A dog's anxious or aggressive behavior can be due to issues relating to pain, fear, anxiety, or dominance. Dogs can also develop aggressive behavior due to exposure to previous abuse, a lack of physical or mental stimulation, or a lack of proper socialization with other dogs. The two most common types of anxiety in dogs are situational anxiety and behavioral anxiety. Situational anxiety is triggered by specific situations, such as thunderstorms, loud noises, or long car rides. Behavioral anxiety is more of an ongoing anxiety that your dog may experience on a regular basis. While behavioral anxiety may not be tied to any specific situation, certain repeated scenarios may still trigger this. One such example is separation anxiety. This is a type of behavioral anxiety that occurs when your dog is left alone for too long or if you are separated from your dog too frequently. (Related: Help your dog overcome separation anxiety naturally.)
Some people choose conventional treatments, such as anti-anxiety medication, to fix their pet's problematic behavior. However, this may result in a lifelong dependency on these drugs. If you suddenly stop the treatment, it may cause withdrawal symptoms or even result in an increase in aggression or anxiety. That's not even taking into account the possible side effects these medications may cause, such as diarrhea, vomiting, liver damage, seizures, and skin conditions. Fortunately, there are ways to treat your dog naturally, without the risk of such side effects. You can make use of herbal remedies and calming essential oils to soothe your dog's anxiety or aggression.
Natural remedies for anxiety and aggression in dogs
You can give natural remedies to your dog in the form of herbal teas, tinctures, or capsules. You can mix these with your dog's food or water, but tinctures and capsules may also be placed directly in your dog's mouth. You can also diffuse essential oils into the air as long as the scent is not too overpowering for your dog. Canines have keen senses of smell, so it is also important to allow your dog to leave the area if the strong scents cause any discomfort. Here are some herbs and essential oils you can use to treat your pet's anxious or aggressive behavior:
- Chamomile. This powerful sedative can calm down your dog's restless behavior. If your dog is prone to car sickness, use chamomile to soothe your dog's nervous stomach. Chamomile can also be used to relax your dog and allow it to be more accepting of gentle petting, physical touch, and socialization.
- Valerian. Similar to chamomile, valerian is another herbal sedative that calms the nerves and promotes physical relaxation. If your dog becomes overexcitable or hysterical, use valerian to make your dog more tranquil and compliant.
- St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can safely be used as a natural antidepressant for dogs. It is a useful remedy for when your dog experiences separation anxiety.
- Club moss. You can find spores of club moss in the form of powder-filled capsules and pellets. If your dog experiences anxiety around unfamiliar people or places, club moss can help alleviate these fears.
- Lavender oil. This essential oil has therapeutic properties that can ease symptoms of fear and aggression. If your dog has a tense or high-strung personality, you can diffuse lavender oil near your dog's bed or carrier crate.
- Violet leaf oil. This essential oil can be blended with lavender oil to ease separation anxiety.
Learn more ways to keep your pet healthy by going to PetHealthDaily.com.
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