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Anti Anxiety Meds for Dogs: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
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Time to read 5 min
Anxiety is common in dogs and can bring stress to both pets and their families. It disrupts routines, affects health, and lowers overall happiness. Recognizing anxiety early helps you support your dog’s comfort and well-being. This guide covers what causes canine anxiety, how anti anxiety meds for dogs work, and natural alternatives that can help.
Table of Content
Understanding Anxiety in Dogs Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Common Causes of Canine Anxiety How Anti Anxiety Medications for Dogs Work Types of Common Anti Anxiety Meds Short-Term vs. Long-Term Use Pros of Anti Anxiety Medication for Dogs Cons and Side Effects of Anti Anxiety Drugs Alternatives to Anti Anxiety Meds for Dogs Behavioral Training Environmental & Lifestyle Changes When to Choose Medication vs. Alternatives FAQs Anti Anxiety Meds for Dogs Conclusion: Choosing the Best Path Forward
Understanding Anxiety in Dogs
Recognizing anxiety is the first step in easing your dog’s distress. Many pet parents overlook subtle signs, but knowing what to look for makes a real difference.
Learn more about dog anxiety symptoms and treatment options from the AKC.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Common signs include:
Excessive barking, whining, or howling
Destructive behavior (chewing, digging, scratching)
Pacing, trembling, or hiding
Changes in appetite or bathroom habits
Restlessness or escape attempts
Physical signs like panting, drooling, or shedding may also appear. Spotting symptoms early allows you to consult your vet and create a plan for relief.
Common Causes of Canine Anxiety
Anxiety can stem from:
Separation or being left alone
Loud noises (fireworks, storms)
Changes in routine or environment
New people or animals
Past trauma or neglect
Medical conditions or aging
Identifying triggers helps you and your veterinarian develop a personalized plan for your dog’s emotional health.
How Anti Anxiety Medications for Dogs Work
When anxiety disrupts daily life, medication can help calm the nervous system and reduce stress. These medications often serve as part of a broader plan that includes training and lifestyle changes.
Types of Common Anti Anxiety Meds
Veterinarians often prescribe:
SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine)
TCAs (e.g., clomipramine)
Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam)
Adjuncts like trazodone or gabapentin
Your vet will determine the best option based on your dog’s size, health, and type of anxiety.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Use
Short-term: Fast-acting drugs like benzodiazepines work for specific events (e.g., fireworks, travel).
- Long-term: SSRIs or TCAs manage chronic anxiety, often combined with behavioral therapy for lasting benefits.
Pros of Anti Anxiety Medication for Dogs
Effective Symptom Relief: Medications can quickly reduce destructive behavior and restlessness.
Supports Training: By lowering anxiety, dogs become more receptive to behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
For guidance on how medication supports training, review ASPCA’s dog behavior and anxiety resources.
Cons and Side Effects of Anti Anxiety Drugs
While effective, medications carry potential downsides. Common side effects include:
Drowsiness, loss of appetite, or upset stomach
Increased thirst or drooling
Restlessness or tremors
Long-term use may affect the liver or kidneys, and abrupt withdrawal from certain drugs can cause withdrawal symptoms. Always follow your vet’s guidance and schedule regular checkups.
Read more about safe use of dog anxiety medication on PetMD.
Alternatives to Anti Anxiety Meds for Dogs
If you prefer to start with natural or non-prescription options, consider these alternatives.
Behavioral Training
Techniques like desensitization and counterconditioning help dogs build coping skills. Positive reinforcement and consistent routines support calm behavior.
For practical training strategies, see Humane Society’s tips for managing anxious dogs.
Common options include:
L-theanine, tryptophan, valerian root, melatonin
Pheromone diffusers, chamomile chews, or weighted vests
Always check with your vet before adding supplements.
Environmental & Lifestyle Changes
Create a safe space with familiar items
Maintain consistent routines
Use mental enrichment like puzzle toys
Play calming music or white noise
These small adjustments can significantly lower anxiety levels.
When to Choose Medication vs. Alternatives
Consider medication if your dog’s anxiety:
Causes self-harm or aggression
Disrupts daily life
Doesn’t improve with training or supplements
For mild anxiety, start with natural methods and environmental support. Your vet can help decide if medication or a combination approach is best.
FAQs
Anti Anxiety Meds for Dogs
1. What is the best anxiety medication for dogs?
Commonly prescribed options include fluoxetine, clomipramine, and trazodone. The best choice depends on your dog’s health, anxiety type, and severity.
2. Can I give my dog human anxiety medication?
No — human medications can be toxic to dogs. Always use prescriptions approved by your veterinarian.
3. Are natural calming supplements safe for dogs?
Yes, when vet-approved and properly dosed. Supplements like L-theanine, melatonin, and CBD are often used for mild anxiety.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Path Forward
Helping your dog overcome anxiety takes patience and informed care. Anti anxiety meds for dogs—such as SSRIs, TCAs, and benzodiazepines—can bring relief for severe cases but work best when combined with training and lifestyle improvements.
For mild to moderate anxiety, natural alternatives like calming supplements, pheromones, and behavioral therapy can offer safe, effective relief. Always consult your veterinarian to tailor a plan to your dog’s unique needs.
With consistent support, positive routines, and expert guidance, even anxious dogs can rediscover calm, confidence, and joy.
Dr. Audrey Negrelli, Veterinarian & Wellness Advisor, PawOrigins®
Dr. Audrey Negrelli is committed to helping pets live healthier, happier lives through compassionate, science-based care. With years of veterinary experience in preventive medicine and wellness, she ensures that every PawOrigins® resource supports both safety and quality. Her mission is simple: to empower pet parents and give families more joyful, healthy years with their animals.
Do Paw Origins products undergo laboratory testing?
Yes! Our manufacturing process involves undergoing 3 rounds of quality testing at 3rd-party laboratory at both the batch and product level. We have strict rules when it comes to quality and standards.
When testing, if a certain element is off on that batch, we throw away all of it and start over. After the product has been through the whole procedure, the testing is over and the product officially has a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which ensures the safety of your furry friends.
You will be surprised at the amount of garbage and harmful ingredients there are in cheap, low-quality products being sold in the market. They are extremely damaging to your pet’s health, and more dog owners should be aware of the ingredients used. Our products have ingredients you can read and pronounce, and contain only the highest quality organic ingredients.
Could you share about the manufacturing process?
Unlike many faulty products and some of these best-sellers you see on Amazon that have heavy metal toxicity, and mislabeling, our manufacturing facility is GMP certified.
A GMP Certification means there's an emphasis on quality, documentation, inspection, and safety. Further, our manufacturing process is environmentally friendly, using a clean C02 extraction. We don't overproduce in this artisan process. Quality is of great importance to us. We also have 3rd Party Lab Results to verify and assure the highest quality of our products.