Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behaviour consultant will identify your dog’s triggers and create an anxiety treatment plan. This could include medications or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Pet owners can also make use of a quiet and peaceful space at home where their anxious dogs can go to.
Medication
Some dogs require medication to manage anxiety or fear-based behaviors. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog needs short- or long-term medications and recommend the best choice. The medication should be used in conjunction with behavioral modification and training and not as a substitute for training.
The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers, selective serotonin release inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and anxiolytics. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine are frequently prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety separation anxiety, and compulsive behaviors, such as excessive grooming. It may take a few weeks for the medication to start working, and regular supervision by your doctor could be required. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and clomipramine also treat generalized anxiety and can be used to tackle specific phobias and aggression. This class of medication takes between one to four weeks for the effects to be evident and requires constant monitoring by the veterinarian. Anxiolytics such as alprazolam are quick-acting and are most useful when they are administered prior to an anxious event.
There are also natural products that aid dogs in feeling less stressed. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is among the many products available to aid in calming dogs. Certain pet owners also employ massage therapy, melatonin or acupuncture to manage anxiety. However, there is limited evidence from science to support these methods.
Small Door uses an array of behavior modification, changes in the dog's environment, natural therapy, and medications when needed. Medication can boost the positive effects of behavior modification and dog training by balancing chemical signals within your dog's mind and making repetitions of training more "sticky".
In most cases, the first step is to identify and eliminate the cause of anxiety. A good veterinarian or canine behaviorist can assist in this process, and recommend methods to stay clear of your dog's triggers. Some of these strategies are simple and include creating a routine and providing your dog plenty of exercise to burn off pent-up energy. Others are more involved, such as desensitization and counterconditioning. A good vet and a canine behaviorist work together to create a treatment program that works for your pet.
Training
Behavior modification is the most effective method to help your dog overcome their anxiety. Once you have identified the triggers behind the behavior change, your dog can learn to relax again and enjoy life. Your vet can advise you on the best methods for training your dog, and may recommend that you work with a professional dog trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will exhibit many of the same behaviors as dogs with other types of anxiety, such as destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing stress and barking. They may also chew on things. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards other pets and those living within their homes. This is the reason you should consult with your veterinarian to develop a behavior plan and hire an animal trainer.
Behavior modification is extremely effective for short-term therapy and is often used with other treatment methods. Medication can reduce the dog's emotional reaction and allow them to be more receptive to training, while also providing relief from anxiety-related symptoms. Clomipramine is also known as Clomicalm is a medicine that is often prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a drug that is used to treat situational anxiety such as noise fear. It can take up to four weeks for a therapeutic effect to show and it is essential to give the medication as prescribed by your vet and to schedule regular blood tests and behavior evaluations.
pediatric anxiety treatment can reduce stress in dogs. Incorporating structure and consistency to their surroundings can make them feel more secure, and this includes music, pheromone sprays and massage. Your veterinarian may be able recommend a specific aromatherapy scent that is most beneficial to your pet. Another option is an enveloping coat or t-shirt, which applies constant pressure to the dog's body similar to the swaddling blanket on a baby, and helps to reduce anxiety about noise, travel, separation, or strangers.
Natural Therapy
Many natural methods can help calm an anxious dog. They include herbal supplements as well as music, aromatherapy and chiropractic treatment.
Crate training is a great way to calm dogs with separation anxiety and allow them their own space. Calming music stimulates serotonin, which promotes relaxation in cats and dogs. Certain pet owners have had success using pheromones that mimic the calming scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available as collar diffusers and sprays.
You can also try a calming herbal solution like Rescue Remedy, or Bach Flower Essences. These are diluted herbal remedies can be sprayed into the water of your dog directly or directly into their mouth. The majority of these remedies perform as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety medication.
Exercise is a great method of reducing stress. It could be a short stroll or a more involving game of fetch. Anything that tire out your dog can help keep him calm and less likely to exhibit anxious behavior. Also, mental stimulation is important, so consider engaging your dog in new techniques. This will give them something to focus on that is not their stress triggers and give them the mental stimulation they need.
A visit to the veterinarian could be beneficial for dogs that need to be calmer or have medical conditions that cause them to be more stressed. For example an animal with an injured disc could benefit from chiropractic care which can help realign the spine and keep the nerves and muscles in good shape and functioning normally.
In certain instances, medication is the best choice for alleviating a dog's anxiety. In the majority of instances, however there are more effective and less costly methods to calm a dog who is anxious. Consult your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to see what works for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavior problems can be challenging for pet owners and their pets, but they can also be harmful to the dog. Some of the most severe signs of anxiety can cause self-mutilation or aggression. This can include pulling out fur or biting. These are serious problems that need to be dealt with by a veterinarian. Certain medications may be required and a certified behaviorist will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
There are many medications available to ease anxiety symptoms. Your vet will determine the best option depending on your dog's specific condition and reaction to medication. It usually takes four to six weeks for the medication to be effective. The medication should be maintained after positive results are observed for a period of 2 months. It is crucial to remain congruous with the dosage prescribed to your dog and never stop or change the dosage without a consultation with your veterinarian.
Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants are all drugs that can help relieve anxiety. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medications that have a short-acting effect that alleviate anxiety-related symptoms immediately, while anxiolytics are long-acting medications that relieve anxiety and stress over time.
In addition to prescribing medications for anxiety your veterinarian might suggest non-pharmaceutical treatments like soothing supplements, pheromones or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can provide suggestions on how to decrease stress and anxiety in your dog, for example, exercising regularly playing games, as well as spending time with him in a calm place.
Many factors can cause anxiety in your dog, including arthritis-related pain or other health conditions which can increase stress levels. It is important to speak with your vet immediately whenever your dog's behavior is changing and, in particular, when it appears that anxiety is caused by discomfort or pain. Your vet will determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness or condition, and will refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist if required.