Anxiety Treatment For Dogs
Your veterinarian will assess your dog to determine the root cause and may prescribe anti-anxiety medication. They could include fast-acting, short-duration meds that are appropriate for circumstances-based use, or longer-acting medications for chronic daily management.
You can help your dog to avoid anxiety by ensuring you give him enough exercise and attention every day. You may also want to look into collars or pheromone diffusers which release synthetic hormones that are similar to the ones used by mothers of dogs to soothe their pups.
Medicines
Many prescription medicines can be used to treat anxiety in dogs. If your dog's anxiety originates from pain or illness treatment of these issues can decrease or eliminate the need for medication. Desensitization of the source of your dog's fear is also possible by exposing them to their trigger over time in a controlled manner until they stop reacting negatively.
If your dog is afraid to travel in the car, for instance, you can gradually introduce them to the car by taking them to places where they play or visit regularly and rewarding them with treats. Then, you can gradually increase the amount of time they spend in the car, as long as they are able to behave themselves.
The effects and adverse side-effects of the medications that treat anxiety also differ. Your veterinarian can assist you to determine the right medication that is the most effective for your pet. They can also suggest non-pharmaceutical alternatives like calming supplements, pheromones collars, or Calmer Canine. This new non-prescription product can help reduce pet anxiety by stimulating vagus nerves.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common choice, as they block the reabsorption of the chemical messenger serotonin which means that more is available in the brain. They can take up to four weeks to begin working, but are effective in treating anxiety that is chronic. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amtriptyline and clomipramine (Clomicalm) can also help to control anxiety by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as acetylcho which affect mood.
Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2-adrenoceptor antagonist approved for the treatment of anxiety in situations like noise phobias and Aversions. It works by reducing the activity in specific brain regions and reducing the body's response to stress. It is most effective if given at the earliest sign of anxiety or before the sound event that causes it.
Natural calming remedies like chamomile have been proven to reduce anxiety and are available over-the-counter. The purity, quality, and effectiveness can differ greatly between manufacturers and brands. It is important to choose a product which contains high-quality ingredients.
Behavior Modification
The treatment of anxiety in dogs usually starts with behavior modification. This can include training and desensitization methods that can help your pet feel more comfortable when confronted with anxiety triggers. Some anxiety disorders respond better to counterconditioning. This involves the combination of a negative stimulus and a high-value reinforcement. Every situation is unique. It is crucial that any training method be supervised by a third-party certified canine behavior consultant or veterinarian behaviorist to ensure proper technique and safety.
Dogs benefit from medication to treat anxiety. Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors regulate neurotransmitter levels to reduce anxiety and promote peace. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and lorazepam may provide relief from panic attacks and severe anxiety. Certain dogs are calmed by herbal remedies like CBD oil and Melatonin. If a prescription medication is prescribed, a veterinarian must be consulted to ensure the proper dosage and the management of any side effects.
The environment is also a crucial factor in treating anxiety in dogs. Separation anxiety can be addressed by limiting interaction between dog and owner when the owner is away or at work or at work; using a machine to block out outside noises when owners are out and also educating owners about how to redirect their dogs' attention when the dogs exhibit anxious behaviors like chewing or digging. Crates should not be used unless they are absolutely necessary to ensure safety. Dogs who are anxious may see them as a form of punishment.
In general, behavioral therapy can be combined with medications to enhance the effectiveness of treatment overall. However, medications require time to work and are not able to directly address the reason for the behavior. anxiety treatment in dogs is therefore recommended to begin medication prior to or in conjunction with behavior modification in order to reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety-provoking situations as the dog learns how to handle the situation. This allows the dog's attention to be on modifying their behavior, which will increase the likelihood of success. Once the dog has mastered how to manage his anxiety, the medication can be weaned off or withdrawn based on its effectiveness.
Training
Are your dogs scared by fireworks or thunder? Do they run away or hide in fear? Do they lick or chew their bodies or furnishings to relax? Are they prone to panic attacks? If your dog exhibits any of these behaviors, they may be suffering from anxiety. Anxiety can lead to numerous issues that include aggression, destructive behavior and self-mutilation. It is essential to recognize and treat the condition to stop it from escalating to dangerous levels.
Treatments for anxiety may include a combination between the use of prescription medications and behavioral modification. Your veterinarian will assess the severity and cause of anxiety to recommend an appropriate treatment. Certain dogs suffer from generalized anxiety while others experience particular phobias or concerns that are specific to a particular context, such as being alone in a house or in a vehicle or grooming/handling situations. There are dogs who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repetitive behaviors like flank sucking (acral licking), spinning or tail chasing, or biting themselves (obsession).
Behavior modification for anxiety will typically focus on desensitization and counterconditioning. These techniques pair your dog’s anxiety trigger with high value reinforcement, which helps him learn to associate it with positive experiences. It takes patience and perseverance to get your dog used to the triggers that cause anxiety.
Anti-anxiety medications can be useful in certain situations, particularly when the dog's behavior is severe. The most frequently used medications are in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Both of them help increase serotonin norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, which regulate mood, alertness and stress-related responses. The SSRIs boost brain levels quickly and provide immediate relief from anxiety whereas the TCAs take weeks to achieve their maximum impact.
Every dog is different and therefore, it is not possible to completely eliminate anxiety. However by providing a safe and a 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 deal with it. It's a long process, but the reward is well worth it.
Exercise
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, however for dogs, it can result in destructive behavior and even depression. Dogs may be anxious due to many reasons, including being left in a quiet space or hearing loud noises such as thunder and fireworks. Dogs can also experience fearful of new environments or people, and some exhibit a constant anxiety state known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Exercise is a great method to reduce anxiety in dogs and keep them at peace. During exercise your dog releases feel-good endorphins which can make them feel relaxed and happy. Regular daily exercise can keep these happy hormones flowing and help prevent anxiety from developing.
Increasing physical activity can also reduce stress levels for your dog by lowering their blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn reduces the stress hormone cortisol. In order to get your dog moving more often can be as easy as taking them on regular walks or playing with them in the backyard or dog park. You can also incorporate regular exercise to your dog's schedule for example, agility classes or obedience classes.
You can help your dog overcome anxiety by using stimulation for the mind in addition to physical exercise. By involving your dog in brain-stimulating activities like puzzles, toys that offer treats, or training sessions, you can assist them redirect their attention away from stimuli that trigger anxiety and encourage a sense of satisfaction.
Some pet owners are also using calming music or white noise to ease anxiety in their dogs. These methods can be paired with other methods of treating anxiety and can help calm your dog down when they encounter a particular trigger like loud noises or thunder.
You and your vet will ultimately decide what anxiety treatment is best for your dog. Based on your dog's specific needs, they might recommend long-acting medication or short-term relief, as in behavioral interventions and other techniques that can be used in conjunction to provide complete care for your dog's anxiety and stress.