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Anti Anxiety Meds For Dogs Over The Counter & Prescription: Complete Guide

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anti anxiety meds for dogs

Dogs happen to be very sensitive animals and can get anxious over little things, which can lead to the development of anxiety issues in them. Certain symptoms, such as loss of appetite and not being very playful, can confirm that they are having some trouble. To get out of this situation and come back to their own original state, there are various anti anxiety meds for dogs. In this blog, we will be discussing some common, over-the-counter, and prescription anti-anxiety meds for dogs. This will be very helpful in case your dog also faces such an issue in the future.

Anxiety In Dogs

Anxiousness in dogs is common in both pets and wild. The wild ones are more prone to anxiety issues because they are in a state of constant alertness, which can harm their mental health. In the case of pets, these issues can arise due to several reasons, such as being separated from the owner, a visit to the vet, or travelling. Some breeds are naturally anxious, which cannot be changed.

Symptoms

Various visible symptoms can be noticed if they start to develop any anxiety issues. Such as:

  • Shaking
  • Restlessness
  • Yawning
  • Tucked tail
  • Excessive barking
  • Aggression
  • Being extra clingy
  • Destructive behaviour
  • Reduction in water intake

Remedies

Various options are available, which can be helpful for the dog to cope with their anxiety issues. If they are just in the initial phase, then you can try various effective natural options available. But if their condition has already worsened, then taking medicine will be the best choice to deal with the situation. We will discuss both of those available methods, and you can choose which is best for your pet.

Natural

  • Aromatherapy: This method involves using various aromatic substances to gain a sense of calmness that provides relaxation. As dogs have a good sense of smell naturally so this method tends to be quite useful for them.
  • Exercise: This can help maintain their overall health and keep them fit both mentally and physically. It also boosts the production of Serotonin, which boosts their mood naturally.
  • Massage: This can be the most relaxing technique and is especially needed after any frightful experience, such as visiting a vet, experiencing thunder, or being separated from their owner.
  • Valerian: This is a natural sedative and increases the level of neurotransmitters in the brain, which stops the hyperactivity and promotes calmness.
  • Herbal supplements: These are the best methods for the treatment instead of using those artificial drugs, which can cause a bunch of side effects.
  • Music: Certain genres of music, like classical, soft rock, and reggae, can play an essential role in creating a peaceful environment by blocking loud noises from outside. This is extremely important during the time of fireworks or any other noisy atmosphere.

These natural remedies must be the first line of treatment in the early stages of the symptoms. If these methods work out well, then you do not have to switch to anxiety medication for dogs, but rather continue with this. You also do not have to worry about any side effects that might happen to your dog while using these natural forms of treatment.

Anti Anxiety Meds For Dogs

For the dogs who have severe anxiety issues, natural remedies won’t be effective for them since the process is much slower. These dogs need options that would provide faster relief. To cater to this situation, there are various prescription anti-anxiety meds for dogs, which would be very useful for them.

Let’s discuss all the available anti anxiety drug for dogs.

Common Anti-Anxiety Meds For Dogs

Various options for dog anxiety medication are available. Such as:

  • Xanax
  • Amitriptyline
  • Buspirone
  • Clomipramine
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Diazepam
  • Fluoxetine
  • Lorazepam
  • Paroxetine
  • Sertraline

Anti anxiety Meds For Dogs Over The Counter

There are several over-the-counter options available, which will be of great help for your dog. These are even more often recommended by the vets and have also proven their efficiency in various cases.

They are:

  • Dog calming treat: There is a wide variety of food available in the market these days, which can make your pet calm after taking them. They provide a sense of calmness and can also boost their mood to become more cheerful and feel less gloomy.
  • Diffusers: Diffusers: Certain available options, like Pheromone diffusers, can be especially helpful in the case of dogs who suffer from separation anxiety. The diffusers give an illusion of being in contact with their owner or their own species. In small puppies, these can be extremely useful by providing them with a sensation of being with their mother.
  • Compression Garments: These are specially designed to provide the dogs with a sense of warmth in their torso, to give a feeling of a warm hug. Most of the vets have started recommending these due to their increased effectiveness. We can compare the effects of these garments with the feeling of a human baby when it’s swaddled. An example of this compression garment is ThunderShirt.

Anti anxiety Meds for Dogs for Travel

Most of the dogs can travel fine without any need for special medication or attention. But in certain breeds, they are quite anxious and require special attention. You can ask the vet for a detailed plan for the things that need to be taken care of if your dog is not a good traveller. Those Over-the-counter options can also be useful, but if their symptoms are severe, then there are various strong anti anxiety meds for dogs available.

They are:

Side Effects of Anti Anxiety Meds For Dogs

The dogs can face several side effects after taking several medications to deal with their anxiety issues. These effects can vary depending on the doses and their body’s capability to handle the effects of the medication.

The symptoms noticed are:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Sedation
  • Agitation
  • Drooling
  • Seizures
  • Allergies
  • Lethargy
  • Sluggishness
  • Hyperactivity

Conclusion

We have already discussed all the best anti-anxiety meds for dogs. Now this blog can be very useful and end your search for daily anti-anxiety meds for dogs. Be gentle with them and update about their situation regularly to the vet. Make sure that your dog is taking all their medications and food properly on time. Be calm and handle them with patience to help them recover fast and be cheerful again.

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