Ways to identify the common triggers of anxiety in dogs and how to treat it. Find out the common dog anxiety symptoms and treatment options available.
Just like we humans develop fear and anxiety when left alone or have to go through unwanted circumstances, dogs experience anxiety too. Although anxiety is one of the most unpleasant experiences but is a healthy and normal emotion to a certain level. If anxiety in dogs is left unchecked at the initial level, it can lead to an anxiety disorder or other behavioral issues. Hence it is very important and necessary to identify the early symptoms of anxiety in dogs and hence find the right cure.
How would you know your dog has anxiety? Sometimes it becomes quite difficult as a pet parent to identify the early signs of anxiety in dogs. Besides, it is also true that anxiety can be cured in dogs only when identified at an early stage. Here we will discuss a few common causes, triggers, and symptoms of anxiety in dogs to help pet parents find easy prevention of the condition.
Causes and common triggers of dog anxiety
Dog anxiety has several causes behind it. But among all, some of the most common causes are separation, fear, aging, etc.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most common forms of anxiety found in dogs. It is estimated that around 14 percent of dogs are affected by separation. Dogs with separation anxiety often develop inappropriate behavior when left alone in the house for long hours. The common symptoms include urinating or defecating in the house, chewing and destroying furniture, unnecessary barking, etc.
Age-related anxiety
Aging senior dogs often experience CDS or cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Old age dogs with CDS face extreme difficulty to learn, memorize, and percept. The level of awareness in the dogs also starts to decline. The condition is quite similar to the early stages of Alzheimer’s. With time, the condition leads to anxiety and confusion in senior dogs.
Common triggers and anxiety
There are a few common triggers or situations that can activate the anxiety symptoms in dogs. These triggers may include anything visual, audible, or a certain specific environment. For example, a few dogs feel uncomfortable and afraid of loud noise, strange people, or situations. Other specific visual stimuli or situations include hats, umbrellas, wooden or glass surfaces, a visit to the vet’s office, a car ride, etc.
Treatment for dog anxiety
The best and most appropriate way to treat anxiety in dogs is by consulting your vet. Why it Is important to consult a veterinarian is, he may help you identify if the anxiety situation in your dog is simply situational or a more serious issue. Besides, your vet can also identify if it is some other medications that are causing the anxiety symptoms in your dog.
Training and counterconditioning
Various training ways can help treat anxiety in dogs. Besides, counterconditioning is a way to change how your dog responds to common stimuli of anxiety. This is usually done by replacing the aggressive behavior in your dog under a triggering situation, with more desirable behavior. The behavior includes sitting calmly or focusing upon the owner.
Anxiety medications for dogs
One of the most common and conventional ways to treat anxiety disorder in dogs is by administering doctor-prescribed medications to your dog. Antidepressants and SSRIs are the common medications used to treat anxiety symptoms in dogs. A vet can also prescribe benzodiazepine along with antidepressants to deal with triggering situations like fireworks, thunderstorms, car rides, etc.
CBD oil for anxiety in dogs
CBD is a compound found in cannabis and hemp plants that help cure various health conditions including anxiety, stress, and depression in both dogs and humans. A few websites like https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/national-marketplace/best-cbd-oil-for-dogs-2021 contain the necessary information by experts to offer a detailed insight into the benefits and uses of CBD oil for dogs. The website can also guide you in buying the best CBD oil for anxiety in dogs.
Why pet owners prefer CBD oil over conventional medicine is, it doesn’t cause any adverse side effects on your pet like conventional medicines. According to anecdotal reports from dog owners, CBD oil has helped them treat anxiety symptoms in their dogs.
