When our pets go through anxiety, it can make us feel powerless to change what they’re experiencing.
Things like thunderstorms, grooming and travel can be extremely anxiety inducing events for dogs and some may have a worse time than others.
There are many ways we can condition our dogs to reframe certain experiences but sometimes, our dogs just hate certain noises or activities.
For moments like these, it’s good to have a set of tools to help ease your dog’s anxiety and get them through whatever the experience is.
Different things might be appropriate for different situations, and it’s all part of living with our furry friends to know how to take care of them when they’re scared.
To help new dog owners get started, we put together a list of things you can do to help calm your dog during stressful events.
CBD For Pets
Clinically tested dog CBD is a great way to calm anxiety among other ailments in dogs. Dog CBD comes in a few different forms including chews, gels and oils for topical application.
Pharmaceutical medications can cause concern in owners wondering if those medications are doing long term damage.
CBD might cause similar apprehensions, but dog CBD has been tested to be sure it is absolutely safe for dogs to eat.
This is a great, healthy and safe way to help your dog ease its nerves before travel, grooming or during noisey events that might scare them.
If you’re concerned, consult with your vet to determine the best thing to give your dog before experiencing a potentially stress inducing event.
Familiar Items
Pets are comfort creatures. They love their routine, familiar items and scents to be around them at all times.
When traveling or visiting the vet, the lack of those comforts can be stressful for them.
Before leaving on any trip or outing, make sure to pack a bag with familiar blankets, toys, and home items that they love to make them feel more at home on the journey; wherever you might be going. These items should be their absolute favorite things.
The more smell they have of their familiar environment, the better.
When traveling, you’ll have the benefit of at least being near them during the journey.
For vet or grooming visits, you’ll need to make sure their carrier is extra stuff with special items to help them feel safer and more at home.
Create a Safe Space
When oisey events occur, some dogs react extremely negatively.
During thunderstorms, many dogs become very afraid or agitated from the sounds and vibration from thunder. However, for some dogs it’s not just the noise. The flashing lights and pressure changes can also contribute to your dog’s anxiety.
If one of these events is looming in the future, prepare by creating a safe space for your dog where it can hide and feel comfortable.
They may want to be near you, so make sure it’s comfortable for the both of you.
You can also outfit the room with fans or white noise machines to drown out some of the noise from the storm.
Distractions
Sometimes the best way to calm your dog is to show them that everything is ok. Owners can do this by initiating play, giving pets and talking to their dog.
When dogs see that their owners are at ease, it can do a great deal to calm their own nerves.
Dogs are very responsive to their owners and you can do a lot by treating them just as you would at home.
Special Treats
Food is a great motivator for dogs.
Certain treats should be saved only for special occasions and having to go to the vet, travel or get groomed are just the occasion to break out your best treats. For dogs, raw food treats are a great and healthy treat to give them.
Or, if your dog is more into bones, save those for their ride to the vet to help ease their anxiety riding in the car.
Conclusion
When dogs go through stressful events, it’s usually because of an outside force making them feel like their environment is unsafe.
Whether this is done to travel, vet visits or meteorological events, these are all examples of events that destabilize a dog’s environment and can cause distress.
Some dogs will react worse than others, but it’s good to have a set of tools to help your furry friend cope with whatever might be going on.
Special treats, safe spaces in the home and dog CBD are all great ways to help curb anxiety and help them through the experience.
Dogs are sensitive and respond well to their owners behavior, so make sure you remind them with pets and affirmations that everything is going to be just fine.