As the holiday season approaches, you and your family are no doubt preparing for plenty of time with loved ones, parties, and celebrations. Incorporating a beloved dog into these times can be great fun, but it is important to prepare for the ways that large gatherings, travel, and new experiences can be stressful for your dog. Understanding the critical signs of stress in a dog, as well as ways to help them stay calm, can lead to a joyful holiday season for the whole family. SeaPet offers superb CBD hemp extracts, as well as other excellent supplements, to help your dog with stress.
Critical signs of stress in a dog
For many dogs, situations in which there are a number of people or new experiences can be hard to handle. Whether there are more people than normal in your home or you are visiting loved ones, it might be difficult for your dog to adjust to changes in its routine. Travel, whether by car or plane, can also stress your dog out and leave them jumpy and irritable before you even make it to your destination. With all of the potential sources of anxiety and stress around the holidays, it is worth taking the time to learn the signs of stress in your dog so you can address their needs before they become serious.
Some of the signs of anxiety in dogs manifest as physical reactions. These can include a loss of appetite or problems with their digestion. Digestive problems can include vomiting or diarrhea. Likewise, you might see a lowered, more nervous body posture or appeasement signals. If you see a lowered body posture, it might not be that your dog is up to shenanigans, but that they are feeling stress. Likewise, frequent behaviors like exposing their belly or averting their eyes might indicate their discomfort. You could also see gnawing or more aggressive mouth behaviors or panting as your dog’s anxiety increases.
You also might see significant changes in their energy or behavior. Some dogs become hyperactive, running around wildly or nipping at furniture or people. In this scenario, many dogs will lay their ears flat against their head. Your dog might also have urinary accidents due to stress. Stressed dogs will often bark, whine, or otherwise vocalize with more frequency and intensity than normal.
When evaluating symptoms of stress, it is easier to determine their level of anxiety by understanding their normal behavior. Ask yourself questions, like “Is this how my dog expresses enthusiasm?” or “Is there another explanation for their behavior?” These questions can help you evaluate what is happening and give your dog the support they need.
How can I relieve stress in my dog?
Whether around the holiday season or another time of the year, relieving stress in your dog is important for their well-being. Plus, keeping your dog on an even keel can lead to a happier and healthier pet overall. Here are some natural strategies to help alleviate stress in your dog:
- Give your dog regular exercise: Make sure that your dog gets enough physical activity each day. Exercise is a great way to help reduce anxiety and stress because it releases endorphins that promote a sense of well-being. Daily walks, playtime, and enrichment through interactive toys or training sessions can be beneficial.
- Provide mental stimulation: Engage your dog’s mind with puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, or training exercises. Mental stimulation can help divert their focus from stressors and provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Stick to a routine: Dogs thrive on predictability, so sticking to a routine can really help regulate a dog’s stress level. Maintain a consistent daily schedule for meals, walks, playtime, and bedtime. Routines can provide a sense of security for your dog.
- Give your dog a safe space: Create a safe and quiet space where your dog can retreat when they’re feeling stressed. Examples of a safe space include a crate or a designated room/area with their bed and toys. Make it a positive environment by stocking it with familiar items.
- Provide positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement training techniques to build your dog’s confidence and strengthen your bond. Instead of punishing your dog for bad behavior, reward good behavior with treats, praise, and affection.
- Socialize your dog: Gradually introduce your dog to new people, animals, and environments during their critical socialization period as a puppy. Proper socialization can help reduce fear and anxiety in different situations. If your dog was not socialized as a puppy (or could use some extra work), don’t worry — they can still be trained!
- Practice desensitization and counterconditioning: If your dog has specific fears or triggers, work with a professional dog trainer to create a desensitization and counterconditioning plan. This method involves gradually exposing your dog to their trigger in a controlled, positive way to change their emotional response.
- Take advantage of calming aids: Consider using calming aids, such as pheromone diffusers, calming collars, or anxiety wraps like Thundershirts. These products can help reduce stress in some dogs by addressing the physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Put on some music or white noise: Playing soothing music, talk radio, or using white noise machines can help drown out loud or frightening sounds to create a more calming environment for your dog.
- Try aromatherapy: Some dogs respond positively to aromatherapy — yes, the kind you yourself may already use! Lavender and chamomile scents are often used to help relax dogs. However, be sure to consult with a veterinarian or holistic pet expert for guidance on how to use essential oil safely with your dog.
- Give your dog a massage: Gently massaging your dog or providing soft, soothing petting can help relax them. Take your cues from your dog: Be attuned to their body language to ensure they’re comfortable throughout your interaction.
- Create positive associations: Help your dog deal with stressful situations by gradually associating difficult situations with positive experiences. For example, if your dog is anxious about car rides, start with short, positive outings, and gradually extend the duration.
- Provide your dog with affection and companionship: Spend lots of quality time with your dog, offering plenty of affection, attention, and companionship. When dogs have strong bonds with their human caregivers, it can reduce stress and anxiety.
- Give your dog natural supplements: Natural supplements such as CBD are often helpful when it comes to relieving stress in dogs and other animals.
- Consult a veterinarian: If your dog’s stress is severe or persistent, consult with a veterinarian. They can rule out any underlying medical issues and discuss traditional medication, holistic remedies, or behavioral therapies if necessary.
No matter which approach you choose to take, always observe your dog’s behavior and body language to gauge their comfort level so you can adjust your approach accordingly. What works for one dog may not work for another, so it’s essential to be patient when finding the most effective stress relief strategies for your specific pet. If in doubt, consult with a professional dog trainer or a veterinarian specializing in behavior for personalized guidance.
What can I give my dog for anxiety?
There are a number of options you have to calm a dog down during the holidays. The most simple option is, if possible, removing them from a stressful situation. If they struggle when encountering large groups of people, see if it is possible to put them in a location where they have less stimulation, such as an empty room. Likewise, if you know there will be a time at a gathering that is particularly loud, moving them to a quieter location for that portion of the event can avoid stress-related outbursts before they start.
In a similar vein, if you have a high-energy dog, ensuring that they get plenty of exercise before a large gathering or traveling can make a difference. By using up some of their energy, you can make it easier for your dog to relax during a party. Additionally, you and your dog can spend time with a trainer who can help your dog learn to cope with stress in safe, non-destructive ways.
For many dogs with anxiety, medication is already a part of their life. There are a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications for anxiety. When considering these options, it is important to note that they can have a number of side effects. If your dog takes multiple medications, it can be difficult to combine them without complications. One of the most effective ways to calm a dog’s anxiety naturally is CBD. CBD has very limited side effects, and it is fairly easy to combine with other medications.
Are there supplements to calm dog anxiety naturally?
If you are wondering how to calm dog anxiety naturally, CBD extracts provide a low side-effect option. When you begin to notice critical signs of stress in your dog, incorporating a CBD extract into their food can help them calm down and better interact with their environment. While more research is continually being done on CBD, there is solid anecdotal evidence that it can calm a dog down effectively. Because our CBD oils are all-natural extracts from the hemp plant, you don’t have to worry about added toxins or chemicals. Additionally, while it is extracted from the same plant as marijuana, CBD is a different compound than THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana. This means that CBD is a great option to give your dog for anxiety, but they won’t experience the psychoactive effects or “high” of marijuana.
At SeaPet, we hold ourselves to the highest standards when producing our CBD hemp extracts. Each bottle is hand-inspected and packaged. You can be confident that each bottle contains CBD oil, a coconut carrier oil, and nothing else. Whether you are preparing for a flight with your dog, a large gathering, or other stressful situations, these oils can provide quick, effective support to calm your dog down. Easy to administer in food, these oils have minimal side effects, such as increased hunger or thirst, or a bit of drowsiness. Because they are all-natural supplements that interact gently with the body, these oils are easy to take with other medications. Talk to your dog’s veterinarian about any new supplement, but most dogs can take CBD for anxiety without having to rearrange their other medications. If you are seeing critical signs of stress in your dog or you know that they are about to enter a stressful situation, put their mind, and yours, at ease with natural supplements from SeaPet.
