Anxiety is a natural occurrence for everyone. But for some, it can be highly debilitating at times. Like humans, dogs also struggle with fear, stress, or anxiety. This might be nothing at all but can soon become a big concern if you don’t know how to support your dog living through these challenging times.
It goes without saying that you always want to keep your cuddle bundle happy. Seeing them deal with anxiety might be an upsetting experience. In this article, you’ll find some insights that will enable you to spot the signs and take necessary steps to calm your nervous dog.
Keep Track of Your Dog’s Body Language
Unlike humans, dogs use their body language to communicate their feelings. For instance, if your dog is feeling uneasy, they might be expressing their fear or stress. However, these are the subtle signs.
- Trembling/shaking
- Lip licking
- Yawning all the time
- Don’t feel like eating
- Increased drooling
- Increased heart rate
- Skin lesions
- Over-grooming
So, if you spot these signs, first, make sure to talk to your dog’s veterinarian. This will help you rule out any possible medical condition. If that’s not the case, keep reading and find out the tips to help your dog calm down.
Tips to Calm Your Anxious Dog
If your dog shows any of the signs mentioned above, you can ease their mind by including an exercise routine to bond with them and tire them out simultaneously. Remember, being nervous means a lot of excess energy build-up. So, if you play ball or go for a long walk, it will help them, especially when you are away.
- A massage does not only relax a human being, but it can also help relieve the stress in a dog as well. Massage therapy allows reducing the occurrence of tensed muscles, thereby alleviating tension. You can start at the neck and go down with long strokes. Try to use one hand for the massage and keep the other on your dog.
- Go for alternative therapy options like CBD oil for dogs. Research confirms that CBD has potency anxiolytic properties. That’s why there is so much rise in the use of this ingredient in pets. Brands like CBD Dog Health offer a variety of options that help dogs with their anxiety issues. You can combine this option with other calming options for better results.
- Try opting for music therapy. Research shows that music can help dogs with their noise sensitivity by blocking scary noises that bother dogs and trigger anxiety episodes.
- You can choose calming coats or t-shirts for your dog. These clothes apply pressure on a dog’s torso, thus acting as a swaddling cloth. You can use this when you are traveling or when you have to leave home.
Wrapping up
Avoiding what causes your dog stress and ruling out other possibilities is the best first few steps that will help you improve the quality of life of your dog. Research suggests that you must be proactive when it comes to your dog’s anxieties.
All you need is to be supportive throughout the process. Only then can you help your dog be happy and healthier.