Vet Tips for Treating Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs experience anxiety just like humans, and it can affect their well-being and behaviour. Separation, loud noises, or past trauma can all trigger stress, leading to excessive barking, destructive chewing, or trembling. Thankfully, there are ways to treat a dog’s anxiety using training, medications, or natural remedies. This guide covers the causes, signs, and best treatments to help your anxious dog feel calm and secure.

Dog anxiety can come from many sources and affect both their physical and emotional well-being. Understanding the root cause is key to finding the right treatment. Some common triggers include:

• Separation Anxiety: Many dogs struggle when left alone, which can lead to destructive behaviour.
• Fear-Related Anxiety: Loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms, unfamiliar people, or new environments can trigger stress.
• Past Trauma: Rescue dogs or those with a history of neglect may suffer from long-term anxiety.
• Medical Conditions: Health issues such as cognitive dysfunction in older dogs can lead to increased anxiety.
• Lack of Socialisation: Puppies that aren’t exposed to a variety of people, animals, and experiences may become anxious as they grow.

Recognising these causes can help you identify the signs and triggers for their anxiety and choose the best way to manage it.

Spotting dog anxiety early makes it easier to intervene before it worsens. Some common signs include:

• Excessive Barking or Whining: An anxious dog may vocalise more than usual, especially when left alone.
• Panting & Pacing: If your dog isn’t hot or tired but is still panting and pacing, anxiety could be the cause.
• Destructive Behaviour: Chewing furniture, digging, or scratching at doors can all be signs of stress.
• Trembling or Hiding: Some dogs physically shake or retreat to a safe spot when they feel scared.
• Aggression: Fear-based anxiety may cause growling or snapping.

Train and Desensitise

One of the best ways to treat a dog’s anxiety is through behaviour modification. Training and desensitisation can help your dog gradually adjust to stress triggers in a controlled way.

• Counterconditioning: Teach your dog to replace anxious reactions with positive ones by rewarding calm behaviour.
• Desensitisation: Slowly introduce your dog to anxiety-inducing situations in a safe and manageable way.
• Obedience Training: Teaching commands like "stay" and "calm" can help redirect nervous energy.

Use Anxiety Medications

For severe cases, medications for anxious dogs may be necessary. Common veterinary-prescribed options include:

• Fluoxetine (Reconcile): A medication used to help regulate mood in anxious dogs.
• Trazodone: Often prescribed for situational anxiety, such as vet visits or travel.
• Melatonin Supplements: Melatonin supplements have been used to reduce situational fear and anxiety in dogs.

Always speak to your veterinarian before starting any stress treatments and anxiety medications for dogs to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Try Calming Aids and Supplements

If you prefer a more natural approach, several supplements and aids can help soothe an anxious dog:

• Calming Supplements & Diffusers: Calming treats, supplements and diffusers, such as Adaptil, SereniCare, and Zylkene are effective supplements that can help reduce anxiety in dogs.
• Mental Stimulation: Try scattering food across the ground for your dog to sniff out to keep them engaged and distracted from stress triggers.

Preventing anxiety in dogs starts with proactive care and training. By understanding their needs and providing a stable, enriching environment, you can help reduce the risk of stress and fear-related behaviours.

Read Dog Body Language

Dogs communicate through body language, and recognising early signs of stress can prevent anxiety from escalating. Watch for these cues:

• Yawning, lip licking, or excessive blinking: These can be early signs of nervousness.
• Tucked tail or ears pinned back: Indicates fear or discomfort.
• Panting or pacing: May suggest stress, even if the dog isn’t hot or active.

Understanding these signals allows you to intervene before anxiety worsens and helps create a sense of security for your pet.

Socialise Early

Early socialisation is one of the best ways to prevent dog anxiety. Exposing puppies to different people, animals, environments, and experiences helps them develop confidence and adaptability. As well-socialised dogs are less likely to develop fear-based anxiety later in life, here are my top 3 tips for socialisation: 

1. Start socialisation as early as 8 to 16 weeks old.
2. Introduce new experiences gradually to avoid overwhelming them.
3. Use positive reinforcement to create a sense of safety in new situations.

Practice Obedience Training

Consistent training builds trust and structure, making dogs feel more secure. Basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and come help them navigate stressful situations with confidence. 

Regular training sessions keep their minds engaged and reduce nervous energy, while positive reinforcement encourages calm behaviour in challenging situations. Crate training can also provide a safe space for your dog when they need comfort. A well-trained canine is more likely to remain calm and relaxed in new or stressful environments, so make sure to prioritise training as part of your dog's daily routine.

Keep Them Active and Well-Fed

A healthy lifestyle also plays a big role in preventing anxiety. Regular exercise and a balanced diet contribute to a dog’s mental and physical well-being.

• Daily walks and playtime help burn off excess energy and reduce stress.
• Interactive toys and puzzles provide mental stimulation.
• High-quality nutrition supports brain function and overall health.

If a dog's needs for exercise and nutrition aren’t met, they may develop anxiety-related behaviours like restlessness and destructive chewing.

Avoid Stressful Situations

While some stress is unavoidable, minimising exposure to known anxiety triggers can help prevent issues.

• Create a predictable routine to help dogs feel secure.
• Avoid forcing interactions with unfamiliar people or pets if your dog seems uncomfortable.
• Provide a safe space during loud events like thunderstorms or fireworks.

By managing their environment and reducing unnecessary stressors, you can help prevent anxiety and keep your dog feeling calm and confident.

Creating a stable, stress-free environment is key to helping your dog feel safe and relaxed. While training, socialisation, and exercise play a big role, maintaining consistency and recognising early signs of anxiety can make all the difference.

Stick to a Routine

Dogs thrive on predictability. A consistent daily routine helps them feel secure and reduces anxiety.

• Feed, walk, and train your dog at the same times each day.
• Maintain a calm environment to avoid sudden changes that could cause stress.
• If you need to adjust your schedule, do it gradually to help your pet adapt.

A structured routine reassures your dog and prevents uncertainty, which can lead to stress.

Watch for Stress Signs

Even with the best care, some dogs may still experience anxiety. Being aware of stress signals allows you to intervene early and prevent the anxiety from escalating.

• Look for early warning signs like excessive yawning, lip licking, or pacing.
• Monitor behaviour changes such as sudden aggression, withdrawal, or destructive tendencies.
• Cuddle them if they're crying or showing distress, but avoid reinforcing fearful behaviour.

If your dog’s anxiety persists despite training and treatments, consult your veterinarian. They may recommend additional support, such as behaviour modification therapy or medications for anxious dogs. By staying attentive to your dog’s needs and providing a stable, supportive environment, you can help them lead a happy, stress-free life.

This article was written by Dr Jack Ayerbe