Untreated anxiety in dogs can result in destructive and aggressive behaviors which pose risks to both people and other animals alike.
Veterinarians can help identify your dog’s specific anxiety triggers and create a personalized plan of care, including medications, training techniques and preventive measures.
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Medications
Medication may help relieve symptoms associated with severe anxiety in dogs. They can reduce behaviors like pacing, panting, drooling, vomiting and excessive barking. Your veterinarian will be able to identify what type of anxiety your pup has as well as its causes and triggers before creating a personalized treatment plan for them.
Benzodiazepine medications such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) may help dogs suffering from situational anxiety or noise phobias. These medications work by increasing Gamma Aminobutryric Acid (GABA) activity in the brain to inhibit excitatory nerve signals, producing a soothing effect and producing calm.
Fluoxetine, which acts as an SSRI that increases serotonin levels in the brain, can help dogs with separation anxiety or generalized anxiety reduce aggressive behaviors and promote positive behavioral changes over 4-8 weeks. For maximum efficacy and maximum benefits it should be administered consistently to reap its fullest benefits.
Tranquilizers such as melatonin, bifidobacterium longum and pheromone products can also help dogs relax easily; these supplements are available over-the-counter for easy administration with few side effects.
Behavior modification
Anxiety in dogs is often an early indicator of illness; therefore it’s crucial that if you notice that they’re acting differently that you visit a veterinarian. They will be able to ascertain the source of their distress and devise an appropriate treatment plan.
Anti-anxiety medication can also be extremely useful. They can soothe your dog’s emotional responses and make them more amenable to behavioral modification. One medication commonly used by veterinarians for this purpose is fluoxetine, an effective human antidepressant which has also proven useful when used to treat separation anxiety in dogs and behavioral issues in other species.
Counterconditioning your dog to alter its reaction to people, animals, places or objects they fear can help to reduce or eliminate their anxiety. It works by associating what they fear with something positive – like food. Use this technique to train your pup not to chew on door frames or scratch couches when you are gone.
Natural remedies
Many pet parents have had success using natural solutions to treat dog anxiety. These remedies include herbal supplements like melatonin, L-tryptophan and L-theanine as well as hemp oil; it’s important to remember that not all supplements are created equal so be sure to speak to your vet first before trying new supplements.
Homeopathic medicines offer another effective means to relieve stress and anxiety in dogs. These herbs can be taken in tea form, tincture form, capsule form or all three. Lemon balm can provide excellent sedation while Chamomile and St John’s Wort can be useful to calm fearful or anxious pups down.
Flower essences such as neroli, rose otto, hops, and cornflower can help alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, whether used in a diffuser or mixed into water for your pet to drink. Essential oils like helichrysum, rose hydrosol, and linden blossom are especially helpful in relieving separation anxiety while lavender and Roman chamomile work well against fears associated with thunder or fireworks.
Training
Dogs displaying anxiety behaviors like aggression toward people or other dogs require special treatment from an experienced behaviorist, including an examination to rule out health conditions that increase overall stress levels such as arthritis and other health concerns that could be contributing to their anxiety.
An animal behaviorist can help retrain a dog to associate arrivals and departures with positive associations, such as food puzzle toys or over-the-counter natural calming supplements. They should also learn to tolerate being left alone for extended periods, starting out by starting off with short absences but gradually increasing this separation time period.
Dr. Mornement advises guardians to make departures less dramatic by speaking softly and leaving their dog with something familiar such as their favorite plush toy or crate that smells of their owner. You could also distract the pup with toys or treats and gradually extend how long you leave their pet alone at a time, provided your pet can adapt.
