It is very common for dogs to experience anxiety. If your dog has been, then it’s essential that you act. Our pets are like members of the family. Nobody wants to see them suffering.
There are many reasons why your dog might be suffering from anxiety. The most common cause of anxiety in dogs is separation anxiety, which happens when you spend a lot of time away from them. Identifying the cause of your dog’s anxiety is essential to treating it.
In this article, you will find some effective tips for easing your dog’s anxiety:
Anti-Anxiety Medicine
Anti-anxiety medicine is not just effective for human beings who suffer from anxiety, it is also effective for dogs too. In particular, trazodone for dogs has been shown to be very effective. Pet healthcare experts recommend speaking to your dog’s vet before giving them anti-anxiety medicine. When you buy it from your veterinary clinic, they charge through the roof, so it is best to buy it elsewhere. When buying your dog’s medicine elsewhere, you need to make sure that the vendor is reputable, reliable, and authentic. Administering inauthentic medicine to your dog can be very dangerous.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are also recommended by many pet healthcare experts. When compared to anti-anxiety medicines, they are not as effective, but even so, can be a good addition to your dog’s diet. If you are going to include herbal supplements in your dog’s diet, then make sure that they are not allergic to them. Like us, pets can experience allergies. If you take your dog to the vet, they should be able to determine whether your dog is allergic to a supplement by performing a few tests. This may involve pricking your dog’s skin and exposing them to trace amounts of the supplement in question. It’s much better to do this than to chance it, risking your dog’s health.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways of eliminating your dog’s anxiety. Often, the cause of anxiety in dogs is an irregular exercise schedule. Exercise benefits your dog mentally and physically. It is also very important to establish a schedule. Dogs have very good internal clocks; they are creatures of habit. If you do not walk your dog at the same time every day, then their anxiety levels will increase. Your dog needs to be walked at least once a day, seven days a week. If you have a large garden, then you should also let them outside to play there too. Dogs need to burn off their energy, otherwise, they get stressed out.
Physical Contact
Physical contact is also important. If you do not show your dog affection, then they will grow anxious and depressed, particularly if you used to be affectionate with them. Dogs find their owners’ touch to be very soothing. Whenever your dog appears to be anxious, sit down with them, stroke them, and talk to them gently. You can also invite them onto your bed or onto the sofa with you. Being close to you will make them feel much better.
Massages
While on the subject of physical contact, massages are also very useful for alleviating your dog’s anxiety. You can either take them to a professional pet masseuse, or you can do it yourself. Most experts advise the former option because a professional pet masseuse will be able to massage your dog delicately, eliminating stress, and helping them to feel better. With that said, if your dog is especially anxious then they might not like the idea of somebody else touching them. If that is the case with your dog, then you should perform massages yourself. Make sure to conduct research into dog massages, so you know exactly what you are doing.
Music
Music is a good way to alleviate a dog’s anxiety, especially if the cause of your dog’s anxiety is separation. Whenever you go out, turn on the radio, and leave it softly playing in your absence. Many people find that classical music soothes their dogs’ anxiety. Music is also good for soothing separation anxiety in cats. In addition to relaxing them, it will prevent them from being able to hear what’s going on outdoors, such as traffic, people, and even fireworks. Make sure that you keep your radio’s volume low. Loud noises, even soothing ones, can stress your dog out even more.
Isolation
Anxiety isn’t something that you should punish your dog for. However, if your dog acts out when they have anxiety, then it’s absolutely essential that you isolate them. An anxious dog can quickly become aggressive. A good way to isolate your dog without causing further anxiety is to give them their own room. This room should have their bed, their toys, and access to water. In this room, you could include a radio for your dog to listen to. You shouldn’t keep your dog locked up for too long – just long enough until they begin to feel better.
Calming Coats
Calming coats are an interesting piece of technology that applies mild pressure to your dog’s torso. This sensation will relax your dog, much in the same way that a swaddling cloth relaxes a baby. You need to make sure that you pick a calming coat that is perfectly sized for your dog, comfortable, and from a reliable manufacturer. If your dog’s calming coat does not fit them, then it could exacerbate their anxiety. Additionally, if it is not comfortable, then it will stress them out.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of pet anxiety, both with dogs and cats. You can buy essential oil plug-ins that release calming oils. Make sure that you buy aromatherapy plug-ins for dogs, and not for humans. Sometimes the ingredients of aromatherapy plug-ins for humans can be toxic to pets. There are some oils that dogs and cats are sensitive to. Some of them can even be downright poisonous. Ask your vet for their recommendation if you are struggling to find a suitable plug-in.
It’s upsetting to see your dog suffering from anxiety. Fortunately, as this article shows, there are some very effective ways of eliminating your dog’s anxiety. As mentioned in this article’s introduction, in order to effectively treat it, you should identify its cause.