Help for nervous/anxious dogs

There seems to be a growing number of excessively nervous, often skittish dogs.  This can range from anxieties, such as noise or storm anxiety, anxiousness about being separated from pet parents, and anxiety at the vet or groomer.  The consequences of dog anxiety can range from destructive behavior or inappropriate voiding in the home (in otherwise well house-trained dogs), to severe stress at the vet, groomer, or other experiences outside of the dog’s normal routine.

The reasons for this seeming rise is dog anxiety disorders appear to be multifactorial.  Many currently owned dogs were adopted in the height of the COVID pandemic when their pet parents were home all the time.  I have observed many cases of separation anxiety, for example, that resulted from this unique living arrangement during a time of crucial social development for dogs.  Having never been separated from their pet parents early on, the idea of them being absent from the home or venturing outside from the home can cause a great deal of stress.

Poor breeding, such as breeders engaging in in breeding or failing to breed for temperament, can also have inherited behavioral consequences.  For example, given the increased popularity of French Bulldogs and Goldendoodles, most veterinary health professionals that treat them have observed a noticeable increase in the number of behavioral issues in these breeds; even severe fear aggression at the vet.

Managing dogs with anxiety regardless of the cause, often consists of multimodal approaches that combine professional training, natural anxiety relief modalities, and pharmaceutical assistance.

Natural Anxiety Remedies

• Compression shirt – The most well known of these types of shirts is The Thundershirt, labelled specifically for thunderstorm anxiety. However, compression shirts can help with any situation and causes stress for a dog.  The uniform compression that these types of shirts create around the dog’s trunk create a “swaddle” effect that can be calming and soothing to the patient.
• Pheromone therapy – When a lactating female dog experiences milk let down, she releases a pheromone that relaxes and calms her new born puppies and encourages them to snuggle up to her and feed. This pheromone can be synthesized and packaged into sprays to spray on surfaces such as the dog’s bedding or plug in diffusers that cover a large room to create a calming effect.  The most common product that is trusted by veterinarians is Adaptil.
• CBD Chews or Oil – CBD products can have a calming effect on dogs. Be sure to choose a brand your veterinarian trusts and has positive reviews, as this industry is not FDA regulated and is likely a big factor in large variations in product efficacy.

Medications

• SSRI treatment – Prozac and Paxil are common Selective Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors prescribed for excessively anxious dogs. Over time these medications increase serotonin levels in the brain, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of contentment and safety.  They can take 30-60 days to work, so patience with the treatment is recommended.
• Trazodone – Trazodone is commonly prescribed for situational anxiety. Trazodone works by blocking certain neurological receptors that regulate brain arousal, essentially helping to calm an over-active mind.  Trazodone also blocks serotonin absorption, having a direct serotonin increasing effect.
• Gabapentin – Gabapentin is a nerve blocking agent commonly prescribed for pain of neurological origin and ancillary treatment for seizure disorders. It also has an anxiety reducing effect on dogs and is commonly administered in combination with trazodone (called the Gaba-Traz Protocol) for situationally overly anxious dogs.

Prevention

With anxiety disorders commonly caused by past trauma or poor socialization and genetic factors, anxiety prevention can be difficult.  A great starting point is to make sure you are doing your research on any breeder you may be considering purchasing from.  Be sure to meet both parents to be assured of good temperaments.  Whether you rescue or purchase a dog, expose your puppy/dog to as many people/other dogs and varied situations as early and often as possible.  Good socialization will contribute to optimal behavioral and situational adjustment later in life.

Dr. Roger Welton is a practicing veterinarian and highly regarded media personality through a number of platforms. He is the author of his top selling memoir The Man In The White Coat: A Veterinarian’s Tail Of Love. In addition to this writing this blog, Dr. Welton also hosts the popular Space Coast Pet Podcast.  He is the CEO and chief attending veterinarian of Premier Veterinary Care in Viera, FL.