When your furry loved one hates to see you go, you may find yourself asking the important question that all dog owners should ask: What can I give my dog for anxiety?
What can I give my dog for anxiety they’re experiencing? If you’re like me, you’d prefer to know the answer to this question sooner rather than later, so your furry loved one doesn’t live in a constant state of panic.
Checkout The Following Anxiety In Dogs Buyer Guides
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Don’t Know What Helps Dogs With Separation Anxiety?
The poor things don’t understand that we will be right back. To them, we are leaving forever. While some of our precious pets are better at dealing with this than others, there are some who really have a hard time being alone without you.
My heart breaks every time I have to leave my poor pups alone in the house when I go on errands. Nothing makes me happier than being able to take my fluffy friends with me in the car, but you know as well as I do that not all public places are good at allowing dogs inside. Often, it’s easier just to leave them at home with a good bone or a treat while I head on my way.
And you may think that they will eventually get used to you leaving, especially if you do so on a set schedule. Getting up in the morning for work is so routine for you, yet for your dog, they are afraid that this will be the day you leave them forever. So, what can we do to reassure our dogs that we aren’t leaving forever? How do we make them comfortable at home and prevent them from panicking when we have to go away for a while?
If you are as distraught about this as I was, then you must check out some of these solutions I’ve found. Read the below solutions and start applying them as soon as possible, for your dog’s sake!
1. Over-The-Counter Medication
The first thing I did when I embarked on the journey to help my dog with anxiety is walk right up to my local pet shop and asked, “What can I give my dog for anxiety? Is there something I can do to relax my little one while I go out for the day?”
Thankfully, they were able to help me come up with several different things. First and foremost is medicated treats or tablets that you can give your dog right away.
You may have seen in my Dog Separation Anxiety Solutions post that I highly recommend the dog medications listed on PetMD. This is because they are all reputable sources that can be purchased at your local vet. Or you can take your dog to see his favorite doctor and receive a prescription for something stronger.
If nothing else, a small dose of Benadryl is sure to do the trick.
2. Healthy And Balanced Diet With Calming Foods
What helps dogs with separation anxiety is a well-balanced diet full of nutrients and vitamins. We all know how good we feel after we’ve had a healthy meal. Well the same goes for our doggie friends. You can find a range of healthy dog food options at your local pet store and you can ask a professional which brand they think is best for your pooch.
According to Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet, certain foods that help reduce anxiety in dogs include:
- Brown rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Fish (with natural oils, like salmon)
- Blueberries
- Turkey
Start slowly introducing these healthy foods into your dog’s diet to see if it starts making a difference in the way he reacts when you’re gone. In most cases however, you may also need to add another source of stress relief for your pet to start feeling better.
3. Diffuser
What can I give my dog for anxiety when I don’t want to change her diet or introduce her to medications? If you’re into natural and homeopathic remedies, there are several solutions that may work for you and your furry loved one.
One of them is a diffuser, which I mentioned before in my 10 Best Products For Dogs With Anxiety guide. In particular, the Calm Home Diffuser (affiliate link) is a recommended solution for dogs who have a particularly hard time with separation anxiety.
All you need to do is plug it into the wall like you would an air freshener or night light. It releases certain pheromones that help dogs calm down. He’ll start feeling much better and you won’t smell a thing!
4. Lots Of Exercise
The idea that exercise is good for the body and for relaxation is not limited to just humans. Knowing what helps dogs with separation anxiety physically can help them calm down mentally as well. I recommend working exercise into your daily schedule, for both you and your furry friend.
Dogs love little more than going on walks, even if they have a hard time being active. Even a little bit of exercise can help your dog burn off massive amounts of excess energy. Which will make them feel calmer and a lot less stressed, according to Vetstreet. Plus, it’s always a good idea to encourage them to have great physical health!
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5. Treats And Chews
There are specific medicated treats and chews that are made with substances like suntheanine or melatonin, which can reduce the stress signals in your dog’s body. Some act as hormonal supplements, while others are similar to what an anxiety medication would do for humans.
You can find a wide range of products, flavors and sizes that fits your dog the best. This can be one of the most effective ways to get your dog to calm down. Since to him, it will just seem like he’s getting a treat for being a good boy - which he definitely is!
What Helps Dogs With Separation Anxiety Wrap Up
It’s never fun to walk out of the door when your dog is crying after you or whining in a panic. All we want as dog parents is to keep them calm and happy all day long. Investing in the above solutions can help your dog get some effective treatment for her anxiety (and can help you have better peace of mind).
I often wondered what can I give my dog for anxiety when simple things like massages, pets and words of reassurance didn’t work. Now with the aid of these products and tips, my pooch is happy to be left alone in the house for a while.
