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Anxiety Treatment For Dogs A veterinarian or a canine behavior specialist will pinpoint your dog's triggers and create an anxiety treatment plan. This could include medications such as collars, pheromone diffusers, and pheromone (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation. Pet owners may also decide to use a calm and quiet area at home for their anxious dogs that they can retreat to. Medication Certain breeds require medication to manage anxiety or fear-based behaviors. The vet will determine if your dog requires short- or long-term medications and recommend the best choice. Medication should be used in conjunction with behavioral modification and training and not as a substitute for training. Medications used for anxiety management include tranquilizers, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and anxiolytics. SSRIs like fluoxetine and sertraline are frequently prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior like excessive grooming. It may take a few weeks before the medication starts working, and regular supervision by your veterinarian could be required. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline or clomipramine can also be used to treat generalized anxiety as well as specific fears. This class of medication can take up to four weeks to begin delivering effects and the vet must monitor it frequently. Anxiolytics like Alprazolam are quick-acting and are most useful when administered just prior to an anxious event. In addition to prescription medicines There are also natural products and treatment methods that can help ease anxiety for some dogs. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is among the many products that can help calm dogs. Certain pet owners also employ massage therapy, melatonin or acupuncture to help manage anxiety. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support these options. Small Door uses a combination of behavior modifications, changes in the dog's environment, natural therapy and medication when required. The effects of medication enhance the positive outcomes of behavior modification and training by balancing the chemical messengers in the brain of your dog and making training repetitions “stick” more quickly. In most cases, identifying and eliminating the underlying cause is the most crucial step. A reputable veterinarian or behaviorist can aid in this process and suggest ways to avoid your dog's triggers. Some of these strategies may be simple, like creating a routine or providing your dog with lots of exercise to burn pent-up energy. Other strategies are more involved like desensitization and counterconditioning. In the end an experienced vet and canine behaviorist will work together to develop a treatment plan that is effective for your dog. Training Behavior modification is a potent tool to help your dog overcome anxiety. It takes time however, once you have identified the reasons behind their behavior it is possible to help them relax and enjoy life again. 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 is suffering from separation anxiety, they will exhibit the same behaviors as dogs with other types of anxiety such as destructive behavior, urinating and defecating in the house, pacing restlessness, barking, and chewing on things. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards people and other pets at home and that's why it is essential to put a behavior plan in conjunction with your vet and get the services of a professional dog trainer. Behavior modification can be extremely effective in the short term and is often employed in combination with other treatment methods. Drugs can help decrease a dog’s negative emotional response which allows them to be more open to training and decreasing their anxiety symptoms. Clomipramine, also known as Clomicalm is a drug that is commonly prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a medicine that is used to treat situational anxiety such as noise fears. It can take up four weeks for the therapeutic effect to be observed and it is crucial to give the medication as recommended by your vet and to schedule regular blood tests and behavior reevaluations. There are natural remedies to treat anxiety of natural remedies that can also alleviate anxiety in dogs. They can feel more secure by adding structure and consistency to their environment as well as music and massage. Your vet might be able to suggest a specific aromatherapy scent that will be most helpful for your pet. Wear a calming t-shirt, or coat that puts constant pressure to your dog's chest like a swaddling blanket for a baby. This will make them feel less stressed when travelling, hearing noises or being separated from their pet or meeting strangers. Natural Therapy A number of natural techniques can help calm an anxious dog. They include herbal supplements, music, aromatherapy, and chiropractic treatment. For dogs that suffer from anxiety about separation, crate training is a good option to help them relax and provide them with their own safe space. Calming music can also stimulate serotonin levels and encourage relaxation in a dog or cat. Some pet owners have had success with Pheromones that are similar to the soothing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. These products are available in spray and collar diffuser versions. 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. These herbal remedies can often be as effective, or even better than prescription anti anxiety medications. Physical exercise is an excellent method of reducing stress. It could be a short walk or a more intense game of fetch. Anything that can exhaust your dog will help keep him relaxed and less likely to display anxiety-related behaviors. Mental stimulation is also important and you should consider working with your dog on new tricks. This will help them to focus on something other than their stress-inducing triggers, and provide them with mental exercise that they want. A visit to the veterinarian could be beneficial for older dogs that need to be more calm or have health conditions that make them more stressed. For example, a dog who has discs that have slipped may benefit from chiropractic care that will help realign the spine and keep the nerves and muscles healthy and functioning properly. In certain instances medication is the best option to ease anxiety in dogs. However, most of the time there are alternatives to calm an anxious dog that are less risky and much less expensive than prescription medications. Talk to your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to see what works best for your dog. Veterinary Care Anxiety-related behavioral problems can be a challenge for pets and pet owners, but they can also be harmful to the dog. Some of the most severe symptoms of anxiety can cause aggression and even self-mutilation, such as pulling out fur or a habitual biting. These are serious problems that require the assistance of a veterinarian. Some medications might be required and a trained behaviorist can work with you to create an effective treatment plan. There are a variety of medications available to ease anxiety symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most effective option depending on your dog's specific condition and response to medications. The average time for medication is up to six weeks before the effect is clear. It is recommended to continue the treatment for two months after an improvement is noticed. 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. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medicines that work in a short time that relieve immediate anxiety symptoms, while anxiolytics are long-acting medication that help relieve chronic stress and anxiety. Your veterinarian may also recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies like calming products or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian will give you tips on how you can reduce stress and anxiety in your dog, such as having enough exercise, playing games, and spending time with him in a secure area. Many factors can contribute to your dog's anxiety, including arthritis-related pain or other health issues that increase stress levels overall. Consult your vet immediately whenever you notice an alteration in your dog's behaviour and especially if the anxiety seems to be triggered by pain. Your vet will determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness that is medical in nature and refer you to a behaviorist or trainer if necessary.