My Shih Tzu cries a lot. What else helps his anxiety when nothing works?

Hello. Much depends on what is the underlying cause of your pets anxiety. Noise phobias can sometimes respond to gradual conditioning to that noise. Training & training tools & toys can sometimes help with separation anxiety. Often, we turn to pharmaceuticals & supplements. I always recommend OTC products like Zylkene or Composure. These are natural supplements that contain ingredients that are not harsh or dangerous. CBD may help with anxiety, but you need to be sure the company you use has scientifically formulated their products to be sound. Canopy Growth seems to be one doing so for pets (https://canopy animal health.com ) & yes, this is the one associated with Martha Stewart. Prescription medications are often used, as needed or for help with behavior modification. Sileo, Trazodone, acepromazine & anti-anxiety medications like Prozac have all been utilized, but you will need to work with your veterinarian on these. Start with some of the supplements, like Zylkene & go from there until you find the right fit for your pet. Thanks for contacting PetCoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are medications for anxiety that can work in these cases that can be used on an as needed basis such as Trazodone. This is something her veterinarian could prescribe. Good luck and have a good night!

This is a difficult question, as the recommendation for which medications or therapies to start for anxiety are very individualized to the patient and the specific things that are triggering their episodes. If you haven't tried some over-the-counter therapies such as a Thundershirt ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/thundershirt-heather-gray-dog-anxiety-solution ) or a pheromone diffuser ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/thunderease-calming-diffuser-kit-for-dogs ) those are often good places to start. If these aren't helping you will need to consider consulting with a vet, who can prescribe Prozac or another anxiety medication, along with behavior modification therapy.

Poor pup! This level of anxiety about noises isn't normal, so I would consider talking to your veterinarian about prescription anti-anxiety medication for him. This could dramatically improve his quality of life, just like treating chronic pain with medication. If your veterinarian isn't well-versed in behavior issues, you could see a veterinary behaviorist instead - you can search for one in your area here: www.dacvb.org In the meantime, there are a few other things you can do that may help. I would suggest getting a white noise machine to help mask noises from the upstairs apartment and keep him from being able to hear every little thing that happens. He might also benefit from a DAP pheromone diffuser and a daily calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure.

Hi Lola and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about your problem with Asher Jackson. Behavioral problems are very complex and unfortunately this forum is not adequate for helping you solve the problems. Separation anxiety is one of the toughest problems to take on but with behavior modification and sometimes drug therapy, good progress can be made. Sometimes this involves a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist to aid in the improvement. My best advice is to seek help from your veterinarian. They can evaluate Asher Jackson, take a thorough history and then advise a diagnostic/treatment plan. Diagnostics may include blood tests and other tests to make sure that his overall health is good and to assess internal organ function in case some drug therapy is implemented. Your vet may even refer you to a trainer or behaviorist for more one on one training. Good luck with Asher. I know you can make head way in this case.

I'm sorry to hear that Henry has anxiety issues! If you feel that they're severe enough to be impacting his quality of life, I would definitely encourage you to talk with your veterinarian about medication options. SSRIs like Prozac or Paxil are very commonly used in dogs for generalized anxiety - they're quite safe, and don't have any significant side effects in most dogs. They're also quite inexpensive (on the $4 list at places like Walmart or Kroger, usually!) Your vet can help you decide if starting a medication like this would be a good choice for Henry. In the meantime, you could also consider trying a daily natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure Pro - these can work well for some dogs, although the effects will be more subtle than with a prescription medication. They are available over-the-counter, and can be purchased at pet stores or ordered online.

There are a number of things you can to that may help with his anxiety. Thundershirts are helpful, some say it solves the problem, some dogs only get some benefit, but it's worth a try. There are also calming foods and treats available, ask your vet for recommendations. Personally, I like Royal Canin and Science Diet foods. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Take him for rides, long walks, runs, get him involved in obedience training, learning tricks, dog agility, anything and everything that will tire his body and stimulate his mind. A tired dog is a happy dog. Simba looks like there may be some Border Collie in his background. Border Collies are highly intelligent and need something to do, so lots and lots of exercise can work wonders.