Are Boxers high anxiety dogs
10 Medications for Dog Anxiety
Dogs can experience different types of anxiety or behavioral disorders, some of which can be truly debilitating. As pet parents, we want to help, but were faced with many confusing treatment and medication options.
Your veterinarian is the first stop for the best resources fortreating dog anxiety. Once your vet has given your dog a clean bill of health, they can start to make recommendations for your dogs treatment. Treatment plans for anxiety often require the help of aveterinary behavioristor alicensed dog trainer. As part of a behavior modification plan, your veterinarian may also recommend a medication for your dog's anxiety.
How Dog Anxiety Medications Work
No matter which medication your veterinarian chooses, you will also need to put behavior-modification protocols in place to help your dog work through their anxiety.
Because anxiety in dogs can present in such a wide variety of ways (such asfear, stress, impulsivity, obsessive behaviors,aggression,panic disorders, andnoise phobiasor aversions) there are medications available for both short-term and long-term use.Regardless of the type of medication your dog is prescribed, there are no quick fixes and working with a certified behaviorist or trainer is the best way to help resolve your pets abnormal behavior.
For conditions that require long-term medical treatment, dogs may need to be treated for four to six weeks before the effectiveness of the medication becomes fully evident, and treatment needs to continue for at least two months after a response is observed.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Treatment
Some dogs can eventually be weaned off anti-anxiety medications, while others require long-term treatment. Dogs that are on medications for six months or longer should have yearly checkups and blood work done, as well as and periodic behavior reevaluations to ensure their current treatment plan is still the best option for their needs.
Some anxiety or stress triggers (such as car rides, trips to the veterinarian, orthunderstorms) may benefit from the use of short-term medications that take effect quickly and only last for a short period of time. These medications are often not designed to be used consistently.
Common Anxiety Medications for Dogs
A quick note: Fluoxetine and Sileo are FDA-approved for use in dogs. The other medications are all human medications, used off-label in dogs. The term off-label or extra-label use means that a medication can be used in a way or in a particular species that are not specified on the medication label. Off- or extra-label use of a medication can only be done by a veterinarian who has direct and personal knowledge of your dog and when there are no other appropriate medications for a particular dog's circumstances.
These medications are often given in tablets that are too large for dogs, so they may need to becompounded by a specialty pharmacyinto a flavored chewable tablet, capsule, liquid, or transdermal medication.
Here are the most commonly prescribed dog anxiety medications.
1. Alprazolam (Xanax)
Indications:phobias, fear, panic disorders
Alprazolam is often prescribed to help dogs who become anxious during thunderstorms, but it may also be used for other types of situational anxiety.
Its a member of the benzodiazepine class of sedatives, which work by depressing activity in certain parts of the central nervous system (the exact mechanism of action hasnt been identified). This is a short-acting medication that takes effect quickly and can be used up to four times a day. Alprazolam is most effective when given at the earliest sign of anxiety, ideally 3060 minutes before your pup is exposed to the trigger. If this medication is ever used long-term, it should not be stopped suddenly.
Potential side effects include:
Lethargy
Sedation
Incoordination
Increased appetite
2. Amitriptyline
Indications:separation anxiety, reactivity, anxious aggression, or more generalized anxious tendencies
Amitriptylineis a tricyclic antidepressant medication that works, in part, by increasing the levels of the nervous system chemical messengers serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood. It should not be used withpets that have diabetesorepilepsy.
This medication takes one to four weeks to take effect and must be given twice daily. Amitriptyline is dispensed in the form of tablets that are given with or without food. Dogs should be gradually tapered off of amitriptyline if they have been on the medication for more than a week or two.
Potential side effects include:
Constipation
Lethargy
Sedation
Holding of urine
Dilated pupils
3. Buspirone
Indications:phobias, social anxiety, mild generalized anxiety
Buspironeis a member of the azaperone class of anxiolytics. This medication requires continued use to be effective, so its not helpful for dogs that suffer from situational anxieties like thunderstorm phobias.
It appears to work as a mild anti-anxiety medication because it, in part, activates serotonin and dopamine receptors within the brain.
This medication takes up to six weeks to take effect and may need to be given two to three times a day. Buspirone is generally dispensed as tablets and given with or without food.
Potential side effects include:
4. Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
Indications:separation anxiety, situational anxiety, compulsive disorders, irritability
Clomipramineis the first FDA-approved treatment forseparation anxiety in dogs. It can also be prescribed for other types of anxiety.
Its a tricyclic antidepressant medication that works, in part, by increasing the levels of the nervous system chemical messengers serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood.
This medication can take four to six weeks for a therapeutic effect to be seen, and up to two months is needed to determine whether its beneficial for a dog. Clomipramine should be given twice daily and should not be stopped abruptly.
Clomipramine is dispensed as tablets that are given with or without food.
Potential side effects include:
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Agitation
Sedation
Increased heart rate
Dry mouth
Decreased appetite
5. Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
Indications:situational anxiety, noise phobias, aversions
Sileohas been approved by the FDA to help dogs with noise aversion. Its an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist that works, in part, by depressing activity in certain parts of the brain, which results in reduced anxiety levels, among other effects.
The drug works best when given 3060 minutes before a triggering noise event or at the earliest sign that a dog is becoming anxious.
Sileo is dispensed in a multidose tube as a transmucosal gel. The medication shouldnt be swallowedinstead, its absorbed through the mucus membranes when applied between the cheek and gums. You will need to wear waterproof disposable gloves when handling the syringe and administering the medication.
Potential side effects include:
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Facial swelling
Sedation
Decreased heart rate
Dry eye
6. Diazepam (Valium)
Indications:situational anxiety, panic disorders, noise aversion, phobia
Whenever possible, diazepam should be given to dogs 3060 minutes in advance of an event thats known to cause anxiety. The drug can also be given at the earliest sign that a dog is becoming anxious, but it works best when given beforehand.
Its a member of the benzodiazepine class of sedatives, which work by depressing activity in certain parts of the central nervous system. Diazepam is a short-acting medication that takes effect quickly and can be used up to four times a day. If this medication is ever used long-term, it should not be stopped suddenly.
Potential side effects include:
Lethargy
Sedation
Incoordination
Increased appetite
Agitation
Aggression
7. Fluoxetine (Reconcile or Prozac)
Indications:separation anxiety, aggression, compulsive behaviors, impulsivity
Fluoxetineis FDA-approved for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs. It can also be prescribed for other types of anxiety and behavior issues, such as compulsive chewing, circling, self-mutilation (pulling fur out or licking skin compulsively), and even aggression.
Fluoxetineis a member of the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medications. SSRIs prevent receptors in the brain from removing the nervous system chemical messenger serotonin, which allows for higher serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin helps with mood regulation. Higher serotonin levels can help to reduce anxiety, impulsivity, and aggression.
Fluoxetine can take four to six weeks to take effect and should be given daily.
Potential side effects include:
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Agitation
Sedation
Lethargy
Urine holding
8. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Indications:situational anxiety, phobias, fear anxiety, panic disorders
Lorazepam is a short-acting medication that takes effect in about 30 minutes. Whenever possible, lorazepam should be given to dogs in advance of an event that is known to cause anxiety. The drug can also be given at the earliest sign that a dog is becoming anxious. This medication should not be stopped abruptly if you have been giving it long-term.
This medication is classified as a benzodiazepine and works by promoting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the brain. GABA inhibits the effects of excitatory nerve signals in the brain, resulting in a calming effect on your pet.
Potential side effects include:
Lethargy
Sedation
Incoordination
Increased appetite
Excitement
Aggressive behavior
9. Paroxetine (Paxil)
Indications:generalized anxiety, anxious aggression and anxiety-related behaviors, fear of noises, self-mutilation
Paroxetine is a member of the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medications, which prevents receptors in the brain from removing the nervous system chemical messenger serotonin. This allows for higher serotonin levels in the brain.
Paroxetine can take four to six weeks to take effect and should be given once daily. Do not stop giving this medication abruptly if your dog has been on it long-term.
Potential side effects include:
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Drooling
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Agitation
Sedation
Lethargy
Urine holding
10. Sertraline (Zoloft)
Indications:separation anxiety, anxiety disorders, impulsivity disorders, thunderstorm phobia, compulsive behaviors, fear-based aggression
Sertraline is a member of the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medications. SSRIs prevent receptors in the brain from removing the nervous system chemical messenger serotonin, which allows for higher serotonin levels in the brain.
Serotonin helps with mood regulation. Higher serotonin levels can help to reduce anxiety, impulsivity, and aggression.
Sertraline, like other SSRIs can take four to six weeks to take full effect and should be given daily. It may be beneficial to taper dogs off of sertraline if they have been on the medication for two months or longer.
Potential side effects include:
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Agitation
Sedation
Urine holding
Dog Anxiety Medications FAQs
What is the best drug for anxiety in dogs?
Treating anxiety in dogs usually starts with a vet visit to discuss the concerns and rule out medical causes. Before starting medications, your vet may want you to work with a dog trainer or behaviorist. If medications are needed, your vet will help determine the right choice for your dog.
How can I calm my anxious dog down?
Helping a dog with anxiety often starts by determining the trigger, such as any medical conditions, pain, separation, thunderstorms, and more. Talk to your veterinarian about your pets anxiety to help determine the cause and how best to treat it. This may include working with a trainer or behaviorist, creating a safe space, increasing exercise, or medications.
Can you train anxiety out of a dog?
Your veterinarian may suggest working with a behaviorist or trainer to help your dog with their anxiety. Training to redirect their anxious behaviors and help them cope with their anxiety can dramatically reduce their stress.
Can I give my dog Benadryl for anxiety?
Can I give my dog melatonin for anxiety?
Melatonin can be useful in helping some dogs with anxiety to relax. To determine the best treatment plan for your dogs anxiety, it is recommended to consult with their vet.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Photography by Adri
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer Coates, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary...
Anxiety in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment
Just like humans, dogs experience anxiety. While unpleasant, it is a normal and also healthy emotion. Dog anxiety can affect allbreeds, but may affect each individual dog differently. Although it is something that all dogs experience from time to time, if disproportionate levels of anxiety are left unchecked, a dog can develop an anxiety disorder. If left untreated, dog anxiety can lead to behavioral and other issues.
How do you know if your dog has anxiety? What can you do to treat dog anxiety? Were here to explain everything you need to know about dog anxiety common causes, symptoms, and treatments. Additionally, well discuss top tips for anxiety prevention. This way, if your dog ever does suffer from anxiety youll have all the knowledge you need as an owner to help.
Dog Anxiety: Causes
According to theMerck Veterinary Manual, dog anxiety can have a variety of causes. Some of the most common causes of dog anxiety are:
Fear-related anxietycan be caused by loud noises, strange people or animals, visual stimuli like hats or umbrellas, new or strange environments, specific situations like the vets office or car rides or surfaces like grass or wood floors. Although some dogs may only have brief reactions to these kind of stimuli, they may affect anxious dogs more consequentially.
Separation anxietyis estimated to affect around 14 percent of dogs. Dogs withseparation anxietyare unable to find comfort when they are left alone or separated from their family members. This anxiety often manifests itself in undesirable behaviors, such as urinating and defecating in the house, destroying furniture and furnishings, andbarking.
Age-related anxietyaffects older dogs and can be associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). In dogs with CDS, memory, learning, perception, and awareness start to decline, similar to the early stages of Alzheimers disease in humans. This understandably leads to confusion and anxiety insenior dogs.
Dog Anxiety: Symptoms
So how can you tell if your dog has anxiety? There are several important symptoms to look out for:
- Aggression
- Urinating or defecating in the house
- Drooling
- Panting
- Destructive behavior
- Depression
- Excessive barking
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
Some of these symptoms may be the result of occasional anxiety-causing events, but any of these can become recurrent and therefore, result in more serious issues. This being said, by far the most dangerous symptom of dog anxiety is aggression. This aggression can be targeted directly or indirectly, depending on the situation. Direct aggression occurs when a dog acts aggressively toward people or other animals. Indirect aggression can be equally dangerous, and often happens when a person comes between the dog and the source of the dogs aggression, such as another dog. Even if a dog is prevented from harming others, aggressive behaviors such asgrowlingor barking can lead to undesirable situations for humans and dogs, alike.
Urinating and defecating in the house is a common symptom of separation anxiety. Anxious dogs often work themselves up to the point that they pee or poop in the house, even if they are housebroken. This is frustrating for owners and can cause damage to property, not to mention the unpleasantness of the cleanup.
Destructive behavior is also common with separation anxiety. The damage is usually located around entry and exit points, like doorways and windows, but dogs in a state of heightened anxiety are also at risk of harming themselves. Attempts to break out of dog crates, windows, and even doors can result in painful injuries and expensive veterinary treatments.
Dog Anxiety: Treatment
The best way to treat anxiety is to talk with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you identify the type of anxiety your dog suffers from and the possible causes and triggers. Your veterinarian will also be able to help you determine if the anxiety is simply situational, or if it is becoming an overwhelming issue for your dog. Additionally, veterinarians can also rule out any other medical conditions that could be causing your dogs symptoms.
Your veterinarian will help you come up with a treatment plan. Since excessive anxiety is often caused by a variety of factors, the best way to treat it is usually through a combination of training, preventive strategies, and in some cases, medications.
Training and Counterconditioning
There are several training strategies owners can use to treat dog anxiety. One way is counterconditioning. The purpose of counterconditioning is to change your dogs response to the stimuli responsible for anxiety, usually by replacing the anxious or aggressive behavior with a more desirable behavior, like sitting or focusing on the owner.
Another training strategy is desensitization. The owner slowly introduces the dog to the source of anxiety, preferably in small doses and at a decreased intensity. Repeated exposure and rewarding positive behavior can go a long way toward managing anxiety.
You might want tocontact a professional dog trainerto help you choose the best approach for your dog, as training an anxious dog is not always easy.
Anxiety Medications for Dogs
If your dog develops a serious anxiety disorder, your veterinarian may recommend medications or natural therapies. SSRIs and antidepressants are occasionally prescribed for dogs with anxiety, including fluoxetine and clomipramine. For predictable anxiety-producing events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or car rides, your veterinarian might prescribe a medication such as benzodiazepine in conjunction with an antidepressant to help your dog cope with the stress.
Senior dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome may benefit from the drug selegiline, which can help reduce some of the symptoms of CDS. Selegiline is also used for treating chronic anxiety in Europe.
The Merck Veterinary Manual also states that natural therapies and products can help dogs with anxiety. Some products work best in conjunction with other medications, while others can be used alone, depending on your dogs case. Natural products use pheromones and aromatherapy to reduce anxiety. Talk to your veterinarian about the natural products best suited for your dog.
Using CBD Oil for Dog Anxiety
Some dogs owners have reported success in usingCBD oilto treat dog anxiety. CBD is a compound found in cannabis and hemp that dog owners, as well as humans, have found useful for treating a variety of different health conditions. Anecdotal reports from dog owners claim that CBD oil can be effective in treating dog anxiety.
Its important to note, however, that although many humans use CBD oil for anxiety treatment purposes, there is currently no scientific data on how using CBD oil affects dogs. Additionally, CBD products are not yet regulated meaning consistency and purity are not always validated. Therefore, if youre considering using CBD oil as a treatment for dog anxiety, its best to consult with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you determine if CBD oil might be a good treatment for your dogs anxiety, as well as discuss different products, possible side effects, and risks.
Learn about the CBD oil study being conducted by the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
Dog Anxiety: Prevention
It can be difficult to predict exactly what will make your dog anxious, and even more difficult to determine if your dogs anxiety will develop into a more serious disorder. However, there are ways to help a dog or puppy avoid anxiety-related problems.
Body Language
One of the best things you can do is learn toread dog body language. Knowing when your dog is uncomfortable or scared can help you avoid negative experiences or use them as a positive training moment. Body language can also tell you when a dog is getting anxious, which is especially useful if your dog has a history of aggression-related anxiety.
Socialization
Propersocializationcan prevent the development of anxiety. Introducing your dog to new people, dogs, animals, places, and experiences can help avoid an exaggerated response down the road, and also helps your dog become a well-adjusted canine citizen.
Obedience
Obedience trainingis an essential tool for preventing and managing dog anxiety. It lays the foundation of a healthy relationship and establishes trust. A well-trained dog is easier to socialize than a dog without training, and obedience classes are a great place for dogs to meet other dogs in a controlled environment.
Exercise and Nutrition
Regularexercise and stimulationare crucial for a dogs development, physical, and mental well-being. A stimulated dog is less likely to pick up destructive behaviors, andgood nutritionis equally important for your dogs health. Making sure you take care of your dogs physical and mental needs can help you prevent any behavior problems that dont stem from anxiety, letting you know the areas where your dog needs the most help.
Situation Avoidance
If your dog has been diagnosed with anxiety issues, you can also try to avoid or prevent situations that trigger your dogs anxiety. For example, if you know that your dog grows anxious around large groups of dogs, you should avoid dog parks. Avoidance does not mean that you need to put your life on hold, but it can reduce some of the stress on you and your dog.
If the source of the anxiety cannot be avoided, preventive measures like leashes, body harnesses, and, in some cases, basket muzzles, can prevent dangerous situations. Once you know your dogs triggers, you can prepare for these situations ahead of time.
Dog Anxiety: The Bottom Line
Like humans, many dogs will experience anxiety at some point throughout their lives. Although not all dogs will have anxiety that leads to a diagnosable anxiety disorder, its important to know the causes, symptoms, and treatment options involved with dog anxiety. Understanding these important facets can help you, as an owner, know the best ways to help your dog in anxiety-inducing situations. If you think that your dog might have an issue with anxiety, its best to consult your veterinarian your veterinarian can diagnose your dog, rule out any other health issues, and help you develop a treatment plan that best fits your dog and lifestyle.
