Natural Solutions for Dog Stress

Causes of Stress in Dogs

*hunger
*thirst
*loud noises (thunder,fireworks,music)
*changing residence
*pain or discomfort
*vet visits
*changes in domestic life
*new baby or other pet
* owner's stress


Signs of Stress in Dogs

*glazed eyes
*weight loss
*loss of appetite
*hyperactivity
*restless behavior
*barking or whining for no apparent reason
* extra naughty behavior

One of the most important things you can do to help calm your dog is to calm down yourself first.

Take a deep breath,listen to soothing music and show him you are relaxed. Remember,your dog looks to you for clues that suggest when it s time to worry and when it s time to relax.

Make sure your dog is comfortable. Is he warm enough? Doe he or she have a cozy place to sleep? Is he bothered by loud excessive noise or music that you could control? Remember,a dog's hearing is much sharper and more sensitive than ours. What is an annoying level of noise to you may be stressful and even harmful to your dog. Do not leave the TV on while you are away. Instead leave on classical or calming music.

Research has shown that exercise and fresh air are among the best stress reducers and mood enhancers for humans and animals.Take your dog for a nice walk every day.You will both benefit.

Praise your dog. Tell him how much you love him. Your secrets are safe with your dog .Tell her everything! Build a bond of trust and love.

A favorite stress reducing remedy for humans and pets is Bach Flower Rescue Remedy.This combination of five flower essences is a must-have for pets and owners.

It is excellent to give before taking the pet to the vet, after a trauma, when the pet is not quite well,or after an accident or sudden stress.The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method; it doesn't interfere with medication or have negative side effects.

Pet owners can also take rescue remedy (available in natural food and vitamin stores and on Amazon.com)

Avoid feeding your dog inexpensive or generic dog food brands with corn, wheat or soy and added chemicals and by-products.These carbohydrates can boost stress levels. High quality dog food may cost more, but formulations are available that will help a wide variety of health problems.

Make sure the treats you give your dog are also free of wheat, corn or soy. Wheat exacerbates pain.

Also, since pet food is not regulated by the FDA or any other agency, it's often difficult to know what you're getting. Just because the word "natural" appears on the packaging does not make it good for your dog. Do appropriate research, read the ingredients and ask yourself "would I eat this?"

Most dogs love to be massaged. Begin by gently rubbing the ears. Sometimes this is all it takes to calm down your dog. Work your way down the head by gently stroking the eye lids, muzzle,and nose, then work down the neck to the chest region. If you continue down the back, be extra gentle and respectful of your dog's private areas.

There are several books and DVDs giving detailed instructions on how to massage your dog.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that originated in China over four thousand years ago. It works through helping the body heal itself.

The basic principles of acupuncture are the same in animals as in humans. Chinese medical theory states that disease is the result of a blockage in energy flow (Qi or Chi) along pathways in the body. Inserting needles into these pathways unblocks the energy and restores health. I sometimes use magnets and lasers to enhance the effectiveness of the needles.

Though many people are a bit squeamish about needles, most dogs don't mind at all. Acupuncture in animals was first used on the horses of Chinese emperors over 2,000 years ago and has been widely used in the treatment of horses in America for decades. As you may know, there is a considerable body of research supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of a wide range of canine health issues.

WARNING!: Chinese herbal medicine should be given only under the advice of a licensed acupuncturist with training in traditional Chinese herbal therapy and the use of herbs with pets. Not every Chinese herb that is good for humans is good for your dog, and some are harmful if used incorrectly. BE VERY CAREFUL not to order miracle herbs online for your dog! These can cause more harm than good if not properly prescribed.

To learn more about Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for your dog please visit www.FourPawsAcupuncture.com

"Oso, was experiencing a high sensitivity to loud noises and an increased level of overall stress and anxiety. We live near yacht clubs where canons are shot off at sunrise and sunset 6 months of the year. That noise and summer fireworks were more than she could cope with. Noises coming from construction in the area added to the cacophony of her world!

Getting her to leave the house, let alone the property, was extremely difficult. Walks finally had to stop. She had a loss of appetite. She was so anxious and scared! She looked like she couldn't even hear us speaking to her because of the state she was in. Her boogie man was everywhere it seemed!

Jeanie's acupuncture sessions were amazing and immediately brought a sense of relief to Oso and over time brought such a state of calm.

What was just as important as the acupuncture was Jeanie's advice on putting Bach flower essences in her water, massaging them on her head and ears, and adding them to dog treats. Jeanie's prescription worked! We learned that it was imperative to be consistent with these remedies so that they could work in tandem with the acupuncture, and that these steps were, indeed, an important contribution to the success that we were seeing!

Oso is happy and energetic now, and enjoying her walks everywhere. She is relaxed and calm and can hear us now when we are talking to her. Her appetite is back and her overall appearance is bright, alert and present! "
Polly K.

To read about more dogs who have had positive experiences with acupuncture and Chinese medicine please visit the Four Paws Acupuncture Happy Dogs Page

Valentines Day is a sweet day for people, but can be very dangerous to your furry loved ones. Leaving out candy, ribbon, flowers and other gifts may end in an emergency visit to your local veterinary hospital.

Treat your dog this Valentine's day with safe and healthy snacks such as carrots, apples or wheat-free dog cookies.

Here is a list of substances to keep out of reach from Fido. If your dog consumes any of these, please call your veterinarian immediately.
* Chocolate
* Macadamia nuts
*Alcohol
*Tylenol
*Yeast dough
* Coffee grounds, beans & tea
* Raisins and grapes
* Moldy/spoiled foods
*Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips
*Rhubarb leaves

Just like humans, animals need to be kept warm during these cold winter months. Here are a few tips to keep your dog safe and warm.

If your dog is elderly or sick you may want to make sure he wears a coat while outside in extreme weather.

Make sure your dog's bed is away from any drafty areas in the house. Leave a blanket on his bed that he can crawl under if he is cold.

Clean your dog's feet after a walk to remove salt, ice particles and road chemicals. They are not any easier on your dog's feet than they would be on yours.

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don't worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Bruschi the English Mastiff, recommends putting out a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at places like Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog's exposure to the sun.