Pet anxiety is one of the most common concerns an owner can have about their furry friend.
Pacing, drooling, panting, destructive behavior, barking/meowing excessively, inappropriate
urination/defecation (and many more) can all be signs that your family member is anxious.
This can be brought on by separation from the someone in the family (human or another pet), loud noises (thunderstorms, fire alarms, etc.), or changes in the home (rearranging furniture, change of routine and more).
Often the main question is “How do I help them?”
There are many, many options to help your pet with anxiety and I will cover the most common ones here; always talk to your veterinarian or registered veterinary technician for the best plan of action for your pet as they are all individual and this is not a “one size fits all” scenario.
Training is the least pharmaceutical but most labour intensive method to help with anxiety. Working with a trainer to learn what triggers your pet, what you can do to ease your pet’s anxiety during an episode, and how to prevent anxiety episodes is the best solution for pets with mild anxiety, young pets and for use in combination with any of the following additional solutions.
Thundershirts or comfort items are another great non-invasive option for pets. Thundershirts apply a gentle pressure (much like swaddling a baby) that calms the pet in the event of an anxiety episode. Also, some pets have a favorite stuffy or toy that they can use as a comfort item.
Diet/nutraceuticals are a fantastic option for some pets. There are many different options out there and minimal regulation on most of the products, so be sure to talk with your veterinarian before using any for the first time. Alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) and L-theanine (Anxitane) are two common ingredients used for anxiety in pets but there are many, many more.
Pheromones, such as Feliway or Adaptil have been created to help pets with anxiety by replicating naturally occurring “happy” smells that cats and dogs recognize. The use of pheromones with cats (especially multi-cat homes) is very common and can have great results.
Herbals are another natural option for pets with anxiety and require an assessment and prescription from a specialized veterinarian. Prescriptions can be used to help with anxiety or to sedate a pet so they can have a positive experience instead of being stressed/anxious. Talk with your veterinarian for the best option for your pet.
