There are a variety of reasons that can cause fear in dogs, and there are also many options and solutions that can help – including probiotics.
Every dog is unique and there are numerous things that affect its behavior. If you feel that your dog is over-excited or anxious, the best thing to do is to consult with your veterinarian or an animal behavior therapist.
In this way, any underlying illnesses can be identified and the best aids and training options determined that can help your pet to become calmer.
How do you calm a frightened dog?
In order to achieve long-term goals, anxious dogs and their owners need support from qualified animal behavior therapists, as this is the only way to determine the cause of the problem. Your dog will try to tell you through his behavior that he is afraid. This can potentially lead to fear-induced aggression, especially if the dog’s needs are not adequately addressed.
How do you know if a dog is scared?
Signs that a dog is afraid can vary from animal to animal. However, anxiety often manifests itself in the form of excessive barking in the absence of the owner, panting when it is not hot, restlessness, destructive behavior (e.g. breaking toys or furniture), excessive cleaning, nervous smacking of the lips, Trembling but also “aggressive” behavior.
What scares dogs?
There are many reasons your pet can be anxious. Some dogs are frightened when separated from their owners. Often, loud noises such as fireworks on New Year’s Eve, changes in the living environment (for example, due to a new family or a move) or protective instincts, and fear of losing objects or treats can trigger fear in animals. However, many other types of anxiety exist, and often the cause of the problem is not obvious.
Which breeds of dogs are particularly anxious?
Studies have shown that there are some breeds of dogs that are more prone to certain fears than others. For example, small breeds of dogs are more likely to be afraid of strangers. But other factors such as aging can also influence this.
Younger dogs are more likely to suffer from being separated from their owners, while older dogs are more likely to fear thunderstorms. But no matter what breed of dog, they can all develop fears, which are then reflected in their behavior.
What is the best way to calm dogs down?
That depends on the cause or trigger for the fear. There are many ways dogs can help overcome their fears, but they are not always appropriate for the particular situation. For example, there are products that produce natural pheromones, safety vests, veterinary treatments, and nutritional supplements.
However, it is often necessary to seek advice from a behavioral therapist to determine the right kind of assistance for your animal. Usually, behavior training is always required in addition to products and treatments.
How Can Probiotics Soothe Dogs?
Probiotics have been shown to have beneficial effects on anxious dogs. Current studies show that especially probiotics with so-called bifidobacteria can help against anxiety in dogs. Most probiotics, however, contain other bacteria that specifically support gastrointestinal flora.
There is a theory that probiotics with Bifidobacterium longum act on the so-called gut-brain axis and thus alleviate anxiety. This is the connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This bidirectional communication includes:
- Nerves within the gastrointestinal tract (the enteric nervous system) send signals to the brain via the vagus nerve.
- Hormones are released by signals from the brain that work throughout the body and the stomach.
- The gastrointestinal flora can affect the immune cells in the lining of the intestines by changing the chemicals that these cells produce. This can lead to changes in the signals the enteric nervous system sends to the brain.
- The gastrointestinal flora is partly responsible for the production of short-chain fatty acids and it is assumed that these play a role in the functioning of the brain.
Since there can be many reasons a pet may feel anxious, it is always a good idea to speak to a veterinarian or animal behavior therapist before trying any therapy.
When should I contact a veterinarian?
You should contact a veterinarian if you feel that your pet is scared or has other behavioral problems. The vet will appropriately examine your pet for any underlying health problems and can advise you if medical attention is needed.
You should also consult a qualified animal behavior therapist to develop an exercise program that can help your pet.
