5 Things I Do To Help Ease My Dogs Anxiety

Let me just say, anxiety sucks! I am anxiety ridden almost 50% of my day. Those of you who experience the same know the real struggle. I thank God for my fiancé who helps me day in and day out with my battle with anxiety. Some days I am trapped at home all day because I'm so anxious I can barely move without either crying or feeling sick. Anxiety disorder affects about 18.1% of the population each year and women are twice as likely to be affected than men. Oh, aren't we just lucky? But did you know that even our pets get anxiety, even our fur babies can suffer the same way we do. That breaks my heart a little.

I have a Jack Russell Chihuahua mix who's about 12 years old and whose anxiety goes sky rocket sometimes. His name is Maxxi and my fiancé had rescued him from an abusive home. They rarely paid any attention to him, they fed him human food, and they failed to take him for walks so he could exercise and relieve himself the proper way. It's disgusting, how some humans can do such a thing such as neglect an innocent beautiful creature. Needless to say, she rescued him and gave him a much better life that he deserved.

His past life had clearly caused him trauma, to the point where almost anything gets his anxiety level to shoot up way past his comfort zone. All we can do is try our hardest to comfort them during these times and offer any and all help we possibly can.

I am going to let you in on 5 things I do to try and keep him at ease during his high anxiety moments.

Consistency is key, remember that one important fact.

1. Long walks

Take them for a nice long walk. Exercising releases endorphins and natural brain chemicals that can help heighten their well-being. Going for a walk can help clear their mind of any stress they may be experiencing at the moment. Keeping their mind busy with all of the smells, and all of the people around him is good therapy for them.

2. Purchase a Kong - add all the little treats inside

These things are life savers, I promise you! Fill it with their favorite treat. Maxxi isn't your average dog who loves peanut butter, it actually gets him sick. But he loves everything else!

The Kong will keep them busy and keep their mind off of whatever they were just stressing about and help them focus on the yummy treat. The constant focus helps calm their mind and relaxes them.

3. CBD products

Cannabidiol aka CBD is derived from the cannabis plant and is popular for its natural ability to help ease anxiety and inflammation in most people and animals.

Its effect isn't guaranteed but we are grateful it works for Maxxi. It is definitely worth a try and I most certainly recommend it for anxiety. We give him about 50ml daily and it helps relax him. It also helps with anxiety from thunderstorms and fireworks.

4. Comfort them

Any time you see that their anxiety level is slowly rising take a second to sit down and give your full attention to them. Take deep breaths with them. Remind them over and over that everything is going to be okay while petting them softly.

Animals are like babies they need the constant affection and reassurance that they are going to be okay and that you will never leave their side. Pay attention to their feelings, it certainly calms their anxiety.

5. Be mindful

Animals who suffer from anxiety can't help how they feel. They can't prevent it from happening because they aren't in control of what happens on a daily basis.

If you go for a walk, try and keep treats on you to steer them away from people with poor energy who may heighten their anxiety. If you're cooking and you know the smoke alarm may go off try and unplug it before it does, or steer them away from it. If you're going away and they will be with a sitter, be sure to leave them with all the necessary items they need to keep them as much at ease as you can.

Be mindful of their emotions, they are just as real as ours and they matter. They deserve to live a relaxed life free of stress and anxiety and they count on us for everything. Anxiety is very real and many humans and animals suffer from anxiety every single day. Practice deep breaths and be sure to find the proper and safe resources that will help ease such discomfort. I am no doctor but I can assure you that Maxxi does just a bit better each day with these five things I do to try and keep him at ease. Don't give up, our fur babies count on us!