There is no high quality evidence that Adaptil works for separation anxiety in dogs. The one good study13 found that a DAP diffuser did not improve behaviours such as barking, scratching, whining, howling, trembling, nor heart rate, eye or ear temperature of dogs.
Dogs can experience anxiety, which is surprisingly common. Although dealing with anxiety in dogs can be difficult and even heartbreaking at times, there are drug-free products that can help manage mild to moderate cases and supplement existing anxiety treatment regimens. Adaptil Calming Spray for Dogs is one of them for some.
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How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Anxious? Signs of Canine Anxiety
More often than you might imagine, most dogs experience anxiety at least once in their lifetimes.
This can range from sudden worries as a senior to separation anxiety in a puppy. Don’t blame yourself if your dog exhibits anxiety; it may not always be a result of training or socialization. Some pups are just naturally nervous nellies.
While relatively common, canine anxiety isn’t always easy to spot. Some canines only show minor symptoms, while others exhibit a variety of symptoms.
Signs of anxiety in your dog can include:
Trembling
Excessive vocalizations (barking, crying, or whining)
Pacing
Excessive grooming (most commonly licking or chewing at feet)
Drooling
Hypervigilance
Destructive chewing
Restlessness
Indoor potty accidents
Have your dog examined by your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes if you notice any of these signs of stress or anxiety in her. After receiving a clean bill of health, you can talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s anxiety and come up with a plan, which may include using an Adaptil Diffuser.
Numerous methods, both natural and medical, are available to reduce canine anxiety. Every dog is different, so there isn’t a universal treatment for canine anxiety. Your dog may require more or less intervention than other dogs.
Common canine anxiety remedies include:
Calming supplements. Many pup parents opt for anti-anxiety products containing soothing ingredients like melatonin, L-tryptophan, and chamomile. Often formed into treats, tablets, and drops, these dog calming supplements are available for purchase without a prescription, though you should always check with your vet before offering any supplement to your pup, as they can interfere with existing medications and medical conditions.
Interactive toys. Some dog toys are great for anxiety, like plushies and puzzles. These work by comforting your dog or distracting her, particularly during high-stress times such as storms.
CBD. CBD products, including CBD oil, are growing in popularity with canines. Proven effective in combating anxiety in humans, CBD is derived from the cannabis plant, though it won’t get your dog high. Most contain only negligible amounts of THC, and isolated extracts contain none at all.
Compression garments. Compression garments (the most well-known being the Thundershirt) apply gentle, steady pressure to your dog’s body with a snug fit. This can ease anxiety and promote calming. They’re popular with dogs who suffer from storm and travel anxiety.
Calming Caps. Dog calming caps offer a slight variation on the classic compression garment – these head caps are designed to fit snuggly around your dog’s head and ears, providing gentle compression while also dampening sounds that can trigger reactive dogs.
Calming collars. Like the Adaptil, calming collars use synthetic pheromones to soothe doggos. Instead of dispersing them via a diffuser, they’re concentrated around a thin collar you place on your dog in addition to her usual collar or harness. These seek to calm your pet wherever she goes, indoors or out, making them attractive choices for pup parents on the go. Sometimes calming scents like lavender are used in place of synthetic pheromones, but these appear to be less effective.
White noise machines. White noise machines help cancel out anxiety-inducing sounds such as thunder, traffic, or even another dog barking. They’re beneficial for dogs suffering from storm and separation anxiety and work well for calming puppies adjusting to crate training.
Crating. A crate offers a safe retreat from the world and keeps your dog out of trouble, especially if she’s prone to separation anxiety. In fact, there are extra secure and sometimes darkened dog crates designed for separation anxiety. Most crate-trained dogs learn to love their crate and will often hang out inside, even when their owners are around and the crate door is left open.
Calming bed. Providing a safe, comfortable place to snuggle up can alleviate your dog’s anxiety, particularly if she struggles with settling at night. Specialized calming dog beds typically feature bolstered sides that help your dog feel secure, along with supportive foam and even heating elements.
Aromatherapy. Essential oils such as lavender and chamomile are often diffused for their calming effects. Aromatherapy is popular in all-natural circles, though special care should be taken, as many essential oils are harmful to dogs. Your pup’s nose is also far more sensitive than yours, so always use the less is more approach to avoid bothering your dog’s sniffer.
Reiki. This form of alternative healing has been around for a long while, though the results are unproven – especially when it comes to reiki for dogs. The goal is for the practitioner to transfer “life energy” onto a subject and promote healing. The relaxing nature of Reiki may help soothe your pup, but it shouldn’t be used alone when combating anxiety.
Medication. Dogs with severe anxiety or self-harming tendencies may benefit from prescribed or over-the-counter canine anxiety medication. Always check with your vet before administering any medication, as they can interact with existing medications or conditions.
As always, if your dog exhibits any anxious behaviors, speak with your veterinarian. It may be a sign of a health problem.
We can answer any queries you may have regarding the Dog Adaptil Diffuser.
No – at least, not to people. The synthetic pheromones used in the Dog Adaptil Diffuser cannot be detected by human noses. When first plugging in the device, some owners report a faint plastic odor; however, the diffuser itself is probably to blame for this. The scent is said to dissipate rather quickly.
Will Adaptil Help During Puppy Training Classes?
Young dogs, especially those who are already somewhat timid, may experience stress and anxiety from puppy-training classes. Some have questioned whether DAP is effective in these situations as a result of this.
Data suggests that dog-pleasing pheromone products can help to reduce training and socialization anxieties, possibly resulting in more effective sessions.
Over time, it was discovered that the dogs wearing DAP-containing collars had better socialization and were more adaptable to unfamiliar environments.
Again, the information is impressive, but the study only included fewer than 50 puppies. Additionally, it used phone interviews and owner-reported data, neither of which are the most trustworthy sources of information.
Numerous studies clearly show that dog-calming pheromone products like Adaptil have produced superior outcomes to some other canine anxiety treatments. But we would prefer to review more extensive studies conducted in home-based settings.
How to help
The treatment of dogs’ fireworks phobias involves two main components. Choosing the ideal mix of methods to suit each individual dog and taking action quickly enough to have an impact The gold standard, if it works, is behavior modification, which is frequently accomplished with the assistance of a behaviorist in an effort to address the issue at its root and assist the dog in realizing there is nothing to be afraid of. But not everyone may be able to do this for whatever reason. So we need to turn to ‘off the shelf’ methods.
Desensitisation – there are various ways to do this and it’s worth speaking to your vet for guidance. It basically involves exposing the dog to low volume sounds initially. Then gradually increasing the volume over a number of weeks with the aim of rewarding a lack of fear response. This is most commonly achieved by using a special CD or audio download
Nutraceuticals – these are natural products that are often based on traditional substances such as valerian, milk protein or milk thistle. There are few studies to prove their efficacy but similarly, they are unlikely to do any harm
Sedatives – sedatives are usually used in severe cases or as a last resort where other methods have failed. They can be highly effective and will act quickly but may come with side effects.
Pheromones – pheromones are substances that are released by an individual with the aim of influencing the behaviour of other individuals. The important one here is ‘dog appeasing pheromone’ which is released by lactating bitches to help calm the puppies. But interestingly, can also have calming effects on other adult dogs too. This is used as the basis for Adaptil.
With the exception of the sedatives, all of these frequently take days to weeks to take effect. Therefore, this is something that needs to be considered in advance.
FAQ
Do vets recommend ADAPTIL?
ADAPTIL is used and recommended by vets. ADAPTIL “comforting messages” helps dogs cope with stressful situations.
How quickly does ADAPTIL work?
A lot of dog owners begin to notice results within the first week. However, every dog is unique. It may take longer to notice an improvement depending on how long the symptoms have been present and how severe they may be. For at least one month, we advise using the ADAPTIL Calm On-The-Go Collar.
How long can you use ADAPTIL?
ADAPTIL® Collar will be effective for up to 4 weeks. Depending on your veterinarian’s advice, you might need to replace the collar after this period has passed.
Does ADAPTIL help anxiety?
Using ADAPTIL Transport Spray, sprayed into the vehicle or the dog’s carrier 15 minutes prior to departure, will comfort your dog and help to reduce their anxiety, reducing symptoms like trembling, panting, and restlessness while traveling.
