The Pet Parent’s Guide to Anti-anxiety Treatment for Dogs

Anxiety can take a serious toll on your dog—leading to chronic stress, worsened behavioral problems, and in severe cases, even resulting in illnesses. Recognizing the signs and addressing anxiety early is key to maintaining your dog’s well-being. Fortunately, there are a range of effective anti-anxiety treatments for dogs that can help improve quality of life.

How to Identify Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs

The symptoms of anxiety in dogs can be wide-ranging. Depending on your individual dog, their symptoms may be constant, occasional, or in response to specific triggers.

Keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• Excessive Barking: This is often triggered by fear or nervousness in unfamiliar situations or when left alone.
• Whining: When dogs are anxious, specifically in response to separation from their owners or stressful events, whining is a common sign of distress.
• Restlessness: Anxious dogs may find it difficult to settle down, pacing or constantly moving in an attempt to soothe their discomfort or nervous energy.
• Destructive Behavior: Chewing furniture or other items can be an outlet for stress. This typically happens when dogs are left alone or experience triggers.
• Panting: Dogs naturally pant to cool down. However, excessive panting when your dog isn’t hot can indicate stress or anxiety.
• Trembling: A physical response to fear and anxiety, this symptom usually happens in response to loud noises or in unfamiliar settings.
• Hiding: Your dog may retreat to a quiet, secluded spot to escape from stressful situations or overwhelming environments.
• Licking or Chewing: Similar to how humans fidget when they’re anxious, some dogs repeatedly lick or chew their paws or body as a self-soothing behavior.
• Appetite Changes: Anxiety can lead to a loss of appetite in some dogs, while others may overeat as a coping mechanism.
• Aggression: Some dogs may become more defensive, growling, snapping, or biting to protect themselves when anxious.
• Excessive Drooling: This can be a physical sign of your dog’s heightened anxiety or stress.
• Urinating or Defecating Indoors: Even house-trained dogs can have accidents indoors if they feel anxious, particularly during stressful events or when left alone.

Understanding the Causes of Anxiety in Dogs

Similar to the way symptoms vary between dogs, causes of anxiety can be vastly different as well. Some dogs are sensitive to one specific trigger, while others may develop anxiety in response to several triggers.

Common causes of anxiety include:

• Environmental Changes: Moving to a new home or rearranging familiar spaces can unsettle your dog.
• New People or Animals: Introducing new individuals or animals into your home can disrupt your pet’s sense of security.
• Loud Noises: Sudden loud sounds, such as fireworks or thunderstorms, can trigger instinctual fear and anxiety in your dog.
• Past Trauma: Dogs that experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment may develop anxiety as a result of their previous experiences.
• Health Issues: Pain, discomfort, or illness can cause stress on your dog, especially since they are unable to understand or communicate the issue.
• Travel: Being in unfamiliar environments or confined spaces during travel can be stressful for dogs.
• Veterinarian Visits: Dogs may associate trips to the veterinarian’s office with discomfort, pain, or fear of the unknown, leading to heightened anxiety.
• Separation: Being left alone for extended periods, or even brief moments, can cause separation anxiety in dogs—leading to stress and destructive behavior.

When to Seek Help for Your Dog’s Anxiety

If your dog's anxiety symptoms persist, it may be time to seek help from a veterinarian. Specifically, signs such as ongoing restlessness, aggression, destructive behavior, or significant changes in eating habits—such as not eating and losing weight—can indicate severe anxiety. 

Additionally, you should consult your veterinarian if your dog's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine or quality of life. For example, if they are avoiding play, refusing to go on walks, or showing fear in normal situations, your veterinarian can help identify underlying causes and recommend tailored treatments. Seeking help early can prevent anxiety from worsening.

Exploring Effective Anti-anxiety Treatment for Dogs

Anti-anxiety treatment for dogs can provide much-needed relief from symptoms. Your veterinarian can prescribe an option that is suited to the specific needs of your pet. The primary medication types include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs).

Your veterinarian should advise you on proper dosing, administration, and side effects, which vary based on the medication and your specific dog. As with any new medication, you and your veterinarian should monitor your dog’s response to treatment and adjust as needed. In some cases, it may take several weeks to see improvements after starting medication. 

Additionally, before discontinuing therapies—especially long-term use of SSRIs—consult with your veterinarian to determine whether your dog should be slowly weaned off the medication to avoid potential withdrawal symptoms.

Now, let’s walk through some examples of prescription medications for anxiety in dogs. Mixlab can fill these prescriptions or compound them to meet your dog’s specific needs or preferences.

Fluoxetine

This is an SSRI that increases serotonin levels in the brain to improve your dog’s mood. Fluoxetine is typically recommended for treating separation anxiety, along with aggressive or compulsive behaviors.

Setraline

Sertraline is another SSRI that is sometimes prescribed for anxiety in dogs as an alternative to fluoxetine. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, helping to improve mood and reduce anxiety-related behaviors. It works best for long-term management of anxiety and takes 4-6 weeks to reach full effect.

Paroxetine

Paroxetine is another SSRI that elevates your dog’s serotonin levels. Your veterinarian may prescribe this for aggression, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors in your dog.

Amitriptyline

Another option is amitriptyline, a TCA that stabilizes your dog’s mood by increasing the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Your veterinarian may prescribe this medication to treat separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, or related behaviors.

Clomipramine

Similar to amitriptyline, this TCA also increases serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Clomipramine is often prescribed specifically for separation anxiety. In some cases, veterinarians may prescribe clomipramine to treat aggression or compulsive behaviors.

Trazodone

Trazodone is a SARI that can be prescribed to treat situational anxiety in dogs, such as before veterinary visits, during thunderstorms or fireworks, for necessary travel, and to treat separation anxiety. Your dog can experience its calming effects within a couple hours.

Dexmedetomidine

As a gel applied to your dog’s gums, dexmedetomidine is a sedative that can provide calming effects in this specific form. It works quickly to treat noise-related anxiety in your dog, including fireworks or thunderstorms.

Buspirone 

Buspirone is an azapirone that works on serotonin receptors to reduce anxiety without sedative effects. It’s often prescribed for generalized anxiety, fear-based behaviors, and noise phobias. Unlike fast-acting sedatives, Buspirone is most effective when given regularly over time, as it takes 1-2 weeks to reach full effect.

Additional Ways to Comfort Your Dog with Anxiety

In many cases, veterinarians may recommend pairing anti-anxiety treatment for dogs with other techniques. A well-rounded approach can provide even greater relief for your dog’s anxiety.

Consider these options to help your dog:

• Cognitive-behavioral Training: A professional can help you teach your dog new behaviors and responses to replace their anxiety-driven behaviors.
• Music Therapy: In some cases, you may be able to soothe anxiety by playing calming music specifically designed for dogs.
• Pheromone Products: Synthetic pheromone diffusers or collars can mimic natural calming scents to reduce your dog’s stress.
• Socialization Techniques: Gradually exposing your dog to new people, animals, and environments helps them build confidence and reduce anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
• Desensitization Plan for Triggers: You can work with a professional to gradually and systematically expose your dog to anxiety triggers at a low intensity—in turn, helping them become more tolerant over time.
• Coping Strategies: Teaching your dog specific techniques to manage stress, such as focusing on a toy or going to a safe space, can help them handle their anxiety.
• Creating a Safe Space: Creating a quiet and designated space for your dog can help alleviate their anxiety triggers.
• Routine and Structure: Maintaining a consistent daily routine provides stability and predictability, giving your dog a sense of security.

The Go-to Resource for Anti-anxiety Treatment for Dogs

If you have a prescription for a branded, generic, or compounded anti-anxiety medication, get in touch with Mixlab to receive convenient, next-day delivery to your doorstep. We’re here to help make it easier for you and your dog to live a happier and healthier life.