Have you seen your dog feel the aggression seeing strange people or other animals? Are you worried about your dog’s reaction when it’s out in large areas or going out for a road trip? Dogs are like humans too. They feel sickness, anxiety and excitement, which can lead to serious problems with dog owners. If you are seeking for a cure in dog anxiety. Then, you are just right on track, there’s more of this in a bit.
Yes, there are dog anxiety medication that you can use nowadays to help prevent and cure your pet’s anxiety. Dogs are hyperactive when they feel anxiety, it makes them feel like running around, keeps them barking and even jumps off the car. If this is your situation, then you should start taking solutions to your problem. You can either train your dog or get them an anxiety remedies. But before that, let me explain to you what are the types of anxiety that your dog is experiencing.
3 Common Types Of Dog Anxiety
Dogs feel anxiety from various reasons but the most common thing that makes them feel anxiety are separation, fear and aging. Training your dog properly or giving them dog anxiety medication can help prevent anxiety and make them feel comfortable in whatever you do.
Separation Anxiety
When they get separated from their owner, they feel uncomfortable and it’s over 14% of the dogs are most likely to experience separation anxiety. You would never understand if you don’t have any idea on how they react. Anxiety can make them do undesirable behaviors, yes you’ve seen your dog destroy your shoes, furniture and even urinates anywhere in the house. It’s because they feel anxiety.
Fear Anxiety
This is when they see other people, animals or new environment. It could look normal to you, when they feel too much excitement, but it could really mean that they are anxious in the specific situation.
Aging
Old dogs are affected by anxiety when they experience health problems. One of which is Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). Dogs with CDS are like humans with Alzheimer’s Disease. They struggle in learning, memory, awareness and perception. It can lead them to feel confused and that’s where anxiety comes in.
Symptoms When Your Dog Feels Anxiety
- Urinating Everywhere
- Panting
- Drooling
- Aggression
- Depression
- Pacing
- Destructive Behavior
- Restlessness
- Excessive Barking
- Compulsive Behaviour
But the real question is, how to treat anxiety in dogs? You are about to find it out.
When you see these symptoms then you must find dog anxiety medication natural way or find anxiety pills for dogs. One of the natural way to prevent or cure anxiety in dogs is to train them to feel comfortable in different situations such as going out, discover new things, socialize with other dogs and etc. There’s a lot of things that you can train your dog, once you train them. They would be able to understand new environment and feels comfortable towards any situation.
How To Train Your Dog To Prevent Anxiety
Counter Conditioning
This is when you make them change their response towards a certain situation which has caused your pet to feel anxious. If your pet feels aggressive, make your dog sit, listen to you or focus on playing with you.
Desensitization
The process starts by slowly introducing the certain source of anxiety to your dog. For example other dogs, don’t just surround your dog into crowded places where your pet is not used to. Instead, slowly introduce your dog to a plant, other dogs but keep it’s distance whenever it feels anxious. Do it every now and then, until your pet starts to get familiar with other dogs and learns how to socialize. Same with new environments or training them for walkies.
Dog Anxiety Treatment
Below are the list of anxiety medication for dogs that can help you calm your dog. But before even giving your dog these medications. It’s recommended to check with your veterinarian for your dogs health.
Alprazolam
Alprazolam is available in tablet or liquid form. It’s recommended from moderate anxiety and can be taken with or without food. It takes around 4 weeks to see progress in using this medicine and may require to continue atleast 2 months. It’s best for dogs who has been anxious in thunderstorms and other forms of situational anxiety.
Pros
- It Takes 1-2 Hours To Take Effect
- Seizure Control Supplement
Cons
- Increase Hunger
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is ideal for dogs who has been experiencing separation anxiety. It works like anti-depressant which increases norepinephrine, serotonin and neurotransmitters that affects the mood of your pet. It’s available in tablet form and can be taken with an empty stomach.
Pros
- Ideal To Use For Grooming
- Keeps Your Pet Feel Relaxed Even When You Are Away
Cons
- Dry Mouth
- Constipation
- Urinary Retention
Buspirone
Buspirone is the best medicine when socializing your dog to other animals. It’s works as a mild anxiety remedy, the serotonin receptors is basically activated in your dogs brain which makes them feel calm while introducing to other dogs. It’s available in tablets and can be taken without food. It’s an anti-stress medicine for your pets. It’s usual dose is 2-3x per day.
Pros
- Best For Socializing
- Ideal for General Anxiety
Cons
- Not ideal for panic syndromes
- Takes several weeks to take effect
Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
Clomicalm is approved by the FDA to treat separation anxiety for pets. It’s works as an anti-depressant. It helps by increasing the serotonin levels of your pets brain to balance it’s mood. It is available in tablets and capsules.
Pros
- Use For Separation & Other Types Of Anxiety
- Ideal For Dogs with Aggression
- Treats Obsessive-Compulsive Action
Cons
- Dry Mouth & Eyes
- Mild Agitation
- Loss of Appetite
- Constipation
Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
Sileo is best for dogs who has been suffering with noise like fireworks or thunderstorms. It has been approved by the FDA. It works by reducing the levels of anxiety in your pets body. It’s dispensed using transmucosal gel with multi-dose tube. It isn’t swallowed, instead it’s absorbed to the mucus membrane of your pet, after it’s placed between gum and cheek. It’s available as injectable or oral gel. It’s ideal to take this medication 30-60minutes before the noise starts.
Take note: Don’t feed your dog after giving it for 15 minutes.
Pros
- Ideal to keep your dog calm during noisy events
Cons
- Can potentially drop heart rate or blood pressure
- Sedation may occur to sensitive animals
Diazepam
Diazepam is the perfect medicine for those dogs who are about to go outside, socialize or get separated by a family member. It’s ideal to give your dog Diazepam to treat or prevent them from feeling anxious in a certain situation. It’s available in liquid, tablet and spray form.
Pros
- Ideal Before Walkies or Socializing Other Dogs
- Act as muscle relaxant
- Treats seizure disorder
- Cures bowel syndrome
Fluoxetine (Reconcile)
Reconcile is a medical treatment for separation anxiety and can cure different types of anxieties. It has been approved by the FDA. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin neurotransmitter in your pets brain, which manipulates on how your dog reacts on the situation. It’s available in liquid, capsules and tablets, which can be taken without food. It’s recommended for dogs who has been in medication for several months.
Pros
- Perfect for General Anxiety like aggression, phobia, compulsive disorder and etc.
- Stabilize Your Dogs Mood
- Stops Your Dog From Urinating Everywhere
Cons
- If it doesn’t work, other augmentation strategy is applied
Final Thoughts
Either you train your dog to prevent anxiety or give them anxiety medicine for dogs. You’ll surely rip off the benefits of having a happy and comfortable dog wherever you go. But it’s always recommended to check your dog to a professional to ensure your pets health. Also, always remember that the dosage may vary depending on the age and size of your dog.
