Pet health
Dog Anxiety Article
How To Get Rid Of Your Dog’s Anxiety
Dogs are pack animals. If we leave them alone, even it’s just for a short while, they become anxious and nervous. This is referred to scientifically as separation anxiety, the most common form of canine anxiety.
Dogs become anxious because of their natural evolutionary programming. Their instinct is to seek other pack members so they are safe and protected. When they are alone and cannot find anyone else, their instinct tells them to be nervous.
Anxiety in your pet is very difficult to understand and deal with. As in humans, it is a complicated problem that can have different origins. Here are a few of the biggest symptoms of anxiety, where they come from, and how to treat them.
(Onset Of Anxiety In Dogs Infographic)
Why Do Dogs Get Anxious?
Fear and neglect are the biggest causes of anxiety in dogs.
Neglect comes as dogs mature. When they are puppies they are given massive amounts of attention, and nurtured all day. Everyone thinks they are so cute and wants to make sure they are safe. When they grow old, owners think they are more independent, and worry about them less.
It’s a huge change! They go from being the center of attention 24/7, to basically ignored. This neglect is the most common source of anxiety in dogs. As pack animals, they need companionship and love. When they don’t get enough of either, the anxiety sets in.
Fear is the second biggest cause of anxiety in dogs. It is always a response to something: a stranger, another dog, or some situation. Fear is important for safety. It is an instinct that lets your dog know to watch out for danger.
Fear is completely normal and a tool for survival. It protects your dog in situations where he could be hurt or attacked. However sometimes your dog will overreact. He might feel fear when it’s not appropriate -- for example when he meets someone new or the mailman comes to the door. These incorrect responses create anxiety that can cause your dog have a lower quality of life.
Rarer Sources Of Anxiety
The vast majority of dog anxiety cases will either be caused by neglect or fear. However, there are rare situations in which something else will be the cause.
For example, phobias are present in dogs just like they are in humans. Humans might fear heights, bugs, or snakes, while dogs fear loud thunderstorms and fireworks. While these might seem like normal occurrences for us humans, to dogs they can be huge causes of anxiety.
Some dogs can also even face idiopathic fear -- a tremendous amount of anxiety from an unknown cause. It is a rare condition, but will cause your dog to isolate himself and avoid certain people, situations, or actions that he might have once loved.
This problem is more likely to be found in certain breeds: Poodles, Huskies, Border Collies, Great Pyrenees, and a few others.
How To Tell If Your Dog Has Anxiety
If your dog is prone to anxiety, the first signs will appear when your dog is one to three years old. The first year of life is where dogs develop their social skills. For one reason or another, some pets fall behind and can’t read other dogs as well. These dogs get more anxious because they think other dogs want to harm them. It is a problem, but something your dog can definitely work through.
Extreme bouts of anxiety that can lead to idiopathic fear appear much earlier, when the puppy is eight to ten months old. Regardless of their social skills, most dogs become more anxious and fearful as they age. This can just be because of age itself, or a result of other factors such as:
- Previous diseases or medical conditions
- Failing senses
- Past Mental Trauma
- Loss of bowel control
- Past Physical Injuries
Exactly What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is often caused by fear, so think about it like any other fear. It might be irrational, but it still has very specific origins and signs. The effects of anxiety are the psychological and physical response to what your dog’s body sees as a danger. Your pet’s responses can be anything from whining and hiding, to barking and aggressive behavior. There are many different possible sources of anxiety. They can be past experiences, illnesses, and injuries, or psychological problems such as loneliness.
It is hard to understand and counteract anxiety. Remember that whatever the cause is, it is a serious medical condition that is lowering your dog’s quality of life.
How to Tell If Your Dog Has Anxiety
While it can be hard to diagnose, here are the most common signs your dog is anxious:
- Repeated random howling, whining, and barking
- Panic attacks
- Neediness
- Constant need for attention and companionship
- Hiding in quiet areas for no reason
- Agression
- Behaviors such as tearing up carpets and chewing shoes.
- Diarrhea and vomiting
Some breeds are genetically prone to anxiety. They have more anxiety since birth, and can develop it more easily than other dogs. These include: Greyhounds, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles, German Shepherds, and Border Collies.
These breeds are especially prone to anxiety because they have a special need for strong relationships. When they are isolated from their “pack” they get much more worried than other dogs. Still, every type of dog breed experiences some form of anxiety.
If your dog is one of the above breeds, and/or you notice some of the listed behaviors, you should see your vet immediately. While you can try to see if he has anxiety yourself, your vet has more experience and better equipment. Don’t worry, it might be a minor condition and something completely different. It’s still important to know and identify any other problems your dog might have.
How To Tell If Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common problem in dogs. THe biggest signs are when your dog barks after being left alone, or when a special person leaves their side. Depending on the dog, behavior may range from just barking to chewing shoes and and destroying furniture.
Next time you leave your dog, pay attention to his behavior. If he begins to act sad, anxious, or nervous it will tell you he is afraid of being left alone. Other big signs are random drooling or your dog trying to stop you from getting out the door.
A lot of people mistake separation anxiety with an aggressive or untrained dog. If he only behaves like a bad dog when you leave, he probably just knows he is going to miss you.
How To Get Rid Of Dog Anxiety With A Home Remedy
Your Dog’s Diet should have a wide range of vitamins and nutrients. These will boost his physical and mental functions. Nutrients makes his fur healthier and give him more energy, but also improve your dog’s mood and mental health. Regular exercise is also extremely important for your pet’s health. Just like in humans, exercise benefits both the body and the mind.
High amounts of exercise leads to what is known as “runner’s high.” Certain chemicals are released in the brain, creating a sense of happiness and well being. Exercise also gets rid of your dog’s extra energy, relaxing him and allowing him to sleep better. You’ll be amazed when you see how much one walk around the neighborhood or run in the park can do for your pet. Your pet’s mind needs just as much exercise as their body. There a few different ways to do this: hide their food around your house and backyard so they have to “hunt” for it or buy special puzzle toys for them. Their mind will get tired just like their body Your dog will release stress, sleep better, and have less anxiety.
Regular mental and physical exercise is essential for having a happy, healthy, stress free dog.
An All Natural Product That Gets Rid Of Your Dog’s Anxiety
New studies have shown the positive effects CBD has on the canine nervous system. Forget about prescription medicines -- why give them something artificial and man made if you don't have to? Studies have shown CBD can reduce anxiety in animals.
We came up with PurCBD so that you could have an all natural way to manage your dog’s anxiety. Pet Owners have reported huge improvements from just a few drops a day.
How does it work? Check out this series to understand CBD fully. In short: it’s so effective at improving your dog’s health because it boosts his or her own nervous system. Instead of bombarding your pet’s body with foreign drugs, it gives it the tools to be relaxed and anxiety-free all on its own.
Hundreds of pet owners have left PurCBD 5 star reviews. Here is one:
Rebecca MacDonaldsaid: CBD Oil works wonderfully
This product is also wonderful during thunderstorm season as well as fireworks season. I've given it to my 4 year old German shepherds rescue (94 pounds) as instructed and she simply follows me around when any of the above is happening which is huge difference from before.
She was terrified of thunderstorms and would run the length of the house, panting and barking. Now she sighs and follows me around lol which is much more peaceful for the both of us! She is much calmer and relaxed instead of that fight or flight mode. Try this- it's so much better than those prescription pills and it's affordable!!
If you’ve never tried CBD before, there’s a lot of information on the web. Check out our site, and any other reputable sources. It might be intimidating, but it can be worth it: just imagine your dog being happy and anxiety free. Whenever you are ready, take a look at PurCBD. Hundreds of reviews show it can help manage dozens of medical conditions. Your dog’s good health can be here before you know it.
Order now, and get a special first time customer discount.
0 comments