Thanks to the ongoing
push for awareness of mental health issues, more and more people are
recognizing their anxiety and are taking the steps necessary to handle it and
improve their day to day lives. Humans are not the only species to suffer from
this debilitating condition, with many domestic animals, such as dogs,
developing anxiety symptoms in stressful environments. If you have ever
suffered from anxiety, no doubt, you are keen to help your beloved four-legged
friend through their issues so that they can go back to enjoying a life of long
walks, dog treats, and cuddles in front of the TV. Here are a few ways you can
help to alleviate your dog’s anxiety.
Regular exercise
You’ve probably heard
the advice for humans to get regular exercise as a way of relieving anxiety,
the serotonin generated helping to boost your mood. The same is true for dogs
suffering from anxiety, perhaps even more so: as dogs are naturally energetic
hunters and pack animals, they must get regular exercise to ensure that they stay in the best of health. This
will not only help to keep them physically fit, but also provide mental
stimulation by igniting their curiosity in their environment and providing
interaction opportunities with other dogs. Adding fun games such as throwing a
frisbee or tennis ball for them to catch will help them to feel less stressed,
while also strengthening your bond with your beloved dog.
CBD oil products
Aside from regular
exercise, there are other methods of how to help a dog with anxiety. CBD oil, for instance, may help to calm your dog
down and is available as dog calming treats, drops, or tablets. Drawn from the
hemp plant, CBD oil has been linked to a reduction in anxiety and could
possibly help to lower your dog’s stress levels. However, CBD oil products
aren’t designed to treat or cure anxiety in your dog; it’s essential to check
with your vet for more advice, particularly if your pet is exhibiting extreme
anxiety symptoms such as excessive licking or aggressive and destructive
behavior.
Create a calming home environment
From the vacuum cleaner
to the mailman, many of the regular human day-to-day activities can appear
massively stimulating to a dog who does not understand what is going on. Add to
these other stressors such as loud TV and music, and perhaps even arguments,
and it’s no wonder that your dog finds their home environment stressful. To
help your pet feel more relaxed in your home, you could create a safe space to hide in when things become a bit overwhelming. A
cage covered with a blanket, for instance, will help them to feel safe by
dulling any loud noises and giving the sense that they are hidden from any
aggressive predators. You could even consider reducing the noise level of your
home as a whole – you might find your own stress levels, reducing, as well as
your dog’s.