Somatic Exercises: Helping Your Pets Release Stress, Tension & Anxiety — Especially During the Holidays
National Cat Lovers’ Month Featured Blog From Your Friends at DFW Critter Sitter
One of the things I love most about my job is that there’s always more to learn. The deeper I go into understanding both dogs and cats, the more fascinated I become by the quiet, instinctive ways we can help them work through stress, trauma, anxiety, and everyday overwhelm.
Somatic work has become one of my favorite tools — gentle, mindful exercises that help pets reconnect with their bodies and release stored tension. The transformations I’ve witnessed in both dogs and cats through these techniques have been incredible. Somatic work taps into a language they naturally understand: body language, pressure, rhythm, and choice.
With the holidays bringing more noise, visitors, travel, smells, and schedule changes, somatic exercises can be a calming anchor for our furry family members.
What Are Somatic Exercises for Pets?
Somatic exercises are slow, gentle movements and touch-based techniques designed to help animals:
- Release physical tension
- Regulate their nervous system
- Feel safer and more grounded
- Build trust and body awareness
Both dogs and cats benefit when somatic work is introduced slowly, respectfully, and with plenty of choice.
Why Pets Need Somatic Support During the Holidays
Dogs often struggle with:
- Loud gatherings and celebrations
- Doorbells and visitors
- Travel or boarding stays
- New or unfamiliar environments
- Routine disruptions
- Overstimulation
Cats often struggle with:
- Territory disruption
- Guests in “their space”
- Loud or sudden noises
- Environmental changes
- Overstimulation
- Litterbox or routine disruptions
Holiday stress affects both species — just in different ways. Somatic work helps give their nervous systems a place to land.
Benefits of Somatic Exercises (Dogs + Cats)
✔ Reduces anxiety & stress
✔ Helps pets settle after events or travel
✔ Supports emotional regulation
✔ Releases fascial & muscle tension
✔ Encourages deeper rest and sleep
✔ Excellent for senior pets
✔ Builds trust through consent-based touch
✔ Helps pets handle holiday chaos with more ease
🦃 Holiday schedules fill up fast — Book early to secure your dates. 🎁
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Somatic Exercises for Dogs
1. Chest Circles
Tiny slow circles over the sternum.
Why it works: Calms the nervous system and slows breathing.
2. Ear Slides
Stroke from base to tip.
Why it works: Activates the vagus nerve; reduces noise stress and anxiety.
3. Rib Expansion Breathing
Hands gently follow rib movement.
Why it works: Deepens breath and releases body tension.
4. Shoulder Melt
Soft, steady pressure on shoulders.
Why it works: Relieves tension from overstimulation and leash pulling.
5. Tail Base Release
Tiny circles at the tail base.
Why it works: Releases spinal and emotional tension.
6. Slow Body Mapping
Slow fingertip exploration.
Why it works: Builds trust, softens guardedness, identifies tension.
7. Weighted Touch
Rest hand gently on shoulder, chest, or hip.
Why it works: Mimics grounding, co-regulated safety.
8. Slow Tail Strokes
Base-to-tip strokes.
Why it works: Calms the spine and sacral nerves.
9. Lip Line Soothing
Soft tracing along lip line.
Why it works: Softens facial tension, reduces panting/anxiety.
10. Spine Tracing (No Pressure)
Fingers hover from neck to tail.
Why it works: Helps sensory regulation without overstimulating.
Somatic Exercises for Cats
(Even slower and more choice-driven than dog work.)
1. Cheek & Face Soft Circles
Tiny circles on cheek pads or under chin.
Why it works: Relieves facial tension; builds trust through scent-mark regions.
2. Base-of-Ear Slides
Soft strokes behind/under ears.
Why it works: Reduces hypervigilance; calms the autonomic system.
3. Forehead “Slow Blink” Sweep
Trace from between eyes to ears.
Why it works: Mimics feline social cues; extremely reassuring.
4. Shoulder Glide
Light palm pressure down shoulders.
Why it works: Releases crouching and guarding tension.
5. Tail Base Compression
Gentle press at tail base.
Why it works: Connects to spinal tension release; many cats enjoy this.
6. Slow Side-Body Mapping
Gentle long strokes along ribs and flanks.
Why it works: Softens tight fascia; reduces stress hormones.
7. Ribcage Breath Following
Hand moves with their breath.
Why it works: Encourages co-regulation and predictability.
8. Paw-Edge Touch (Only If Initiated)
Very light touch on paw edges.
Why it works: Supports handling comfort; reduces paw sensitivity.
How Cats Benefit from Somatic Work
✔ Helps shy or sensitive cats
✔ Reduces territorial stress
✔ Eases environmental overwhelm
✔ Supports rescues working through fear
✔ Helps with overstimulation & reactivity
✔ Builds trust for vet care & handling
✔ Supports seniors with stiffness or arthritis
7. How DFW Critter Sitter Supports Dogs & Cats During the Holidays
During holiday stays, drop-ins, and overnights, we incorporate:
- Somatic-inspired calming techniques
- Slow, consent-based introductions
- Predictable feeding + potty/litter routines
- Quiet decompression spaces
- Senior comfort support
- Respect for feline territory
- Adjustments for anxious or noise-sensitive pets
Somatic work helps every pet — dog or cat — feel safe, grounded, and understood.
Resource Section — Free Somatic Videos (Dogs + Cats)
🐶 Dog Resources
Canine Hanna Somatics® – Intro Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqIdvaoLbjk
Learn to Be Your Dog’s Best Therapist — Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN2eU_JgeTaGxQdGM6qUjYoRC-g0rbuvF
Body Scan & Fascial Release for Dogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9cLgbJUGQA
Canine Somatic Relaxation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRxzuBI2QV0
🐱 Cat Resources
Cat Slow-Stroke Relaxation + Body Mapping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP1Qf8dC5Z4
Cat Calming Touch & Consent-Based Handling (Fear Free®)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ewf5WcQYp0
angie@dfwcrittersitter.com