. They are sensitive, intelligent, and deeply in tune with us.
If you’re noticing changes in your pet’s behavior — especially in response to a stressful move, household tension, or emotional upheaval — it may be time to take a step back and look at the whole picture. Not just the symptoms.
I’m here to help guide you through it with holistic options that honor the mind, body, and spirit of both you and your pet.
Nutrition and Behavior — Is There a Link?
Absolutely. What we feed our dogs (and cats) impacts more than their physical health. It can directly influence mood, energy levels, and even emotional resilience.
Fresh, nutrient-rich foods:
Support the gut-brain axis
Help regulate neurotransmitters
Fuel the body for calm, focused energy
Meanwhile, synthetic additives, poor-quality proteins, and inflammatory ingredients can do the opposite — increasing hyperactivity, reactivity, or shutdown behaviors.
That’s where my work goes deeper — connecting behavior to biology. When we support the nervous system through nutrition, detox, oils, and energy alignment, we often see breakthroughs where nothing else worked.
Want to go deeper with support for your dog through all life stages?
Join the client forum for ongoing support and resources!
Member Forum: https://members.welloiledk9.com
Downloads: https://welloiledk9.com/download
Visit My Affiliate Links for curated quality products mentioned above!
https://welloiledk9.com/affiliate-links
© 2025 Dana Brigman | Well Oiled K9 | All rights reserved.
"Statements in this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Educational content only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."
Let’s look at some of the effects nutrition has on behavior