Three Ways You Can Decrease Your Dog's Anxiety

If you're like most people who share your lives and hearts with a canine companion, you want your furry friend to be as happy and healthy as possible -- and that includes its mental health as well as its physical health. If your dog experiences noticeable anxiety, however, you may be at a loss as to how to help your puppy pal get relief from this condition. Fortunately, strategies are available designed to help you minimize your dog's anxiety levels. Following are three of them. 

Cannabis Oil For Dogs

Cannabis oil can be used to treat a variety of conditions in dogs, including anxiety. Many animal care professionals prefer it to traditional medications because it doesn't cause damage to the kidneys, liver, or other internal organs or have sedating effects -- you pet won't be overly drowsy the way that can happen with most other medications for anxiety. As an added bonus, cannabis for dogs also helps alleviate symptoms of arthritis, cancer, and other health issues that may cause your dog to experience pain. Be sure to speak with your vet before starting a cannabis program to make sure you're giving your furry friend the right dosage and to check for the possibility of adverse reactions when combined with existing medications. 

The Right Exercise Routine

One of the major causes of anxiety in many breeds is the lack of proper exercise -- and this is particularly true of working breeds such as border collies and German shepherds. If you're like many busy pet owners, making sure your dog gets enough exercise is sometimes relegated to the back burner. If this sounds as if it may be a part of the picture in your particular situation, consider hiring a dog-walking service to ensure your furry friend gets its exercise needs met. You might be surprised at the difference after only a couple of days.

Contrived Consistency

Another reason why many dogs experience anxiety is because of significant inconsistencies in their home environment. If you feed your dog at different times of the day or night instead of sticking with a set schedule, for instance, your dog may feel insecure, which can lead to anxiety. Try to keep your daily routine as consistent as possible in order to keep your dog's anxiety levels down. 

For persistent anxiety, it's important to talk with your local vet in order to rule out any major illnesses that may be causing your pooch to fret. 

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