Anxiety Treatment For Dogs

A veterinarian or canine behavior specialist will pinpoint the triggers for your dog and formulate an anxiety treatment strategy. These could include medication or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil) and regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Pet parents can also use a calm and quiet place at home where their anxious dogs can retreat.

Medication

Some dogs need medication to deal with anxiety and fear-based behavior. The vet will determine if your dog needs 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.

The medications used to treat sleep anxiety treatment include tranquilizers, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) tricyclic antidepressants and anxiolytics. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine are often prescribed for chronic treatment of generalized pediatric anxiety treatment separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior, such as excessive grooming. They may take several weeks to show their effects and may require periodic monitoring by the veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine or amitriptyline can be used to treat generalized anxiety as well as specific fears. This drug class takes one to four weeks to show results and requires frequent surveillance by the veterinarian. Anxiolytics like alprazolam are very fast-acting and are best when administered just before an anxiety-provoking event.

There are also natural products that can help dogs feel less stressed. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is just one of the many products that can help calm dogs. Certain pet owners also employ massage therapy, melatonin or acupuncture for managing 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 in the environment, natural therapies and medication as needed for certain dogs. Medication supercharges the positive results of training and behavior modification by balancing the chemical signals in your dog's brain, and making training repetitions "stick" faster.

For most instances, identifying and removing the root of the anxiety is the most important step. A reputable veterinarian or behaviorist can aid in this process, and recommend strategies to help your dog avoid triggers. Some of these strategies are easy like creating a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off excess energy. Other strategies are more involved such as counterconditioning and desensitization. In the end a good vet and a canine behaviorist will work together to devise a treatment strategy that is effective for your dog.

Training

Behavioral modification is a powerful tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. Once you have identified the reasons behind their behavior and your dog is able to learn to relax and be happy. Your vet can advise you on the most effective training methods for your dog. They may even suggest working with a professional trainer.

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they'll exhibit many of the same behaviors as dogs with other types of anxiety including destructive behavior, urinating and defecating in the house, pacing, anxiety, barking, and chewing on objects. It is also common for them to be aggressive towards other pets as well as those living in their home. This is the reason you should work with your vet to develop an appropriate behavior plan and then hire a dog trainer.

Behavior modification is extremely effective for short-term treatment and is often combined with other treatment methods. The use of medication can reduce a dog’s negative emotional response and make them more open to training while alleviating their anxiety symptoms. Some of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medicines include Clomipramine (Clomicalm) which is particularly helpful for separation anxiety, and Dexmedetomidine (Sileo) which is specifically designed to ease situations of anxiety, such as noise fears and fears. It may take as long as four weeks to see an improvement in your health. Your veterinarian will want you to schedule regular blood tests and behavior assessments.

Many natural treatments can reduce stress in dogs. Incorporating structure and consistency to their surroundings can make them feel more secure, as well as pheromone sprays, music, and massage. Your vet can recommend an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Use a calming t-shirt or coat that exerts constant pressure to the chest of the dog like a swaddling blanket for a newborn. This will allow them to feel less anxious when traveling, hearing noises or being separated from their pet or meeting strangers.

Natural Therapy

There are a variety of natural techniques that can be used to calm an anxious dog. These include herbal supplements, music, aromatherapy and chiropractic treatment.

Crate training is a great method to calm dogs suffering from separation anxiety and allow them their own space. Relaxing music stimulates serotonin which is a relaxing hormone in dogs and cats. Certain pet owners have had success with pheromones that resemble the relaxing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available as the form of a collar diffuser or spray.

Another option is to use an herbal remedy to calm your dog such as Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal solutions that can be dropped in the water of a dog, or directly into their mouth. These herbal remedies can often be as effective or even better than prescription anti anxiety drugs.

Exercise is an excellent way to decrease stress. It can be as simple as a long walk or as intense as playing fetch, however anything that exhausts your dog can help keep them calm and less likely to exhibit anxiety-related behaviors. Also, mental stimulation is important and you should consider engaging your dog in new tricks. This will help them to focus on something other than the triggers that cause stress, and provide them with mental exercise that they want.

A visit to a veterinarian can be beneficial for dogs who require to be more calm, or dogs with health issues that cause them to be more stressed. Chiropractic treatment can be beneficial for a dog with an injured disk. It can realign the spine, and help keep the nerves and muscles in good shape.

In severe cases, medication may be the best option to alleviate a dog's anxiousness. But in most cases, there are other ways to calm a dog that are less risky and cheaper than prescription medications. Consult your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to determine what works for your dog.

Veterinary Care

Anxiety-related behaviors can be a challenge for pets and their owners but they can also be dangerous for the dog. Certain of the more severe signs of anxiety can cause aggression and even self treatment for anxiety-mutilation. This can include pulling out fur or compulsive biting. These are serious problems that require the assistance of a veterinarian. A trained animal behaviorist who is knowledgeable about behavior can assist you in establishing the best treatment plan. Certain medications may be needed.

There are a variety of medications 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 medication. It generally takes between four and six weeks for the medication to be effective. The medication should be maintained when positive results are seen for a period of 2 months. It is important to be in line with the prescription of your dog and never stop or change the dosage without consulting with your veterinarian.

Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants are all medicines that help to reduce anxiety. Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants all help relieve anxiety symptoms instantly.

Your veterinarian might also suggest non-pharmaceutical remedies such as relaxation products or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can provide suggestions on how to treat anxiety disorder naturally (Our Site) to decrease anxiety and stress in your dog, including having enough exercise, playing games, and spending time with him in a secure area.

Several factors can contribute to anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis-related pain or other health issues that increase the stress levels. Consult your vet immediately if you notice a change in your dog's behavior, especially when the anxiety appears to be caused by pain. Your vet will determine if their anxiety is caused by a medical issue and will refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist, if necessary.