What It's Like To Have A Dog With Anxiety | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

What It's Like To Have A Dog With Anxiety

And how to deal with it.

14
What It's Like To Have A Dog With Anxiety
Amanda Harn

Some of you may not know that animals can have some of the same mental illnesses that humans develop. My dog Scamp, who is seven-years-old, has had anxiety his whole life. For us humans, ways we deal with anxiety may be playing with our hair, biting our nails or pacing back and forth, but dogs deal with it differently.

There are a few things that really get my dog going. The first one is when there is a storm or any other loud noise, such as fireworks. As soon as the bad weather hits, we know that he is going to start panicking. Symptoms he shows are shaking non-stop, panting and drooling. He will do all of these until he feels safe again, even if that means staying up the whole entire night. Another thing that sets off his anxiety is when he's in his kennel. He shows some of the same symptoms--shaking, drooling and panting, but he also continually chews on the bars, while breathing heavily. The one sign from anxiety that I am so thankful he doesn't have is going to the bathroom in the house. This is another sign that other dogs with anxiety have, but Scamp doesn't have this problem.

There are many ways to help your anxious dog. The number one thing you should never do is punish your dog. Scolding and making them feel bad does not make the situation any better. It only makes it worse. The best thing to do is create a calm situation for them. With Scamp, I've noticed if we pet him and make sure we don't have loud voices, he seems to calm down a little. It doesn't make it go away, he still shakes, but it lets him know that we are there for him and are making him feel better.

Another thing you can do for a dog with anxiety is take them to the vet and get the veterinarian to prescribe medication for them. The number one thing to remember with the medication solution is to never give your dog human over the counter drugs. Always consult with your vet before giving your dog any type of medication. Dog's bodies are completely different from humans and for dogs the dosage is regulated by their weight. There are three different types of medications you can get your dog prescribed on, but there are always side effects you should be aware of.

Our dog Scamp is a big part of our life, just like anyone's dog is to them. We try to do the best we can to help him feel better while he's having his anxiety attacks. It is not something that is fun to deal with, but the most important thing to remember is to always put him first when he is having an attack, and do whatever we can to make the situation as comfortable as we can for him.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1841
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1124
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200334
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20965
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments