Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behaviour consultant will pinpoint your dog’s triggers and develop an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety. These may include medications or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Pet parents can also opt to have a calm and quiet area at home for their dogs who are anxious which they can go to.
Medication
Certain breeds require medication to help manage anxiety or fear-based behaviors. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog needs medication for long-term or short-term use and recommend the most appropriate choice. Medication should only be used in conjunction with and not as a substitute for behavioral modification or training.
Medications used for anxiety management include tranquilizers, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and anxiolytics. SSRIs like fluoxetine and sertraline can be prescribed to treat anxiety that is chronic or separation anxiety, as well as compulsive behaviors, such as excessive grooming. It may take several weeks before the medication starts functioning, and regular monitoring by your vet may be required. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and Clomipramine can also help with generalized anxiety, and can be used to address specific fears and aggression. This class of drugs can take as long as four weeks to produce effects and the vet must monitor it frequently. Anxiolytics like alprazolam are quick in effect and should be administered prior to an anxiety-provoking event.
There are also natural products that help some dogs to feel less stressed. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is among the many products available to aid in calming dogs. Massage therapy, acupuncture, and melatonin can also be utilized by pet owners to aid in managing anxiety. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting these options.
At Small Door, we prefer to use a combination of behavioral modification, changes in the environment, natural ways to treat anxiety disorder therapies, and medications when needed for certain dogs. Medication supercharges the positive results of behavior modification and training by balancing the chemical signals in your dog’s brain and making training repetitions “stick” more quickly.
In the majority of cases, the first step is to identify and eliminate the cause of anxiety. A good veterinarian or canine behaviorist can help with this process and suggest strategies to help your dog avoid triggers. Some of these strategies are simple, such as creating a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off the excess energy. Other strategies are more involved such as desensitization and counterconditioning. However, in the end an experienced vet and canine behaviorist will collaborate to create a treatment plan that is effective for your dog.
Training
The most effective method to aid your dog in overcoming their anxiety. Once you have identified the reasons behind their behavior changes the dog will be able to relax and take pleasure in life. Your veterinarian can guide you on the most effective training techniques for your dog. They may even suggest working with an experienced trainer.
If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, they’ll exhibit many of the same behaviors that dogs who suffer from other types of anxiety such as destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing stress, barking, and chewing on things. It is also normal for them to be hostile towards other pets and people in their home. This is the reason you should consult with your vet to develop a behavior plan and hire an animal trainer.
Behavior modification is extremely effective for short-term therapy and is often incorporated into other treatment methods. Medication can reduce the dog’s emotional reaction and make them more receptive to training while also providing relief from anxiety symptoms. The most frequently prescribed anti-anxiety medications include Clomipramine (Clomicalm) that is particularly helpful for separation anxiety and Dexmedetomidine (Sileo) is a medication that is specifically designed to ease situations of anxiety, such as noise fear and fears. It can take up to four weeks before you see the therapeutic benefits. Your vet will recommend regular blood tests and behavior assessments.
A number of natural treatments can help alleviate anxiety in dogs. By bringing consistency and structure to their environment can help them feel more secure, as can music, pheromone sprays and massage. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend an aromatherapy scent that will be most helpful for your pet. Choose a soothing t-shirt or coat that exerts constant pressure to the chest of your dog similar to a swaddling blanket for babies. This will make them feel less stressed when travelling, hearing noises, being separated from their pet, or meeting strangers.
Natural Therapy
A variety of natural methods can soothe dogs that are anxious. This includes herbal supplements, music aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment.
Crate training is a great method to calm dogs suffering from separation anxiety and provide them with their own space. Relaxing music can also boost serotonin and promote relaxation in a cat or dog. Some pet owners have had success using pheromones that resemble the relaxing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. These products are available as spray diffusers for collars and collars, as well as 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 sprayed into the water of a dog, or directly into their mouths. These remedies can be as effective, or even more effective than prescription anti anxiety drugs.
Physical exercise is a great method of reducing stress. It can be as simple as a long walk, or as involved as playing a game of fetch but anything that tires out your dog can help keep them calm and less likely to exhibit anxious behavior. You can teach your dog new techniques to keep their minds engaged. This will provide them with something to concentrate on that is not their stress triggers, and will give them the mental exercise they need.
A visit to a veterinarian can be beneficial for older dogs who require to be more calm or have medical conditions that cause them to be more stressed. Chiropractic treatment can be beneficial for dogs suffering from a slipped disk. It can help to align the spine, and help keep the nerves and muscles in good shape.
In the most severe instances medication could be the best solution to alleviate a dog’s anxiousness. In the majority of instances, however there are safer and cheaper ways to calm an anxious dog. Consult your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to discover what is the treatment for anxiety disorder (lineyka.org) works best for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavioral problems can be difficult for pet owners and their pets however, they can also cause danger to dogs. Some of the most severe signs of anxiety can cause aggression and even self-mutilation. This could include pulling out fur or compulsive biting. These are serious issues that require to be addressed with the help of a veterinarian. Some medication may be necessary and a trained behaviorist can assist you to create an effective treatment strategy.
There are many medications available to treat anxiety-related symptoms. Your vet will prescribe the most appropriate medication based on the particular situation of your dog and its reaction to the medication. The average time for medication is four to six weeks before the effect is clear and should be continued for a period of two months after a positive response is observed. It is important to be in line with the prescription of your dog and never stop or change the dosage without a consultation with your vet.
Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants are all drugs that can help relieve anxiety. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are short-acting medications that relieve immediate anxiety symptoms, while anxiolytics are long-acting medication that help relieve chronic stress and anxiety.
In addition to prescribing anxiety medications, your veterinarian will likely recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies like calming supplements, pheromones or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also guide you on ways to decrease stress and anxiety in your pet, including exercising regularly playing games, and spending time in a calm environment with your dog.
Many factors can contribute to anxiety in your dog, such as pain from arthritis or other health issues that increase stress levels overall. Contact your veterinarian immediately whenever you notice changes in your dog’s behavior particularly in cases where the anxiety may be provoked by pain. Your vet will determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness or condition, and will refer you to a behaviorist or trainer if necessary.
