What can I give my dog for anxiety?

Updated 21/11/2023

Dogs are smart and sociable creatures, meaning they are susceptible to anxiety, just like us humans. There are different types of anxiety or behavioral issues found in our pup pals, which can negatively affect both their lives and ours as pet parents as we struggle to cope with their anxiety related behavior.  But don’t panic, stay calm. We, as pet parents, can do plenty of things to help an anxious dog.

Of course, if you’re ever concerned you may have an anxious dog, always contact your vet. Alongside vet advice, you can do plenty of things at home to offer dog anxiety treatment. From simple things like a doggy massage - for real, you’ll see - to training, there’s a lot you can do to help an anxious dog.

Let’s take a chilled, calm look through the different options of what can you give a dog for anxiety…

Signs of anxiety in dogs

Firstly, it’s important to be able to identify dog anxiety. The different types of anxiety found amongst canines can include generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and anxiety brought on by different health conditions. 

Here are some signs of anxiety in dogs to look out for:

• Excessive barking, howling or whining
• Excessive drooling, licking, panting, or chewing
• Out-of-character or destructive behavior
• Hunched or withdrawn body language
• Pacing
• Pupil dilation
• Shaking
• Patches of fur loss 
• Urination or defecation inside the home
• Avoiding their pet parents
• Licking at paws or legs, sometimes creating wounds 

Without treatment, dog anxiety can lead to canine aggression and other behavior problems. It’s important to remember that some of these signs and symptoms can signal another underlying issue, so it’s always best to speak to your vet if your poor pooch is displaying any of these signs.

What can you give a dog for anxiety?

For pet parents, knowing you have an anxious dog can be very worrying. Luckily, there are lots of ways to calm an anxious doggo.

Toys can act as an anxiety relief for dogs

Toys are great. You know it, your pup knows it, and everyone knows toys are the best! These can act as both a comfort and a distraction, particularly for pups who suffer from generalized anxiety.

Puzzle toys are paw-fect for occupying an anxious dog and help with separation anxiety training. Chewy has a range of different doggo puzzles for all types of dogs, but we recommend trying the Frisco Two-Tier Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy as it’s a real head-scratcher.

Other toys to help with separation anxiety include chewable and lick mats with peanut butter inside and over them, squeaky toys or ones that make sounds, or any kind of comfort toy they can carry around with them. Always use xylitol free peanut butter, as xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. 

If using squeaky toys, check them regularly to see for signs of wear or cracks. A squeaker can be eaten accidently and cause an intestinal blockage which may need surgery to remove. 

Emotionally ignore your dog’s fears

It might sound counterintuitive, but if your pooch is scared of something that you know won’t hurt them, fussing over them will actually reinforce that fear. Doing the opposite helps your dog to learn they’re safe. 

Our member @louisehunt was wondering what to do with her dog’s anxiety near a busy road, over on our community forum. Rob Kuty - certified master dog trainer, President of San Diego Pet Training and Director of Animal Training at Helen Woodward Animal Center - was on hand with his advice, informed by 23 years of professional dog training experience.

@louisehunt asks: “Any advice on how to help our dog with her nerves, particularly when walking her near busy road?”

Rob: “Let me start by stating any time your dog is afraid or nervous of something that you know will not hurt them, it’s very important to emotionally ignore your dog’s fears. Meaning, don’t cater to the dog during these moments by talking to them or petting them. You would actually be reinforcing the fear.

Start by taking your dog to areas that allow space away from the main road so you could acclimate from a distance and start to desensitize your dog to the sights and sounds. As you start to notice your dog build confidence from a certain distance, you can slowly get closer. Be very patient during this process. Also be sure to stay consistent. Look at ‘chipping’ away at this process.”

For more info from Rob (AKA dog training gold dust), check out his dog training tips over on our blog.

Holistic treatments for dog anxiety

The word holistic might conjure up the image of meditating dogs on squishy cushions in a room filled with incense and whale music. This is not what we mean, well, not entirely.

Creating a calm environment for your pup is important for doggos. They need to have their own safe space in a crate, away from loud noises, hidden from view with their favorite blankets and toys. This can also be in places under tables, under stairways, or even in a cardboard box with some towels over it. If there’s a dog-only area for them to hang out in, it allows them to learn to cope better in stressful scenarios.

There are some sites out there that recommend using small amounts of essential oils or even CBD oil as a natural relaxant for pups. However, these methods have not been verified and should not be attempted without talking to your vet about it first. Some oils may cause a toxic or allergic reaction with some pooches, so always proceed with caution and under the guidance of your vet!

Other holistic options include doggo massages and prolonged cuddles. Just as pups offer us numerous daily health benefits, so can our parent pets pay them back with some extra love and attention.

Invest in a dog anxiety vest

These can also be referred to as Thundershirts as they’re great to put on your pup during scary thunderstorms, firework displays, or any time they may be around sudden, loud noises. They act like a compression blanket but allow your dog to walk about as normal, except this vest gives them a permanent gentle hug. This compression (or hug) helps to calm your pooch and makes them feel safe.

We published an article earlier in 2023 recommending some of the best dog anxiety vests on the market. Have a browse and see which vest would be best for your drool-baby.

Pheromone Diffusers 

Pheromone diffusers such as Adaptil, are a natural way of helping your dog relax. The pheromones in these products are similar to the ‘smell’ your dog's mother gave off when they were a puppy, and this smell helps dogs to feel more calm and settled. Scientists have copied this pheromone smell and put it into products to use to our advantage. Pheromone products come in different ranges, from collars that can be worn all the time, to diffusers that plug into the wall in the home for 24/7 comfort and even travel sprays for those stressful journeys to the vet. There are no side effects and this treatment is completely safe for your dog to try and can make a big difference. 

Supplements 

Nature is wonderful! There are products on the market that can help your dog to relax and they are packed with supplements to boost your dog's mood such as vitamins and amino acids. These supplements need to be taken daily to be most effective and can take a few weeks for effective levels to build up in your dog's system. These supplements are available at your vet clinic without prescription, so talk to a vet today about using anxiety relieving supplements in your dog. 

Anxiety relief for dogs and preventative measures

Dogs don’t have to be diagnosed with anxiety to be given dog anxiety treatment. The world is a scary and stressful place, we humans know that! Pups are as easily affected by changes in their lives as their pet parents are.

Luckily, there are things we can do to make sure our pooches are trained to deal with future stressful situations. If you live in an area prone to thunderstorms or you know you need to be away from home for periods, here are some helpful tips on pup preparations.

Crate training

As mentioned earlier, a crate can be a safe space for your pooch or puppy. Making sure they are accustomed to their crate from a young age with positive reinforcement will allow them to see these areas as their bedroom. Crate training will make supplying anxiety relief for dogs at home much easier for pet parents.

Regular socialization

For when you’re out and about, away from the comforts of home and favorite toys, socialization training from a young age is essential towards helping dogs with anxiety, or rather, preventing dog anxiety from developing (and can be especially useful when moving with a dog).

Introducing your snuffle baby to other dogs and group situations will mean it is less of a shock for them if you suddenly end up in a busy environment. Dogs are social animals and socialization is a normal, healthy part of any doggo’s life.

Being able to let loose and run around with other pups will also help to burn off any excess energy. Dogs with pent-up zoomies can become anxious which may lead to destructive behaviors.

Separation anxiety training

Since a series of events that happened between 2020 and 2022 - cough, cough - separation anxiety has become a growing problem among dog dads and moms. However, it is treatable with patience, kindness and training. Sometimes medications are needed to help your dog work through their anxiety. .

The American Veterinary Medical Association released an article a few years ago about spotting and treating separation anxiety in dogs. It states that this type of anxiety in dogs is not a disorder and can be prevented with the right training. Pet parents will need to be persistent, patient and rigorous with this type of training, but it can be done.

Paw-positive reinforcement

Like the suggestion of using toys, dogs thrive on positive reinforcement. This should be a big part of all their training and offered daily. Treats, cuddles, and playtime all count as forms of paw-sitive reinforcement.

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Pet parents all have their tips and tricks on how to help dogs with anxiety (and you’re a TrustedHousesitters member) share your wisdom on our Community Forum. For members who are ever worried their pooch pet is showing signs of anxiety, be sure to call our 24/7 Vet Advice Line.