How to Help Dog Anxiety Symptoms with Natural Remedies (That Work!)

When our favorite fur babies suffer, we do too--and not just because Fido “leaked” on the rug! Dog anxiety symptoms are a plea for help. As human caregivers, we seek out the best solutions. For many pet owners, we prefer a natural remedy, if at all possible.

Fortunately, it’s possible to help your four-legged anxiety sufferer with several proven natural remedies.

Here’s how.

Recognize Dog Anxiety Symptoms

Not every dog will exhibit anxiety in the same way. Sometimes you will observe classic fear symptoms, like shaking or hiding, but often dog anxiety symptoms might include:

• Not eating
• Digging
• Running away
• Barking or howling when owner leaves
• Howling and “freaking out” when owner returns
• Panting and pacing
• Chewing up furniture, shoes, or other non-play things
• Urinating or defecating in the house (even though the dog is house trained)
• Excessive licking or chewing, even to the point of self-harm
• Cowering and whimpering
• An inability to settle down or sleep

Sometimes anxiety is just a change in behavior that might be difficult for you to describe. But you know your pet better than anyone. If something seems “not right,” you are often the first to notice.

Treating Anxiety with Natural Remedies for Pets

Sometimes, anxiety can be a symptom of another health problem, such as an infection. So, if you observe any of the signs of anxiety listed above, it’s good to check in with a trusted veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical condition.

Then, go ahead and try some of these natural solutions for comforting an anxious dog:

• Remove the trigger - Whether it’s loud sounds, the sight of the mailman, or interacting with other dogs that stresses your dog out, you may be able to eliminate the exposure or use desensitization or counter-training methods to improve interactions with triggers. You can read more about those here.
• Play and exercise - Just like humans, dogs need exercise and mental stimulation for their mental health. Increasing Fifi’s walk routine, trying a new walk (new scent experience!) or otherwise getting outside more, can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
• Doggie massage or grooming - Some dogs will find grooming or more contact (like massage) stressful. Others will only accept contact from their own family. But if you can get Spot to accept grooming or a massage, he may find it to be an effective natural stress remedy.
• Physical comfort - Anxious dogs often respond well to pressure. A weighted jacket, a tight squeeze, and cuddle from a loved one, picking up and holding a small, anxious dog, can all be physically comforting. It’s important to note, however, that an anxious dog can also lash out, bite, or otherwise harm someone at a moment of stress. So only provide physical comfort to a dog when safe to do so.
• Supplements and remedies - Growing research supports what many pet owners have observed, that supplementing an anxious dog with whole-flower dog CBD may restore calm. CBD helps promote homeostasis, a biological term for all of the parts working in harmony or balance. A CBD remedy at the time of stress or anxiety, or daily supplementing with CBD can help naturally alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.

It’s important to note that in dealing with an anxious dog, punishment-based training doesn’t work, and may make matters worse. In general, reward-based training produces better results than punishment-based training. However, for a dog prone to anxiety, punishment-based training may exacerbate the situation, leading to increased incidents of “acting out.”

If training is part of your plan for working with your anxious dog, stick to reward-based, confidence-boosting training.

CBD Treats Just for Dogs

While dogs and humans with anxiety might both benefit from CBD products, it’s important to only give your dog a CBD product created for dogs. Human CBD products may have different dosages, or even ingredients (like xylitol, a common sweetener), which may be dangerous for dogs.

At Bad Dog CBD, our specially-formulated Calming CBD Tincture combines the relaxing power of melatonin with soothing, whole-flower CBD. Administer to your furry loved one to offer relief from doggie anxiety symptoms.