The love we have for our pets is unmatched. So, when there’s a problem, we’d do anything to solve it, right? One common query that seems to keep arising is how to help a dog with anxiety. Anxiety in dogs can arise due to several factors, including being away from their owner, loud noises or disruptions to their familiar routines, such as building work or the arrival of a new baby. Of course, most of these situations are unavoidable, but what can we do to help? In this guide, we will discuss the common signs of anxiousness in dogs, as well as useful treatment and preventative measures that will help your dog live a more secure and relaxed lifestyle.
Signs That Your Dog May Be Feeling Anxious
Signs that your dog may be distressed can often be misinterpreted for bad behaviour, which is why it’s necessary to discuss the following traits, so you can better interpret when they are feeling out of sorts:
- Visual signs
Trembling, lip licking, exposing their teeth, a tucked tail or pinned back ears are all possible signs that your dog isn’t feeling too good. You may even notice the hair on the back of the bodies starting to stick up.
- Audible signs
Your pet may start to whine, growl, bark or sneeze if they are starting to become anxious.
- Change in behaviour
Perhaps your usually house-trained dog starts to urinate on the floor. Maybe they become destructive or begin to hide behind you or the furniture.
How to Help a Dog with Anxiety
You may recognise some of these behaviours, and are now wondering how to help a dog with anxiety? Thankfully, there are some things we can do:
- Comfort techniques
Calming sprays, anxiety wraps and gentle massages are all good methods of reducing anxiety.
- Distractions
Offer your pets their favourite chew toys or treats when you know they are feeling distressed.
- Red light therapy
Red light therapy device not only treats sore muscles but also works wonders for alleviating your pet’s stress levels. Light therapy for dog wraps are available to purchase for home use, and results begin to show in a matter of minutes!
How to Reduce Anxiety in Dogs
Of course, implementing preventative measures where possible is the ideal route to reduce your pets’ overall anxiety levels. Here are some handy tips on how to reduce anxiety in dogs.
- Stable environment
Ensure your pet feels comfortable by providing them with a proper place to sleep, accessible water and regular feeding.
- Physical and mental stimulation
How to reduce anxiety in dogs in a way that’s fun for them? Plenty of exercise and playtime! Help them to focus on positive times by working their mind with puzzle toys.
- Remain calm
Dogs are experts at detecting our emotions, so if we stay cool and collected, even in high emotional times, your pet is more likely to stay relaxed too.
Say Goodbye to Anxiety in Dogs
So, we hope we’ve answered your queries regarding how to help with anxiety in dogs? It’s clear that supporting your pet to overcome anxiety requires you to be patient, attentive and flexible to their needs. Additionally, it’s important to remember that each dog is different, so take some time to get to know your pet’s triggers, and trial a few methods to see which are the most effective.
Speaking of helping dogs with anxiety, you might also like this article that talks about arthritis pain relief for dogs.