Dogs, like people, experience tension and anxiety, though their symptoms may be more difficult to detect. Pushing its ears back, tucking its tail, salivating, yawning, licking its snout, or elevating its front paw are all signs that your pet is agitated. Retreating or hiding, shivering, panting, or expressing its anal glands are some of the more evident indicators of dog nervousness.
There are also physiological effects of anxiety in dogs and they include:
- Increased salivation or drooling
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate and panting
- Skin lesions from self-trauma
- Over-grooming
Pets, like people, can benefit from a variety of relaxation and soothing techniques. Do you prefer to unwind by listening to a specific genre of music? Your dog, it appears, feels the same way. You don’t always have to purchase new dog food supplies or dog products to help soothe them. Puppies tend to prefer soft rock or reggae to jazz, pop, or Motown when it comes to stress-relieving music. In a 2017 study, playing music was associated with lower heart rates in shelter dogs (which is an indication of reduced stress).
But don’t worry if you’re not a fan of Bob Marley or Michael Bolton. There are a variety of alternative methods for calming your pet. Here are five easy strategies to consider:
- Reevaluate Your Routine
Explore how you would be able to help your dog feel calmer before purchasing any goods that promise to relieve his agitation. “Most of the time, pet owners must do something unusual to help manage and alleviate their dog’s anxiety,” says Meredith Stepita, DVM, a veterinary behaviourist.
A predictable daily routine, for example, might make your dog feel more secure and less scared by allowing it to anticipate when it will get to eat, go outdoors, and spend quality time playing with you. This is especially the case if its stress appears to be caused by separation anxiety, according to Stepita.
So if you find your dog’s anxiety elevating, try to incorporate a daily routine that you can both follow so it can feel a sense of security. If you take your canine on a walk every morning or in the evening at a place that it’s familiar with, letting it stroll around freely with your company, then it might feel soothed.
Exercise can help us cope with our own anxiety, and research has linked higher levels of activity in dogs to reduced levels of aggression, fear, and separation anxiety.
- Play Some Music
Reggae and soft rock aren’t the only music genres that can help your dog unwind. Classical music like Mozart and Beethoven has been demonstrated to help dogs relax and bark less.
According to the aforementioned 2017 study, it makes a difference what kind of music the evaluated dogs listened to. The canines grew anxious and began barking when the researchers played heavy metal music. Listening to popular music or human speech had no discernible effect on behaviour compared to having no sound at all. On the other hand, classical music appeared to have a relaxing impact on the dogs. The dogs’ barking was significantly reduced while listening to it, and they frequently lay down and settled in place.
- Give Your Pooch a Massage
All dogs can benefit from dog massage treatment, from pups to elderly.
It’s not as simple as giving your dog a shoulder rub, though. Dog massage therapy manipulates the soft tissues of the body with strategic, often strong pressure, therefore it’s crucial to have your dog seen by a specialist.
While full-body, deep tissue massage is best left to the pros, there are several simple, less strenuous dog massage treatment techniques that you may attempt at home such as:
- Backstroke
- Forehead rub
- Thigh and glute rub
- Ear rub Physical touch is known to help dogs with anxiety and aggression, according to anecdotal evidence. And, despite the lack of evidence, loving caressing appears to help dogs remain tranquil during stressful or unpleasant events such as getting vaccinations or having blood drawn.
- Seek Professional Assistance
Don’t give up if you’re still having trouble finding the key to serenity. It’s critical to figure out what’s causing your dog’s stress and how to deal with it. Stepita predicts that he won’t simply learn to cope with whatever is bothering him, and that his anxiety will certainly worsen.
Consider consulting with a board-certified veterinary behaviourist or a certified applied animal behaviourist, who can assist you in developing a particular plan to change your dog’s underlying emotional response, allowing him to return to his happy, tail-wagging self.
- Try Salmon Oil
Burp’s Ultimate Bliss Salmon Oil with Cactus Extract contains tranquil and relaxing properties that will, without a doubt, soothe your canine friend from feeling anxious. It aids in relieving a dog’s stress and also provides additional benefits.
Besides, it’s high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat, and it’s free of alcohol, colouring, and artificial taste. This is perfect for pets who become agitated in noisy situations or when left alone for extended periods of time.
Through a series of laborious trials, analysis, matching, and research humans invented herbal components with multiple positive effects, the brand provides the huge benefits of mother nature to your beloved canine.
If you’re interested in providing your dog with the Scottish salmon oil that would ultimately relieve its stress, then Burp’s Ultimate Bliss Salmon Oil with Cactus Extract is the perfect answer for you. Visit your nearby pet shop today.
This article was brought to you by Burp.
