Do you have a dog who often seems nervous? He may cower in the corner, put his tail between his legs, and even shiver and shake. As an owner, you can gently work with your dog and comfort him when something is making him nervous. Keeping him in a relaxing, quiet environment can also help. But something else you may want to do is visit a vet and talk to them about your dog's nervousness. There are a few things your vet may be able to do to help your dog calm down and work through their nervousness.
Read on to learn more about what a Vet can do to help a nervous dog.
Calming Supplements and Medications
Your vet may be able to prescribe some calming medications and supplements for your dog. There are some options made with natural, calming herbs, such as chamomile and hemp extract. Many owners start off with these.
If your dog's nervousness does not seem to subside with natural supplements, then your vet may recommend trying a stronger, prescription medication instead. Some of these medications can be given daily for overall calming and stress relief. Others are meant to be given when the dog is particularly nervous, or when you know the dog will have to do something that makes them nervous. (Generally, these contain the same medications used in antidepressants for humans.)
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is becoming more and more common in the veterinary world. Some veterinarians are offering it directly, others may have acupuncturists they refer their patients to. Acupuncture can be really helpful for nervous dogs. It helps calm down the nerves in general, and also alleviates stress and underlying pain, which often cause nervousness or make it worse. Dogs generally tolerate having the needles inserted much better than their owners expect. However, if your dog does not tolerate the needle insertion, the acupuncturist can instead perform an acupressure treatment, putting pressure on the same points where they would insert needles.
A Different Diet
The vet will probably also ask what you are feeding your dog. They may then recommend switching foods or adding some additional foods to your dog's diet. A diet that is lower in starch and a bit higher in fat can help some dogs feel calmer. There are also foods designed specifically for nervous dogs with various calming herbs worked in.
If your dog is often nervous and skittish, don't hesitate to share this with your vet. They can do more for you than you know!
For veterinary services. contact a vet near you.
