Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Grain free, easy-to-digest food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
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Humans have the amazing ability to recognize the facial and body cues of anxiety in other human beings, but do you know how to read the signs of stress in dogs? When dealing with canine companions, it's of the utmost importance that you're able to understand their methods of communicating tension. Once you're speaking the same "language," you can employ several methods of stress relief for dogs that'll put their mind at ease.
Stress isn't always easy to diagnose in our human counterparts, so you can imagine how difficult it can be to recognize in your dog that can't tell you they're stressed, so it's important to look for the signs of anxiety in dogs. When a dog's anxiety is overlooked, it can lead to a multitude of unwanted behaviors that may harm the relationship between you two. Unfortunately, simply addressing the behavior problems doesn't always remove all unwanted behaviors. If you don't address the source of your dog's anxieties, these behaviors can continue manifest. While bad behaviors may still occur, looking to address your dog's stress can go a long way to reducing them.
Learning the signs of stress in dogs is the first step to fostering a fulfilling and happy bond with your pup. Some common signs of stress in dogs, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, include:
Just like with humans, change is a stressor for dogs, and some struggle more than others to adapt. Additionally, exposure to unfamiliar people, places or animals; or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, separation from familiar people, places or animals can cause your dog to feel anxious or stressed. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, other common causes of stress include loud noises, such as thunderstorms and fireworks, punishment and a lack of physical exercise or mental stimulation.
Also, did you know that pain and stress can often manifest as similar signs in dogs? If you believe that your dog is stressed, they might actually be in pain. For this reason, if you notice any of the above signs, you should bring your dog to the veterinarian to get a checkup. The last thing you want to do is simply treat the symptoms, when there is a larger underlying health condition to be concerned with.
Finally, did you know that you can be a cause of your dog's stress? Now it's not what you're thinking. Dogs are great at mirroring the emotions of their owners — so in other words, if your are stressed, your dog could be picking up on that anxiety causing them to be stressed as well. If you notice your dog's behavior has changed lately, it might be worth examining any changes in your own life. If you are worried about work, relationships or a move, you might not realize that you are transferring those worries to your dog. A good method to overcome these anxieties is to just spend time bonding with your dog and assure them everything is okay — in fact, chances are that this may help ease some of your stress too.
Many items are available online and in pet stores that are specifically designed to help pet parents provide stress relief for dogs.
These include products containing dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), which mimics the pheromones of a canine nursing mother for a stress-relieving effect. It can be found in a variety of items, such as collars, plug-in diffusers, wipes and sprays.
Storm capes and calming vests may also offer relief to anxious pooches. The theory is that gentle pressure helps calm down dogs during anxiety-triggering situations. Storm capes even help discharge static electricity that builds up during storms to provide further comfort to dogs.
Certain supplements and pharmaceuticals may also provide stress relief for dogs, including:
While your vet may recommend supplements, know that there are other options as well. For instance, there are therapeutic pet foods out there that are formulated with stress-alleviating ingredients in them as well. Something as simple as changing their food could go along way at helping them ease anxiety.
The list of prescription medications and antidepressants available for dogs with generalized anxiety and stress disorders is always growing. If you think your dog may benefit from one of these options — or from medication, in general — schedule a visit with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action.
Beyond medication, there are some additional things you can try with your dog as part of a more holistic stress-relief program. Consider trying any of the following:
It's important to understand, that not all anxious behaviors in dogs can be cured, so to speak. Much like humans, some anxiety-related behaviors are lifelong, and as their pet parent, it is your job to help them manage them the best you can. Above are a number of possibilities for treating stress in dogs, but your veterinarian will be able to best determine the cause of the anxiety and the course of treatment. Understanding this is important, as is how you respond to their stress-specific behaviors. Try to remain calm around your dog, rewarding good behavior, while avoiding scolding or punishing them for unwanted behaviors.
Dr. Laci Schaible is a small animal veterinarian, veterinary journalist, and a thought leader in the industry. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University and her Masters in Legal Studies from Wake Forest University.
Advanced nutrition to support hip & joint health from day 1
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.