Could Dog Anxiety Medications Benefit Your Pup?

Dog anxiety affects dogs of different breeds and ages. While some dogs only feel anxious in fleeting moments, others struggle with it continually. Some dogs suffer from anxiety that is so debilitating it negatively affects their life. Dog anxiety medication is a great solution for many canines, but is it right for yours? 

Causes of Dog Anxiety

Dogs feel a range of emotions, and a small amount of anxiety is completely normal. Regular bouts of anxiety can start to decrease your dog’s quality of life, though. Anxiety in dogs is caused by:

• Fear: Unexpected sounds, visitors, or even animals can scare your dog enough to make him feel anxious. If your dog already has a tendency to feel anxious at baseline, fear can make him feel a lot worse. 
• Separation: Some dogs have severe anxiety when left on their own. This anxiety could result in anything from accidents in the house to barking or destroying furniture.
• Age: Some dogs develop cognitive issues as they age. This might affect their vision, memory, and even their ability to learn. As they become unfamiliar with their daily life, it can cause significant anxiety.

It is best to talk with a veterinarian as soon as you notice that your dog is struggling with anxiety. Not taking action might let the anxiety get worse and strip the joy from daily activities. Sometimes behavior modification or desensitization can be enough to calm your dog’s anxiety. In other cases, the vet might decide to prescribe dog anxiety medication to help your dog live their best life.

When Can Anxiety Pills for Dogs Help?

If your dog’s anxiety is negatively impacting their life, it might be time to talk to your veterinarian about medication options. Some signs your dog’s anxiety is becoming too much to deal with are:

• Repetitive pacing
• Destroying items or furniture in your home
• Obsessive chewing or licking
• Urinating or defecating inside the house
• Depression
• Aggression 
• Panting
• Drooling

All of these could be symptoms of a serious anxiety issue that could get worse without help.

Dog Anxiety Medication Options

There is a wide variety of both over-the-counter and prescription medications to help with dog anxiety. If your dog has a mild case of anxiety, a supplement or Adaptil collar might be enough to help. If the anxiety is severe, you might get a prescription for one of the following:

• Prozac
• Trazodone
• Gabapentin
• Fluoxetine
• Alprazolam
• CBD

Veterinary Supervision

It is extremely important to work closely with a veterinarian when giving a dog medication for anxiety. Some drugs can have side effects that can affect your dog’s behavior. There can also be health side effects that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Working closely with your vet is the best way to find the right medication and the right dose for your dog.
At OVRS, we want you to have access to the specialty veterinary services and helpful resources you need. You should feel confident in your pet ownership journey so you can give your pet the best life. To learn more about our services and how we can help with anxiety, please call (248) 334-6877.