Natural Remedies For Anxiety And Nervousness In Pets

Have you ever seen your pet react strangely to objects or experiences? A completely normal behaving dog or a cat suddenly exhibiting weird behavioural patterns is an indication of fear or anxiety. Fear and anxiety can be caused due to various reasons. Thus, it is important to eliminate all the reasons one by one, starting from any physical problems, i.e., illness.

Consulting a veterinarian for the diagnosis is the best option. Getting your pet checked for problems like adrenal gland problems, parasites, vitamin deficiencies, chemical imbalance, cancer etc., can filter out the physical problems, if any.

Besides normal anxiety, incessant licking, aggression, pulling out fur, etc. indicates chronic anxiety. So, here are some natural remedies that can help relieve your pet greatly.

NATURAL REMEDIES:

The root cause of stress and your pet’s reaction to a remedy will determine the type of remedy that suits him the best. Thus, one will have to try more than one remedy to find out the best suitable one.

       

      DIET:

Changes in diet can be highly effective to treat anxiety. A diet full of vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants, etc. can improve the symptoms over a period of time. Feeding whole foods is the best way to administer a diet full of nutrients.

     

      HERBS & HERBAL EXTRACTS:

Catnip, German Chamomile, Hops, Passionflower, etc are some herbs & herbal extracts that help calm nervousness. Using these herbs with an extract that contains their combination is the best way to administer the herbs. It should be noted that using natural sedatives shouldn’t become a regular way of life but should be used for temporary relief only.

ESSENTIAL OILS & AROMATHERAPY:

Essential oils in heavily diluted form can be used to treat anxiety in dogs. The same is not advised for cats. Essential oils can have a toxic effect on the pets and hence one should take utmost care in using the same on pets to avoid its side effects. Following online information on essential oils can prove to be one of the biggest mistakes of your life as a pet parent. So, we highly recommend to thoroughly research the oil you’re using.

The calming essential oils are derived from herbs like Valerian, Vetiver, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, etc., which are seen to have a soothing effect on pets.

     

         FLOWER ESSENCES:

   

    This is one of the preferred modes of remedies used by pet parents owing to its effects and the ways in which it can be administered. These treatments, though being gentle can have an evident effect on fear and anxiety in dogs & cats. It can be administered orally, topically and can even be sprayed. Aspen, Mimulus, Rock Rose, Larch are some of the effective Flower Essences.

      

      CANNABIDIOL OIL (CBD OIL):

CBD is a non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant. It has proven the effects of stress and anxiety relief on dogs and cats. CBD should be administered in determined dosages and thus should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian. One should always keep in mind that cannabis should never be given to pets. As a pet parent, one should assure that, if present in the house, it should be placed out of reach from your pet.

      HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES:

There are many homeopathic remedies available to treat anxiety, fear or stress in pets, viz., Coffeacruda, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum, etc. It’s advised to use a mixture of the available homeopathic remedies for best results. A pet parent must first use these remedies individually to find a suitable blend for their pet.

     

     THUNDERSHIRT:

   

     This works by creating constant, gentle pressure on your pet. The pressure creates a calming effect on pets by controlling or reducing any kind of anxiety, fear or hyperactivity. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments or behavior modification programs.

It’s important for pet parents not to get carried away or be reckless while using these remedies. It’s of prime importance that the compatibility of the remedy with one’s pet is checked first. Moreover, vet consultation and supervision is necessary before trying them.

Points to consider before using any of these remedies:

• Use extreme caution in using herbs & essential oils on cats as they are extremely sensitive to them. If possible, avoid using them on cats.
• Essential oils should be used in heavily diluted form as they are very strong and can cause complications in pets.
• Using herbs on pets can lead to drug problems or problems with any pre-existing conditions. Thus, consult a veterinarian before introducing these to your pets.
• Always purchase high quality products to ensure purity and thus, success.