Dealing with a dog experiencing anxiety or behavioral disorders can be truly challenging for pet parents. Conditions like separation anxiety can be debilitating, leaving owners searching for effective treatments and medications amidst a sea of confusing options. Consulting your veterinarian is the crucial first step in finding the best resources for managing your dog’s anxiety. After a thorough health check, your vet can provide tailored recommendations for treatment plans. These plans often involve collaboration with a veterinary behaviorist or a licensed dog trainer. Behavior modification techniques are central to managing anxiety, and your veterinarian may also suggest specific medications to aid the process.
How Dog Anxiety Medications Work
When prescribed by a veterinarian, anxiety medications for dogs are most effective when combined with consistent behavior-modification protocols. While medication can help your dog feel calmer, behavior modification techniques work to reshape your dog’s emotional responses to anxiety-inducing triggers. This helps them learn to be less fearful and more relaxed overall. It’s important to understand that medication alone is typically insufficient for resolving anxiety in dogs, making behavior modification an essential component of any treatment plan.
Canine anxiety can manifest in various ways, leading to a range of available medications, some for short-term use and others for long-term management. Common behavioral issues associated with anxiety in dogs include:
- Fear
- Stress
- Impulsivity (difficulty controlling impulses or emotions)
- Obsessive behaviors (repetitive actions like spinning or tail chasing)
- Panic disorders (inability to escape a perceived threat)
- Aversions to specific stimuli (e.g., wet grass) or experiences (e.g., grooming, vet visits, car rides)
Regardless of the medication prescribed, there are no quick fixes for canine anxiety. Collaborating with a certified behaviorist or trainer offers the most effective path to resolving anxiety-related behaviors in your dog. For conditions requiring ongoing medical treatment, it may take four to six weeks before the full effectiveness of the medication is apparent. Treatment should generally continue for at least two months after a positive response is observed.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Anxiety Medications for Dogs
Some dogs can eventually be weaned off anti-anxiety medications as they learn coping mechanisms through behavioral therapy. Others, however, may require long-term treatment. For dogs experiencing anxiety triggered by specific circumstances, such as car rides, veterinary visits, or thunderstorms, short-term medications that act quickly and have a limited duration can be beneficial. If your dog’s sensitivity to these triggers is mild, discuss management and desensitization strategies with your vet. Introducing a travel crate for car rides, using a white noise machine during storms, or employing positive reinforcement training can help counter fear responses and improve your dog’s comfort.
Dogs on medication for six months or longer should undergo yearly checkups, including blood work, and periodic behavior re-evaluations to ensure their current treatment plan remains suitable for their needs.
Common Anxiety Medications for Dogs
Currently, Clomicalm, Reconcile, and Sileo are the only FDA-approved medications specifically for canine use. Other medications your veterinarian might recommend are human-grade drugs used off-label for dogs. Off-label use, or extra-label use, is permitted by a veterinarian who has direct knowledge of the dog and when no other suitable medications exist for the specific circumstances. These medications might not be readily available in appropriate dosages for dogs, potentially requiring compounding by a specialty pharmacy into flavored chewable tablets, capsules, liquids, or transdermal forms. Compounded medications are also ideal for dogs who dislike taking pills and need a different formulation.
Here are some of the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications for dogs:
1. Alprazolam (Xanax)
Used in dogs for: phobias, fear, panic disorders. Alprazolam is often prescribed for situational anxiety, such as during thunderstorms, road trips, or vet visits. As a short-acting benzodiazepine sedative, it depresses central nervous system activity. It takes effect quickly and can be administered up to four times daily, ideally 30 to 60 minutes before exposure to a trigger. If used long-term, it should not be stopped abruptly; always consult your vet when weaning your dog off medication. Potential side effects include grogginess and loss of balance.
2. Amitriptyline
Used in dogs for: separation anxiety, reactivity, anxious aggression, or generalized anxiety. This tricyclic antidepressant works by increasing levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. It should not be given to dogs with diabetes or epilepsy. Amitriptyline takes one to four weeks to become effective and is usually given twice daily with food. Dogs on this medication for over a week or two should be tapered off under veterinary guidance. Potential side effects include lethargy, sedation, difficulty urinating, and dilated pupils.
3. Buspirone
Used in dogs for: phobias, generalized anxiety. Buspirone, an azapirone class medication, requires consistent use to be effective and is not suitable for situational anxieties like thunderstorm phobias. It appears to function as a mild anti-anxiety agent by activating serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. This medication can take up to six weeks to show effects and may be administered two to three times daily. Potential side effects include loss of appetite.
4. Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
Used in dogs for: separation anxiety, repetitive disorders. Clomipramine, available as the FDA-approved brand Clomicalm, is a tricyclic antidepressant that enhances serotonin and norepinephrine levels. It can take four to six weeks for therapeutic effects and up to two months to determine its benefit. Clomipramine is typically given once or twice daily and should not be stopped abruptly. Potential side effects include drowsiness, vomiting, increased heart rate, dry mouth, and decreased appetite.
5. Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
Used in dogs for: situational anxiety, noise phobias, aversions. Sileo is the first FDA-approved medication for noise aversion-related fear and anxiety in dogs. This alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation by decreasing brain activity. It is most effective when given 30–60 minutes before a triggering noise event or at the first sign of anxiety. Sileo is administered as a transmucosal gel applied between the cheek and gums. Potential side effects include drowsiness, vomiting, weakness, loss of balance, sedation, head tremors, and inappropriate urination.
6. Diazepam
Used in dogs for: situational anxiety, panic disorders, noise aversion, phobias. Diazepam should ideally be administered 30–60 minutes before a known anxiety-inducing event or at the earliest sign of anxiety. As a short-acting benzodiazepine sedative, it acts quickly by depressing central nervous system activity. Long-term use requires gradual weaning under veterinary supervision. Potential side effects include grogginess, sedation, loss of balance, increased appetite, agitation, and aggression.
7. Fluoxetine (Reconcile or Prozac)
Used in dogs for: separation anxiety, fear, aggression, compulsive behaviors, impulsivity. Fluoxetine, often prescribed as Reconcile (FDA-approved for separation anxiety), is an SSRI that increases serotonin levels in the brain to regulate mood and reduce anxiety, impulsivity, and aggression. It typically takes four to six weeks to show noticeable improvements. Potential side effects include lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, muscle tremors, diarrhea, restlessness, and excessive vocalization.
8. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Used in dogs for: situational anxiety, phobias, fear anxiety, panic disorders. Lorazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine that takes effect in about 30 minutes and is best given before an anxiety-inducing event or at the first sign of anxiety. It promotes calming effects by enhancing GABA activity in the brain. Long-term use necessitates gradual weaning under veterinary guidance. Potential side effects include grogginess, sedation, loss of balance, increased appetite, excitement, and aggressive behavior.
9. Paroxetine (Paxil)
Used in dogs for: generalized anxiety, anxious aggression and anxiety-related behaviors, fear of noises. Paroxetine is an SSRI that increases serotonin levels in the brain. It can take four to six weeks to become effective and is given once daily. Abrupt cessation after long-term use should be avoided; always consult your vet. Potential side effects include constipation, loss of appetite, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, sedation, lethargy, and urine holding.
10. Sertraline (Zoloft)
Used in dogs for: separation anxiety, anxiety disorders, impulsivity disorders, thunderstorm phobia, compulsive behaviors, fear-based aggression. Sertraline is an SSRI that increases serotonin levels, aiding mood regulation and reducing anxiety, impulsivity, and aggression. Like other SSRIs, it can take four to six weeks for full effect and should be given daily. Discontinuation after two months or more requires gradual tapering under veterinary supervision. Potential side effects include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, sedation, and urine holding.
Alternatives to Anxiety Medications for Dogs
Depending on the severity and context of your dog’s anxiety, your veterinarian may suggest over-the-counter options like dog calming treats, pheromone diffusers, or compression garments such as Thundershirts. Always consult your vet to determine the most suitable options for your pet.
Dog Anxiety Medications FAQs
What is the best drug for anxiety in dogs?
Treatment for dog anxiety typically begins with a veterinary visit to discuss concerns and rule out medical causes. Before considering medication, your vet might recommend working with a dog trainer or behaviorist. If medication is necessary, your vet will help determine the most appropriate choice for your dog.
How can I calm my anxious dog down?
Identifying the trigger for your dog’s anxiety, whether it’s a medical condition, pain, separation, or external stimuli like thunderstorms, is key. Consult your veterinarian to determine the cause and best course of treatment, which may include professional training, creating a safe environment, increasing exercise, using calming aids, and potentially medication.
Can you train anxiety out of a dog?
Working with a behaviorist or trainer can significantly help your dog manage anxiety. Training techniques focused on redirecting anxious behaviors and teaching coping mechanisms can dramatically reduce their stress levels.
Can I give my dog Benadryl for anxiety?
Benadryl, primarily an antihistamine, may have mild sedative effects but is typically not very helpful for treating significant anxiety in dogs.
Can I give my dog melatonin for anxiety?
Melatonin can help some dogs relax and may be useful for managing anxiety. However, always consult your veterinarian to establish the best treatment plan for your dog’s specific needs.
