Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or a canine behaviorist will determine the triggers for your dog and formulate an anxiety treatment strategy. This includes medications and pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and diffusers of pheromone.
Pet parents can also benefit from a peaceful and tranquil space at home where their anxious dogs can go to.
Medication
Certain breeds require medication to manage anxiety or fear-based behavior. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog needs medication for long-term or short-term use and will recommend the best choice. Medication should be used in conjunction with behavior modification and training not as a substitute.
Anxiolytics and tricyclic antidepressants as well as tranquilizers are all medications used to manage anxiety. SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine are often prescribed for chronic treatment of generalized anxiety separation anxiety, and compulsive behaviors like excessive grooming. They may take a few weeks to show results and may require frequent examination by a veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or clomipramine can also be used to treat generalized anxiety and specific phobias. This drug class can take up to four weeks to produce effects and the doctor must be able to monitor it regularly. Anxiolytics like alprazolam have a quick action and should be taken prior to an anxiety-provoking event.
In addition to prescription drugs There are also natural products and treatment options that can help ease anxiety for some dogs. These include the calming effects of pheromones, calming supplements, and anxiety wraps, such as the new non-prescription Calmer Canine. Some pet owners also utilize massage therapy, melatonin or acupuncture to help manage anxiety. There is a limited amount of scientific evidence to support these methods.
Small Door uses an array of behavior modification and changes to the dog's environment, natural therapy, and medications when needed. The use of medication can enhance the positive effects of training and behavior modification by balancing chemical messengers within your dog's brain and making training repetitions more "sticky".
In the majority of cases, the first step is to determine and eliminate the cause of anxiety. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can aid in this process and provide suggestions to avoid the factors that trigger anxiety in your dog. Some of these strategies may be easy, such as creating routines or giving your dog lots of exercise to release those accumulated energies. professional anxiety treatment are more complicated, such as desensitization or counterconditioning. In the end a good vet and canine behaviorist will collaborate to create a treatment plan that is beneficial for your dog.
Training
Behavior modification is the most effective tool to aid your dog in overcoming their anxiety. Once you identify the triggers behind their behavior, your dog can learn to relax again and enjoy life. Your vet can advise you on the most effective training techniques for your dog. They might even suggest working with a professional trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will exhibit many of the same behaviors as dogs with other types of anxiety such as destructive behavior, urinating and defecating in the house, pacing, anxiety barking, and chewing on objects. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards the pets and other people within their homes and that's why it is crucial to create a behavior plan together with your veterinarian and seek the services of a professional dog trainer.
Behavior modification is highly effective for short-term treatment and is often combined with other methods of treatment. Medication can help reduce the dog's negative emotional response, allowing them to be more receptive towards training while decreasing their anxiety symptoms. Some of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medicines include Clomipramine (Clomicalm), which is especially beneficial for separation anxiety and Dexmedetomidine (Sileo) is a medication that is specifically designed to reduce situational anxiety like noise fears and fears. It may take as long as four weeks to see an improvement in your health. Your vet will also want you to schedule regular blood tests and behavioral evaluations.
Many natural remedies can help reduce anxiety in dogs. They will feel more secure by adding consistency and structure to their environment as well as massage and music. Your vet may be able recommend a specific aromatherapy scent that is most beneficial for your pet. Use a calming t-shirt or coat that exerts constant pressure to your dog's chest similar to a swaddling blanket for a baby. This will allow them to feel less stressed when they are traveling, hearing noises and being separated from their owner or meeting strangers.
Natural Therapy
A variety of natural methods can soothe an anxious dog. These include herbal supplements, music aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care.
For dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, crate training can be an effective tool to help them relax and give them a secure space. Relaxing music stimulates serotonin which can promote relaxation in cats and dogs. Some pet owners have had success with Pheromones that are similar to the soothing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. They are available as the form of a collar diffuser or spray.
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 mouth. Most often, these remedies perform as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It can be as simple as a long stroll or as involved as a game of fetch, but anything that stretches your dog can help keep them relaxed and less likely to display anxiety-related behaviors. Mental stimulation is also important, so consider working with your dog on new tricks. This will allow them to focus on something other than their stress-inducing triggers, and provide them with mental exercise that they want.
For dogs of a certain age who require to be more calm or dogs with a health condition that makes them more stressed, a visit with a veterinarian could be beneficial. For example an animal with a slipped disc may benefit from chiropractic care that will help realign the spine and keep the nerves and muscles healthy and functioning normally.
In the most severe instances medication could be the best solution to ease the dog's anxiety. In most instances, however there are more effective and less costly methods to calm dogs that are anxious. Consult your veterinarian and try one (or all) of these remedies to find what works best for your pup.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavioral issues can be difficult for pet owners and their pets however, they can be dangerous for the dog. Certain of the more serious symptoms of anxiety can result in aggression and even self-mutilation, such as pulling out fur or a recurrent kissing. These are serious issues that require to be dealt with by an animal veterinarian. A professional trained in animal behavior can assist you in establishing a treatment plan. Certain medications may be needed.
There are many medications available to treat anxiety-related symptoms. Your vet will determine the best option depending on your dog's specific condition and response to medications. It usually takes four to six weeks for the medication to be effective. The treatment should be continued after positive results are observed for a period of two months. It is important that you follow your vet's prescription for your dog, and never alter or stop the dosage without consulting your vet.
Treatments for 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.
In addition to prescribing medication for anxiety Your veterinarian may also suggest non-pharmaceutical treatments like calming supplements, pheromones or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also guide you on the best ways to decrease anxiety and stress for your pet, which includes getting adequate exercise, playing games and spending time in a calm space with your pet.
There are many factors that can trigger anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis-related pain, or other health conditions which increase stress levels. See your veterinarian right away when you notice an alteration in your dog's behavior particularly when the anxiety appears to be triggered by pain. Your vet will determine whether the anxiety is caused by an illness or condition, and will refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist if needed.