What meds are used to calm dogs? Let’s Explore

Types of Anxiety Seen in Dogs

There are 3 main types of anxiety that our Seattle vets see in dogs:

Anxiety rooted in generalized fear can be triggered by almost anything including loud noises, strangers, the introduction of new (unknown) animals, new visual stimuli such as hats, staying in a strange/new environment, specific situations such as a trip to the vet’s office, car journeys, or having to walk on slippery floors. Some dogs experience fear-related anxiety for just a short while then adjust and relax, but other dogs will continue to feel anxious whenever they encounter the triggering stimuli.

It is estimated that about 14 percent of dogs suffer from separation anxiety. These pups are unable to relax and settle down when left alone or separated from their primary caregivers. Symptoms of separation anxiety typically include undesirable behaviors such as urinating and defecating in the house, destroying furnishings, clawing at doors, destroying shoes or other items belonging to their primary caregiver, and barking.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in elderly dogs can result in age-related anxiety. If your canine companion is suffering from cognitive dysfunction syndrome their basic brain functions such as memory, learning, perception, and awareness will sharply decline, (much like symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease in humans). Understandably this decline in brain power often leads to confusion and anxiety in senior dogs.

There are a number of symptoms common to dogs suffering from these types of anxiety including:

Uncharacteristic aggression

Repetitive or compulsive behaviors

Pacing and circling

Urinating or defecating in the house

Restlessness

Drooling

Panting

Destructive behaviors

Depression or gloomy demeanor

Relentless barking

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety there are a number of treatments you can try.

Counterconditioning is a training method that seeks to change your dogs response to the anxiety causing stimuli by encouraging a good behavior to replace the negative anxious behavior through positive reinforcement.

Desensitization introduces the anxious pup to very small doses of the anxiety producing stimuli in low intensity. By repeatedly exposing your anxious dog to small doses of the stimuli while rewarding even the tiniest positive behaviors your dog may be trained out of their anxiety driven behaviors.

These techniques take time, patience, and love to encourage. Check YouTube for videos from reputable trainers on how to reduce your dogs anxiety-related behaviors or ask your vet to recommend a good dog behavioral trainer in your area.

For dogs experiencing severe symptoms of anxiety, anti-anxiety meds, SSRIs, or anti-depressants may be helpful. Below are some common dog anxiety medications that could be prescribed by your vet to help soothe your dogs anxiety related symptoms.

Alprazolam (Xanax) – Typically prescribed for moderate to severe situational anxiety to help dogs who become anxious during thunderstorms, but it may also be used for other types of situational anxiety. Administered in pill form this medication is most effective when administered before the anxiety producing stimuli occurs (ie: the arrival of a visitor or thunderstorm), or as early as possible.

Amitriptyline – May be prescribed for dogs suffering from separation anxiety or generalized anxiety. This drug is considered an antidepressant and works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which help to improve mood. Amitriptyline is not suitable for pets with diabetes.

Buspirone – Can be prescribed for dogs who suffer from anxiety brought on by social situations such as interactions with other dogs. This medication needs to be given continually in order to be effective and is not suitable for specific situational anxieties such as visitors to the home or thunderstorm phobias.

Clomipramine (Clomicalm) – Particularly helpful for dogs suffering from separation anxiety and situational anxiety, Clomipramine can also be prescribed for other types of anxiety in dogs. This medication needs to be given for up to 2 months before determining whether it is beneficial for your anxious dog.

Dexmedetomidine (Sileo) – Used to relieve situational anxiety such as noise phobias and aversions. This drug works by reducing activity in certain parts of the brain, resulting in reduced anxiety levels. Dexmedetomidine should be given at the earliest sign of anxiety or before the triggering noise event, if possible.

Diazepam (Valium) – This medication can be an effective anti-anxiety medication, muscle relaxant, appetite stimulant and seizure-control drug for dogs. Diazepam can be helpful in treating dogs with panic disorders such as severe noise aversion or phobia if given in advance of an event known to trigger anxiety.

Fluoxetine (Reconcile or Prozac) – FDA-approved for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs, this medication can also be used to treat other forms of anxiety and behavior issues in dogs such as compulsive chewing, circling and self-mutilation. Fluoxetine works best when combined with behavior-modification training.

Lorazepam (Ativan) – Used to treat dogs with situational anxiety, this medication should be administered in advance of the anxiety triggering event. This medication can be administered in pill or liquid form and works by depressing activity in certain parts of the dogs central nervous system.

Paroxetine (Paxil) – Suitable for the treatment of generalized anxiety and anxiety-related behaviors in dogs. This medication may be prescribed for a range of anxiety-related behaviors, such as fear of noises, self-mutilation including pulling fur out and compulsive licking, or in some cases aggression.

Sertraline (Zoloft) – Prescribed to dogs suffering from generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia and fear-based aggression. This medication is an SSRI that works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain.

If you feel that your dog could benefit from anti-anxiety medication it is important to have your vet perform a comprehensive examination to determine whether an underlying health condition may be causing your pups anxious behaviors. During your dogs examination talk to your vet about your dogs anxiety symptoms and discuss treatments that may work best for your pooch.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pets condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

How Do I Know If My Dog Is Anxious?

Some symptoms of fear, nervousness, or anxiety in dogs are obvious, while others are subtle. Some signs to watch for include:

Attempts to escape. This could mean anything from turning away at the door of the vet hospital to full-blown panic and destructive behaviors.

Ears pulled back.

Crouching or making themselves as small as possible.

Tail tucked between the legs.

“Whale eyes,” which means eyes that are open very wide. The whites of the eyes may be more prominent than usual.

Panting.

Pacing.

Trembling.

Tense muscles.

Bathroom accidents or anal gland release.

Barking excessively.

Sometimes, growling, showing teeth, or other signs of aggression, as aggressive behaviors are often rooted in fear or anxiety in an otherwise friendly dog.

Affected dogs may show just 1-2 symptoms or several. A pup’s symptoms can help guide diagnosis and treatment. So try to observe as much as possible.

Since some of the above symptoms can also indicate a medical condition, your dog’s veterinarian may recommend diagnostic testing such as blood work prior to using a sedative.

Non-Medicinal Remedies To Cure Dog Anxiety

Because medicine to calm dogs can cause a variety of side effects, many owners and veterinarians like to experiment with non-medicinal solutions first.

Some of these types of solutions may provide relief for your pooch and help reduce or eliminate his stress, anxiety, and worry.

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Developed by behavioral scientists, the Thundershirt is a nice alternative to medicines for many dogs, and it has proven to be an effective treatment for many anxious dogs.

Because the Thundershirt won’t cause any side effects and is one of the safest possible treatments for anxiety, it is often an ideal place to start, when searching for a solution to your dog’s anxiety. Read our full hands-on Thundershirt review to better assess if this anxiety wrap could be a good solution for your pup.

We also have a guide on how to create your own DIY Thundershirt if you’re not crazy about putting up money for the official version.

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Comprised of colostrum (the very first bit of milk produced by a dog who has just given birth), vitamin B1 (thiamine) and an amino acid called L-Theanine, which is thought to boost serotonin production, Chillout Treats are designed to be administered about 30 minutes prior to a stressful event.

Chillout Treats have a delicious chicken-liver flavor that dogs love, so administering them is usually pretty easy.

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Formulated from a variety of plant and flower extracts, Rescue Remedy contains no real medications, and the method by which it is reported to work remains unclear, but some owners have found it helpful.

We’re skeptical of it, but there’s likely no harm in trying it (provided your vet gives you the green light).

Dogs often feel safe when allowed to hang out in confined, dark spaces, probably because it simulates a den. But most owners use crates that are relatively open, and provide sight lines in all directions. Fortunately, there are two solutions:

You can fit your dog’s existing crate with a cover, which will make the crate darker and provide a greater sense of safety. Crate covers are also nice because you can use them when leaving the house, while taking them off once you get home.

You can purchase a crate that provides a relatively dark and cozy space inside. By simply using a dark and secure crate, you alleviate the need to use a cover. Additionally, many good crates for dogs with separation anxiety, which are often reinforced to help keep panicky dogs safe and secure if they freak out when you leave.

If you can keep your dog busy and give him something to occupy his mind, you may be able to alleviate some of his anxiety – particularly if the anxiety occurs when you leave him alone.

Just about any safe chew toy will work, but interactive, mentally stimulating puzzle toys are even better. Many owners swear by giving their dog a good frozen stuffed Kong – just stuff the Kong with wet food, freeze it, and your dog will be too occupied licking up the treat to worry about whatever is making him nervous.

Just keep in mind that goodies like these are really only helpful for dogs with mild anxiety. If a dog has extreme or severe anxiety, they likely won’t eat at all.

Thanks to the magic of technology, dog owners now have a number of different ways they can communicate with their canine from afar. By communicating with your pooch a little during the middle of the day, you may be able to reduce his anxiety a bit.

The best way to do this is through the use of a dog camera, allowing you to see and hear your pooch when you log onto the camera’s companion app. We recommend opting for a camera that can dispense dog treats, as can allow you to regularly treat your dog during high-stress occasions even when you’re away from home, helping to keep them calm as a result.

Anti-Anxiety Medication for Dogs – 3 Benefits!

Some dogs seem to walk through life without ever worrying about a thing – they’re just on a tail-wagging, ground-sniffing, face-licking adventure.

Other dogs go through life seeing potential danger around every corner. And these anxious pups need a little more love and effort to enjoy a high quality of life.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help soothe your frazzled pooch. We’ll dive into some of the most popular dog meds for anxiety below, as well as other techniques for calming an anxious dog.