When Your Pet’s Anxiety Mirrors Your Own with Christine Barfield

Have you ever noticed your dog pacing the room when you can’t seem to settle down? Or your cat hiding when your thoughts start to spiral?

Our animals are tuned into us on a level we often forget. Quietly, constantly picking up on the energy we carry. It’s not just about their anxiety. Sometimes, it’s about ours.

I’ve seen it again and again in the pets I work with. And with my own dog, Finn. The moment I start moving too fast, skipping my breath, or letting worry build, he shows me. Not with words, of course. But with behaviors, whining, restlessness, and clinginess.

They’re not just reacting. They’re reflecting.

This can be hard to see at first. Especially when we’re already tired, frustrated, or doing everything we can to help them feel safe. But awareness brings choice. And once you start noticing this connection, you have the chance to shift it.

One of the simplest ways to begin is to pause and check in with yourself. Before jumping into fixing your pet’s behavior, take one breath. Let it be full and slow. Ask yourself, how am I feeling right now? Am I anxious? Rushed? Holding tension in my body?

This doesn’t mean you’re to blame for their anxiety. It means you’re more connected than you realize. And your own nervous system is one of the most powerful tools for helping your pet calm down.

When I work with pets, we always include their humans too. Whether we’re working through separation anxiety, overstimulation, or grief, the energy between you and your animal matters. The good news is, it’s something we can shift. Gently. Naturally. Together.

Awareness is the first step. And sometimes, just taking a breath and softening your energy is enough to help your pet do the same.

You’re not in this alone. The connection you share with your animal is already strong and it can become even more peaceful, more grounded, and more healing for you both.

Christine Barfield is an Intuitive Pet Healer and Guide. She helps your pets find more calm, balance, and connection through her Signature PETs Method. She specializes in supporting pets with stress, anxiety, and overall well being, creating a more peaceful life for both you and your pet.

Christine absolutely loves being part of Happy Healthy Women, Newmarket, ON, Trailblazer.

Want to learn more about Christine’s Work?
Visit TheFernAndTheFox.com or follow Her on Instagram & Facebook @thefernandthefox.