Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or a canine behaviorist will determine your dog's triggers and create an anxiety treatment plan. These may include medications, pheromone diffusers and collars (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 anxious dogs can retreat.
Medication
Some dogs require medication to manage anxiety or fear-based behavior. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog requires medication for long-term or short-term use and will recommend the best choice. Medication should only be used in conjunction and not as a substitute for behavior modification or training.
Anxiety-related medications include tranquilizers, selective serotonin release inhibitors (SSRIs) tricyclic antidepressants and anxiolytics. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine are frequently prescribed for the management of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior such as excessive grooming. They may take a few weeks to show results and may require regular surveillance by the vet. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and clomipramine also treat generalized anxiety, and can be used to treat particular phobias and aggression. This class of medication takes between one to four weeks for the effects to be evident and requires frequent examination by a veterinarian. Anxiolytics, such as alprazolam, have a rapid effect and should be administered prior to an event that causes anxiety.
There are also natural products that can help dogs feel less stressed. These include tranquilizing supplements, pheromones and anxiety wraps, such as the new non-prescription Calmer Canine. Certain pet owners also employ melatonin, massage therapy, or acupuncture to help manage anxiety. However, there is a lack of evidence from science to support these methods.
At Small Door We prefer to use a combination of behavioral modification, changes in the environment, natural therapies, and medications as required for certain dogs. Medication enhances the positive effects of behavior modification and training by balancing the chemical messengers in the brain of your dog and making training repetitions "stick" more quickly.
In the majority of cases, identifying and eliminating the root of the anxiety is the most important step. A reputable veterinarian or behaviorist can assist in this process, and recommend strategies to help your dog avoid triggers. Some of these strategies may be easy, such as creating routines or providing your dog with plenty of exercise to flush out their energy. Other strategies are more involved such as desensitization and counterconditioning. In the end, however a good vet and a canine behaviorist will work together to create a treatment plan that works for your dog.
Training
Behavioral modification is a powerful tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. Once you recognize the triggers of the behavior change the dog will be able to relax again and take pleasure in life. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you on the best training techniques for your dog and may recommend that you work with a professional dog trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, it is likely to exhibit the same signs like dogs suffering from other types of anxiety. These include destructive behavior, urinating or defecating inside the home, pacing and anxiety, barking and chewing things. It is also common for dogs to be aggressive towards people and other pets in their home and that's why it is crucial to create a behavior plan together with your veterinarian and enlist the services of a professional dog trainer.
Behavior modification is highly effective in the short term, and is often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities. The use of medication can lessen the dog's emotional reaction and help them become more receptive to training while providing relief from their anxiety-related symptoms. Clomipramine is also referred to as Clomicalm, is a medication that is commonly prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a medicine that is used to treat situational anxiety such as noise phobias. It can take up four weeks for a therapeutic effect to be observed and it is essential to give the medication as prescribed by your vet and to schedule regular blood tests and behavior evaluations.
There are a variety of natural remedies that can also reduce anxiety in dogs. By bringing consistency and structure to their environment can help them feel more secure, as well as music, pheromone sprays and massage. Your veterinarian can suggest an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Wear a calming t-shirt, or coat that puts constant pressure to the dog's chest similar to an swaddling blanket designed for a newborn. This will make them feel less anxious when travelling, hearing noises and being separated from their owner, or meeting strangers.
Natural Therapy
A variety of natural methods can aid in calming an anxious dog. They include herbal supplements, music, aromatherapy and chiropractic treatment.
Crate training is a successful method to calm dogs suffering from separation anxiety and allow them their own space. Calming music can also stimulate serotonin and promote relaxation in a cat or dog. Some pet owners have had success using pheromones that imitate the calming scents dogs and cats naturally exude. They are available in collar diffusers and sprays.
Another option is to use an herbal remedy that is calming, such as Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal remedies that can be dropped in a dog's water or directly in their mouths. Often these herbal remedies will work as well, or even better than prescription anti-anxiety medications.
Physical exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress. It could be as simple as a long walk, or as involved as a game of fetch, but anything that tires out your dog will help to keep them calm and less likely to display anxious behaviors. Consider teaching your dog new methods to keep their minds engaged. This will give them something to focus on that is not their stress triggers, and will provide them with the mental stimulation they crave.
For dogs of a certain age who require to be more calm or those with a medical condition that causes them to be more stressed, a visit to a veterinarian may be helpful. For example dogs with discs that have slipped may benefit from chiropractic care that can help realign the spine and keep the nerves as well as muscles in good shape and functioning properly.
In the most severe instances medication could be the best solution to alleviate a dog's anxiousness. In most instances, however, there are safer and cheaper ways to calm dogs that are anxious. Consult your vet and try one (or all) of these remedies to find what works best for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavior issues can be challenging for pet owners as well as their pets, but they can also be dangerous to the dog. Some of the more severe signs of anxiety can cause self-mutilation or aggression. This can include pulling fur out or biting. These are serious issues that need to be treated with the help of vet. A trained animal behaviorist who is knowledgeable about behavior can help you develop the best treatment plan. Certain medications may be required.
There are many medicines available to treat anxiety -related symptoms. Your vet will prescribe the best option 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 maintained for a period of two months after the positive response is seen. It is essential to be in line with the prescription of your dog and never stop or change the dosage without consulting with your veterinarian.
Medications to relieve anxiety include benzodiazepines, antidepressants and anxiolytics. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are short-acting medications that alleviate anxiety-related symptoms immediately and anxiolytics are long-acting medications that relieve anxiety and stress over time.
Your veterinarian may also recommend non-pharmaceutical solutions such as relaxation supplements or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also guide you on natural methods to lessen anxiety and stress in your pet, including exercising regularly, playing games and spending time in a calm environment with your dog.
Several factors can contribute to your dog's anxiety, including pain from arthritis or other health conditions that can increase overall stress levels. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice a change in your dog's behaviour particularly if the anxiety seems to be triggered by pain. Your vet will determine if the anxiety is caused by a medical condition and refer you to an animal behaviorist or trainer if necessary.