Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behaviour consultant will pinpoint your dog's triggers and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety. This includes medication such as pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and diffusers for pheromones.
Pet owners may also decide to use a calm, quiet spot at home for their dogs who are anxious that they can retreat to.
Medication
Some dogs need medication to deal with anxiety and fear-based behavior. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog needs long-term or short-term medication and recommend the best choice. The use of medication should be in conjunction with behavioral modification and training and not as a substitute for training.
Anxiolytics and tricyclic antidepressants as well as tranquilizers are all drugs used to manage anxiety. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine are often prescribed for chronic treatment of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior such as excessive grooming. It can take some time to show results and may require regular surveillance by the vet. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and Clomipramine can also help with generalized anxiety and can be used to address particular phobias and aggression. This class of medication takes between one to four weeks for the effects to be evident and requires frequent surveillance by the veterinarian. Anxiolytics, such as alprazolam, have a rapid action and should be taken just before an anxious event.
There are also natural products that can help some dogs to feel less anxious. These include tranquilizing supplements, pheromones and anxiety wraps, like the brand new, non-prescription Calmer Canine. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and melatonin are also being employed by some pet owners to aid in managing anxiety. There is a limited amount of scientific evidence to support these choices.
At Small Door We prefer a mix of behavioral modification, changes in the environment, natural therapies and medication as needed for some dogs. Medication can boost the positive effects of training and behavior modification by balancing the chemical messengers in your dog's mind and making training sessions more "sticky".
In the majority of cases, identifying and eliminating the root of the anxiety is the most crucial step. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can help you with this process and suggest ways 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. Some strategies are more complex, such as desensitization or counterconditioning. A good vet and canine behaviorist work together to create an effective treatment plan for your pet.
Training
Behavioral modification is the most crucial method to help your dog overcome their anxiety. Once you identify the reasons behind their behavior changes the dog will be able to relax and enjoy life. Your veterinarian can guide you on the most effective methods of training for your dog. They might even suggest that you work with an experienced trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will exhibit many of the same symptoms as dogs who suffer from other types of anxiety. This includes destructive behavior and urinating or excreting in the house, pacing and restlessness chewing on things and barking. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards other pets and people at home. This is the reason you should work with your vet to develop the right behavior plan and employ an animal trainer.
Behavior modification is extremely effective for short-term therapy and is often used with other methods of treatment. Medication can help reduce the negative emotional reaction of dogs which allows them to be more open to training while decreasing their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine is also known as Clomicalm, is a medication that is often prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a drug that is used to treat situationsal anxiety such as noise phobias. It may take as long as up to four weeks before you see an improvement in your health. Your vet will want you to schedule regular blood tests and behavior evaluations.
Many natural remedies can also help alleviate anxiety in dogs. They can feel more secure by bringing structure and consistency to the surrounding as well as music and massage. Your veterinarian can suggest an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is to put on an enveloping coat or t-shirt, which applies constant pressure to the dog's torso similar to an swaddling cloth for a baby, and helps them to feel less stressed about travel, noise or separation, as well as strangers.
herbal treatment for anxiety can help calm an anxious dog. These include herbal supplements, music aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care.
Crate training is a successful 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 with pheromones that resemble the relaxing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available in collar diffusers and sprays.
You can also make use of a soothing herbal remedy such as Rescue Remedy, or Bach Flower Essences. These are diluted herbal remedies that can be sprayed into the water of your dog directly or directly into their mouths. The majority of these remedies work as well, or even better than prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
Physical exercise is a great method of reducing stress. It could be as simple as a long walk or as intense as playing a game of fetch however anything that exhausts your dog can help keep them relaxed and less likely to exhibit anxious behavior. You can teach your dog new tricks to keep their minds stimulated. This will provide them with something to concentrate on, apart from their stress triggers and give them the mental exertion that they desire.
A veterinarian's visit may be beneficial for older dogs who require to be more calm or those 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 to align the spine and keep the nerves and muscles healthy.
In some severe cases, medication is the best option for relieving anxiety in dogs. However, in the majority of cases there are other options to calm a dog that are safer and less expensive than prescription medications. Speak to your vet about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to determine what works for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavioral problems can be difficult for pets and pet owners, but they can also be harmful to the dog. Some of the more serious symptoms of anxiety can result in self-mutilation and aggression. This includes pulling fur out or biting. These are serious issues that require to be dealt with by an animal veterinarian. A behaviorist trained in animal behavior can help you develop a treatment strategy. Certain medications may be required.
Many medications are available to help ease anxiety symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate medication based on the unique condition of your dog as well as its reaction to the medication. The average time for medication is between four and 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 crucial to adhere to the prescriptions of your vet for your dog, and never alter or stop taking the medication without consulting your vet.
Anxiolytics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines are all drugs that can help relieve anxiety. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines and anxiolytics all reduce anxiety symptoms quickly.
Your veterinarian might also suggest non-pharmaceutical remedies like relaxing supplements or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian will give you advice on how to reduce stress and anxiety in your dog, for example, having enough exercise by playing games, or spending time with him in a calm place.
Many factors can contribute to anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis-related pain or other health conditions that increase the stress levels. Consult your vet immediately whenever you notice an alteration in your dog's behavior particularly when the anxiety appears to be triggered by pain. Your vet will determine if the cause of their anxiety is an issue with their health and refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist if required.