Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or a canine behavior specialist will pinpoint your dog's triggers and create an anxiety treatment plan. This includes medication such as Pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and diffusers of pheromone.
Pet owners can also make use of a quiet and peaceful space at home, where pets can be calm and peaceful.
Medication
Some dogs need medication to manage fear-based and anxiety-related behavior. The vet will determine if your dog requires short-term or long-term medications and recommend the most appropriate option. Medication is only to be used in conjunction with not as a substitute for behavioral modification and training.
Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers are all drugs used to manage anxiety. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine can be prescribed to treat chronic anxiety or separation anxiety, as well as compulsive behavior, which includes excessive grooming. It can take several weeks before the medication begins working, and regular supervision by your veterinarian might be required. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or clomipramine also treat generalized anxiety and can be used to address specific fears and aggression. This class of drugs can take up to four weeks to show results and the vet must keep track of it frequently. Anxiolytics like Alprazolam are fast-acting and are best when administered just prior to an anxious event.
In addition to prescription drugs, there are natural products and treatment modalities that can help ease anxiety for some dogs. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is just one of the many products that can aid in calming dogs. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and melatonin are being employed by some pet owners to help with anxiety management. There is only limited scientific evidence to support these choices.
At Small Door, we prefer to use a combination of behavior modification, changes in the environment, natural therapies and medications when needed for some dogs. The use of medication can enhance the positive effects of training and behavior modification by balancing chemical messengers within your dog's mind and making training repetitions more "sticky".
For most instances, identifying and removing the root of the anxiety is the most important thing to do. A canine behaviorist or veterinarian can help you with this process and suggest ways to prevent the causes that can cause anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies are easy, such as creating a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off pent-up energy. Some strategies are more complex like desensitization or counterconditioning. However, in the end an experienced vet and a canine behaviorist will work together to devise a treatment strategy that is effective for your dog.
Training
The ability to modify behavior is a powerful tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. Once you identify the triggers of their behavior, your dog can learn to relax again and be happy. Your veterinarian will advise you on the most effective training methods for your dog. They may even suggest that you work with a professional trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will exhibit the same behaviors that dogs who suffer from other types of anxiety, including destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing, restlessness barking, and chewing on things. It is also normal for them to be hostile towards other pets and the people living at home. This is the reason you should consult with your vet to develop the right behavior plan and employ a dog trainer.
Behavior modification can be highly efficient in the short-term, and is often used in combination with other treatment methods. The use of medication can reduce a dog’s negative emotional response which allows them to be more open to training while decreasing their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine, also known as Clomicalm is a medicine 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 to four weeks for a therapeutic effect to be seen and it is essential to give the medication as prescribed by your vet and to schedule regular blood tests and behavior evaluations.
A number of natural treatments can help alleviate anxiety in dogs. Incorporating structure and consistency to their environment can help them feel more secure, and this includes music, pheromone sprays and massage. Your veterinarian can suggest an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Choose a soothing t-shirt or coat that puts constant pressure on the dog's chest similar to an swaddling blanket designed for a baby. This will make them feel less anxious when they are traveling, hearing noises or being separated from their pet or meeting strangers.
Natural Therapy
Many natural methods can help calm an anxious dog. They include herbal supplements, music, aromatherapy and chiropractic treatment.
For social anxiety disorder treatment who suffer from anxiety over separation, crate-training can be an effective tool to help them relax and provide them with a secure space. Music that soothes stimulates serotonin which promotes relaxation in dogs and cats. Some pet owners have had success with pheromones that mimic the calming scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available in collar diffusers and sprays.
You can also use a calming herbal remedy like Rescue Remedy, or Bach Flower Essences. These are diluted herbal remedies you can drop in the water of your dog directly or directly into their mouth. The majority of these remedies work as well, 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 complex as a game of fetch, but anything that stretches your dog can help keep them calm and less likely to display anxious behavior. Mental stimulation is also important so you should think about engaging your dog in new tricks. This will allow them to focus on something other than their stress-inducing triggers and will provide them with the mental exercise that they want.
For older dogs who need to be more calm or those with a medical condition that causes them to be more stressed, a visit to an veterinary specialist could be beneficial. Chiropractic care can be beneficial for a dog with a slipped disk. It can realign the spine, and help keep the muscles and nerves healthy.
In some severe cases medication is the best option to ease a dog's anxiety. In most cases, however, there are safer and cheaper methods to calm an anxious dog. Speak to your vet about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to determine what works for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behaviors can be difficult for pet owners and their pets but they can be dangerous for the dog. Certain of the more serious signs of anxiety could result in self-mutilation and aggression. This can include pulling fur out or biting. These are serious problems that need to be addressed with the help of a veterinarian. A behaviorist trained in animal behavior can help you develop an appropriate treatment strategy. Some medication may be required.
Many medications are available to relieve anxiety symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate medication based on the specific condition of your dog as well as the reaction it has to medication. Medications typically take between four and six weeks before the effect is clear and should be maintained for two months after the positive response is seen. It is important to be consistent with your dog's prescription and never stop or change the dosage without consulting with your veterinarian.
The medications to reduce anxiety include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and anxiolytics. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medicines that work in a short time that alleviate anxiety-related symptoms immediately and anxiolytics are long-acting medications that relieve chronic stress and anxiety.
Your veterinarian may also recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies like relaxing products or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can give you suggestions on how to decrease stress and anxiety in your dog, for example, having enough exercise, playing games, and spending time with him in a calm area.
Many factors can contribute to your dog's anxiety, such as pain from arthritis or other health issues that increase stress levels overall. See your veterinarian right away if you notice changes in your dog's behavior particularly when the anxiety appears to be caused by pain. Your veterinarian will determine if the anxiety is caused by an illness or condition, and will refer you to a trainer or behaviorist if required.