Our bodies are built to heal, and given the right opportunities, they usually do.

Lowering stress levels to allow the body's own defenses to fight disease is as important to pets as it is to people. We are constantly confronting a dizzying array of pathogens. If we are healthy, we have a good chance of fending off these diseasecausing agents. Our normal defense mechanisms keep our body’s systems humming happily. This is as true in pets as it is in people.

Even though the length of a pet’s life depends on numerous variables — and many fall outside of our control — we do have opportunities to improve quality of life if we tune into health and tune out stress.

Stress, whether physical, mental or emotional, upsets both the mind and body. Individuals may resort to self-destructive behaviors to cope. As a result of stress, pain increases, blood pressure goes up, and circulation to and from our organs diminishes, further compromising their ability to normalize function after illness. Physical problems become harder to treat and often turn chronic in the face of unrelenting stress.

These days, drug companies are more than ready, willing and able to sell us medications for stress, but why not find ways to stop the problem at its source?

Here’s how stress affects our canine companions and what we can do about it. Next week, I’ll talk about how stress affects cats.

• Eyes: Television (flashing lights), boredom (lack of visual stimulation), cigarette or other sources of smoke and pollution, as well as blindness, are stressful.

Some natural ways to relieve eye stress: Shut off the TV, provide walks in nature and safe toys in a healthful and stimulating environment. Stop smoking and provide fresh air. For blind dogs, keep furniture in the same place so dogs learn the layout and cope better if medical treatment is not an option.

• Ears: Stressors include the TV (again), loud music, other dogs barking, humans arguing, loud children, video games, car alarms, home construction, slamming doors and thunderstorms.

As the canine music therapy folks at “Through a Dog’s Ear” (www.through adogsear.com) advise, take a “sonic inventory” to pinpoint noise pollution. Once you realize how much and how often your dog’s ultrasensitive ears endure the cacophony of human existence, you can work to eliminate this form of stress. Replace noxious noise with quiet or slow, specifically formulated music. You’ll be surprised by how rapidly the change alters the psychological atmosphere for the better.

For dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms, try an anti-static cape such as the Storm Defender (www.stormdefender.com). Although the reduction of static was thought to help, research instead suggests that the benefit of snug-fitting canine capes and related apparel involves the comfort of tactile pressure.

• Nose: Strong odors are the problem, including perfumes, excessive or irritating essential oils, hair spray, air fresheners, and cigarette and other types of smoke.

Instead of masking odors with air fresheners, eliminate their source. What’s bad for your dog to inhale is also bad for you, after all. For anxiety and fear, some owners believe their dogs are calmer with a product called D.A.P., for dog-appeasing pheromone. Lavender aromatherapy has shown value in reducing restlessness in dogs in shelter environments, as well.

• Mouth and digestive system: Poor diet and bad teeth and gums are a source of stress, as is the lack of fresh water. Having to compete with other dogs for food and fear of being attacked while eating is also stressful.

Natural ways to relieve mouth-related and digestive system stress include regular dental examinations and cleanings as needed. All dogs need fresh, clean water and well-balanced nutrition, as well as peace and safety while eating.

• Whole-system stress: Acute and chronic illness is uncomfortable and stressful. Temperature stress and climatic factors such as wind and exposure to rain, snow and ice produce different types of stress. Untreated or undertreated pain takes a long-term toll on health. Excessive exercise (“weekend warrior syndrome”) or imprudent rehabilitation practices can worsen spinal disease and joint pain and cause fear, stress and more pain.

Relieve stress with a comfortable living area and a supportive bed, with a temperature controlled setting safe from the elements outdoors, regular moderate exercise, medical and home massage and other body-benefiting treatments. Some dogs enjoy heating pads or the application of cold on painful areas.

A final point: It’s important not to dismiss an illness by attributing it to “just stress.” If your pet’s not right, see your veterinarian.

(Guest columnist Dr. Narda Robinson is director of the Center for Comparative and Integrative Pain Medicine at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the PetConnection.com advisory team.)