Alternative Ways To Help With Your Dog’s Anxiety

Pets are an important part of a person’s life. With their constant companionship, people never feel lonely and stressed. Basically, pets provide people with emotional support when no human can ever provide it. To return the favor, people should do their part in keeping their pets’ health and nutrition in good condition, as pets themselves aren’t aware of this. Take note that humans aren’t the only organisms susceptible to health risks and conditions, but also their loyal best friends.

Providing healthcare and support for your dog is one way of showing your love for them, but some dogs are still vulnerable to contracting illnesses inevitably as their bodily systems aren’t designed like humans. There are certain health conditions that humans and dogs share, case in point – anxiety and stress. 

Here are some ways to help your dog cope up with anxiety:

Cannabidiol (CBD) Treatment

CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound extracted from Cannabis plants, and they’re perfect for family use, ranging from little kids to the elderly. Thankfully, it extends its powers by serving as an all-natural medication for relieving anxiety in dogs.

Giving drops of CBD tincture can greatly help treating anxiety for dogs. How exactly?  Same as humans, dogs also have an endocannabinoid network in their nervous system, which is composed of millions of neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. These naturally occurring endocannabinoids can vary in production, so whenever your dog is feeling anxious, one good reason is that their endocannabinoids aren’t tightly bound together.  By taking CBD drops, the endocannabinoid system will quickly absorb its benefits and prevent your endocannabinoids from breaking down. Don’t worry, CBD products have little to no trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the psychoactive effects, so your dog won’t experience any high sensation.

Also, take note that CBD has varying dosages for different usage for your dog. The safest amount of CBD that you can administer to your dog depends on its weight, exactly 0.2 mg of CBD per pound. Be aware of excessive CBD as it can cause a lack of saliva production and drowsiness for your dog.

Provide Synthetic Pheromones

One of the first forms of communication between animals during their evolution is observed through chemical communication. When dogs create a bond with one another, chemicals known as pheromones are released, helping them feel comfortable in their environment. This can also be observed with mother dogs when nursing her puppies, where she releases calming pheromones to put her babies at ease and help them sleep quickly.  Since your dog has no access to naturally occurring pheromones anymore, you can administer synthetic pheromones in the form of diffusers, sprays, and collars.

Proper Nutrition and Exercise

Dogs deserve to receive proper nutrition and exercise while they’re growing since it mainly aids in the development of different aspects of their health and well-being. If your dog is consistently receiving proper nutrition, adequate exercise, and positive emotional support, the less likely they will experience disruptive, fluctuating behaviors, and anxiety. 

Canines don’t have the same nutritional efficiency as humans, so they require consistent nutrition that’s composed of a healthy diet to avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies. When dogs aren’t eating well, their physical health isn’t the only aspect affected, it can have a greater toll on their mental and emotional state as well. Once your dog has an unstable mental and emotional health, it’ll be more difficult for them to perform tasks and keep up with their usual playtime.

To ensure good nutrition and exercise in your dog, you can help in ways such as:

• Supply adequate amounts of dog food packed with a variety of nutrients
• Human-grade meat with no preservatives
• Take note of food hygiene to avoid bacterial infections
• Consult a veterinarian for a customized diet plan for your dog
• Make sure that your dog moves around adequately

Aromatherapy

You might think that the power of essential oils is only applicable for humans, but calming dogs with their anxiety can also be performed through aromatherapy since dogs are linked for their exceptional olfactory memory and attachment to scents.  However, you should exercise extra caution when performing aromatherapy for your dogs as it might cause sensitivity for them. During aromatherapy, never forget to dilute essential oils in water, preferably less than 1% of the essential oil, because pure essential oils aren’t safe for dogs.

Other than alleviating anxiety, diffusing essential oils inside an environment where your dog is present can have many benefits, such as:

• Relieve digestive upsets
• Alleviate irritated and itchy skin
• Establish calmness
• Repel pests and insects
• Heal infections
• Promote behavior healing

Conclusion

CBD treatment, administering pheromones, aromatherapy, and proper nutrition and exercise are some of the best ways in helping your dog to alleviate their anxiety. Since your pet is already considered a part of your family, you should also prioritize their health like how you would with your family members. If your relatives consistently receive medical care and attention, your dog should also receive the same. Amongst everything, make sure to provide love and everlasting support for your best friend as they exactly feel the same way for you.