Never Underestimate the Effects of Stress
Stress is a bad thing. My poor pal Buster found this out the hard way two weeks ago. We moved.
Our new place is great. It even has off-street parking, which is a very big deal in San Francisco. But I hate moving. And apparently so does Buster.
Buster developed diarrhea two days before the move. It lasted until three days after, when I finally gave up on a mild protocol of easily digestible food and resorted to antidiarrheal medications.
During the move Buster also developed severe itching. He constantly scratched his abdomen. He engaged in excessive licking of areas that only dogs (and cats) can reach. At first I suspected that the itching was related to switching from Advantage to Frontline (which happened shortly before the move), or from an allergy to some chemical, contaminant, plant or mold in the new house. But now that we’re settled in, Buster is no longer itchy.
I suspect that both of these problems were caused by stress. Although Buster didn’t show any obvious outward signs of stress during the move, rehousing is famously and predictably stressful in dogs, cats, and humans.
Stress is a well known cause of diarrhea in all three species mentioned above. Stress is also known for causing skin issues in cats and humans. I now believe that it contributes to skin problems in dogs as well.
Stress also weakens the immune system, predisposing animals of all species to disease. In humans it has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In cats there is a well documented link between stress and severe gum disease as well as certain potentially life-threatening urinary conditions.
Moving, unfortunately, is a fact of life. But if you have to move, try to settle in quickly. And once you’re in your new home, take time to pet the cat and walk the dog.
Photo: Buster settles in to his new digs.
You have questions. 
Thanks for the post. I’m moving at the end of October. Me and my 2 cats are moving in with my boyfriend (who has a 12 year old part time) and I don’t think they’re going to be too terribly happy, but I’m hopeful!
Interesting you should bring up stress this week, since I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, too. Last week my pooch had a small growth removed from her lip (some sort of papilloma, not sure if it was viral) and now she has stitches until the beginning of next week. Because she sticks close to us, we only need the dreaded e-collar when we can’t watch her, but it really stresses her out. Isn’t the stress of the e-collar going to affect her body’s ability to heal the surgical wound? Our vet gave us three days worth of rimadyl for pain management, but that’s it. The first two nights she wouldn’t lie down at all, because of the collar. I’m glad it’s only a tiny incision, nothing major.
Should try to keep them stimulated…if diarrhea starts a spoon of pumkin…(LIKE LIBBYS IN THE CAN UN SWEETENED)..lots of walks even if they’re quick…and NEVER…EVER let them see you upset…or stressed yourself…they feed on your energy…even if you’re having a rough time and YOU are stressed….turn around and don’t let them see you angry…or upset or stressed yourself!…Try to remain calm with your pet~ and talk the sweet talk…cuddle and pay extra attention….I promise…it works!
What about hair loss, i believe i read that somewhere. I had friends watch my dogs while i had to be out of town for a few days and they were inconsistent on both staying at the house, each night a different person was there, my female lab when i came home blew out like crazy in one day and then it just stopped. she also had not eaten