Like us, our pets experience anxiety and stress that are caused by several different reasons. One reason could be as simple as being afraid of thunderstorms or something like traveling long hours in a car for the first time. Canines are sensitive to both their emotional and physical settings and when they are stressed, they engage in displacement behavior. Symptoms that your furry friend is experiencing stress include excessive barking, chewing on random things, eating their own poop and being unusually aggressive in general.
Here are 5 ways to help soothe dog anxiety:
Provide a healthy diet
Making sure that your dog is eating right is the best way to ensure that your dog’s overall well-being is great. A healthy diet means a healthy behavior which can prevent and minimize the symptoms of stress and anxiety in canines. While it is best to discuss with your vet what the best dietary options are for your dog, know that they need a low-carb, high-protein diet.
Make exercise a habit
Physical exercise is a great way to release your dog’s energy and to relieve stress. Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes a day to walk your dog. Play games like fetch or hide and seek – it will help your pet associate positive emotions with exercise as he also gets to spend quality time with you.
Give your dog a massage
You know how relaxing a body massage can be after a stressful day at work. The same goes for our furry friends, too! A doggie massage is an effective calming technique for dogs with anxiety as it heals the mind and relaxes the body. You can give your pet a massage or you can contact your local canine massage therapist.
Create a daily routine and stick to it
Dogs are creatures of habit and they thrive on routine. They easily get anxious and confused when there’s change in their daily schedule. Create a predictable environment – feed him, play with him and let him go to bed at the same time each day so that he’ll feel more relaxed.
Opt for medication
It’s best to consult your vet about this but Benadryl is a common medicine given to dogs with anxiety. It is a anti-histamine with sedative properties which will help relax your dog.
Dog anxiety is something that can’t be ignored. Try these easy ways to soothe anxiety in dogs for a stress-free life with your pet!
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