Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behavior consultant will identify your dog's triggers and develop an anxiety treatment plan. This includes medications, pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and pheromone diffusion diffusers.
Pet parents can also benefit from a peaceful and tranquil space at home where their anxious dogs can retreat.
Medication
Some dogs require medication to manage anxiety or fear-based behaviors. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog requires long-term or short-term medication and will recommend the most appropriate option. The use of medication should be in conjunction with behavior modification and training, not as a replacement.
Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants and tranquilizers are all drugs used to manage anxiety. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine can be prescribed to treat anxiety-related chronic disorder or separation anxiety, as well as compulsive behavior, which includes excessive grooming. They can take a few weeks to show their effects and may require frequent examination by a veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and Clomipramine can also help with generalized anxiety. They can also be used to address particular phobias and aggression. This class of medication can take up to four weeks to produce effects and the vet must keep track of it frequently. Anxiolytics, such as alprazolam, are quick in effect and should be administered prior to an event that causes anxiety.
There are also natural products that can help dogs feel less anxious. anxiety treatment herbal , a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is one of the many products available to help calm dogs. Massage therapy, acupuncture, and melatonin are also being used by some pet owners to aid with anxiety management. However, there is only a small amount of evidence from science to support these methods.
Small Door utilizes an array of behavior modification, changes in the dog's environment, natural therapy and medication when required. The use of medication can enhance the positive effects of training and behavior modification by balancing chemical signals within your dog's brain and making training repetitions more "sticky".
In the majority of instances, identifying and removing the root of the anxiety is the most important thing to do. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can help you with this process and offer suggestions to eliminate factors that trigger anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies are easy and include creating a routine and providing your dog plenty of exercise to burn off excess energy. Certain strategies are more complicated like desensitization or counterconditioning. However, in the end a good vet and a canine behaviorist will work together 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 have identified the reasons behind the behavior change the dog will be able to relax again and enjoy life. Your veterinarian will advise you on the most effective methods of training for your dog and may even suggest working with an experienced trainer.
If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, they'll exhibit similar behaviors that dogs who suffer from other forms of anxiety, including destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing, anxiety and barking. They may also chew on objects. It is also typical for dogs to be aggressive towards people and other pets within their homes, which is why it is essential to put a behavior plan in conjunction with your veterinarian and seek the services of a professional dog trainer.
Behavior modification can be extremely effective in the short term and is often utilized in combination with other treatment methods. Drugs can help decrease the dog's negative emotional response and make them more receptive towards training while alleviating their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine, 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 situationsal anxiety such as noise fears. It could take up to four weeks for a therapeutic effect to show, and it is important to administer the medication according to the guidelines recommended by your vet and to schedule regular blood tests and behavior reevaluations.
Several natural treatments can help reduce stress levels for dogs. They are more comfortable by adding consistency and structure to the environment as well as music and massage. Your veterinarian may recommend an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is an enveloping coat or t-shirt that applies constant pressure to the dog's torso, much like a swaddling cloth on infants, and helps them to feel less stressed about travel, noise or separation from strangers.
Natural Therapy
Many natural methods can help calm dogs that are anxious. These include herbal supplements as well as music, aromatherapy and chiropractic treatment.
Crate training is a great way to calm dogs with separation anxiety and provide them with their own space. Music that soothes stimulates serotonin which is a relaxing hormone in both cats and dogs. Some pet owners have had satisfaction with pheromone products that mimic calming scents that can be found in the natural scents of cats and dogs. These products are available as collar diffusers and spray 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 solutions that can be dropped in the water of a dog or directly in their mouth. Often these herbal remedies will work as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
Physical exercise is a great method of reducing stress. It could be as easy as a long walk, or as involved as a game of fetch, but anything that tires out your dog will keep them calm and less likely to display anxious behaviors. Try teaching your dog new techniques to keep their minds stimulated. This will give them something to focus on, apart from their stress triggers, and will provide them with the mental stimulation they crave.
For older dogs who need to be calmer or for dogs suffering from a medical condition that makes them more stressed, a visit from an veterinary specialist could be beneficial. For example dogs with an injured disc could benefit from chiropractic treatment that will help realign the spine and help keep the nerves and muscles in good condition and functioning properly.
In extreme cases medication could be the best option to ease the dog's anxiety. In the majority of cases, however, there are more effective and less costly methods to calm dogs that are anxious. Talk to your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to discover what works for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavior issues can be challenging for pet owners as well as their pets however, they can also be harmful to the dog. Some of the most severe symptoms of anxiety can lead to aggression and self-mutilation, such as pulling out fur or a recurrent biting. These are serious issues that require the assistance of veterinarian. Certain medications may be required and a trained behaviorist can work with you to formulate an effective treatment plan.
Many medications are available to relieve anxiety symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the best one according to your dog's individual health condition and reaction to the medication. The average time for medication is between four and six weeks before the effects become clear and should be continued for two months following a positive response is observed. It is crucial to remain in line with the prescription of 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 short-acting medications that relieve immediate anxiety symptoms and anxiolytics are longer-acting medication that help relieve anxiety and stress over time.
In addition to prescribing medications for anxiety Your veterinarian may also recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies, such as tranquilizers, pheromones, or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also guide you on ways to reduce anxiety and stress in your pet, such as getting adequate exercise, playing games and spending time in a safe environment with your dog.
Several factors can contribute to anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis pain, or other health issues that increase the stress levels. It is therefore important to consult your vet immediately if your dog's behavior changes, and especially when it appears that the anxiety is triggered by discomfort or pain. Your vet will determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness or condition, and will refer you to a trainer or behaviorist if required.