Anxiety in Dogs - The More You Know, The Better For Them

Anxiety in Dogs - The More You Know, The Better For Them
Anxiety. Unfortunately, just like humans, many dogs suffer from it. And just
like humans, it is a normal emotion that manifests itself in often unpredictable
ways. 

All breeds of dogs can experience anxiety. Yet, it is also true that some breeds
of dogs exhibit more symptoms of anxiety more frequently. With very little
research, it is simple to discover which types of dogs are more likely to suffer from
anxiety. It is a diverse list that includes dogs of various sizes and appearance. 

The most common causes of dog anxiety, according to the Merck
Veterinary Manual, are not surprising. 
  • Fear. Fear-related anxiety can be triggered by many common occurrences. 
    Loud noises. Strange people. Unknown animals. Strange environments.
    Unfamiliar visual stimuli. Car rides. Unsettling footing. The list of stimuli can be unique to the dog. 
  • Separation. Serious separation anxiety  commonly affects 1 in 7 dogs. Being left alone or otherwise feeling separated from their family members often results in undesirable anxiety-related behaviors.
  • Aging. Age-related anxiety is simple to comprehend as it often correlates with declining cognitive function. As their memory, perception and awareness begin to diminish their tendency to feel anxious and confused escalates. 

The symptoms surrounding dog anxiety are largely what you’d expect
from a dog that consistently finds itself out of sorts. 

• Unacceptable behaviors

  • Aggressive behavior
  • Destructive behavior
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Urinating/defecating in the house
• Obvious actions
  • Panting
  • Drooling
  • Pacing 
  • Excessive barking
  • Consistent growling
  • Restlessness
These symptoms can appear occasionally or consistently depending on many factors. The goal remains the same, that is to substantially minimize the
level of anxiety that your dog experiences. 

Anxiety in dogs is of special concern when it manifests itself in serious
aggressive behavior. Even if a dog is prevented from harming people or other
animals, aggressive behaviors such as  barking or growling can lead to undesirable situations for humans and dogs, alike.

Destructive behavior cannot be ignored. Besides destroying physical property,
dogs with severe anxiety are at risk of harming themselves. 

Anxious dogs often present serious lifestyle challenges. Urinating and defecating inappropriately can be even more frustrating than the inability to travel
comfortably. 

You are always encouraged to seek the services of a trusted veterinarian
when you are concerned with the severity of your dog’s anxiety. And
remember...a dog that appears consistently depressed may also be suffering from
anxiety. 

Since excessive anxiety is often caused by a variety of factors, there is no

one  best way to treat anxiety. It usually requires a combination of training,
preventive strategies, and in some cases, supplements and/or medications.

Finding the right anxiety-focused pet supplement has proven to be game-
changing in many cases where anxiety is not causing total havoc. Keep in
mind though, not all pet supplements are equally effective, nor are all extensively
tested and vet-recommended. 

ABOUT VITAIL CALMING SUPPLEMENTS: These vet-recommended, third-party tested supplements have been carefully formulated with amino acids and herbs to help support calmness and relaxation. Ingredients include GABA, L-Theanine, L- Glycine and Ashwagandha. The chews are proven to help dogs maintain emotional balance during stressful situations and are best taken daily.

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