1. Exercise & Brain Games
Before your pup experiences a stressful situation (AKA a trip to the vet, groomer, or car ride), it’s great to squeeze in some exercise and brain games. Going for a walk around your community, playing frisbee, throwing the ball for a game of fetch, or playing with an enrichment toy will help tire out your pooch and act as a great stress reliever for two main reasons. It:
- Stimulates the production of serotonin, a feel-good brain chemical
- Gets rid of pent-up energy that can make an anxiety attack worse
2. CBD Oil
If you’re a regular reader here at Proud Dog Mom then you know I’m a fan of CBD for dogs. I’ve been giving it to my Chihuahua, Diego, for a couple of years and have noticed three major improvements: He no longer seems bothered by joint pain, it’s soothed his seasonal allergies, and his mood has drastically improved.
So how does this liquid gold work exactly? Well, it’s all about the endocannabinoid system (ECS). I know … it may sound strange that we have an entire biological system named after cannabis! That’s because it was first discovered in the early 1990s when scientists were exploring the cannabis plant. So, what is the ECS exactly? Well, let’s breakdown the word:
- “Endo” means “within”. This tells us it’s produced naturally within the body.
- “Cannabinoid” refers to cannabis.
So “endocannabinoid” simply means cannabis-like substances that naturally occur within the body.
The ECS is made of three parts:
- Endocannabinoids
- Receptors – There are two types (CB1 and CB2) which are found in the brain, organs, nerves, and immune system. These receptors regulate many important functions.
- Enzymes that break down endocannabinoids and cannabinoids.
According to Dogs Naturally Magazine:
“Your dog’s body releases endocannabinoid chemicals on its own. These connect with the receptors that stimulate the natural ability to create serotonin. Serotonin is a natural mood stabilizer. Research shows that CBD increases this ability. It interacts with the nervous system to soothe and calm anxiety.”
I give Diego the Cannanine brand and trust it completely. It’s an organic, full-spectrum oil that’s manufactured in the USA from Colorado-grown hemp. It’s been tested and found to be free of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, yeast, mold, and other toxins. Plus, there’s zero THC. Check it out HERE!
I give Diego a dose every morning with his breakfast. Check the bottle for proper dosing.
3. Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP)
DAP is a synthetic chemical that’s based on a hormone produced by lactating female dogs. It’s this hormone that helps keep puppies calm. While scientific studies show DAP works with puppies, researchers say it’s unclear if DAP works with anxious adult dogs. DAP has helped calm my friend’s dog and it’s definitely worth a try!
DAP comes as a plug-in diffuser with vials that last for 30, 60, or 90 days. Don’t worry about these synthetic pheromones stinking up your house — humans can’t smell it. Plus, there is also a spray bottle, perfect for travel!
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is known as the ultimate calming agent and could help your dog beat stress. Many dog moms swear that simply rubbing a little essential oil on their dog’s coat helped calm them down during a storm or car ride. But don’t take my word for it. The effects were put to the test in 2006 during a clinical study that examined 32 dogs with a history of travel-induced excitement. The results? Dogs spent significantly more time resting and sitting and less time moving and vocalizing when exposed to the lavender scent vs no scent at all. Before using essential oils on your dog, make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil — such as coconut, almond, or olive oil
5. Calm Music
Music can be extremely effective in calming your anxious dog. While you can simply turn on Pandora and play soothing music, there are playlists designed specifically for calming dog anxiety. For example, the company Through a Dog’s Ear offers a selection of pet-calming tunes. It comes pre-loaded with 4 hours of clinically-tested music.
6. Thunder Jacket
A thunder jacket is a lot like swaddling a baby. The tightly wrapped garment applies pressure to your dog’s body, promoting a cuddly and secure feeling. This continuous pressure is believed to calm an anxious dog’s nerves!
7. Dog Massage
It’s no secret that most dogs love to be pet, scratched, rubbed, and massaged. Heck, when I stop petting my pups they immediately reach their paw out and start scratching my hand. It’s their way of saying, “Don’t stop! Keep going!” Along with feeling great, did you know a regular massage provides many health benefits to your pooch? Along with improving blood circulation, aiding digestion, and relieving muscle tension, a canine massage can actually promote relaxation and ease anxiety! In THIS article, I share a great how-to video, showing you exactly how to give your pooch an amazing massage
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