Dogs, just like humans, can experience anxiety. While occasional anxiety is completely normal, it can be uncomfortable for our pups. Those who are constantly or severely anxious need treatment.
Additionally, each dog experiences anxiety differently and may present their anxiety in a plethora of ways. We break down everything you need to know about anxiety in dogs and the anti-anxiety medications for dogs available to you.
What causes dog anxiety?
Anxiety in dogs is very much the same as it is for us. While it may be troubling to witness your dog experiencing anxiety, it can be normal.
However, there are still plenty of things pet owners can do to help ease and soothe anxiety in dogs, such as pheromones and natural supplements, prescription medication, behavioral modification, and more. If you notice any sort of anxiety in your dog, it’s a good idea to see your vet so you can begin to treat it as soon as possible.
If a dog’s anxiety is left untreated, it can be detrimental to their long-term health. The varied causes and types of dog anxiety can include the following:
- Fear. When dogs feel threatened, they begin to experience fear. This fear can trigger their anxiety.
- Situational anxiety. Situational anxiety is caused by specific situations like thunderstorms, loud noises such as fireworks, visits to the vet, and moving.
- Separation. It’s not just a myth that separation anxiety exists between dogs and their owners. When left alone for long periods, a dog’s anxiety can become worse.
- Generalized. A constant state of anxiety that impacts your dog’s quality of life.
Common types of anxiety medication for dogs
If your dog suffers from frequent or severe anxiety, you and your vet may consider a variety of different medications. These can be broken down into two types of medications. The first are short-acting medications, which are useful for situations like thunderstorms, car rides, etc. that may trigger an anxiety response in your dog for a short period of time. On the other hand, long-acting meds are used for the long-term and aren’t used situationally.
Some of the following are considered SSRIs — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Trusted Source) — and antidepressants, both of which can be used to treat different forms of anxiety (including formal anxiety disorders, social anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses).
🚨 Many of these medications are human medications used off label for pets. Never give your dog your medications and always follow your vet’s guidance in how to administer and how to taper your dog off of them when the time comes.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
The same type of medication for anxiety that some humans take, alprazolam (Trusted Source) is a short-acting sedative that can treat a dog’s panic or anxiety. It’s most commonly administered in the form of a tablet or liquid, with or without food. Prescription drugs that sedate are common treatment options for dog anxiety, taking the edge off of symptoms for your pet.
Potential side effects include:
- Sedation
- Uncoordinated walking
- Increased appetite
- Rarely paradoxical reactions (increased anxiety or hyperactivity)
Amitriptyline
This type of prescribed medication is an antidepressant that is used to treat all different types of anxiety disorders, specifically in small animals. Amitriptyline (Trusted Source) is used to treat separation anxiety and excessive grooming (which can be a sign of nervousness or anxiety in pups). It’s most often given to dogs in the form of a tablet, both with and without food. The best way to get this medication is with a prescription from your veterinarian.
Potential side effects include:
Buspirone
Specifically used to target fear-based anxieties in pups, buspirone is administered in the form of a tablet. The good news is this can be given for your dog’s anxiety with or without food, making it a simple drug to offer your pet to tame their anxiety-related symptoms.
Potential side effects include:
Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
While this medication is used to treat anxiety in dogs, clomipramine
(Trusted Source) also treats OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). It can be administered in tablet or liquid form. It is FDA-approved for treatment of separation anxiety, and deemed safe for pets.
Potential side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Difficulty urinating
- Lack of appetite
Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
This medication (Trusted Source) is used to help dogs that experience anxiety due to noise phobias. This is administered in a gel form on the gums prior to an anxiety-inducing event.
Potential side effects include:
- Pale gums
- Lowered heart rate
- Inappropriate urination
- Vomiting
Diazepam (Valium)
Diazepam
(Trusted Source) is a powerful medication that treats dogs with anxiety as well as seizures. This drug is mainly administered through injection for treating seizures and as part of an anesthesia protocol. When used to treat anxiety, it is mainly given to dogs in a pill form. This drug can treat the main types of anxiety across all common causes and can be given safely at the earliest sign of anxiety with a vet prescription.
Potential side effects include:
- Sleepiness
- Increased appetite
- Weakness
- Aggression
Fluoxetine (Reconcile or Prozac)
These medication options are ones that the FDA has explicitly approved to treat dogs with separation anxiety. They are SSRI antidepressants that can also be used to treat other behavioral disorders in pets. They are given in the form of a tablet, capsule, or liquid.
Potential side effects include:
- Drooling
- Sleepiness
- Temporary loss of appetite
- Vomiting
Gabapentin
Gabapentin can be used in cats and dogs for the purposes of treating seizures or pain. Many use it in the case of cats and dogs with vet visit anxiety, often in addition to other medications. These can come in the form of capsules, tablets, or compounded liquids.
Potential side effects include:
- Sedation
- Incoordination
- Drowsiness
- Sleepiness
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Used to treat anxiety, fears, and phobias in dogs, lorazepam is administered in pill, liquid, or injection forms (at the hospital). If you know your dog will be exposed to a behavioral trigger of their anxiety, you can give them this medication one hour before.
Potential side effects include:
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Drowsiness
- Incoordination
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Paroxetine is an SSRI antidepressant used to treat canine aggression, anxiety, and general behavior problems. It’s administered in tablet, capsule, or liquid form.
Potential side effects include:
- Decreased appetite
- Muscle twitches
- Panting
- Sedation
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Another SSRI, sertraline (Trusted Source), treats anxiety, OCD, and general behavior disorders in dogs. It can be given with or without food. However, food is recommended if your dog has an upset stomach after taking it.
Potential side effects include:
- Lethargy
- Excessive panting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
Trazodone
Used to treat behavioral disorders like anxiety or phobias, trazodone is a fast-acting medication typically given orally in tablet form. It can be taken with or without food although food may help curb any nausea or vomiting.
Potential side effects include:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Colitis
Alternatives to medication to treat dog anxiety
Medication may not be the best solution for all dogs with anxiety. However, there are a few other methods to treat dog anxiety.
- Supplements. Certain calming supplements and other herbal supplements may help your dog feel less anxious. Some dog owners have reported success in using CBD. Just like other supplements, consult with your vet before giving your pet CBD anxiety medicine.
- ThunderShirts. Developed by behavioral scientists, the ThunderShirt is a nice alternative to medicines for many dogs, and it has proven to be an effective treatment for many anxious dogs. They come in different sizes, colors, and styles, so you can find one that fits your dog comfortably (they can look cute, too!).
- Training and counterconditioning. Training an anxious dog to help reduce their anxiety can be challenging. Many professional dog trainers specialize in helping dogs with anxiety and may use techniques like exposure therapy and other counterconditioning methods to enhance behavior modification. Contact your vet for the best training referral for your pup!
- Pheromones. Pheromone-based products like Adaptil are over-the-counter and can be found at pet supply stores near you. The product mimics the familiar soothing scent that puppies experience from their mothers as they come into the world, promoting a general sense of calm for your pup. This medication emotionally grounds your dog on a chemical level, using the pheromone scent to influence the brain.
Preventing dog anxiety
Anxiety can be detrimental to your dog’s health in the long run. The stress it puts on their body can cause problems for their hearts, organs, and general well-being. There are plenty of daily lifestyle tips and changes that can help your pup’s anxiety. This includes ensuring that your dog gets the appropriate training and socialization with proper exercise, mental stimulation, and nutrition.
While not all stressful situations are avoidable, you can always go that little extra bit to make sure you avoid situations that induce your dog’s anxiety. And when your dog combats their anxiety in noticeable ways, be sure to give them lots of positive reinforcement (treats, please!)
Frequently asked questions
What is an off-label medication?
You may notice that some of the medications for treating a dog’s anxiety are labeled as off-label (Trusted Source) medicines. This is common in veterinary practice when the FDA hasn’t necessarily approved a drug for use on pets. This doesn’t mean it’s not safe, however, and your vet will know what the best solution is for treating your dog’s anxiety.
Is anxiety medication bad for dogs?
While medication may not be the right choice for every dog suffering from anxiety, it can be a great way to help your anxious pup cope, make training more successful, and possibly prevent them from experiencing anxiety spells altogether.
Can you give your dog human medication to treat their anxiety?
You should only give your dog the medication that your vet has prescribed, or, when it comes to OTC options, under their guidance.
