Dogs can experience a variety of anxiety disorders, some of which can be seriously crippling. We want to help as pet parents, but the treatment and medication options are confusing.
Your best options are a skilled dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement and your veterinarian. As part of your pet’s treatment after your dog has received a clean bill of health from the vet, they might suggest a dog anxiety medication.
Regardless of the medication your vet prescribes, you must also implement behavior-modification procedures to assist your dog in overcoming their anxiety.
Prescription anti-anxiety medications and behavior-modification therapy are frequently the best treatments for moderate to severe anxiety. These are not quick fixes, however.
Dogs typically require treatment for four weeks or more before the medication’s effectiveness is fully apparent, and treatment must continue for at least another two weeks after an adequate response is seen.
Dog Anxiety Meds: Frequently Asked Questions
Dog anxiety medication can be tricky to understand. As a result, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about canine anxiety medications below.
Does your dog need anxiety medication?
Of course, before giving any pet an anxiety medication, you should always seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Your veterinarian may inquire about your dog’s behavior and how he responds to training when you visit for an evaluation.
With the caveat that medication doesn’t actively teach new behavioral responses, the answers to these questions help to determine precisely what approach may be relevant for a given pet, says Dr Pachel told The Dodo.
Here are some questions your vet might ask:
Following a consultation with your veterinarian, you might learn that, in some circumstances, behavioral modification is all that is required and that dog anxiety medication is not always necessary.
Clubs Offering:
Just like humans, dogs experience anxiety. While unpleasant, it is a normal and also healthy emotion. All breeds of dogs can experience dog anxiety, but each dog may experience it differently. Although all dogs occasionally experience anxiety, if excessive levels of anxiety go unchecked, a dog can develop an anxiety disorder. Dog anxiety, if untreated, can result in behavioral and other problems.
We’re here to explain everything you need to know about dog anxiety — common causes, symptoms, and treatments. How do you know if your dog has anxiety? Additionally, we’ll discuss top tips for anxiety prevention. This way, you’ll have all the information you need as an owner to help if your dog ever develops anxiety.
FAQ
How long does it take for anxiety medication to work in dogs?
When given orally, anxiety medications for dogs can start working in as little as 20 to 30 minutes, but it may take weeks or even months to determine whether they’re going to be helpful for your dog.
How do I know if my dog needs anxiety medication?
- Sudden unexplained aggression.
- extreme anxiety about being alone, which can lead to destructive behavior or escape attempts
- Constant barking, growling, or whining.
- Even when your dog doesn’t have fleas or a wound, obsessional behavior like constant licking may be present.
- Unexplained fear.
What is the best treatment for anxiety in dogs?
The best medications for treating canine anxiety include Paxil (paroxetine) (antidepressant), Xanax (alprazolam) (benzodiazepine GABA receptor agonist), Clomipramine (anafranil), (tricyclic antidepressant), and amitriptyline (antidepressant).
How do dogs act on anxiety meds?
Excessive barking or howling are signs of anxiety medication side effects in dogs. Inappropriate elimination (urination and defecation). This doesn’t always mean that housebreaking training didn’t work. Chewing or licking, sometimes injuring himself or causing lick granulomas.