Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behaviour consultant will identify your dog’s triggers and create an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety. These could include medication, pheromone diffusers and collars (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Pet owners may also decide to set up a peaceful, quiet spot at home for their dog that is anxious that they can retreat to.
Medication
Certain breeds require medication to manage anxiety or fear-based behavior. The vet will determine if your dog requires long-term or short-term medication and recommend the best choice. Medication is only to be used in conjunction with and not as a substitute for behavioral modification or training.
Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants and tranquilizers are all medications that are used to treat anxiety. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine can be prescribed to treat anxiety that is chronic as well as separation anxiety and compulsive behavior, including excessive grooming. They may take a few weeks to show their effects and may require periodic examination by a veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or clomipramine also treat generalized anxiety and can be used to tackle particular phobias and aggression. This drug class can take as long as four weeks to produce effects, and the veterinarian must monitor it frequently. Anxiolytics such as alprazolam have a quick action and should be taken just before an anxious event.
In addition to prescription medicines, there are natural products and treatment modalities that can help ease anxiety for certain breeds of dogs. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is among the many products available to help calm dogs. Certain pet owners also employ massage therapy, melatonin or acupuncture to manage anxiety. There is a limited amount of evidence from science to support these methods.
At Small Door, we prefer to employ a mix of behavior modification, changes to the environment, natural therapies, and medications as required for some dogs. The use of medication can enhance the positive effects of training and behavior modification by balancing chemical signals within your dog's brain, making repetitions of training more "sticky".
In the majority of instances, identifying and removing the underlying cause is the most important step. A reputable veterinarian or behaviorist can help with this process and suggest ways to avoid your dog's triggers. Some of these strategies are easy, such as creating a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off pent-up energy. Other strategies are more involved like desensitization and counterconditioning. However, in the end, a good vet and a canine behaviorist will collaborate to devise a treatment strategy that is effective for your dog.
Training
Behavioral modification is a powerful tool to aid your dog in overcoming anxiety. It takes time however, once you have identified the reasons behind their behavior, they can learn to relax and have fun again. Your veterinarian will advise you on the most effective training techniques for your dog. They might even suggest working with an experienced trainer.
If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, they'll exhibit the same behaviors that dogs who suffer from other types of anxiety including destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing, restlessness and barking. They may also chew on objects. It is also typical for them to be aggressive toward people and other pets in their home and that's why it is crucial to create a behavior plan together with your vet and get the services of an experienced dog trainer.
Behavior modification can be extremely efficient in the short-term and is often employed in combination with other treatment options. The use of medication can reduce the dog's negative emotional response and make them more open to training and decreasing their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine is also referred to as Clomicalm is a drug that is often prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a medication that is used to treat situational anxiety, such as noise fears. It can take up to four weeks for a therapeutic effect to be seen, and it is important to give the medication as recommended by your vet and to schedule regular blood work and behavior evaluations.
Several natural treatments can help reduce stress levels for dogs. Incorporating structure and consistency to their surroundings can make them feel more secure, as can music, pheromone sprays and massage. Your vet might be able recommend a specific aromatherapy scent that is most beneficial for your pet. Another option is an enveloping coat or t-shirt, which applies constant pressure to the dog's torso similar to the swaddling blanket on infants, and helps them feel less anxious about travel, noise or separation, as well as strangers.
Natural Therapy
There are a variety of natural techniques that can help calm the dog who is anxious. They include herbal supplements, music aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care.
For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, crate training is a good option to calm them and provide them with a safe space. Calming music stimulates serotonin, which promotes relaxation in dogs and cats. Some pet owners have had success with pheromones that mimic the calming scents that cats and dogs naturally emit. They are available in collar diffusers and sprays.
Another option is to utilize an herbal remedy that is calming, such as Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal remedies that can be dropped in the water of a dog or directly in their mouths. These herbal remedies can often be as effective, or even more effective than prescription anti anxiety medications.
Physical exercise is a great method of reducing stress. It could be a short walk or a more intense game of fetch. Anything that tire out your dog helps to keep him calm and less likely to display anxiety-related behaviors. Try teaching your dog new techniques to keep their minds engaged. This will help them to focus on something different from their stress-inducing triggers and will provide them with the mental exercise that they want.
A visit to a veterinarian can be beneficial for older dogs that need to be calmer, or dogs with medical conditions that cause them to be more stressed. Chiropractic care can be beneficial for a dog with an injured disk. It can help align the spine, and help keep the muscles and nerves healthy.
In certain instances medications are the best option to ease a dog's anxiety. But in most cases there are other options to calm a dog that are less risky and much less expensive than prescription medications. 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 difficult for pet owners as well as their pets, but they can also be harmful to the dog. Some of the most severe symptoms of anxiety can cause aggression and even self-mutilation, such as pulling out fur or a habitual biting. These are serious issues that need to be addressed with the help of an animal veterinarian. best anxiety disorder treatment may be required, and a trained behaviorist can work with you to create an effective treatment plan.
There are many medications that can be used to help ease anxiety symptoms. Your vet will prescribe the most appropriate medication based on the particular condition of your dog and its reaction to medication. It usually takes four to six weeks for the medication to begin working. The medication should be maintained after the positive results are noted for two months. It is essential to adhere to the prescriptions of your vet for your dog, and never alter or stop taking the medication without consulting your vet.
The medications to reduce anxiety include benzodiazepines, antidepressants and anxiolytics. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are short-acting medications which relieve anxiety symptoms in a short time and anxiolytics are longer-acting medication that help relieve anxiety and stress that is a constant source of.
In addition to prescribing medication for anxiety Your veterinarian may also recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies like tranquilizers, pheromones, or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can provide tips on how you can reduce anxiety and stress in your dog, including having enough exercise playing games, as well as spending time with him in a secure place.
Several factors can contribute to your dog's anxiety, including pain from arthritis or other health issues that increase overall stress levels. It is important to consult your vet right away if your dog's behavior changes and, in particular, when it appears that the anxiety is triggered by pain or discomfort. Your veterinarian will determine whether the anxiety is caused by an illness that is medical in nature and refer you to a trainer or behaviorist if needed.