One of the many casualties during this never-ending pandemic may be your dog\u2019s confidence. Do you find that she is pacing a lot these days? Or seems to stick to the back of your knee like Velcro when you move from room to room? Does she vault off the sofa and unload a barrage of barks at the front door the second she detects the sound of yet another package being delivered on your porch? Or are your dogs suddenly getting into food fights at mealtimes?<\/p>\n
Now more than ever \u2013 thanks to the stubborn coronavirus that has upended the daily routine for you and your dog \u2013 your canine pal may need a tasty tactic to fend off growing stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cStress can trigger behavior issues as well as medical conditions in some dogs,\u201d says Lisa Lippman, DVM, a house-call veterinarian for Off-Leash Veterinary Care<\/a> in New York City. \u201cDon\u2019t dismiss changes in your dog\u2019s behavior or appetite. Talk to your veterinarian and work together to identify the best way to help your dog once again feel happy and content.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: Wisent | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Anxiety-induced behavior changes may cause increased barking or whining. Your dog, who has always enjoyed sleeping on sofa pillows, may now shred them. Or, she may no longer alert you when she needs to potty outside and is now piddling by the back door. And, of course, aging can also contribute to a dog\u2019s anxiety level.<\/p>\n \u201cChanges in anxiety or FAS (fear, anxiety and stress) in older dogs can also be an aging change,\u201d says Kathryn Primm, DVM, owner of the Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee<\/a>, and the country\u2019s first Fear Free Pets certified veterinarian<\/a>. \u201cSight and hearing in senior dogs can be impacted in a negative way. Many of my senior pet clients are on medication to address specific issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Medically, mounting anxiety can cause such ailments as:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pixel-shot | Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Quality food fortifies your dog\u2019s body to keep it humming at its healthiest. But certain foods and strategies may also help melt anxiety in your dog with each swallow. Consider these comforting options to fight stress with dog food for anxiety.<\/p>\n Introduce intriguing tastes and textures.<\/strong> Swap the food bowl for a food puzzle.<\/strong> \u201cFood puzzles are great, but you need to rotate them so your dog doesn\u2019t get used to the same one,\u201d Dr. Primm adds.<\/p>\n Tap your dog\u2019s inner hunter with a licking\/snuffle mat.<\/strong> \u201cLicking mats are great ways to keep dogs mentally entertained whether you need to work uninterrupted from home or need to head to the office.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: alexei_tm | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Make mealtime a safe zone.<\/strong> Treat your dog to a yummy brain teaser.<\/strong> \u201cAfter he catches on, knock the cup down for the reward,\u201d Dr. Primm says. \u201cThen mix up the cups to let him choose and, of course, give him more than one try to find the treat.\u201d<\/p>\n Fill an ice cube tray with bits of canned tuna and water.<\/strong> Photo: Global_Pics | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Learn the ABCs of CBD.<\/strong> Related: <\/strong>Are CBD Oils Worth It?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA quality CBD product contains a Certificate of Analysis (COA) provided by an independent third-party tester,\u201d says Mandi Blackwelder, DVM, a veterinarian who operates the Health Arts Animal Care Center<\/a> in Beaverton, Oregon. \u201cPlease keep your veterinarian in the loop if you are thinking about giving your pet CBD oil or treats.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more, visit the Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consulting group at veterinary cannabis.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo: Capuski | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hop on the herb train.<\/strong> Add calming supplements.<\/strong> \u201cWhatever options you are considering to deal with your dog\u2019s anxiety, the most important thing is knowing what is normal, so you can alert your veterinarian to changes and let them come up with a plan tailored to your own pet,\u201d Dr. Primm says.<\/p>\n Read Next: <\/strong>Should You Try Holistic Dog Food?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The post 9 Ways Food Can Help Dogs with Anxiety Issues<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post 9 Ways Food Can Help Dogs with Anxiety Issues<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n One of the many casualties during this never-ending pandemic may be your dog\u2019s confidence. Do you find that she is pacing a lot these days? Or seems to stick to the back of your knee like Velcro when you move from room to room? Does she vault off the sofa and unload a barrage of barks at the front door the second she detects the sound of yet another package being delivered on your porch? Or are your dogs suddenly getting into food fights at mealtimes?<\/p>\n Now more than ever \u2013 thanks to the stubborn coronavirus that has upended the daily routine for you and your dog \u2013 your canine pal may need a tasty tactic to fend off growing stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n \u201cStress can trigger behavior issues as well as medical conditions in some dogs,\u201d says Lisa Lippman, DVM, a house-call veterinarian for Off-Leash Veterinary Care<\/a> in New York City. \u201cDon\u2019t dismiss changes in your dog\u2019s behavior or appetite. Talk to your veterinarian and work together to identify the best way to help your dog once again feel happy and content.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: Wisent | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Anxiety-induced behavior changes may cause increased barking or whining. Your dog, who has always enjoyed sleeping on sofa pillows, may now shred them. Or, she may no longer alert you when she needs to potty outside and is now piddling by the back door. And, of course, aging can also contribute to a dog\u2019s anxiety level.<\/p>\n \u201cChanges in anxiety or FAS (fear, anxiety and stress) in older dogs can also be an aging change,\u201d says Kathryn Primm, DVM, owner of the Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee<\/a>, and the country\u2019s first Fear Free Pets certified veterinarian<\/a>. \u201cSight and hearing in senior dogs can be impacted in a negative way. Many of my senior pet clients are on medication to address specific issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Medically, mounting anxiety can cause such ailments as:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pixel-shot | Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Quality food fortifies your dog\u2019s body to keep it humming at its healthiest. But certain foods and strategies may also help melt anxiety in your dog with each swallow. Consider these comforting options to fight stress with dog food for anxiety.<\/p>\n Introduce intriguing tastes and textures.<\/strong> Swap the food bowl for a food puzzle.<\/strong> \u201cFood puzzles are great, but you need to rotate them so your dog doesn\u2019t get used to the same one,\u201d Dr. Primm adds.<\/p>\n Tap your dog\u2019s inner hunter with a licking\/snuffle mat.<\/strong> \u201cLicking mats are great ways to keep dogs mentally entertained whether you need to work uninterrupted from home or need to head to the office.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: alexei_tm | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Make mealtime a safe zone.<\/strong> Treat your dog to a yummy brain teaser.<\/strong> \u201cAfter he catches on, knock the cup down for the reward,\u201d Dr. Primm says. \u201cThen mix up the cups to let him choose and, of course, give him more than one try to find the treat.\u201d<\/p>\n Fill an ice cube tray with bits of canned tuna and water.<\/strong> Photo: Global_Pics | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Learn the ABCs of CBD.<\/strong> Related: <\/strong>Are CBD Oils Worth It?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA quality CBD product contains a Certificate of Analysis (COA) provided by an independent third-party tester,\u201d says Mandi Blackwelder, DVM, a veterinarian who operates the Health Arts Animal Care Center<\/a> in Beaverton, Oregon. \u201cPlease keep your veterinarian in the loop if you are thinking about giving your pet CBD oil or treats.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more, visit the Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consulting group at veterinary cannabis.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo: Capuski | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hop on the herb train.<\/strong> Add calming supplements.<\/strong> \u201cWhatever options you are considering to deal with your dog\u2019s anxiety, the most important thing is knowing what is normal, so you can alert your veterinarian to changes and let them come up with a plan tailored to your own pet,\u201d Dr. Primm says.<\/p>\n Read Next: <\/strong>Should You Try Holistic Dog Food?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The post 9 Ways Food Can Help Dogs with Anxiety Issues<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2102_Carrot-puppy_Getty145130424.png\")
<\/p>\nSigns your dog is stressed<\/h3>\n
\nUnaddressed anxiety at mealtime can cause some dogs to gorge their food quickly, lose their appetites or get into food fights with other pets in the home. Emotions can also play a role at mealtime if your dog is grieving the loss of a favorite person or closely bonded pet. Remodeling projects and working from home can also cause appetites to wane in some dogs.<\/p>\n\n
![\"dog](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Alamy_Food-and-Bowl_2BF79MM.png\")
<\/p>\nFight stress with dog food for anxiety<\/h3>\n
\nTop your dog\u2019s food bowl with healthy crunchies like broccoli, carrots or green beans. Or safe-sweet choices like apple slices or blueberries. These added surprises may be a mood-booster for your dog.<\/p>\n
\nBeing fed the same time in the same bowl with the same food can become b-o-r-i-n-g to your dog. Mix things up once or twice a week by putting your dog\u2019s meal in a food puzzle.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMy senior dog, Chloe, loves finding treats on her Snuffle Mat,\u201d Dr. Lippman says.<\/p>\n![\"dog](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2102_Snack-game_Getty1071495094.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nIn multi-pet households, allow each pet to eat at their own pace. Avoid lining bowls in a row. Instead, use your kitchen island as a visual barrier and place bowls on each side for your dogs. Promptly pick up and clean bowls after each meal to reduce any resource-guarding issues.<\/p>\n
\nTake three paper cups or empty and cleaned yogurt containers. Punch a hole to allow the scent to more readily escape and let your dog watch you put a treat under one cup.<\/p>\n
\nFreeze and then serve one of these fishy \u2018pupsicles\u2019 to your dog as a tasty, keep-busy treat to take her mind off anxious thoughts.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2102_Zen-Dog_getty492533339.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nThe popularity of using cannabidiol (CBD) to ease anxiety, pain and other issues in people is finding its way into CBD treats, soft chews, sprays, tinctures and capsules for pets. Shop smartly. CBD products vary in quality.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pet-ness_calm_treats_cbd_Hi-600x400.png\")
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"dog](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2102_dog-chamomile_Getty1278630365.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nConsult your veterinarian about offering dog treats containing such relaxing herbs as chamomile, passion flower or valerian root.<\/p>\n
\nYour dog\u2019s temperament may tone down if given supplements along with dinner that contain ingredients promoting sound sleep, such as melatonin or L-tryptophan (an amino acid).<\/p>\n<\/p>\nSigns your dog is stressed<\/h3>\n
\nUnaddressed anxiety at mealtime can cause some dogs to gorge their food quickly, lose their appetites or get into food fights with other pets in the home. Emotions can also play a role at mealtime if your dog is grieving the loss of a favorite person or closely bonded pet. Remodeling projects and working from home can also cause appetites to wane in some dogs.<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\nFight stress with dog food for anxiety<\/h3>\n
\nTop your dog\u2019s food bowl with healthy crunchies like broccoli, carrots or green beans. Or safe-sweet choices like apple slices or blueberries. These added surprises may be a mood-booster for your dog.<\/p>\n
\nBeing fed the same time in the same bowl with the same food can become b-o-r-i-n-g to your dog. Mix things up once or twice a week by putting your dog\u2019s meal in a food puzzle.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMy senior dog, Chloe, loves finding treats on her Snuffle Mat,\u201d Dr. Lippman says.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nIn multi-pet households, allow each pet to eat at their own pace. Avoid lining bowls in a row. Instead, use your kitchen island as a visual barrier and place bowls on each side for your dogs. Promptly pick up and clean bowls after each meal to reduce any resource-guarding issues.<\/p>\n
\nTake three paper cups or empty and cleaned yogurt containers. Punch a hole to allow the scent to more readily escape and let your dog watch you put a treat under one cup.<\/p>\n
\nFreeze and then serve one of these fishy \u2018pupsicles\u2019 to your dog as a tasty, keep-busy treat to take her mind off anxious thoughts.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nThe popularity of using cannabidiol (CBD) to ease anxiety, pain and other issues in people is finding its way into CBD treats, soft chews, sprays, tinctures and capsules for pets. Shop smartly. CBD products vary in quality.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/a>
\n<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nConsult your veterinarian about offering dog treats containing such relaxing herbs as chamomile, passion flower or valerian root.<\/p>\n
\nYour dog\u2019s temperament may tone down if given supplements along with dinner that contain ingredients promoting sound sleep, such as melatonin or L-tryptophan (an amino acid).<\/p>\n