What Should You Do If Your Dog Is Getting Anxious?

Your dog starts panting, pacing back and forth, bumping into things – even shaking. You know your dog is anxious about something but you’re not sure what it could be…

Perhaps the noise of a neighbor mowing the lawn is bothering him. A storm could have left an area of his yard damp and he’s afraid to go near it. A new dog in the home may have pushed him to a different room in the house, away from his favorite resting place. He may be anxious about having to sleep alone in another part of the house.

The list can go on and on. There are many factors that could cause your dog to feel anxious or become “stressed”. Dogs will show their anxiety in different ways.

Why do dogs get anxious?

As social animals, dogs naturally depend on others for their well-being. When the familiar faces around them change or disappear, it can leave a dog feeling disoriented and insecure. New environments and spaces – like a boarding facility for pets – can also be frightening and stressful to a dog.

What can I do to help my anxious pet?

If you think your dog is feeling anxious, there are some simple ways to make him more comfortable:

•  Give your dog a ‘job’ or something specific they can focus on in order to distract them from whatever is causing the anxiety. For example, if your dog is anxious about a storm, give him an interactive toy like the Kong Wobbler to keep him occupied.

•  Make sure your dog has access to his favorite resting place. If he’s feeling especially overwhelmed, confine him to a crate with some of his favorite toys and blankets where he feels most comfortable and safe.

•  Talk to your vet about using an anti-anxiety medication temporarily. This can help your dog relax and feel more comfortable in a new environment or around new people.

Avoiding anxiety symptoms in dogs

There are a few things you can do to make sure anxious symptoms don’t develop:

•  Socialize your dog to as many new people, environments, and other pets as possible from a young age to help prevent him from developing anxiety around new situations.

•  Be consistent with training your dog. A well-trained dog will have less anxiety because he understands what is expected of him.

•  If you plan to board your pet, make sure he’s accustomed to being away from home. If possible, board him at the facility a month or so before his stay.

•  If you move to a new house, bring your dog along during the moving process so he gets used to it and knows it’s not something to be afraid of.

Use CBD oil for dogs

CBD oil is a product that can help with anxiety in dogs. CBD, or cannabidiol, refers to one of the active ingredients found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and has been shown to relieve many different types of inflammation and anxiety.

If your dog becomes anxious every time he hears loud noises, for example, you could try giving him some CBD oil. Besides, anti-inflammatory properties are also a big factor in why CBD is such a great choice for dogs.

CBD oil for dogs with anxiety can be very beneficial and it’s worth giving CBD oil a try if you notice your dog lashing out or acting uncomfortable during certain situations. It’s also not addictive, so you don’t have to worry about CBD oil affecting their health in the long run.

Conclusion

Anxiety can be a serious issue for many dogs. There are a few things you can do to help your anxious dog feel more comfortable, but if his anxiety doesn’t seem to be going away then you should talk to your vet about the root of the problem and how CBD could potentially help relieve those symptoms.