Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behavior consultant will pinpoint your dog's triggers and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety. This could include medications or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Pet parents can also use a peaceful and tranquil space at home, where anxious dogs can go to.
Medication
Certain breeds require medication to manage anxiety or behaviors based on fear. The vet will determine if your dog needs medication for long-term or short-term use and recommend the most appropriate option. Medication is only to be used in conjunction with and not as a substitute for behavioral modification and training.
Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers are all used to manage anxiety. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine are frequently prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and compulsive behaviors like excessive grooming. It may take several weeks before the medication begins functioning, and regular monitoring by your doctor might be required. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline or clomipramine can also be used to treat generalized anxiety and specific phobias. This class of drugs can take up to four weeks to produce effects, and the veterinarian must keep track of it frequently. Anxiolytics like alprazolam are very rapid in their action and are most effective when they are administered before an anxiety-provoking event.
There are also natural products that help some dogs to feel less anxious. These include the calming effects of pheromones, calming supplements, and anxiety wraps such as the brand new, non-prescription Calmer Canine. Massage therapy, acupuncture, and melatonin are also being employed by some pet owners to aid in managing anxiety. There is a limited amount of evidence from science to support these choices.
At Small Door we prefer to use a combination of behavior modification, changes to the environment, natural therapies, and medication as needed for certain dogs. The use of medication can enhance the positive effects of training and behavior modification by balancing the chemical messengers in your dog's brain and making training repetitions more "sticky".
In the majority of cases, the first step is to identify and eliminate the root of anxiety. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can help you with this process and offer suggestions to prevent the factors that trigger anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies may be easy, such as creating a routine or providing your dog with lots of exercise to flush out their energies. Others are more involved, such as desensitization and counterconditioning. However, in the end, a good vet and a canine behaviorist will work together to create a treatment plan that is beneficial for your dog.
Training
Behavior modification is a potent tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. It takes time to identify the triggers for their behavior, they can learn to relax and enjoy life again. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the most effective training techniques for your dog, and may suggest you consult an experienced dog trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will exhibit many of the same symptoms as dogs who suffer from other forms of anxiety. They can be destructive and urinating or excreting in the house, pacing and restlessness chewing on things and barking. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards other pets and those living at home. This is why you should work with your vet to develop the right behavior plan and employ an animal trainer.
Behavior modification is highly effective in the short term, and is often used in combination with other treatment options. Drugs can help decrease the dog's negative emotional response and make them more open to training and alleviating their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine is also referred to as Clomicalm is a medicine which is frequently prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a drug that is used to treat situational anxiety such as noise fears. It could take up to up to four weeks before you see the therapeutic benefits. Your vet will also recommend regular blood tests and behavior assessments.
Many natural treatments can reduce stress levels for dogs. They can feel more secure by bringing structure and consistency to the surrounding as well as massage and music. Your vet can recommend an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is a calming t-shirt or coat that applies constant pressure to the dog's torso similar to the swaddling blanket on babies, and can help to reduce anxiety about travel, noise or separation from strangers.
Natural Therapy
There are a variety of natural techniques that can aid in calming dogs that are anxious. They include herbal supplements, music aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment.
For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, crate training is a good option to help them relax and provide them with a safe space. Music that soothes can also increase serotonin levels and encourage relaxation in a cat or dog. Some pet owners have had success with Pheromones that are similar to the soothing scents that cats and dogs naturally emit. These products are available in spray and collar diffuser versions.
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 a dog's water or directly into their mouth. Most often, these remedies work as well, or even better than prescription anti-anxiety medication.
Exercise is a great method to decrease stress. It could be a short walk or a more involved game of fetch. Anything that tire out your dog helps to keep him calm and less likely to display anxiety-related behaviors. anxiety treatment at home can teach your dog new techniques to keep their minds engaged. This will allow them to concentrate on something other than their stress-inducing triggers, and provide them with mental stimulation they need.
A visit to a veterinarian can be beneficial for dogs that need to be more calm or have health issues that cause them to be more stressed. For example, a dog who has a slipped disc may benefit from chiropractic treatment that can help realign the spine and help keep the nerves and muscles in good condition and functioning properly.
In certain cases, medication is the best option for relieving a dog's anxiety. However, most of the time there are other options to calm an anxious dog that are less risky and much cheaper than prescription drugs. Talk to your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to discover what works best for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavioral problems can be challenging for pets and pet owners However, they can be harmful to the dog. Certain of the more serious symptoms of anxiety can cause aggression and even self-mutilation, such as pulling fur or compulsive biting. These are serious problems that need to be addressed with the help of an animal veterinarian. Some medication may be necessary, and a trained behaviorist will work with you to develop an appropriate treatment strategy.
There are many medications that can be used to treat anxiety-related symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate medication based on the unique condition of your dog and the reaction it has to medication. The average time for medication is up to six weeks before the effects become clear and should be continued for a period of two months after an improvement is noticed. It is important that you adhere to the prescriptions of your vet for your dog, and never alter or stop the dosage without consulting your vet.
Antidepressants, anxiolytics and benzodiazepines are all medications that relieve anxiety. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medications that have a short-acting effect that relieve immediate anxiety symptoms and anxiolytics are longer-acting medications that relieve anxiety and stress over time.
In addition to prescribing medications for anxiety your veterinarian might suggest non-pharmaceutical solutions like soothing supplements, pheromones or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian will also be able to advise you on the best ways to reduce anxiety and stress for your pet, which includes exercising regularly, playing games and spending time in a secure space with your pet.
There are many factors that can cause anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis-related pain or other health conditions that increase stress levels overall. It is therefore important to see your veterinarian right away whenever your dog's behavior is changing or changes, particularly if it appears that the anxiety is triggered by discomfort or pain. Your veterinarian will determine whether the cause of their anxiety is a medical issue and will recommend a trainer or an animal behaviorist, if necessary.