What to Do if My Dog Has an Anxiety or Hyperactivity Related Issue?

As a pet owner, we know how important it is for you to help treat your dog who may be suffering from the discomforts of anxiety or hyperactivity which is why we want to help you spot it, manage it, and prevent it. Dogs are emotional animals, just like humans. Since they cannot communicate to us verbally, we must keep observing their behaviours and body language to determine how they are feeling inside.

How to know if my dog has an anxiety or hyperactivity disorder?

Anxiety in dogs presents itself in different behaviours that may not be easy to spot. There are also different types of anxiety that have different signs and treatments.

The most common signs of anxiety or hyperactivity include but are not limited to:

• Anxiousness
• Hyperactivity
• Easily distracted (lack of focus)
• Aggressivity
• Barking or howling when owner isn’t home
• Yawning or drooling
• Panting or pacing
• Trying to escape
• Destructiveness and compulsive behaviours
• Self-harm such as excessive biting or licking
• Fearfulness and nervousness
• Urine marking and defecating in the home

If you notice that your dog is experiencing some or many of these behaviours, they may have an anxiety disorder.

How to treat anxiety or hyperactivity?

The treatment of stress and behavioural issues varies from dog to dog, and some pets may require more extensive treatment methods than others. However, there is no one holistic remedy to treat anxiety disorders, but rather a combination of treatments that will contribute to the wellbeing of your dog.

If you’re looking to begin your journey on treating your dog’s anxiety, a diet specifically formulated to help their mental wellbeing, such as Care Calm & Comfort is a great place to start. These diets alone are not a cure-all solution, but have tremendous benefits to help with your dog’s mental health and behavioural issues. Regular physical and mental exercise also play a key role in managing behavioral issues. It is important to discuss additional treatment with your veterinarian or other industry experts, whether in the form of medication or behavioural therapy.

How does Care Calm & Comfort work?

The Care Calm & Comfort formula was formulated by leading industry professionals with clinically proven ingredients including hydrolyzed casein (Lactium®), L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine. Here’s what they do:

• Hydrolyzed casein, or alpha-casozepine is a bioactive peptide originating from a protein in cow’s milk, which produces a naturally calming effect. Hydrolyzed casein has been shown to have a positive effect on companion animals suffering from anxiety-related disorders.
• L-tryptophan is an amino acid required for serotonin production studied for its role in mood regulation and alleviating dominance aggression signs in dogs. L-tryptophan is not only supplemented in this diet but is present in naturally elevated levels in the whey protein used. Proportionally higher levels of L-tryptophan over other amino acids are linked to increased serotonin production.
• L-tyrosine is an amino acid required for dopamine production, a neurotransmitter important for attention and focus which may help ease training. Proportionally higher levels of L-tyrosine over other amino acids are linked to increased dopamine production.

Like all Nutrience formulas, fish oil is added to our Care Calm and Comfort recipe. Fish oil is a great source of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that plays an essential role in the brain and retinal development of young dogs. DHA has also been associated with improved cognitive function.

Treating the root of your dog’s anxiety is essential. Consulting a veterinarian, dog trainer or behaviouralist is key. Providing a diet with calming effects may help ease some of your dog’s anxiety symptoms as well.

 Sources:

• (PDF) Therapeutic effects of an alpha-casozepine and L-tryptophan supplemented diet on fear and anxiety in the cat. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308710715_Therapeutic_effects_of_an_alpha-casozepine_and_L-tryptophan_supplemented_diet_on_fear_and_anxiety_in_the_cat [accessed Mar 16 2021].
• Beata C, Beaumont-Graff E, Coll V, et al. Effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) on anxiety in cats. J Vet Behav 2007; 2: 40–46 Pages 40-46.