In this article on our site we will review common cases in which the use of dog tranquilizers is resorted toBefore moving on to the explanations we must make it clear that never we should offer our dog any drug without the prescription of our veterinarian, since the active ingredients that work for us humans do not have to work for dogs and even, on some occasions, can be toxic to them, even causing death.
Having said that, keep reading and discover the best tranquilizers for dogs depending on the problem they suffer from.
Tranquilizers for traveling with dogs
This is, perhaps, the most common situation in which caregivers require tranquilizers for their dogs, mainly during the usual journeys by car that are not accepted willingly by some dogs. They will be very nervous, restless, cry, try to get out of the car, hypersalivate and, on occasion, empty their anal glands.
If we don't have time to get the animal used to these trips or we must travel urgently, we can ask our veterinarian to prescribe some tranquilizing tablets for dogsnervous or restless in the car, depending on the weight of each specimen. These are administered before departure and, with few exceptions, keep the dog calm or even asleep for a few hours. They are for occasional use.
To adapt your dog to this means of transport, don't miss our tips for traveling by car with your dog.
Tranquilizers for dogs with anxiety
This section contains dogs suffering from separation anxiety, a disorder that makes them cry when they are alone, bark, howl, destroy any object within their reach or urinate or defecate inside the home. In this situation, the dog suffers, but so do its handlers and neighbors, who often make complaints due to continuous barking and noise
The temptation to administer tranquilizers for dogs with anxiety in these cases is very high, but it will not solve the problem, although it can help in certain situations, so it is a good idea to put yourself in the hands of a behavioral veterinarian or an ethologist right away.
Tranquilizers for elderly dogs
When our companion approaches the end of his life, he may present alterations that make us think of the need to use tranquilizers for dogs, sedatives or analgesics. It is possible to medicate these animals, but it must always be after an assessment by the veterinarian and weighing whether the benefits are greater than the contraindications, since all drugs must be be metabolized by the kidneys or liver and, in older dogs, it is not uncommon for these organs to have begun to fail.
On the other hand, we can administer natural tranquilizers for elderly dogs but, again, it must be the specialist who recommends the most appropriate ones. Among the natural pain relievers for elderly dogs, valerian stands out, which can be purchased in the form of drops or pills.
Problems that don't need tranquilizers
Sometimes dogs cause problems due to inappropriate behavior. Caregivers demand a quick solution and that is why the first thing that comes to mind is to ask the veterinarian for tranquilizers for dogs. But that a dog barks a lot, has a high energy or bites is not solved with pills. Therefore, there are no tranquilizers for aggressive dogs or for nervous dogs or tranquilizers for dogs that bark excessively, in the sense that these behaviors are not going to be solved giving a pill.
We need to find out what triggers the unwanted behavior in our dog in order to modify it, but mainly we need to make sure we provide adequate vital conditions to meet their needs, which means that they can exercise and have our attention and affection. Therefore, to solve these situations we will have to resort to behavior professionals and not sedatives for dogs, which can be part of a much broader treatment only if the veterinarian so decides.
Natural tranquilizers for dogs
When we talk about tranquilizers for dogs we usually think of pills, but the truth is that in the market we can find different products with calming effects for dogs. Although they can be a help for dogs with behavior problems, to obtain results we must implement measures in consensus with the specialist. These products are formulated to facilitate the dog's adaptation to changes. We highlight the following:
- Food and prizes: contain ingredients that help regulate anxiety, stress or sleep. They can begin to give themselves in advance to prepare for a change. The feed should always be prescribed by the veterinarian, since it cannot be consumed by all dogs.
- Calming tablets: these are food supplements that are also used to keep the dog calm in anticipation of changes. They contain proteins such as tryptophan, amino acids such as L-theanine or hormones such as melatonin.
- Stress necklaces: contain calming pheromones that help the dog to face changes or situations of stress or fear. They don't work if they get wet and can't be put on dogs with skin lesions.
- Diffusers and sprays: they also act by releasing hormones that are relaxing for the dog.
- Bach Flowers: Although scientific evidence does not give them more effect than placebo, the truth is that these flower essences, which They can be administered directly or in the water, they have numerous testimonies that speak in favor of their effectiveness. In any case, they have no side effects.
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Relaxing herbs: valerian (Valeriana officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), oats (Avena sativa) or passionflower (Pasiflora incarnata) have relaxing effects for dogs. They can be found in different presentations, such as pills, infusions or essential oils, but they require the prescription of a professional, since, although the opposite is often thought, that they are plants does not mean that they are harmless. Other herbs that can help dogs are linden or lemon balm.
Finally, if we don't have any calming product at hand, we can always go for massages and relaxation exercises for dogs. Of course, understanding each problem and treating it appropriately is the basis for emotionally stabilizing the animal. As we have already mentioned, administering tranquilizer pills for dogs is not the solution.
