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Anxiety Treatment For DogsA veterinarian or a canine behaviour consultant will identify your dog’s triggers and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety. These include medication, pheromone collars (like Comfort Zone and Adaptil) and diffusers for pheromones.Pet owners can also make use of a calm and quiet place at home where their pets can be calm and peaceful.MedicationCertain breeds require medication to help manage anxiety or fear-based behaviors. The vet will determine if your dog requires medication for long-term or short-term use and recommend the most appropriate option. The medication should be used in conjunction with behavioral modification and training not as a substitute.Medications used for anxiety management include tranquilizers, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) tricyclic antidepressants, as well as anxiolytics. SSRIs like sertraline and fluoxetine can be prescribed to treat anxiety-related chronic disorder or separation anxiety, as well as compulsive behavior, which includes excessive grooming. It can take a few weeks to show results and may require periodic monitoring by the veterinarian. Tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine or amitriptyline can be used to treat generalized anxiety as well as specific fears. This class of drugs can take anywhere from four to six weeks to begin delivering effects and the vet must be able to monitor it regularly. Anxiolytics, such as alprazolam, have a quick effect and should be administered prior to an event that causes anxiety.There are also natural products that aid dogs in feeling less stressed. Calmer Canine, a new non-prescription anxiety wrap, is among the many products that can aid in calming dogs. Some pet owners also utilize massage therapy, melatonin or acupuncture to help manage anxiety. There isn’t much evidence from science to support these choices.At Small Door, we prefer to use a combination of behavior modification, changes to the environment, natural therapies, and medications as required for some dogs. Medication can boost the positive effects of behavior modification and dog training by balancing chemical messengers within your dog’s brain and making training repetitions more “sticky”.In the majority of cases, your first step is to identify and eliminate the cause of anxiety. A veterinarian or canine behaviorist can aid in this process and suggest ways to eliminate causes that can cause anxiety in your dog. Some of these methods are easy like creating a routine and giving your dog plenty of exercise to burn off pent-up energy. Some strategies are more complex like desensitization or counterconditioning. A good vet and canine behaviorist work together in the end to develop a treatment program that works for your pet.TrainingThe ability to modify behavior is a powerful tool to aid your dog in overcoming anxiety. It takes time to identify the causes of their behavior and they learn to relax and enjoy life again. Your veterinarian can guide you on the most effective methods of training for your dog and may even recommend that you work with an experienced trainer.If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, they will display many of the same symptoms as dogs who suffer from other forms of anxiety. This includes destructive behavior and urinating or excreting in the home, pacing and agitation, barking and chewing things. It is also normal for them to be aggressive towards other pets and people at home. This is the reason you should consult with your veterinarian to develop a behavior plan and hire an animal trainer.Behavior modification can be extremely effective in the short term and is often employed in combination with other treatment methods. Drugs can help reduce the negative emotional response of dogs and allow them to be more open to training while also providing relief from anxiety symptoms. Some of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drugs include Clomipramine (Clomicalm) that is particularly helpful for separation anxiety as well as Dexmedetomidine (Sileo) which is specifically designed to alleviate situational anxiety like noise phobias and Aversions. It can take up to four weeks before you see the therapeutic benefits. Your veterinarian will suggest regular blood tests as well as behavior evaluations.www.iampsychiatry.com can help reduce a dog’s stress. Incorporating structure and consistency to their surroundings can make them feel more secure, as well as music, pheromone sprays and massage. Your veterinarian may recommend an aromatherapy scent for your pet. Another option is to use an enveloping coat or t-shirt that applies constant pressure to the dog’s torso similar to a swaddling cloth on infants, and helps to reduce anxiety about noise, travel or separation from strangers.Natural TherapyMany natural methods can help calm dogs that are anxious. They include herbal supplements as well as music, aromatherapy, and chiropractic treatment.For dogs suffering from anxiety about separation, crate training is a good option to soothe them and provide them with their own safe space. Relaxing music can also boost serotonin levels and encourage relaxation in cats and dogs. Some pet owners have had success with pheromone products that mimic calming scents that cat and dog owners naturally emit. These products are available as collar diffusers and spray versions.You can also make use of a calming herbal remedy like Rescue Remedy, or Bach Flower Essences. These are herbal remedies that have been diluted and you can sprinkle into the water of your pet or directly into their mouth. These herbal remedies can often be as effective, or even more effective than prescription anti anxiety drugs.Exercise is a great method to reduce stress. It could be as easy as a long walk or as intense as playing fetch, but anything that stretches your dog will help to keep them relaxed and less likely to exhibit anxiety-related behaviors. Consider teaching your dog new methods to keep their minds active. This will provide them with something to concentrate on other than their stress triggers and will give them the mental exertion that they desire.A visit to the veterinarian could be beneficial for older dogs that need to be more calm or those with health issues that cause them to be more stressed. For instance dogs with an injured disc could benefit from chiropractic care that can help realign the spine and keep the nerves as well as muscles healthy and functioning properly.In severe cases, medication may be the best option to ease the dog’s anxiety. In the majority of instances, however there are more effective and less costly methods to soothe dogs that are anxious. Consult your vet and try one (or all) of these natural remedies to find what works best for your pup.Veterinary CareAnxiety-related behavioral issues can be difficult for pets and their owners however, they can also be dangerous for the dog. Certain of the more serious symptoms of anxiety can cause aggression and self-mutilation, like pulling fur out or compulsive biting. These are serious issues that require to be dealt with by vet. Some medications might be required and a trained behaviorist will work with you to formulate an effective treatment strategy.There are many medicines available to help ease anxiety symptoms. Your vet will determine the most effective option depending on your dog’s specific condition and response to medications. It usually takes four to six weeks for the medication to begin working. The treatment should be continued when positive results are seen for a period of two months. It is essential to follow your vet’s prescription for your dog and never change or stop the dosage without consulting your vet.Anxiolytics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines are all drugs that can help relieve anxiety. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are medicines that work in a short time that relieve immediate anxiety symptoms and anxiolytics are long-acting medication that help relieve anxiety and stress over time.In addition to prescribing anxiety medications Your veterinarian may also suggest non-pharmaceutical solutions like soothing supplements, pheromones or anxiety wraps. Your veterinarian can provide suggestions on how to decrease stress and anxiety in your dog, such as exercising regularly by playing games, or spending time with him in a calm area.There are many factors that can trigger anxiety in your dog, for example, arthritis-related pain or other health conditions which can increase stress levels. Consult your vet immediately if you notice a change in your dog’s behavior, especially when the anxiety appears to be caused by pain. Your veterinarian will determine whether their anxiety is rooted in an illness or medical condition and recommend an animal trainer or behaviorist, if necessary.