Can dogs take xanax to calm down?

Picture this: you come home from work after a long day and all you want is to cuddle with your furry friend. But, as soon as you open the door, your dog starts barking non-stop and running around like a maniac. What do you do? You’re not alone, many dog owners face similar situations daily.

If you’re wondering whether giving your pooch some human medication such as Xanax could help them calm down, then keep reading for an answer that might surprise you.

Understanding Your Dog’s Anxiety

Before we dive into the effects of Xanax on dogs’ anxiety management, it’s essential to understand what causes stress in our four-legged friends. As it turns out, dogs can become anxious due to several factors, including but not limited to:

  • Separation anxiety
  • Fear of loud noises (e.g., firecrackers or thunderstorms)
  • Car rides or air travel
  • Annoying pests such as fleas and ticks
  • Illnesses or chronic pain

Whatever triggers anxiety in dogs may cause restlessness, excessive barking or whining behavior, which can be stressful for both pets and their owners.

A Quick Overview of Xanax

Xanax is a brand name drug prescribed by doctors mainly for humans dealing with panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorders. The active ingredient in the drug is alprazolam that helps decrease overactivity in specific parts of the brain responsible for arousal when anxious.

The sedative effect created by Xanax made it popular beyond its intended use — helping people sleep better; however, taking too much medication poses risks even among humans specifically dependant upon individual characteristics.. Therefore: never give any medication formulated for human use directly to animals without clear instructions from a veterinarian; dosage needs differ based upon size and breed, so consulting medical professionals is always necessary before giving your pet any medicine.

Can Dogs Take Xanax?

Yes, veterinarians do prescribe alprazolam or other similar drugs for pets’ anxiety management needs. Before using it for your furry pal’s treatment, ensure their vet has prescribed the right dosage keeping in mind several factors like age, medical history, weight and physical condition.

Xanax helps treat dogs with mild to moderate anxiety by reducing hyperactivity and nervousness that leads to problem behavior. Like humans though: Prolonged use of Xanax may lead to dependence in dogs as well, making them experience increased restlessness if they stop taking the medication cold turkey. Therefore a slow taper off once treatment discontinuation is needed following prescriber guidance,.

The Possible Side Effects

Like every drug out there, even xanax comes with its possible side effects on both humans and animals alike; Without minimizing any risks whatsoever: some of the more common symptoms this medication can cause include:

  • Drowsiness or lethargy
  • Decreased walking coordination
  • Loss of inhibition (which might result in less careful behavior)
  • Diarrhea or constipation
    Furthermore,: unexpected increases in liver enzymes levels have been reported too after long term consumption.

In rare cases where more potent doses are taken than advised possibly due to mishandling/ingestion errors; shaking uncontrollably along inability maintaining balance could be observed two among other severe health hazards such as breathing problems.

Other warning signs include pupils shrinking abnormally which indicate are areas where neurological impairments already set-in even if unconscious at moment.: If such manifestations happen not attributed to things outside of you knowledge call your nearest veterinarian immediately.

Note Though: Any deviation from normal behaviors exhibited by our fluffy friends should prompt a visit scheduled with an experienced professional for early detection and interventions measures aimed at preventing possible serious aftermaths. Avoid self-medication w regards administration without consulting authorized veterinary care insured visits allows timely addressing of underlying issues.

The Alternatives to Xanax for Dogs

While Xanax might be helpful at managing anxiety-like symptoms in dogs, there exist alternative methods you can adopt before purchasing medication. Here are other resources your furry pal may benefit from trying out:

Proper Exercise

Dogs like humans too require proper training and exercises to remain physically healthy and happy. Regular walks or runs will increase endorphin release that leads satisfaction thus decreased stress levels.

Training Programs

Positive Psychotherapy techniques such as classical conditioning alleviate cognitive feelings enhance functioning; providing outcomes deemed valuable by pet-keepers that dislike medicating their animals citing it poses significant risks discussed earlier on comorbidities onset which could add more problems than solutions down the road if heavier doses continue administered w/o clear adverse signs identified. A qualified trainer’s` services effectively build a stronger bond with our canine best friends also equipping them with positive body language improving mental health status long term., Also: Many pets engage in exercise through infotainment routines such as hide-and-seek games, fetch or obstacle racing often done indoor/outdoor surroundings allowing hem activity including social interactions..

Herbal Remedies

Some plant extracts have calming effects on doggos’ anxious behaviours although not equal but help combat mild-moderate worries.; chamomile lavender among others known already possess anxiolytic properties plausible ingredients targeting ease off symptoms common among stressed-out dogs aiding minimization panic during stressful situations whenever applied anti-inflammatory alongside major therapeutic benefits present adding another option overindulged medicinal consumption proved counterproductive.: So yes plants do matter!

Calming Pheromones

As absurd it may seem/humorous stigma attached yet is much safer than drug use.. One well-known brand product includes sprays diffusers collars boasting behaviour improvement based pheromone secretion technology mimicking natural soothing hormones heavily active during nursing campaing travel this way helps calm down jittery furry companions.

Wrapping Them Up

The sensation of applying mild pressure or compression to the body replicating e.g. hugging(tight contact being repeatedly applied.) provides a calming effect on some dogs.. A mass number of pet shops pharmacy stores sell thunder shirts, soothing vests that resemble wearable blankets shaped like dog’s torsos; This can be useful in low-grade anxiety disorders along with other methods are not effective enough at relieving symptoms.

Let’s Sum It All Up:

Whether your faithful companion is struggling with separation anxiety or fear from loud noises, Xanax and similar drugs prescribed for humans may temporarily help overcome its anxiousness BUT it should not take precedence over proper regime regarding self-medication as mentioned earlier consult a professional beforehand!

Natural medicaments often prove effective solutions, which include regular exercises seasonal refreshers or using herbal remedies such as chamomile/lavender accordingly..
Psychotherapy training earned through behavioral conditioning induce positivity improve social skills while pheromones topicals also acted upon by calming nerves without side effects meaning possible toxicities associated w conventional medicine exposure avoided.
Any drastic deviation observed could symptomize underlying illnesses hence worth seeking out services before fatal outcomes execute themselves realistically later in stages irredeemable.
So beware dogs Can take xanax but remember that preventive measures outweigh reactive administrated medication.

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