Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
Your veterinarian will inspect the dog to determine its root causes, and may recommend an antianxiety medication. They can include fast-acting, short-duration meds for as-needed, situational use or longer-acting meds to manage chronically daily.
Make sure that your dog gets adequate exercise and individual attention every day to help prevent pent up energy that can fuel anxiety. You might also consider pheromone diffusers or collars that emit synthetic hormones similar to those used by mother dogs to soothe their puppies.
Medicines
There are many prescription medications that can be used to treat anxiety in dogs. If your dog's anxiety originates from illness or pain, treating these issues may reduce or eliminate the need for medication. Additionally, reducing the source of your pet's anxiety can be accomplished by exposing your pet to their trigger, over time and in a controlled way until they no more react negatively to that stimulus.
If your dog is scared to travel in a car, for example, you can gradually introduce them to the car by taking them to places where they play or go regularly and rewarding them with treats. You can gradually increase the time spent in the car for as long as your dog behaves well.
The effects and adverse side-effects of the medications used to treat anxiety also differ. Your vet can help you find the right medication for your pet. They'll also be able suggest non-pharmaceutical options, such as calming supplements, pheromone collars, and Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription device that helps to reduce anxiety in pets by stimulating the vagus nerve, which sends a signal brain to relax.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that stop the reabsorption and release of serotonin from the brain, are a well-known choice. They can take up four weeks to work but they are highly effective in treating chronic anxiety. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Clomicalm) and clomipramine, can also help manage anxiety by boosting levels of norepinephrine and acetylcholine, as well as other neurotransmitters which affect mood.
Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2-adrenoceptor antagonist approved to treat situational anxiety such as noise phobias or Aversions. It works by reducing the activity in certain brain regions and reducing the body's response to stress. It is most effective if administered when there is a first sign of anxiety, or prior to the triggering sound event.
Natural calming remedies like chamomile have been proven to decrease stress and anxiety. They are available over the counter. The purity, quality and efficacy can vary greatly between manufacturers and brands. It is important to select a product that has high-quality ingredients.
generalized anxiety treatment for anxiety in dogs typically begins with the modification of their behavior. This could include training and desensitization methods that aid dogs to be more comfortable in the face of anxiety triggers. Some anxiety disorders respond better to counterconditioning. This involves pairing a negative stimulus and an extremely valuable reinforcement. Every situation is unique. It is crucial that any training method be supervised by a third-party certified canine behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist to ensure proper technique and safety.
Dogs can benefit from medication to alleviate anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as tricyclic antidepressants regulate neurotransmitter levels to reduce anxiety and promote tranquility. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam may provide relief from anxiety and panic attacks. Certain dogs are calmed with natural remedies, such as CBD oil and melatonin. If a prescription medication is prescribed, a veterinarian must be consulted to ensure proper dosage and the management of any side effects.
Environmental management is an important component of treating anxiety in dogs. Separation anxiety may be treated by limiting interaction between dog and owner when the owner is away or at work or at work; using a machine to muffle the outside sounds when owners are away and educating owners on how they can divert their dogs' focus if they show signs of anxiety like chewing or digging. Crates are not recommended unless they are absolutely essential to protect the dog from harm. Anxious dogs may view them as punishment.
In general, behavioral therapy can be combined with medications to enhance the effectiveness of treatment overall. However, medications take time to be effective and don't directly address the causes of the behavior. It is therefore advised to start medication prior to or in conjunction with behavior modification in order to reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety-inducing situations while the dog learns how to handle the situation. This will allow the dog to focus on modifying their behavior and increase the chances of success. Once the dog has learned how to manage their anxiety, the medications can be weaned or discontinued depending on the effectiveness of the medication as well as its efficacy.
Training
Are your dogs afraid of thunder or fireworks? Do they hide or shiver in fear? Do they chew or lick their furniture or bodies to relax? Are they susceptible to panic attacks? If your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, they may be suffering from anxiety. Anxiety can trigger a host of problems such as aggression, destructive behavior, and self-mutilation. To stop the condition from getting to dangerous levels, it is important to be aware of and treat it.
Treatments for anxiety can include a combination of the use of prescription medications and behavioral modification. Your veterinarian will suggest the best treatment plan for you depending on the root cause and severity of the anxiety. Some dogs have generalized anxiety while others suffer from specific phobias or fears that are specific to the context, such as being alone in a home, being in a car or handling grooming/handling situations. Dogs with obsessive-compulsive disorders are characterized by repetitive behavior like licking the Acral region, turning around or chase their tails, or biting themselves (obsession).
Behavior modification for anxiety is usually focused on desensitization and counterconditioning. These are training techniques that combine your dog's anxiety trigger with high-value reinforcements to help them connect the trigger with positive experiences. The method requires patience and persistence however, as time passes, your dog will become more comfortable with their anxiety triggers.
Anti-anxiety medicines can be helpful in certain instances, particularly when the dog's behavior is severe. The most commonly used drugs are those in the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Both types boost serotonin and norepinephrine that regulate mood, alertness, and stress response. The SSRIs boost brain activity quickly and offer immediate relief from anxiety, whereas the TCAs take weeks to reach their peak effect.
It is difficult to completely eliminate anxiety and each dog is unique. However, by providing a safe and comfortable environment and working closely with your veterinarian or a certified dog behaviorist, you can dramatically reduce the anxiety of your pet and provide them tools to help themselves manage. It's a long process but the reward is worth it.
Exercise
Anxiety is an everyday human emotion, however for dogs, it can result in destructive behavior and even depression. Dogs may be anxious due to various reasons, such as being left alone or hearing loud sounds like fireworks or thunder. Dogs can also be nervous about strangers or in unfamiliar situations. Some dogs may even display an ongoing anxiety state, known as generalized anxieties disorder (GAD).
Exercise is an excellent method to reduce anxiety in dogs and keep them at peace. During exercise your dog releases endorphins that can make them feel calm and happy. Regular daily exercise can keep the happy hormones flowing and prevent anxiety from developing.
Increasing physical activity can also lower your dog's stress level by lowering their heart rate and blood pressure which, in turn, reduces cortisol, a stress hormone. You can encourage your dog to be more active by taking them on regular walks, or playing with them at the dog park or in the backyard. You can also add structured exercise to your dog's schedule, like agility classes or obedience classes.
You can help your dog overcome anxiety by providing him with mental stimulation in addition to physical exercise. By involving your dog in brain-stimulating activities such as puzzles, toys that give treats, and even training sessions, you can help them shift their focus away from anxiety-inducing stimulus and promote a sense of satisfaction.
Some pet owners also try using music that soothes or white noise to help with anxiety in their dogs. These techniques can be combined with other methods of treating anxiety and can aid in calming your dog when they experience a specific trigger like thunder or loud sounds.
In the end you and your vet will determine which anxiety treatment is the best for your dog. Based on your dog's individual needs, they could recommend long-acting medication or short-term relief, as with behavioral treatments and other techniques that can work together to provide comprehensive care for your dog's anxiety and stress.