Fear, Anxiety, and Stress in Dogs
By Katie Pankratz ZimmVet Daycare Professional
Have you noticed your dog experiencing fear, anxiety, or stress (FAS)? Have you wondered how to help your pet through this process? ZimmVet can help! This post will give some basic information about FAS, while giving options and strategies to help ensure the highest quality of physical, mental, and emotional health. For more information about any strategy or product listed please contact us at ZimmVet 763-856-4848 or email us at Info@zimmvet.com.
What Causes FAS?
To begin, we first need to look at what causes FAS. It can be difficult for dogs to adjust to new sights, sounds, and scents of an unfamiliar place and can easily become overwhelming for them. Some dogs can become more comfortable quickly in these new situations, while others can require more support and encouragement to maintain their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
How to Recognize FAS?
It is important to know how to recognize FAS in your pet. It can manifest in various ways. Dogs can show physical, emotional, mental, or a combination of stress signals. Examples are listed below:
- Digestive upset
- Loss of appetite
- Tail tucking
- Piloerection
- Avoiding eye contact
- Yawning
- Hunched back
- Cowering
- Ignored redirection
- Misunderstand other dog’s body language
- Display inappropriate behaviors in dog groups
How Can You Support Your Pet?
We at ZimmVet are dedicated to working with you to ensure that your dog is physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Our staffs has undergone extensive training on how to recognize and redirect stress signals and are here to offer you resources and support! Below you will find different strategies and options ZimmVet offers in order to help alleviate FAS in your pet.
Blankets/Pillows
This strategy is useful during boarding. Blankets and beds from home not only bring a sense of familiarity but extra comfort to the kennel.
Kong Treats
For kennel-related anxiety, stuffed Kongs help to associate the kennel with delicious treats and relaxation.
Puzzle Toys
There are several puzzle toys that are safe and help to engage a dog in interactive play while in a kennel. This option much like the Kong treats help to associate the kennel with treats and fun.
Rescue Remedy
This homeopathic water or food additive is a mix of 5 different flower extracts.
Adaptil Collars
This pheromone product produces comforting scents to help ease anxiety. The dogs body heat releases the pheromone from the collar and lasts for 30 days.
Thundershirt
It uses gentle, constant pressure to calm your dog. Experts believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system helping to reduce feelings of insecurity and vulnerability in high stress situations.
Private Training
For those pets who need help adjusting to places such as a vet office or boarding facility training can help. Personalized training may help them build the skills and confidence they need to handle stressful situations.
Solloquin
This non-prescription supplement is a combination of L-theanine, Magnolia, Phellodendron, and Whey Protein that work together to create a relaxing state of mind.
Sileo
This prescription oral gel is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for canine noise aversion.
Trazadone
Short acting anti-anxiety prescription medication to be used for situational anxiety control.
Fluoxetine
This prescription medication is used daily to treat general anxiety or fear. It is commonly known as Prozac.
ZimmVet is a fear free facility. The fear free mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.
