A Gentle Way to Calm Your Anxious Pet
I was at my computer typing when the most unexpected noise erupted from inside the house.
Crash. Crash. Tumble. Clang.
Yikes!
I saw Mako freeze where he was standing. His eyes widened, and his whole body stiffened with alarm. Then Mako ran under the stairs. That particular spot is his safe space whenever something feels uncertain.
As I paused to collect myself, I knew exactly what had happened. The shower curtain rod had fallen again and brought everything down with it. It’s been a while since that last happened, but always sounds like a miniature disaster.
Funny enough, that moment made me think about tension. It’s not pleasant in our bodies, but it sure keeps a shower curtain in place.
Mako, on the other hand, was having none of it. I watched him wander from room to room, sitting in different spots as if listening for the next crash. He moved carefully, ears alert, eyes scanning the hallway — trying to make sense of it all.
I explained what had happened, of course, assuring him it was just the curtain rod and that everything was okay. But his nervous system wasn’t feeling safe. For the next two hours, he remained on high alert.
Moments like these always remind me that our animals are such sensitive beings. They are also incredible guides for us.
My Sensitive Boy
Mako has always been a sensitive soul. I’ve had him since he was four months old, and even back then he didn’t like being held He’s cautious with new people, attentive to every sound, and always notices when the weather changes.
I can relate. I joke that he inherited his anxious nature from me. (I know that’s not biologically possible, but in our little family, it feels true.)
What I’ve learned over the years is just how tuned in he is to my energy. Earlier this year, during a major life change, my emotions were all over the place — anxious and unsettled. That week, Mako stopped sleeping next to me. It was as if he was saying, “I love you, but your energy is too much right now.”
If I could have seen my aura, it would have looked jagged and spiky.
Practicing animal communication has made me more aware of that connection. When my energy is chaotic, Mako feels it. So I’ve been learning to ground myself — not just for my own peace, but for his too.
Our animals are such gentle mirrors. They show us what’s happening within us and with more honesty than we show ourselves. They have healing wisdom that asks us to slow down and listen.
The Ah-Ha Moment
Later that day, I texted my mom and sister about how unsettled Mako still was. I decided to sit on the couch and figured he would come over to me. He didn’t do that and instead watched me cautiously from across the room.
I offered him a few of his favorite treats and he nibbled them nervously under the coffee table. That’s when I had an idea. ✨
I opened my EFT tapping app and chose a session titled “I Can’t Stop Worrying About Everything.” (A perfect match for Mako’s mood.) He’s used to hearing that calming music before bed, so the sounds were familiar.
I told him, “I’ll tap for you. I’ll help you feel safe again.”
As I started the video and began tapping through the points, my own breathing slowed. The tension I’d been carrying began to settle. Within a few moments, Mako climbed onto my lap.
He stayed there as I continued the tapping — his body gradually softening, eyes half-closed. Every now and then his ears flicked at a sound, but the panic was gone. He was resting again.
And so was I.
A Lesson in Shared Calm & Safety
That moment with Mako reminded me how connected our animals are to us. They can really feel the state of our nervous systems. When we calm our energy, they feel it.
In knowing this, we can practice creating safety within our bodies and it greatly benefits our animals.
Here are a few gentle ways to support both your energy and your animal’s:
1. Create small moments of calm together.
Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly near your animal — no agenda, just breathing and being present. Over time, they learn that your stillness means safety.
2. Try grounding practices that feel natural to you.
It doesn’t have to be long or structured. A few slow breaths, a favorite song, a quiet walk outside, or a simple EFT tapping round can help your energy settle.
3. Speak to your animal with intention.
They may not understand every word, but they feel the calm behind your voice. Talk to them as if they can sense your heart (because they do).
4. Notice how your energy changes their energy.
When you relax, you might see your pet’s body soften or their breathing slow. That’s their way they’re feeling your soothing energy.
5. Remember, it’s a partnership.
Our animals aren’t just reacting to us; they’re teaching us, too. Mako reminded me that peace isn’t something I give to him — it’s something we find together.
Mako reminded me that our animals are full healing wisdom. They mirror what we need to remember about ourselves.
When we take the time to calm our hearts, it brings us back to balance too.
Maybe that’s the greatest gift of living with them:
We learn how to listen, soften, and heal together.
~Angela
Have we connected yet?
If you’d like to explore more about connecting with your animal’s energy or helping your sensitive pet feel safe, I share more stories and insights on my Substack and at Healing Animal Wisdom.
