Managing Anxiety in Dogs

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety in dogs is common and typically stems from fear, separation, or age-related cognitive decline, with loud noises like thunder and fireworks being frequent triggers.
• Common signs of pet anxiety include panting, hiding, pacing, destructive behavior, vocalization, clinginess, and physical stress signals such as lip licking or yawning.
• Fear-related anxiety contributes to a significant increase in lost pets, especially during holidays like July Fourth, when fireworks and storms cause pets to flee.
• Anxiety in pets can be managed through veterinary guidance, behavioral support, and prescription medications such as Trazodone, which has proven effective for stress, separation anxiety, noise phobias, and aggression.
• Working with a veterinarian helps ensure pets receive safe, effective anxiety relief so they can remain calm and comfortable during stressful situations.

The thunder rolls in the distance and Barley, a blue-heeler mix, beelines to her safe spot---the bedroom closet. If your dog is scared of thunder, or for dogs scared of fireworks, help is available for them.

Barley’s reaction to storms is not uncommon. Like people, dogs also experience anxiety, with the three main causes being fear, separation and aging.

Understanding Pet Anxiety

Fear-related anxieties can stem from loud noises like fireworks and thunder, new environments, unfamiliar situations or even visual fears like someone wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella. In fact, the highest number of lost pets occur over the July Fourth holiday, and 1/5 of lost pets go missing after being scared by the sound of fireworks, thunderstorms or other loud noises. Additionally, when humans leave their house, separation anxiety in pets will occur 40% of the time. And age-related anxieties affect dogs very similar to how Alzheimer’s disease affects people. Dogs may lose their memory, their awareness can decline and often confusion will set in, ultimately resulting in anxiety and fear.

Spotting Common Signs

How can you tell if your pet suffers from anxiety? Watch for symptoms, such as:

• • Panting
  • Yawning or lip licking
  • Hiding
  • Cowering
  • Aggression
  • Destructive behavior
  • Whimpering or barking
  • Pacing and restlessness
  • Clinginess

Managing Pet Anxiety

Like with humans, anxiety in pets is real, and it also can be managed through trusted solutions.

Trazodone for dogs, and cats, has been shown to be effective in relieving stress and anxiety in pets, as well as assisting with other behavioral challenges. Specifically, Trazodone has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions in dogs, such as stress, anxiety, separation anxiety in pets, excessive barking, aggression and more. With dogs afraid of fireworks, as well as dogs scared of thunder, Trazodone Hydrochloride can offer them relaxation from fear. Other forms of help are available for your anxious pets, such as behavioral prescriptions, available with a script from your veterinarian.

Find calming agents that provide relief to dogs and cats suffering from anxiety, here.

Whether for horse, livestock, or pet, Valley Vet Supply is your one-stop shop for trusted care. Explore more of our dog category at ValleyVet.com