Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or a canine behavior specialist will pinpoint your dog's triggers and create an anxiety treatment plan. These may include medications or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Pet owners may also decide to use a calm or quiet space at home for their dog that is anxious where they can relax.
Medication
Some dogs require medication to manage anxiety and fear-based behavior. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog requires long-term or short-term medication and recommend the best choice. Medication should be used in conjunction with behavior modification and training, not as a replacement.
Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers are all drugs that are used to treat anxiety. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine are often prescribed for chronic treatment of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior like excessive grooming. It may take several weeks for the medication to start working and regular monitoring by your vet may be required. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and clomipramine also treat generalized anxiety, and can be used to treat particular phobias and aggression. This class of drugs can take up to four weeks to show results, and the veterinarian must monitor it frequently. Anxiolytics like Alprazolam are quick-acting and are most useful when given just prior to an event that causes anxiety.
There are also natural products that help dogs feel less anxious. These include calming supplements, pheromones, and anxiety wraps such as the new non-prescription Calmer Canine. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and melatonin can also be utilized by pet owners to help with managing anxiety. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support these options.
Small Door makes use of an array of behavior modification and changes to the dog's environment, natural therapy and medication when needed. Medication can boost the positive effects of behavior modification and dog training by balancing chemical messengers within your dog's brain and making training sessions more "sticky".
In most cases, the first step is to determine and eliminate the cause of anxiety. A canine behaviorist or veterinarian can assist in this process and offer suggestions to avoid the triggers that cause anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies can be easy, such as creating routines or providing your dog with lots of exercise to release those accumulated energies. Some strategies are more intricate like desensitization or counterconditioning. A good vet and a canine behaviorist work together to create a treatment program that works for your pet.
Training
Behavioral modification is a powerful tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. It takes time to identify the reasons behind their behavior and they learn to relax and enjoy life again. Your vet will be able to guide you on the best methods for training your dog, and may recommend that you work with 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 such as destructive behavior, urinating and defecating in the house, pacing stress, barking, and chewing on objects. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards people and other pets within their homes This is why it's crucial to get a behavior plan in conjunction with your veterinarian and seek the services of a professional dog trainer.
Behavior modification is highly efficient for short-term treatment and is often used with other methods of treatment. The use of medication can reduce a dog’s negative emotional response and make them more open to training while alleviating their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine is also known as Clomicalm is a medicine which is frequently prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a medication that is used to treat situationsal anxiety, including noise fears. It may take as long as approximately four weeks to experience an improvement in your health. Your vet will also want you to schedule regular blood tests as well as behavior evaluations.
A number of natural treatments can help ease a dog's anxiety. Incorporating structure and consistency to their surroundings can make them feel more secure, as can pheromone sprays, music, and massage. Your vet can recommend an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is to use a calming t-shirt or coat that applies constant pressure to the dog's body, much like the swaddling blanket on babies, and can help to reduce anxiety about noise, travel or separation, as well as strangers.
Natural Therapy
A number of natural techniques can be used to calm the dog who is anxious. These include music, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatment.
For dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, crate training is a good option to calm them and give them a safe space. Calming music stimulates serotonin, which promotes relaxation in cats and dogs. Certain pet owners have had success using pheromones that resemble the relaxing scents that cats and dogs naturally emit. They are available in collar diffusers and sprays.
Another option is to use an herbal remedy to calm your dog such as Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal remedies that can be sprinkled into the water of a dog, or directly into their mouths. pills to treat anxiety can be as effective, or even more effective than prescription anti anxiety drugs.
Physical exercise is an excellent method to lower stress. It can be a simple stroll or a more involving game of fetch. Anything that exhausts your dog can help keep him calm and less likely to exhibit anxious behavior. Try teaching your dog new techniques to keep their minds active. This will provide them with something to focus on, apart from their stress triggers, and will provide them with the mental exercise they desire.
For older dogs that need to be more calm or dogs suffering from a medical condition that makes them more stressed, a visit to a veterinarian could be beneficial. Chiropractic care is beneficial for a dog with an injured disk. It can realign the spine, and keep the nerves and muscles healthy.
In certain cases, medication is the best option for relieving a dog's anxiety. However, in the majority of cases there are other options to calm a dog that are less risky and much cheaper than prescription drugs. Speak to your vet about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to discover what works for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavioral problems can be difficult for pet owners as well as their pets, but they can also be harmful to the dog. Some of the more severe symptoms of anxiety can lead to aggression, and even self-mutilation like pulling fur out or a habitual biting. These are serious issues that require the assistance of a veterinarian. A behaviorist trained in animal behavior can assist you in establishing a treatment plan. Some medications might be required.
There are many medications that can be used to relieve anxiety symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate medication based on the particular condition of your dog as well as the reaction it has to medication. The average time for medication is between four and six weeks before the effect becomes clear and should be continued for two months after a positive response is observed. It is crucial to remain congruous with the dosage prescribed to your dog and never stop or alter the dosage without consulting with your vet.
Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants are all drugs that can help relieve anxiety. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medications that have a short-acting effect which relieve anxiety symptoms in a short time, while anxiolytics are long-acting medications that relieve anxiety and stress over time.
In addition to prescribing medications for anxiety, your veterinarian will likely recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies like soothing supplements, pheromones or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also advise you on the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety for your pet, which includes getting adequate exercise, playing games and spending time in a calm space with your pet.
Many factors can cause anxiety in your dog, including arthritis-related pain or other health conditions which increase stress levels. Therefore, it is essential to speak with your vet immediately whenever your dog's behavior is changing, and especially when it appears that their anxiety is triggered by discomfort or pain. Your veterinarian will determine whether their anxiety is caused by an illness or medical condition and refer you to a trainer or an animal behaviorist, if necessary.