Sedatives and Calming Aids for Dogs

Our dogs, just like us, can go through episodes of stress, anxiety, sudden fears, and even phobias. These episodes are common and can affect each animal differently, depending on its temperament or past experiences.

Nowadays, the use of sedatives for these situations is widespread — however, their use must be directed by a professional. In today's article, we'll cover what types of sedatives exist and how they should be administered, among other tips.

What Can Make a Dog Anxious?

Not every dog is naturally calm or anxious on its own — most of the time, it's external stimuli that trigger the animal's nervousness. That's why it's essential to find the cause and try to prevent these behaviors before resorting to medication.

Among the most common causes is anxiety, which in dogs often shows up as separation-related distress. In this case, the signs include destructive behavior, incessant barking, restlessness, trembling, inappropriate urination or defecation, and so on.

Phobias — disproportionate responses to certain stimuli — are also common. In particular, phobias around car rides, thunder, and fireworks are especially widespread, among others.

Training to Prevent a Dog From Getting Anxious

Before diving into medication, we want to share a few small tips in case your dog suffers from separation anxiety:

• Try to break the association between picking up the keys and leaving the house, by picking up the keys throughout the day without actually leaving.
• Avoid giving too much attention when leaving the house — the dog will think you're about to take it with you.
• Leave it entertained with a toy or some other distraction while you're away.
• When you get home, don't give it attention until it's calm.
• Exercise — physical activity helps burn off energy.

For phobias, counter-conditioning and desensitization exercises can be worth trying.

Veterinary Treatments for Anxious Dogs

Sometimes our furry friends don't respond well to these training or behavior-modification techniques. In these cases, it may be advisable to use medication to reduce anxiety until the problem is resolved.

Over-the-Counter Sedatives

To start, let's look at treatments based on natural ingredients, which aren't considered medications as such and therefore don't require a prescription. That said, we recommend checking with your vet for any doubts.

There are numerous products on the market:

1. An imitation of the natural appeasing pheromones released by mothers after giving birth to calm their puppies (Adaptil). It can be given as oral tablets, or in the form of a collar or spray. E.g.: Adaptil Express, Calm, or Transport.
2. Nutritional supplements of natural origin based on L-theanine, thiamine, tryptophan, and Vitamin B, among other natural ingredients. E.g.: Canicomplete, YuCALM.
3. Natural herbs: completely harmless and therefore no risk to our dogs. There are many natural remedies available, which we'll cover below.
4. Pressure wraps: based on pressure therapy, giving dogs a feeling of security.

Natural herbs to reduce nervousness in dogs

In this section we'll go into a bit more detail on the natural substances we can give our dogs.

• Oats: can be mixed with kibble, it's a relaxant and is also recommended for animals that have suffered mistreatment or poor nutrition, since it strengthens the nervous system.
• St. John's Wort: antidepressant and analgesic, used for obsessive disorders. However, caution is needed, as it could cause photosensitivity and even cataracts.
• Lavender: has relaxing and analgesic properties, given only through inhalation.
• Chamomile: besides its sedative effect, it contains apigenin, which helps eliminate cells prone to becoming cancerous, among many other beneficial effects.
• Linden (Tilia): thanks to its phenolic acids and flavonoids, it helps cope with stress, and it's relaxing and antispasmodic.
• Valerian: one of the most effective for managing epilepsy, stress, and anxiety, as well as acting as a natural anti-inflammatory and appetite stimulant.

Prescription Sedatives

The most common sedatives are:

1. Benzodiazepines, such as Diazepam, work by modulating neurotransmission, and their cardiorespiratory effects are minimal, though they can cause paradoxical reactions, such as increased excitability.
2. Phenothiazines, such as Acepromazine, work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. However, their effects can vary greatly from animal to animal, with possible side effects such as hypotension and seizures.
3. Gabapentin, an anti-epileptic and anxiolytic, whose side effects notably include drowsiness.
4. Trazodone: an antidepressant and anxiolytic. It's fairly safe, but can cause hypotension, and special caution is needed with dogs that have arrhythmias, as it could make them worse.

All of these provide a fast-acting relaxing and sedative effect, but they can interfere with behavior and learning. Additionally, prolonged use can lead to dependence.

Lastly, it's worth noting that they may be contraindicated for puppies, older dogs, pregnant females, or dogs with heart, kidney, or liver disease, or epilepsy. Always under a professional's supervision.

To wrap up, remember that we should never give sedatives to our dogs without first consulting our regular vet. They're the ones who can determine which sedative is most appropriate for each case, based on the problem being treated, the underlying cause, and our companion's overall health.

It goes without saying that it's essential to follow their dosing instructions to the letter, avoiding overdosing, and we recommend discussing any doubts that come up with your trusted professional.