I have a daily Zoom meditation group as part of Wildmind’s Meditation Initiative, and often, a few pets make an appearance. One day, someone even joked that it must be “Take Your Dog to Meditation Day.”
In many ways, pets are natural meditators. Having had several cats and currently owning a couple of dogs, I’ve observed how they effortlessly sit and stay present in the moment—something that often eludes me. However, when we meditate, pets can be distracting, and that’s what I want to talk about today.
Specifically, I’ll be focusing on cats and dogs. Since I currently have two dogs and haven’t had a cat in a while, my examples will mostly pertain to dogs. Hopefully, you can adapt my tips to suit your situation.
Before meditating, I separate my dogs. When they play together, it’s quite noisy with all the running around, wrestling, and growling, which I want to minimize during meditation. We have baby gates that allow me to keep one dog with me and the other in the next room where there’s no anxiety since they can still see through the barrier.
If my dogs are restless before meditation, I distract them. Suki, my younger dog, is teething, so I give her a teething toy to prevent her from chewing on furniture. Sometimes, I also give them Kongs filled with frozen peanut butter, which keeps them busy as I settle into meditation. They usually calm down after enjoying their treats.
If they’re quiet in their crates, I occasionally use them during meditation. This approach isn’t for everyone, as not all pets are quiet when crated. If your pet isn’t used to you sitting still with eyes closed, they might be confused. My experience has shown that they adjust over time, but it can take some effort.
My cat, Piglit, used to get curious about my meditation sessions. Sometimes she joined me by sitting quietly, while other times she would paw at me for attention. Luna, my dog, does this too, even barking to get my attention, which is tough to ignore.
In these situations, I recommend being empathetic. Ignoring them can increase their confusion, so they may need some attention. Being kind and considerate to them and responding on their terms is crucial.
During one online session, I saw a participant meditating between her two Labrador retrievers, holding one’s paw and resting her hand on the other’s neck. This simple contact calmed them, and they lay quietly beside her. Pets often crave touch, and this can help them settle.
If you find petting your animal helps them calm down, incorporate it into your meditation. Pet them mindfully, in sync with your breathing, letting the experience of touch become part of your practice.
For example, if Luna is persistent, I might pick her up and let her sit on my lap, making it easier to show her reassurance. She usually jumps down after a while, and I’m fine with that—it’s what she wants.
Often, I include Luna in my loving-kindness meditation. I cultivate warmth and tenderness by remembering times I’ve watched my kids sleep and transfer those feelings to myself and Luna.
When Luna is on my lap, she loves having her back stroked or tummy tickled until she decides she’s had enough. Sometimes, she licks my face, which I accept as part of my practice, interpreting it as receiving kindness.
Barking during meditation can be challenging, especially if triggered by external stimuli like a neighbor or delivery worker. Initially, I found it frustrating, but I realized Luna needed reassurance. Now, I calmly tell her that everything is okay, which helps her settle down.
You can consider ignoring the barking altogether, remembering that it’s temporary. However, living in an apartment, I prefer not to disturb my neighbors and avoid encouraging constant barking habits.
Sometimes, letting dogs work through their emotions independently is better. This morning, when Suki whined, I let her be. It’s not practical to attend to them every time they whine. Learning to tolerate their temporary unhappiness is essential.
Decision-making on whether to intervene or not varies based on circumstances and individual pets. Always consider whether your actions contribute to your and your pets’ long-term happiness and well-being.
These are the typical scenarios I encounter while meditating with dogs at home and how I respond. Your experiences might differ, and what works for me might not work for you. Feel free to adapt these suggestions and share your own experiences. I’d love to hear them.