Despite the differences between humans and dogs, we all share some similar social behavior and emotions, such as worrying. We all know the unpleasant feeling that comes with being in a state of distress. However, restlessness is also a normal and healthy emotion, especially when they’re dealing with a specific event or a threatening situation.
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The problem lies with the disproportionate levels of worry that are left unchecked. High levels of distress can lead to high blood pressure which can lead to weakened arteries and even blindness.
Nervous behavior can also directly cause physical injury or self-harm. Uneasiness can even make them more susceptible to illness as the changing hormone levels can have an impact on a dog’s immune system.
With that said, it’s perfectly reasonable to help your pet when they’re feeling jittery. While many factors that trigger their sudden distress can be worked over through training, there are a handful of natural solutions you can try to help man’s best friend to ease their panic levels.
Thundershirts
Thundershirts are like a snug blanket that can be wrapped around your dog, which is very useful during travels. Wrapping your dog using a compression wrap really does work like a charm. The wraps work by swaddling your dog and applying gentle pressure to their body, which will induce feelings of calmness and contentment.
You can find Thundershirts at pet stores. However, you can fashion one out of an ace bandage, a scarf, or even a snug t-shirt for medium to large dogs. Just make sure to cut extra room into the neck hole to ensure that your pet’s neck wouldn’t be constricted.
Just remember that there are no guarantees that these would work at all times. Some owners would swear by it, while others have found that it hasn’t been helpful.
The effectiveness might depend on when or how it is used. The individual personality and needs of each dog should be considered, as well.
Thundershirts can be more helpful if used along with other natural solutions that could enhance their benefits.
Music
Many people would turn on some music while they’re stressed to chill out. However, humans aren’t the only ones that get soothed by music. Recent studies have shown that playing relaxing music for dogs in stressful environments are effective in decreasing signs of unease in dogs
However, only specific music genres have proven to be able to help a frightened dog. A study by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare found that dogs seem to relax when exposed to music to classical music.
Soft rock and reggae music are effective as well, but individual dogs still have their distinct preferences.
There are plenty of classical music playlists that you can find easily on Spotify or Pandora. Some of these compilations are even designed to help desensitize a dog with noise phobias.
Just make sure that your dog does indeed appreciate it by watching your dog’s body language.
Ultimately, music can help a range of situations where the dog can suddenly feel nervousness such as when traveling in a car. If your dog is feeling nervous while on the road, play your pet’s favorite music as much as you could when you’re at home as well. This would prevent any association of the music with you leaving, which would add another stressful trigger to their distress.
Exercise
While all dogs need exercise, some breeds need it more than others. However, a busy lifestyle can affect your dog as you don’t have as much time to take your dog for regular walks. If your dog is accustomed to these walks, he or she will feel worried about the change in the routine. The loneliness and feeling of being cooped up can also contribute to stress.
Sometimes, the best home remedy for their nervousness is to get them out of the house and let them exercise!
Running and other activities can burn off all that extra doggy energy. Exercise helps release pent-up energy and tension that can exacerbate their stress levels.
Exercise also stimulates the production of chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, which is the same as humans get when we get physically active.
At the same time, being more active increases the dog’s time outside, which could improve their independence and socialization as well as help them become more confident and less nervous.
Mental Stimulation
While many dogs enjoy nothing more than lazing around all day, others have been raised to work. Boredom can lead to your pets developing stress behaviors.
Training your dog is an opportunity to engage with your pet one-on-one, which is something stressed dogs crave from their owners after a long day of isolation at home.
Take some time to teach your dogs some new tricks and skills. As mental exertion can have the same calming effect that exercise has, it doesn’t matter what new trick you can teach your dog.
Anything challenging can divert their attention away from whatever is causing the stress in the first place.
Hemp CBD
Like human beings, cats and dogs have an endocannabinoid system. This complex biological system has only been discovered recently, and any information regarding it is limited. So far, what is understood is that the body has cannabinoid receptors throughout the central nervous system.
As the body releases endocannabinoid chemicals naturally, they connect with the receptors to stimulate the natural ability of your pet’s natural ability to create serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer.
Hemp products contain cannabinoids that can enhance this natural ability to soothe and calm your dog naturally.
CBD is excellent for situational distress because it works fairly quickly. In situations that can cause dogs to stress such as an impending storm or car rides, giving them CBD oil 30-60 minutes before can help keep them calm and relaxed.
The combination of science and compassion was the inspiration of ElleVet Sciences to develop safe and effective hemp CBD products to support dogs and cats to help them live their best lives.
