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Anxiety Treatment For Dogs A veterinarian or a canine behavior specialist will pinpoint the triggers for your dog and formulate an anxiety treatment plan. This could include medications or collars with pheromone diffusers (like Comfort Zone or Adaptil), and regular exercise and mental stimulation. Pet parents may also choose to have a calm, quiet spot at home for their dogs who are anxious that they can retreat to. Medication Some dogs require medication to control anxiety or behaviors based on fear. The vet will determine if your dog requires short-term or long-term medications and recommend the most appropriate choice. The medication should be used in conjunction with behavioral modification and training and not as a substitute for training. The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) tricyclic antidepressants and anxiolytics. SSRIs like fluoxetine and sertraline are typically prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety separation anxiety, and compulsive behaviors like excessive grooming. It may take several weeks before the medication starts working and regular monitoring by your veterinarian could be required. Tricyclic antidepressants like Clomipramine and amitriptyline may be used to treat generalized anxiety and specific fears. This drug class can take as long as four weeks to show results, and the veterinarian must keep track of it frequently. Anxiolytics such as alprazolam have a quick effect and should be administered just before an anxious event. In addition to prescription medicines and supplements, there are natural remedies and treatment modalities that can ease anxiety for certain dogs. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is one of the many products available to help calm dogs. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and melatonin are also being used by some pet owners to aid in managing anxiety. There isn't much evidence from science 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. Medication supercharges the positive results of training and behavior modification by balancing the chemical signals in your dog's brain, and making the repetitions of training “stick” faster. In the majority of cases, the first step is to determine and eliminate the cause of anxiety. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can help you with this process and offer suggestions to avoid the causes that can cause anxiety in your dog. Some of these methods are easy and include creating a routine and providing your dog plenty of exercise to burn off excess energy. Certain strategies are more complicated like desensitization or counterconditioning. However, in the end, a good vet and a canine behaviorist will work together to create a treatment plan that is beneficial for your dog. Training The most important tool to help your dog overcome their anxiety. Once you recognize the reasons behind their behavior, your dog can learn to relax and enjoy life. Your vet will be able to guide you on the best methods for training your dog, and may recommend you work with an experienced dog trainer. If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, they'll exhibit similar behaviors that dogs who suffer from other forms of anxiety, such as destructive behavior, defecating and urinating in the house, pacing anxiety and barking. They may also chew on objects. It's also common for them be aggressive towards other pets and those living within their homes. This is the reason you should work with your veterinarian to develop the right behavior plan and employ an animal trainer. Behavior modification is highly effective for short-term therapy and is often combined with other treatment methods. Medication can reduce the dog's emotional reaction and allow them to be more receptive to training, while providing relief from their anxiety-related symptoms. Clomipramine is also referred to as Clomicalm, is a medication that is often prescribed to treat separation anxiety. Dexmedetomidine, or Sileo is a medication that is used to treat situational anxiety, such as noise phobias. It could take up to approximately four weeks to experience the therapeutic benefits. Your vet will recommend regular blood tests and behavioral evaluations. Several natural treatments can help reduce stress levels for dogs. Incorporating structure and consistency to their surroundings can make them feel more secure, as can pheromone sprays, music, and massage. Your veterinarian can suggest an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Wear a calming t-shirt, or coat that puts constant pressure on the dog's chest like a swaddling blanket for babies. This will make them feel less stressed when they are traveling, hearing sounds, being separated from their owner, or meeting strangers. Natural Therapy A variety of natural methods can aid in calming the dog who is anxious. They include music, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatment. For dogs that suffer from anxiety over separation, crate-training can be an effective tool to soothe them and give them a safe space. Calming music stimulates serotonin, which is a relaxing hormone in both cats and dogs. Certain pet owners have had success with Pheromones that are similar to the soothing scents dogs and cats naturally emit. These products are available as collar diffusers and spray versions. Another option is to apply an herbal remedy that is calming, such as Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences which are diluted herbal remedies that can be sprayed into a dog's water or directly in their mouths. Most often, these remedies perform as well or better than prescription anti-anxiety drugs. Physical exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It could be a short walk or a more intense game of fetch. Anything that tire out your dog helps to keep him calm and less likely for him to display anxiety-related behaviors. Also, mental stimulation is important and you should consider working with your dog on new tricks. This will help them to focus on something different from their stress-inducing triggers, and provide them with mental exercise they crave. For older dogs who need to be calmer, or for those with a medical condition that makes them more stressed, a visit with an veterinary specialist could be beneficial. For instance an animal with an injured disc could benefit from chiropractic care which can help realign the spine and help keep the nerves and muscles healthy and functioning properly. In certain cases medications are the best option to ease anxiety in dogs. In the majority of instances, however there are less expensive and safer methods to soothe an anxious dog. Talk to your veterinarian about trying one (or more) of these natural remedies to see what works for your dog. Veterinary Care Anxiety-related behavioral problems can be challenging for pets and pet owners, but they can also cause danger to dogs. Certain of the more severe signs of anxiety can result in self-mutilation and aggression. This could include pulling out fur or compulsive biting. These are serious issues that require the help of a veterinarian. A behaviorist trained in animal behavior can assist you with the development of the best treatment strategy. Certain medications may be needed. There are many medicines available to treat anxiety-related symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate medication based on the unique condition of your dog and its reaction to medication. The typical dosage is four to six weeks before the effect becomes clear and should be maintained for a period of two months after an improvement is noticed. IamPsychiatry is important to be in line with the prescription of your dog and never stop or alter the dosage without consulting with your veterinarian. Anxiolytics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines are all medicines that help to reduce anxiety. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines and anxiolytics all reduce anxiety symptoms quickly. Your veterinarian may also recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies such as relaxing products or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can also guide you on the best methods to lessen anxiety and stress for your pet, which includes exercising regularly, playing games and spending time in a calm space with your pet. There are many causes of anxiety in your dog, such as arthritis-related pain, or other health conditions which raise stress levels. See your veterinarian right away when you notice changes in your dog's behaviour and especially if the anxiety seems to be provoked by pain. Your vet will determine if the anxiety is caused by an illness that is medical in nature and refer you to an animal trainer or behaviorist if required.