Help Your Anxious Pet
Updated: Oct 6
Ever since 4th of July fireworks, Jersey keeps peering anxiously into the sky and isn’t sleeping well. Ever since Max witnessed a burglary in his home, he has been very anxious. Ever since a bad reaction to medication, King has been wild and anxious. Ever since the loss of his fellow pet friend, Charm has had digestive problems. All of these pets were helped with homeopathic treatment. Other support can be found in the form of clothing, flower essences, music, pheromone sprays / diffusers, and PEMF (Pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), chiropractic and other body manipulation modalities may help as well. Homeopathic options may be discussed as a consultation via this platform. Suggestions in the consults and below are considered education of complimentary therapy modalities and do not replace your pet’s care from a veterinarian.
NOTE: The following resources relate to emotional / mental anxiety. It is important to realize that digestive pain and dysfunction, musculoskeletal and nervous system pain, cancer/polyps in the central nervous system, respiratory disease, anemia, thyroid / other endocrine disease, heart disease, canine cognitive dysfunction, seizure disorders and others can present as anxiety. A thorough physical exam and diagnostic workup may be needed to find out why your pet is anxious.
There are many other resources for the allopathic/drug treatment of anxiety, this focuses on complementary or alternative modalities. For pets very frightened by holiday fireworks, I will often prescribe antianxiety medication along with the below suggestions. Some people will take their pet on a trip somewhere with no firework sounds (ex. camping). However, implementing several of the ideas below will help the mild to moderately anxious pet. If your dog is excessively anxious, destructive or aggressive, please request a referral for a behaviorist from your veterinarian
Behavioral Training Resources
https://www.dacvb.org/ American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
https://iaabc.org/ International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
https://avsab.org/ American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
https://www.ccpdt.org/ Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Calming Products and Modality Resources (the following include some affiliate links to Amazon, See specific Resource page: Pet Emotional Support)
Thunder vest – there are a number of colors and thicknesses.
Or your pet might be calmed through being tightly wrapped in a blanket or comforter
Through a Dog’s Ear (Joshua Leeds and Lisa Spector musicians) multiple CDs and MP3 available on Amazon (icalmpet has a platform on Amazon), but also available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music or directly with www.icalmpet.com
https://www.puppyup.org/interview-with-lisa-spector-through-a-dogs-ear/ Interview with Lisa Spector on how she and Joshua Leeds collaborated to develop this special calming music for dogs
https://geni.us/UfKJ2Mm (Amazon platform for CDs, MP3, Interchangeable sound cards for icalm pet speaker and SD enabled devices)
Get your pet used to The Tellington TTouch, do the ear treatments and circular rubbing (remember to breathe and be peaceful in yourself)
YouTube has several demonstrations of Tellington TTouch. These are some of them:
The Tellington TTouch: Caring for Animals with Heart and Hands by Linda Tellington-Jones , Sybil Taylor https://geni.us/THy31
Getting in TTouch with Your Dog: An Easy, Gentle Way to Better Health and Behavior by Linda Tellington-Jones https://geni.us/H73Pp
ADAPTIL Dog Calming Pheromone (is now ThunderEase)
(My Affiliate Amazon link for ThunderEase® Store https://geni.us/QbVGa )
Supplements: please check with your veterinarian before starting any supplements.
Urgent Note! Some supplement in combination with medications or other supplements can cause Serotonin Syndrome
CBD (ElleVet link) I have the most experience, confidence, and preference for ElleVet Sciences. They offer a variety of forms (chews, pastes, oils, sticks) and research. https://www.ellevetsciences.com/
https://geni.us/CyD2yJ ElleVet Dental Sticks and https://geni.us/FFGHd Calming Chews
Vetri-Science Products https://www.vetriscience.com/behavioral-health.html
Amazon store https://geni.us/w8ES
Calm and Confident (formerly Composure) – ingredients L-Theanine, Ashwagandha (not in feline version), Colostrum (patented biopeptide blend), also note there is a senior formula to help with Canine Cognitive Disorder
I frequently recommend their other products related to urinary tract support (Bladder Health, UT Health Quick Action - very soothing with UTI), all the joint support products and Liver Health.
Nutramaxx Products https://www.solliquin.com/ ingredients: L-theanine, Magnolia and Phellodendron extracts (reduce behaviors associated with noise sensitivity in dogs), and NMXSLQ05® whey protein concentrate https://geni.us/iPo1JD
Purina FortiFlora Products Calming Care https://geni.us/AdbDDA (dog) https://geni.us/MhlQ (cat)
Calming Care is a unique daily probiotic supplement that works through your pet’s gut to promote a positive emotional state
Flower Essences for Pets
Calming Spray Recipe
Options – smaller glass bottle:
StoreGreenHealth 8 fl oz Cobalt Blue Plastic Bottle with Black Spray Cap (Single)
To one four ounce spray bottle add:
Enough vodka to fill about 1/10th of the bottle
28 drops per 4oz bottle (7 drops Calming Solution per one ounce water) order from www.petessences.com
2 drops Lemongrass essential oil (if you are chemically sensitive just use the Calming Solution)
2 drops Lavender essential oil https://geni.us/MpWI Revive Essential Oils Amazon Store
Fill the rest of the bottle with spring water
Shake bottle a few times to energize before each use.
General Health and Nutrition: There is no substitute for quality food
A vast research base demonstrates links between diet and ADHD, Allergies, general behavior and brain chemistry in humans. Animals don’t feel great when fed poor quality food. They will outwardly appear normal but over time poor food results in illness. https://truthaboutpetfood.com/the-list/
While you are away
A note on crates – if a dog is fractious, they can break their teeth, nails, cut lips if struggling to get out. Not recommended. A crate with the door open can be left as a place for hiding or solitude.
Another note – Dogs are highly social; they need regular time with people or a friend. Some dogs do not do well as solitary individuals.
Exercise (before leaving and regular activity and training. Some breeds are not stay at home, vegetating, house pets, they NEED work. Please do not buy a German SH Pointer to just sit at home.)
Predictable Routines
Treat dispenser Furbo Pet Cameras/Treat dispenser Furbo Mini 360 Camera https://geni.us/3joBh
Furbo store on Amazon https://geni.us/rgvDzA
KONG Wobbler - Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing - Dog Slow Feeder for Healthy Eating - for Medium/Small Dogs
Visit the KONG Store on Amazon https://geni.us/5Yzaa4O
PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field)
(The Calmer Canine PEMF treatment addresses more serious cases of anxiety, especially separation anxiety. It is highly effective. Zomedica has broad research and support resources for pet parents and veterinarians. This also brings up the topic of pain control. Assisi products are useful in helping with pain and inflammation. Pain may be a source of anxiety.)
Assisi PEMF tech – Calmer Canine (this heals inflammation in the brain caused by anxiety) – scroll to Calmer Canine. If you order, look at sizing chart. 15 min twice a day 4-6 weeks will see a result. Then you can stop for a while and use if symptoms recur.
https://geni.us/VsJoc Assisi Loop Store - click on Calmer Canine for loop and vest/loop bundles
