Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
A veterinarian or canine behaviour consultant will pinpoint your dog's triggers and develop an anxiety treatment plan. This includes medication, pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and diffusers of pheromone.
Pet parents may also choose to use a calm and quiet area at home for their dogs who are anxious which they can go to.
Medication
Certain dogs require medication to help manage fear-based and anxiety-related behavior. The veterinarian will determine whether your dog requires short-term or long-term medications, and prescribe the best option. The use of medication should be in conjunction with behavior modification and training and not as a substitute for training.
Anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers are all used to manage anxiety. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine are prescribed to treat anxiety that is chronic, separation anxiety and compulsive behavior, which includes excessive grooming. It can take a few weeks to show effect and may require regular examination by a veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and Clomipramine are also used to treat generalized anxiety, and can be used to tackle particular phobias and aggression. This class of drugs can take as long as four weeks to show results and the doctor must be able to monitor it regularly. Anxiolytics like alprazolam are very fast-acting and are best when given just prior to an event that causes anxiety.
In addition to prescription medicines and supplements, there are natural remedies and treatment options that can help ease anxiety for certain dogs. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is among the many products that aid in calming dogs. Massage therapy, acupuncture, and melatonin can also be utilized by pet owners to aid in managing anxiety. However, there is limited evidence from science to support these methods.
Small Door makes use of the combination of behavior changes as well as changes in the dog's environment, natural therapy, and medications when needed. Medication supercharges the positive results of behavior modification and training by balancing the chemical signals in your dog's brain and making training repetitions "stick" more quickly.
In the majority of cases, the first step is to identify and eliminate the underlying cause of anxiety. A reputable veterinarian or behaviorist can assist in this process, and recommend ways to avoid your dog's triggers. Some of these methods are easy like creating a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off the excess energy. Other strategies are more involved like desensitization and counterconditioning. However, in the end an experienced veterinarian and a dog behaviorist will work together to devise a treatment strategy that is beneficial for your dog.
Training
Behavioral modification is a powerful tool to aid your dog in overcoming anxiety. Once you have identified the reasons behind their behavior changes, your dog can learn to relax again and be happy. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best methods to train your dog, and may suggest you consult an experienced dog trainer.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will display many of the same signs like dogs suffering from other types of anxiety. These include destructive behavior such as urinating or fecesing in the home, pacing and agitation chewing and barking. It is also common for them to be aggressive towards the pets and other people in their home This is why it is crucial to create an appropriate behavior plan with your veterinarian and enlist the services of a professional dog trainer.
Behavior modification can be extremely efficient in the short-term and is often utilized in conjunction with other treatment modalities. The use of medication can reduce the negative emotional reaction of dogs and make them more open to training and decreasing their anxiety symptoms. The most frequently prescribed anti-anxiety medications include Clomipramine (Clomicalm) that is especially helpful for separation anxiety and Dexmedetomidine (Sileo), which is specifically designed to ease situations of anxiety, such as noise fears and fears. It can take up to four weeks for a therapeutic effect to be observed, and it is important to administer the medication as prescribed by your vet and to schedule regular blood tests and behavior reevaluations.
There are a variety of natural remedies that can also help reduce anxiety in dogs. Adding consistency and structure to their environment can help them feel more secure, as well as pheromone sprays, music, and massage. anxiety depression treatment can recommend an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is to use a calming coat or t-shirt that applies constant pressure to the dog's body, much like the swaddling blanket on babies, and can help to reduce anxiety about travel, noise or separation from strangers.
Natural Therapy
A variety of natural methods can soothe dogs that are anxious. This includes music, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care.
Crate training is an effective method to calm dogs suffering from separation anxiety and give them their own space. Music that soothes can also increase serotonin and help promote relaxation in a cat or dog. Some pet owners have found success with pheromone products that mimic calming scents that cat and dog owners naturally emit. They are available as collar diffusers and sprays.
Another option is to utilize a calming herbal remedy like Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal solutions that can be sprinkled into the water of a dog, or directly in their mouths. Often these herbal remedies will work as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
Physical exercise is a great method to lower stress. It can be a simple stroll or a more involving game of fetch. Anything that tire out your dog can help keep him calm and less likely to exhibit anxious behavior. It is also essential to keep your dog entertained mentally, so consider working with your dog on new tricks. This will help them to focus on something other than the triggers that cause stress, and provide them with mental exercise they crave.
A visit to the veterinarian could be beneficial for older dogs that require to be more calm or have health issues that cause them to be more stressed. For instance dogs with discs that have slipped may benefit from chiropractic treatment that can help to realign the spine and keep the nerves and muscles healthy and functioning properly.
In some severe cases medications are the best option to ease anxiety in dogs. In the majority of instances, however there are more effective and less costly methods to calm a dog who is anxious. Consult your veterinarian and try one (or all) of these natural remedies to find what works best for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Anxiety-related behavioral issues can be a challenge for pet owners and their pets, but can be harmful for the dog. Certain of the more serious symptoms of anxiety can result in aggression, and even self-mutilation like pulling fur out or a habitual biting. These are serious issues that require to be addressed with the help of an animal veterinarian. Some medication may be necessary, and a trained behaviorist can work with you to formulate an effective treatment strategy.
There are many medications that can be used to relieve anxiety symptoms. Your vet will determine the most effective option according to your dog's individual health condition and reaction to the medication. It typically takes between four and six weeks for the medication to be effective. The medication should be continued after the positive results are noted for a period of 2 months. It is important that you adhere to the prescription of your vet for your dog and do not alter or stop the dosage without consulting your vet.
The medications to reduce anxiety include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and anxiolytics. Anxiolytics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants all relieve anxiety symptoms immediately.
In addition to prescribing medications for anxiety Your veterinarian may also suggest non-pharmaceutical solutions that include tranquilizers, pheromones, or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also advise you on ways to reduce anxiety and stress for your pet, which includes getting adequate exercise playing games, and spending time in a calm space with your pet.
Many factors can cause anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis-related pain or other health conditions which raise stress levels. It is important to consult your vet right away whenever your dog's behavior is changing or changes, particularly in the event that it appears anxiety is caused by pain or discomfort. Your veterinarian will determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness that is medical in nature and refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist if needed.