As dog owners, we often view our beloved furry companions as sources of unending joy, eager to wag their tails at every chance. But behind some dogs’ seemingly cheerful exteriors may lie an internal world of anxiety that manifests itself in various forms and has an adverse impact on a dog’s wellbeing. In this blog, we will unravel anxiety in dogs by uncovering its causes, recognising signs, and finding effective solutions.
A Brief Pause: What Is Dog Anxiety?
As with humans, dogs may also exhibit anxious behaviours when exposed to stress or changes that cause significant disruptions. Thunderstorms, separation and even unexpected visitors are common triggers of dog anxiety. Understanding these triggers is the most important part to helping our four-legged friends lead happier lives.
Why Are Canines Anxious: Causes and Solutions
Fear-Related Anxiety
Think about fireworks cracking unexpectedly or the presence of an intimidating vacuum cleaner being unfamiliar or perceived as threats by your dog, both of which can lead to fear-related anxiety in them. Such anxiety may also arise due to unexpected life changes or trauma. Also, prolonged exposure without any adequate management may result in long-term anxiety symptoms that would need constant care management to alleviate.
Separation Anxiety
One of the top forms of dog anxiety is separation anxiety. When they are left alone, some dogs may panic and engage in destructive behaviour or vocalised displays. This condition often arises among newly acquired rescue animals with troubled backgrounds or dogs who have never experienced extended time apart from their owners.
Age-Related Anxiety
Cognitive decline can increase anxiety levels as dogs age. Commonly referred to as cognitive dysfunction syndrome, this condition is comparable to Alzheimer’s in people. Older dogs may become disoriented, forget familiar routines, and show increased signs of irritation.
Spotting the Signs of Anxiety in Dogs
Anxiety can surface in various forms in dogs, mirroring human symptoms. Barking, pacing, panting and trembling may all indicate anxiety in a dog. More subtle signs include withdrawal, changes in appetite or becoming unusually shy or clingy. Owners who understand their pets well will be best equipped to detect such changes quickly.
The Calm Before the Storm: Managing and Preventing Anxiety
Training and Socialisation
Early socialisation and training of puppies is very important to combatting anxiety in dogs. Exposing puppies to different environments, people, and animals will prove invaluable. Training should include positive reinforcement techniques which teach your pups to associate positive experiences with potential sources of tension or stressors.
Environmental Enrichment
Ensuring that your dog has an engaging environment can significantly alleviate stress. By adding toys, games, and puzzles into their daily routine, it helps keep their minds active while combating boredom. Regular exercise and play are excellent physical ways of channelling excess energy. Activities like fetch, agility training, or discovering new walking routes add excitement and novelty, decreasing anxiety. Change of pace activities not only release pent-up energy but also promote positive emotional states that support their overall wellbeing. By meeting both mental and physical needs simultaneously, owners can better manage or prevent anxious behaviours in their dog, ultimately contributing to happier, healthier pets.
Thundershirts and Pheromone Therapy
Thundershirts are innovative products created to provide relief to dogs during stressful situations by applying gentle pressure against their bodies in a steady fashion. Thundershirts provide pressure that has the same comforting effect of being wrapped up snugly, which can be especially helpful during thunderstorms or fireworks displays. Pheromone diffusers may also prove effective tools for relieving anxiety in dogs. These diffusers release synthetic pheromones designed to simulate the scent of mother dogs, providing a more soothing environment and relieving stress-related behaviours in pets. When combined, thundershirts and pheromone therapy provide non-invasive options that can significantly enhance a dog’s security and wellbeing, helping to manage anxiety and stress-related behaviours.
Professional Help: Behavioural Therapy and Medication
In persistent or severe cases, getting professional advice from a veterinary behaviourist may be a good idea. They specialise in customising behaviour modification plans to address individual concerns while in certain instances medication may also be recommended to reduce anxiety effectively.
CBD Oil for Dogs
CBD (cannabidiol), extracted from hemp plants, has become a popular natural solution to ease canine anxiety. As non-psychoactive, this natural treatment does not produce the “high” associated with marijuana use. Many pet owners report its success at calming their pet without noticeable side effects. It may work by engaging the endocannabinoid system which plays an integral role in mood regulation and stress regulation. When considering CBD oil for dogs, choose high quality products and consult your vet regarding dosage to ensure it remains safe.
Conclusion
Our responsibility as dog owners is to ensure their wellbeing and happiness. Understanding the causes and signs of anxiety in dogs early can help reduce its impact. Using appropriate management techniques or getting professional advice when needed may result in happier paws. After all, life without worry means life worth barking about.
