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Anxiety in dogs - What is it?
1. Use calming medicine or treatments
2. Explore calming products like treats
3. Play calming music for your dog
4. Train your anxious dog
5. Thundervest or calming jackets
6. Spend time with your dog
Most dogs are highly energetic characters who will go mad for food, treats, toys or even other pets. And as much as we love them, dealing with a dog that’s bouncing around all day, is no easy task. It’s proactive and responsible to know how to keep your dog calm in any environment to keep them and yourself safe. Scroll for our top 6 ways to calm down your pooch and signs of anxious behaviours to look out for.
Anxious behaviours and worries are particular to each dog, but there are 3 common types of anxiety that your pet might be experiencing.
Generalised anxiety is common among dogs and it suggests your dog shows one or more anxious behaviours. It can be triggered by loud noises, sudden changes in your pet’s environment or unfamiliar settings.
Situational anxiety is when your dog shows anxious behaviours in certain environments or scenarios, such as visiting the vet or during firework displays.
Separation anxiety is your dog worrying when they are isolated from you or alone for long periods of time.
Anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed to your dog by your vet if they are suffering from moderate to severe anxiety. This can be a temporary solution or help your dog forever, it just depends on your pet.
Some medications your vet might prescribe are:
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
If your dog struggles with situational anxiety, helping them in the moment is the best thing you can do. Calming treats and other products can help reduce your pet’s worries and anxious behaviours with natural and medicinal ingredients.
Most calming products include one or more of these ingredients:
L-tryptophan
Helps with your dog’s stress and aggression.
L-theanine
Helps relax your dog without drowsiness.
Passionflower
Naturally helps calm your dog.
Valerian root
Mildly sedates your dog to help treat fear of noise and loneliness.
Tasty, healthy treats for your four-legged friend. Our expertly blended treats are suitable for all cats and dogs, whether that's as an everyday treat in between meals. Or for calming, because your furball struggles in stressful situations.
Buy now or add treats to your plan for free delivery, every month, exactly when you need it.
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Music can have a soothing effect on your dog, just like it can do with humans. So when your dog is anxious or unsettled, calming music can help drown out any loud noises and distract them. There’s lots of different types of music that your dog can listen to like white noise or classical music - It’s good to try out a few different types of music to see which your dog reacts to best. Top tip! Dogs can hear higher frequencies than us humans can, so make sure the music is kept at a relaxing volume.
Some anxious behaviours can be ongoing and difficult to manage with calming products alone, that’s where you need to implement special training. Using a method called desensitisation, your dog is gradually exposed to the surroundings that make their worries worse, like hoover noises or knocks at the door.
For example, you start with introducing the vacuum cleaner into the room, let your dog sniff it and be comfortable with it. Then once you’ve done this a few times on different occasions, bring the vacuum cleaner in the room and turn it on but don’t use it. Finally once your dog is familiar with this, go ahead and clean.
This gradual approach can be used in many different scenarios and is best for pets with situational anxiety. This type of training can take time so be patient and persistent when introducing new things into your dog’s life.
For dogs with the shakes, or other physical anxiety behaviours then a weighted vest or jacket is helpful to ease their nerves. The constant heaviness of the vest provides a warming pressure to your dog, that reminds them of a cuddle or being held. Just like when you wear a raincoat, a calming vest can also give them the confidence that they are protected.
Not every tool to help make your dog calmer has to cost you money. By being there for your pet, you regularly reassure them and let them associate you with safety. You can comfort your dog by stroking them, brushing their fur gently or by simply being close to them. When your dog is feeling unsettled, don’t pick them up or smother them too much. It’s important to know that pets can become more anxious if they feel trapped or out of control.
Whether you use anxiety medication or training to calm your dog, the resources are out there (and within yourself) to support your pet.
Whether it’s your Labrador, Cockapoo, Terrier, Spaniel, Collie, Golden Retriever, or any other breed, Itch Flea Treatment is suitable and tailored for all dogs.
Itch Flea kills all adult fleas on your dog in 24 hours and halts all other life stages. Delivered for free, every month, exactly when you need it.
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