The Comfort Connection: How Our Pets Reflect and Relieve Our Anxiety

There’s something undeniably comforting about coming home to a wagging tail or a soft purr. Our pets have an incredible ability to make us feel calmer, safer, and loved; often when we need it most. But as much as they help us through stressful times, new insights suggest that our beloved companions may also be feeling the weight of our worries.

Recent data from Waggel and our partners at Joii Pet Care shows a 31% rise in canine anxiety diagnoses since 2023, with 2025 already shaping up to be the most stressed-out year for dogs on record. It’s a reminder that our emotional worlds are deeply connected to theirs, and it’s not particularly surprising given the ever-shifting political, social, and economic climate of our current landscape. For many people, this instability leads to a significant spike in anxiety, no matter their age.

*Insights are drawn from clinical data shared through Waggel’s partnership with Joii Pet Care, which provides digital triage and vet consultations to Waggel policyholders.

As our behaviourist, Junior Hudson of Animal Companion Wellness, explains:

“Dogs are emotional mirrors. They can experience something called ‘emotional contagion’. They watch us, smell us, and sense our moods. If an owner is anxious, their dog will pick up on that. They don’t understand why we’re stressed; they just learn that the world isn’t safe.”

It’s both humbling and heartwarming; the idea that our dogs are so in tune with us that they feel what we feel. But it also highlights why it’s so important to nurture calm and connection, not just for ourselves but also for them.

While our pets can mirror our stress, they also help to relieve it. Studies and our own everyday experiences show that spending time with animals can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and help us feel grounded. And that benefit goes both ways.

We’ve all had moments when a gentle nudge from a cold nose or a wagging tail has brought us back from a spiral of worry. Those small gestures remind us to breathe, smile, and take things one moment at a time.

Our relationships with our pets are built on this simple, mutual exchange of comfort. When we find calm, they find calm. When they feel safe, so do we.

Here are a few things we like to do (and recommend to our members) to help nurture that sense of calm together:

• Take a moment before you connect. Pause and take a few slow breaths before greeting your dog, it helps set the tone for a calmer interaction.

• Enjoy quiet time together. Walking in nature, playing gentle games, or simply sitting side by side can do wonders for both of you.

• Turn down the noise. Limit exposure to busy or chaotic environments where possible - you and your pet will benefit from it.

• Try soothing scents. Lightly diffused, pet-safe aromas like lavender or chamomile can create a more relaxing space for everyone (just make sure it’s well-ventilated).

Every pet is different, and sometimes anxiety stems from experiences beyond our control, past trauma, routine changes, or sensory overload. That’s why we’re proud to offer unlimited online behavioural consultations with Companion Animal Wellness (CAW) as part of every Waggel policy.

The CAW team of experts is here to guide you through any worries, big or small, whether your dog struggles with separation anxiety, noise sensitivity, or just seems a little out of sorts. Because when our pets are happy and relaxed, so are we.

To us, that’s what being part of the Waggel community is all about: supporting one another, understanding our pets’ emotions, and celebrating the beautiful, calming connection that makes life with them so special.