Anxiety Treatment For Dogs

A veterinarian or a canine behavior consultant will identify your dog's triggers and create an anxiety treatment strategy. These may include medications or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil) as well as regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Pet parents can also benefit from a calm and quiet place at home where their pets can be calm and peaceful.

Medication

Certain dogs require medication to control anxiety or fear-based behavior. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog needs short-term or long-term medication and will recommend the best option. Medication is only to be used in conjunction and not as a substitute for behavior modification and training.

The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, and anxiolytics. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine are often prescribed for chronic treatment of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior such as excessive grooming. It can take some time to show their effects and may require regular examination by a veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants like Clomipramine and amitriptyline may be used to treat generalized anxiety and specific fears. This class of drugs takes up to four weeks for the effects to be evident and requires constant examination by a veterinarian. Anxiolytics like Alprazolam are rapid in their action and are most effective when they are administered prior to an anxious event.

In addition to prescription drugs and supplements, there are natural remedies and treatment modalities that can ease menopause anxiety treatment for some dogs. These include tranquilizing supplements, pheromones and anxiety wraps such as the brand new, non-prescription Calmer Canine. Some pet owners also utilize melatonin, massage therapy, or acupuncture to manage anxiety. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting these options.

At Small Door We prefer to employ a mix of behavior modification, changes to the environment, natural therapies and medications when needed for certain dogs. Medication can boost the positive effects of behavior modification and dog training by balancing chemical messengers within your dog's brain and making training repetitions more "sticky".

For most instances, identifying and removing the cause of the anxiety is the most important step. A canine behaviorist or veterinarian can aid in this process and offer suggestions to avoid the causes that can cause anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies may be simple, like creating a routine or giving your dog lots of exercise to flush out their energy. Some strategies are more complex, such as desensitization or counterconditioning. In the end a good vet and canine behaviorist will collaborate to devise a treatment strategy that works for your dog.

Training

Behavioral modification is a powerful tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. Once you identify the triggers behind their behavior changes and your dog is able to learn to relax and be happy. Your vet will be able to advise you on the most effective methods for training your dog, and might suggest you consult an expert dog trainer.

If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, they will exhibit similar behavior patterns as dogs suffering from other types of anxiety, including destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing, anxiety barking, and chewing on objects. It's also common for them be hostile towards other pets and those living in their home. This is why you should work with your vet to develop an appropriate behavior plan and then hire an animal trainer.

Behavior modification can be extremely effective in the short term, and is often used in combination with other treatment options. Drugs can help reduce a dog's negative emotional response and help them become more open to training while also providing relief from anxiety symptoms. The most frequently prescribed anti-anxiety medications include Clomipramine (Clomicalm) that is especially beneficial for separation anxiety as well as Dexmedetomidine (Sileo) is a medication that is specifically designed to alleviate the anxiety associated with situations such as noise phobias and aversions. It can take four weeks to see a therapeutic benefit. Your vet will also want you to schedule regular blood tests and behavioral assessments.

There are a variety of natural remedies that can also help ease a dog's anxiety. They can feel more secure by adding structure and consistency to their environment as well as music and massage. Your veterinarian can suggest an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is to put on a calming t-shirt or coat, which applies constant pressure to the dog's torso, much like an swaddling cloth for a baby, and helps them to feel less stressed about travel, noise or separation from strangers.

Natural Therapy

A variety of natural methods can be used to calm the dog who is anxious. These include music, herbal supplements aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment.

For dogs that suffer from anxiety over separation, crate-training is a good option to help them relax and give them a secure space. Calming music stimulates serotonin, which promotes relaxation in both cats and dogs. Certain pet owners have had success using pheromones that mimic the calming scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available in 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 sprayed into the water of a dog or directly into their mouth. Often these herbal remedies will work as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety medications.

Physical exercise is a great method of reducing stress. It could be as easy as a long walk, or as intense as playing a game of fetch however anything that exhausts your dog will help to keep them relaxed and less likely to exhibit anxiety-related behaviors. Mental stimulation is also important, so consider working with your dog on new tricks. This will provide them with something to concentrate on, apart from their stress triggers and provide them with the mental stimulation they desire.

A visit to the veterinarian could be beneficial for dogs that need to be more calm or have medical conditions that cause them to be more stressed. For instance, a dog who has discs that have slipped may benefit from chiropractic care that will help realign the spine and keep the nerves and muscles healthy and functioning properly.

In some severe cases medication is the best choice for alleviating a dog's anxiety. However, in the majority of cases there are alternatives to calm a dog that are less risky and less expensive than prescription medications. Consult your veterinarian and try one (or all) of these natural treatments to determine what works best for your dog.

Veterinary Care

Anxiety-related behavior issues can be challenging for pets and pet owners however, they can also be dangerous to the dog. Some of the most severe symptoms of anxiety can cause aggression and self-mutilation, like pulling fur out or compulsive biting. These are serious issues that require the assistance of veterinarian. A behaviorist trained in animal behavior can help you develop the best treatment plan. Some medication may be needed.

There are many medicines available to treat anxiety-related symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate medication based on the specific condition of your dog as well as its reaction to the medication. The typical dosage is between four and six weeks before the effect is clear. It is recommended to continue the treatment for a period of two months after a positive response is observed. It is crucial to follow your vet's prescription for your dog, and never alter or stop taking the medication without consulting your vet.

Medications to relieve anxiety include benzodiazepines, antidepressants and anxiolytics. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medicines that work in a short time which relieve anxiety symptoms in a short time, while anxiolytics are long-acting medications that ease chronic stress and anxiety.

In addition to prescribing medications for anxiety, your veterinarian will likely recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies, such as calming supplements, pheromones or anxiety attack treatment wraps. Your veterinarian will give you tips on how you can reduce stress and health anxiety treatment in your dog, such as exercising regularly by playing games, or spending time with him in a secure place.

There are many causes of anxiety in your dog, such as pain caused by arthritis or other health anxiety treatment conditions which can increase stress levels. See your veterinarian right away whenever you notice an alteration in your dog's behavior particularly when the anxiety appears to be caused by pain. Your veterinarian will determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness or condition, and will refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist if required.