How to Calm an Anxious Dog Naturally: 10 Vet-Approved Advice

Just like us, dogs get anxious, nervous, or restless when they’re placed in scenarios that are unfamiliar to them. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) shows that around 20% to 25% of dogs display fearfulness or anxiety toward strangers, other dogs, or new situations, which are common anxiety triggers. Loud noises, separation from owners, and changes in routine or environment can also cause anxiety. Think of how you felt on your first day of school or at a job interview when you weren’t confident about your skills. Dogs feel that way too, especially when they find themselves in places they’ve never seen or smelled before. If you’re transporting your dog to a different country, they’ll experience a whole new world of sights, sounds, and smells, and they’ll need reassurance from you, being their caring owner, to help them feel safe and secure.

So, what causes anxiety in dogs? You already know about it because we have discussed at the beginning of this article. So, in this guide, we’ll furthermore explore the signs of anxiety in dogs and share effective, 10 vet-approved tips on how to calm an anxious dog naturally. We’ll focus on gentle, natural methods of treating anxiety in dogs to help your furry friend feel more comfortable and relaxed.

What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?

Anxiety is a common problem that can lead to behavioural issues and health problems. Understanding the root causes of anxiety in your dogs can help you better treat your pet’s anxiety. Some of the common causes of anxiety in dogs are:

• Fear

Your dog may develop anxiety in response to specific fears, such as loud noises, crowds, or unfamiliar people. These triggers can cause trembling, pacing, excessive barking, or even escape attempts. In fact, according to a study published in Scientific Reports, 32% of dogs exhibit fear in response to loud noises, making it one of the most common fear-based anxiety triggers in dogs.

• Environmental Changes

Dogs are creatures of habit, and even small changes can unsettle them. Moving to a new house, bringing in a new family member or pet, or altering your daily schedule can make your dog feel unsafe or insecure. These environmental changes disrupt their routine and may lead to symptoms like loss of appetite, clinginess, or difficulty settling. Creating a familiar space and re-establishing routine can help them adjust more easily.

• Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most common behavioural issues, especially in dogs that are strongly bonded with their owners. When left alone, these dogs may cry, bark excessively, chew furniture, or even attempt to escape. This is often more than just boredom; it’s deep emotional distress. In such cases, consistent training, calming routines, and behaviour modification techniques can be helpful. For more severe cases, a veterinarian may recommend anxiety medications to manage symptoms.

• Genetics

Some dog breeds are naturally more prone to anxiety due to their genetics. Intelligent working breeds like German Shepherds, Border Collies, or Poodles may overthink situations or become hyper-aware of their surroundings. Without enough mental stimulation or attention, these dogs may develop nervous behaviours or reactivity. Understanding your dog’s breed tendencies can help you prevent anxiety before it starts.

• Aging

As dogs get older, their brain function can decline, leading to disorientation, confusion, and increased anxiety. This condition is known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CDD), similar to dementia in humans. Dogs with CDD may forget commands, appear lost in familiar spaces, or develop new fears. They may also become more clingy or anxious when left alone. Providing a stable routine, gentle stimulation, and veterinary care can help ease these symptoms.

How Does Anxiety Affect Dogs?

Although dogs do experience the same emotions as us when it comes to anxiety, they show it in different ways. You’ll not often see a dog chewing its nails, for example. The problem is it’s sometimes difficult to pick out the signs of anxiety in dogs. They can’t come out and tell you how they’re feeling, and the fact that they’re in a whole new environment can make it confusing for us humans, too, as we don’t know how they’ll react to the change. But, there are ways of finding anxiety in dogs with the changes in their body language and habits.

The main effects of anxiety in dogs are:

• A Change in Eating Habits

Your dog might start to eat less because they don’t feel hungry or because they’re too distracted by anxiety disorder to be interested in food. Equally, though, they could start to ask for much more food and might start eating other food items around your house. Yes, dogs can comfort eat too.

• Withdrawn Behaviour

Another effect of anxiety in dogs is sudden behaviour problems seen in your dogs. If your dog is usually cheerful, loving, and always excited to be around you, you’ll notice a big difference if they suddenly start spending a lot of time in rooms away from you or in a corner on their own. Corners feel like secure zones, where dogs can feel more composed and less fearful. As they can see what’s coming from all angles, knowing nothing is behind them. If your dog has taken to sitting by themselves in a corner, then it might be a sign of anxiety in the dog, and you might need to take action on time.

• Choosing to Be Alone

Dogs are natural pack animals, so if you have more than one dog, that’s great. However, if you notice one of your dogs deliberately spending time alone or nipping at the other dogs in your household as a warning to stay away, then this could be a sign of anxiety in your dog.

7 Proven Ways to Calm Your Anxious Dog

Many dog owners overlook the dogs’ anxiety, which can turn into a form of doggy depression if not handled well. Owners can easily recognize their dog’s anxiety by watching their dog spending time alone, being away, and not eating the right diet. These are signs that your dog needs some love and attention to make them feel better. So, here are the 10 vet-approved tips that can help you how to calm an anxious dog naturally:

1. Be a Role Model

Your dog looks up to you as the head of the pack, so you need to put your best foot forward and lead the way. When you’re in a completely new environment, new house, new garden, new country altogether, there’s going to be a lot of things that your dog is unsure of. Especially if you take into consideration how much more sensitive they are to smells and sounds than we are.

You need to reassure your dog that everything around you is safe. If you want them to explore their new outdoor space, do it with them. They trust you, and if they see that you’re confident, it’ll help to calm a stressed dog and ease their anxiety.

2. Physical Contact

Dogs love intimacy. It’s built into them as pack animals. That’s why you’ll always see them lying in a heap on the floor rather than sitting nicely in their beds. The contact with someone they trust helps to give them confidence. No matter what, they’ll feel a need to protect you, and knowing you’re there close to them will make them bolder and more confident. Physical contact, like petting and massage, causes the brain to release oxytocin hormone in both dogs and humans. It helps to strengthen your bond and calm the anxious dog. Spend time with your four-legged friend outside, taking in the new smells and sounds together, or in the house curled up on the sofa.

3. Provide Regular Exercise and Mental Encouragement

Exercise is always a winner. It even helps people with their anxiety, so it must be great for calming a stressed dog, too, right? Walking allows your dog to take their mind off things. It gets them excited about exploring the outside world, and it also tires them out, so they’ll be able to sleep when they get home. Take a walk around your new neighbourhood with your dog. They’ll become more comfortable with their surroundings and feel better about their new home.

Boredom is also one of the reasons for anxiety in dogs. Involving your dog in mental stimulation, like puzzle toys and other training, can reduce their anxiety. You can teach your dog basic obedience cues like “sit,” “watch me,” “stay,” or “stand up” so they don’t get bored.

4. Maintain a Consistent Routine

Another natural way of treating anxiety in dogs is making a routine. Dogs love a routine. They know exactly what time their meals are each day, what time their walks are, and where they’ll be sleeping at night. When you make such a big change in their lives, it’s important to keep as much as you can the same for them. Alright, you might be in a different time zone, so walkies might differ. But get back into a routine as fast as you can so they know what to expect.

It’s also advisable to take their old toys and bedding with you when you move. They’re going to want those old home comforts in a new environment. So, don’t be tempted to start from scratch. They won’t appreciate it.

5. Create a Calm Home Environment

Create a calm space just for your dog. Dogs pick up on your every move, so remaining calm and avoiding chaos in the home can help reduce your dog’s anxiety. Avoiding loud noises or unfamiliar people can also create a more relaxed atmosphere for anxiety treatment. Sometimes, they need some alone time in a comfortable space to grow well. A familiar crate training routine can help your dog feel secure in that space and ease their anxiety.

6. Music Therapy

Music therapy has been recognized as an effective way to calm a dog down naturally. The right kind of music has a physiological calming effect on dogs. Music with a slow tempo and soft melodies can help lower a dog’s stress levels and prevent agitation. Also, focusing on pleasant music diverts your dog’s attention away from frightening sights and sounds in your new home. A familiar and peaceful tune can lower blood pressure and stop anxious thoughts on them. Making music part of your dog’s routine trains their brain and body to relax.

7. Consult With a Veterinarian

If your dog’s anxiety gets worse despite these efforts, it’s better to consult a veterinarian or a dog behaviourist. Firstly, they are trained to diagnose potential reasons like thyroid disorders, pain, or other conditions. They can recommend anxiety medications that can be used for treating dogs’ anxiety, depending on the causes of anxiety, like severe separation anxiety, noise phobias, travel stress, and other persistent anxiety issues. Also, they are trained to provide behavioural counselling and support for your dog.

8. Create a Safe Space

Sometimes, all your dog needs is a little corner they can call their own. Design a calm and quiet area in your home filled with things they love, like their bed, favorite toys, and items that smell like home. This familiar space gives them a sense of security when everything around them feels unfamiliar or overwhelming. Avoid loud noises and too many people in that area, and let your dog go there on their own when they feel stressed. Over time, they’ll learn that this is their retreat, a safe zone where they can relax and feel at ease.

9. Calming Clothes and Wraps

Some dogs respond really well to pressure wraps or calming vests like the ThunderShirt. These snug garments apply gentle pressure, almost like a comforting hug, which can reduce stress and help calm your dog down. They’re especially helpful during stressful situations like fireworks, car rides, or thunderstorms. Always introduce them slowly and use them as a source of comfort, not restriction.

10. Keep Your Dog Entertained

Dogs need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise. When they’re bored, their anxiety can build up and show in behaviors like chewing, barking, or pacing. Try using puzzle toys, interactive feeders, or teaching them a new trick to keep their minds busy. Even playing simple games like fetch or hide-and-seek indoors can help burn off nervous energy and make them feel more settled.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Calming an Anxious Dog

When you notice the signs that your dog isn’t happy, it’s tempting to do whatever you can to comfort them and make them feel better. After learning the ways of treating an anxious dog, you also need to know what not to do to calm an anxious dog. As we talked about, some dogs will show their anxiety with a change in appetite. Don’t be tempted to give them more food because they’re asking for more.

It’s also not advisable to change the type of food that they’re eating if you notice that they’re eating less. It’s unlikely that they’ve suddenly decided they don’t like that particular brand, and changing their diet is likely to upset them more.

Try not to leave them alone for too long at first. Yes, you will have to leave them alone eventually, but think back to when they were a puppy. You’ll have had to wean them gradually off the time they spend with you so that they weren’t shocked when you suddenly left for hours at a time. Go back to that. Start with leaving the room for a few minutes and work your way up to a few hours at a time. Remember, you’re their comfort blanket, and they’ll become more anxious if you leave them in a new place and just disappear.

Look for other tips from experts, e.g., here’s what the American Kennel Club has to say about dog’s anxiety.

Conclusion

Remember to always think ahead when you’re planning a big move. Your dog will be anxious at the move; there’s no avoiding it. But be mindful of this and take all the necessary measures we suggested for treating anxiety in dogs. Our pet relocation company has all the answers to your pet travel questions. Hence, these are the 10 important tips on how to calm an anxious dog. If you need any help, we’re here to provide support and guidance throughout this process. Contact us today to learn more about our services for reducing anxiety during pet moves so you and your furry friend can look forward to new adventures ahead.

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