How to Recognize Anxiety in Dogs
Dogs experience anxiety just like humans do. Also, like people, some suffer more than others. However, our dogs do not have the words to communicate with us. We need to use our knowledge of our dogs’ behavior to determine if they are in distress.
All dogs will display their anxiety in slightly different manners. Your dog does not need to demonstrate all these symptoms to be diagnosed with anxiety. If at any point you believe your dog is suffering from anxiety, visit your veterinarian to discuss his symptoms and how you can best help him.
Symptoms of anxiety in your dog:
- Panting
- Drooling
- Excessive barking
- Pacing
- Hiding
- Destructive behavior
- Aggression
- Depression
- Compulsive behaviors
- Urinating and defecating in the house
Best Natural Remedies for Dog Anxiety
Many dog owners are careful about the medicines and treatments they offer their pets. Natural and homeopathic remedies are becoming incredibly common. Below, we will highlight some of the best natural and homeopathic remedies for dog anxiety.
Massage and Acupuncture
Massage and acupuncture will result in many health benefits for your dog. Stress, blood pressure, and muscle tension will all decrease with these treatments. Gently massage the ears, feet, or top of the head to reduce stress and anxiety.
Exercise
Exercise is an excellent way to produce serotonin. Especially for high-energy dogs, exercise is an incredible outlet to reduce stress and anxiety. Tailor the exercise to your dog’s interests and physical abilities. Even older dogs can benefit from exercise.
Calming Canine Apparel
Veterinarians and dog experts have found that compression apparel can significantly reduce a dog’s stress and anxiety. Calming clothing will gently apply pressure across your dog’s entire core.
The Canine Comfort & Care Shirt is a leading compression canine shirt. It is thin but still provides compressive support to reduce anxiety. It is sold in five sizes to aid dogs of all sizes. The Canine Comfort & Care Shirt will reduce pain, stiffness, and anxiety while promoting blood and oxygen flow.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are toxic to dogs if ingested. Many owners will steer away from them with this fear in mind. However, essential oils can produce excellent results for your pet. Some of the best essential oils for dogs are:
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Rose Damask
- Ylang Ylang
- Frankincense
- Spikenard
- Geranium Rose
If you need help with safe essential oils for your dog, contact your veterinarian before use.
Dog-Appeasing Pheromone (DAP)
Dog-Appeasing Pheromones (DAPs) are only detectible by canines. DAP is like the pheromones a mother dog releases to calm her nursing puppies. These products trigger the same calming effect in adult dogs but will not irritate your sinuses.
Music
The silence of an empty home can induce separation anxiety in your pup. Many owners find success in placing a radio near their dogs. Soft rock and reggae can reduce your dog’s anxiety. Pandora, Alexa, and Apple have stations dedicated to their dog listeners.
Be sure to mix up the genre because your dog may become complacent with the same genre and revert to their anxiety symptoms.
Mental Stimulation
A busy dog is a happy dog. Distraction is an excellent tool to reduce anxiety in your dog. You can challenge your dog without accessories by training new tricks. Moreover, there are countless mental stimulation toys on the market for dogs.
