Anxiety Treatment For Dogs

A veterinarian or a canine behavior consultant will identify the triggers for your dog and formulate an anxiety treatment plan. These include medications such as pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and pheromone diffusion diffusers.

Pet parents may also choose to have a calm and quiet area at home for their anxious dogs that they can retreat to.

Medication

Certain dogs require medication to help manage anxiety or behaviors based on fear. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog requires short- or long-term medications and will recommend the most appropriate option. Medication should only be used in conjunction with not as a substitute for behavioral modification and training.

Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants and tranquilizers are all drugs used to manage anxiety. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine can be prescribed to treat anxiety that is chronic, separation anxiety and compulsive behavior, which includes excessive grooming. They may take some time to show their effects and may require regular examination by a veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and clomipramine also treat generalized anxiety and can be used to tackle specific phobias and aggression. This drug class takes one to four weeks for the effects to be evident and requires regular examination by a veterinarian. Anxiolytics like alprazolam are very quick-acting and are most useful when administered just prior to an anxious event.

There are also natural products that help dogs feel less anxious. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is one of the many products that can help calm dogs. Some pet owners also utilize melatonin, massage therapy, or acupuncture to help manage anxiety. There is a limited amount of scientific evidence to support these choices.

At Small Door, we prefer to use a combination of behavior modification, changes in the environment, natural therapies, and medications as required for some dogs. Medication supercharges the positive results of training and behavior modification by balancing the chemical signals in the brain of your dog and making repetitions of training "stick" more quickly.

For most cases, identifying and removing the cause of the anxiety is the most important step. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can aid in this process and suggest ways to prevent the triggers that cause anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies are simple, such as making a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off the excess energy. Some strategies are more complex like desensitization or counterconditioning. In the end, however an experienced veterinarian and a dog behaviorist will collaborate to develop a treatment plan that works for your dog.

Training

The most effective method to aid your dog in overcoming their anxiety. It takes time however, once you have identified the triggers for their behavior and they learn to relax and enjoy life again. Your veterinarian can guide you on the most effective training techniques for your dog and may even recommend that you work with an experienced trainer.

If your dog has separation anxiety, it will display many of the same symptoms similar to dogs suffering from other types of anxiety. These include destructive behavior such as urinating or fecesing in the home, pacing and anxiety chewing and barking. It's also common for them be aggressive towards other pets as well as people within their homes. This is why you should consult with your vet to develop the right behavior plan and employ an animal trainer.

Behavior modification is extremely efficient for short-term treatment and is often used with other methods of treatment. Drugs can help reduce the dog's emotional reaction and help them become more receptive to training while also providing relief from anxiety-related symptoms. The most frequently prescribed anti-anxiety symptoms and treatment medicines include Clomipramine (Clomicalm), which is especially beneficial for separation anxiety as well as Dexmedetomidine (Sileo), which is specifically designed to alleviate situations of anxiety, such as noise phobias and aversions. It can take up four weeks for a therapeutic effect to show, and it is important to give the medication as recommended by your vet and to schedule regular blood work and behavior evaluations.

A number of natural treatments can help reduce anxiety in dogs. They will feel more secure by adding consistency and structure to the surrounding as well as music and massage. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend an aromatherapy scent that will be most helpful for your pet. Wear a calming t-shirt, or coat that applies constant pressure to the chest of your dog similar to the swaddling blanket for a newborn. This will make them feel less anxious when they are travelling, hearing noises and being separated from their owners or meeting strangers.

Natural Therapy

A variety of natural methods can soothe dogs that are anxious. They include herbal supplements, music, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatment.

For dogs that suffer from anxiety about separation, crate training can be a great way to help them relax and provide them with a secure space. Music that soothes stimulates serotonin which can promote relaxation in cats and dogs. Certain pet owners have had success with pheromones that resemble the relaxing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available as collar diffusers and sprays.

Another option is to utilize an herbal remedy to calm your dog such as Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal solutions that can be sprinkled into a dog's water or directly in their mouth. Often these herbal remedies will perform as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety medication.

Exercise is a great method to lower stress. It could be a simple walk or a more intense game of fetch. Anything that can exhaust your dog helps to keep him calm and less likely for him to display anxious behaviors. Consider teaching your dog new tricks to keep their minds active. This will provide them with something to focus on that is not their stress triggers and provide them with the mental stimulation they need.

For older dogs that need to be more calm or dogs suffering from a medical condition that makes them more stressed, a visit from an veterinary specialist could be beneficial. Chiropractic care can be beneficial for dogs suffering from discs that are slipping. It can help align the spine, and help keep the nerves and muscles in good shape.

In certain cases medications are the best treatment for anxiety disorder generalized option to ease anxiety in dogs. In the majority of cases, however, there are safer and cheaper methods to calm dogs that are anxious. Talk to your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to see what works for your dog.

Veterinary Care

Anxiety-related behaviors can be difficult for pet owners and their pets but they can be harmful for the dog. Some of the more serious signs of anxiety could cause self-mutilation or aggression. This can include pulling fur out or biting. These are serious problems that need to be addressed with the help of vet. A professional trained in animal behavior can help you develop the best treatment plan. Some medications might be needed.

There are many medications that can be used to relieve anxiety symptoms. Your vet will prescribe the most appropriate medication based on the specific condition of your dog and the reaction it has to medication. The typical dosage is up to six weeks before the effects become clear. It is recommended to continue the treatment for two months after a positive response is observed. It is important to be in line with the prescription of your dog and never stop or alter the dosage without a consultation with your vet.

Medications to relieve anxiety include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and anxiolytics. Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants all reduce anxiety symptoms quickly.

Your veterinarian could also suggest non-pharmaceutical remedies like relaxation supplements or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian will also be able to advise you on the Best treatment for social anxiety disorder ways to decrease anxiety and stress in your pet, including engaging in regular exercise playing games, and spending time in a safe space with your pet.

Many factors can contribute to anxiety in your dog, such as pain from arthritis or other health issues that increase the stress levels. Contact your veterinarian immediately whenever you notice an alteration in your dog's behaviour, especially if the anxiety seems to be provoked by pain. Your veterinarian will determine whether their anxiety is caused by an illness or medical condition and recommend a trainer or an animal behaviorist if required.