Managing Dog Anxiety Without the Side Effects

As a veterinarian, I understand just how challenging it can be to have a dog that suffers from anxiety. Not only does it stress your dog, but it can also be incredibly difficult for you as a pet owner to watch. To make matters worse, many conventional drugs used to treat anxiety in dogs come with unpleasant side effects that can add even more concern to an already stressful situation.

The Struggles of Conventional Medications

While traditional medications can sometimes provide temporary relief, they often come with side effects such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, and other issues that can affect your dog’s overall well-being. It’s understandable to feel frustrated when the solution to your dog’s anxiety ends up causing other health problems.

The Good News: Alternative Options

The good news is that there are alternative solutions to help manage dog anxiety, without the harmful side effects of conventional medications. In fact, we’ve combined the very best natural calming remedies into a convenient, effective product:

Dr. Jones’ COMPLETE Canine Calming Chews.

These chews offer a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety in dogs. With a formula designed to promote calmness, relaxation, and overall well-being, they provide an alternative that can help your dog feel more at ease—naturally.

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ COMPLETE Canine Calming Chews?

These calming chews contain a carefully selected blend of natural ingredients known for their calming properties, ensuring that your dog can find relief from anxiety without the unwanted side effects. Whether it’s for fear of storms, separation anxiety, or general nervousness, these chews can be a great option for your pet.

Managing anxiety in dogs doesn’t have to be about choosing between effective relief and side effects. With Dr. Jones’ COMPLETE Canine Calming Chews, you can feel confident that you’re offering your dog a safe and natural way to cope with their anxiety.

Conventional Anti-Anxiety Medications for Dogs: Serious Side Effects

When it comes to treating anxious dogs, Clomicalm (clomipramine hydrochloride) is one of the most popular veterinary drugs on the market. This medication is often recommended for managing anxiety, particularly separation anxiety, in dogs. However, before deciding if Clomicalm is right for your dog, it’s important to understand both its benefits and the potential side effects that can arise from its use.

How Clomicalm Works

Clomicalm functions as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is similar to the human antidepressant Prozac. By acting on the central nervous system (CNS), it helps reduce the signs of anxiety in dogs. However, while Clomicalm can reduce anxiety to make behavior training easier, it is not considered a “cure” for depression. Unlike sedatives, Clomicalm does not make dogs overly drowsy, though it can cause lethargy in some.

FDA Study on Clomicalm

In a study conducted by the FDA, approximately 200 dogs were involved, with half of them receiving Clomicalm along with behavior training, while the other half received only behavior training along with a placebo. After one week, 47% of the dogs on the medication showed improvement, compared to 29% of those receiving just the placebo. This initial success can be appealing to pet owners, as it suggests the drug works quickly, encouraging them to continue the treatment.

However, by the eighth week of the study, the numbers began to level off. Only 65% of the dogs on Clomicalm showed improvement, compared to 55% of the dogs on the placebo. This suggests that, while Clomicalm can offer short-term results, behavior training alone can be almost as effective in the long term.

Pharmaceutical Side Effects

Like most medications, Clomicalm comes with its share of potential side effects, warnings, and contraindications. Some of the side effects observed in the FDA study included:

• Vomiting (25% of dogs)
• Diarrhea (11%)
• Lethargy (10%)
• Increased thirst (5%)
• Appetite fluctuations (3%)

There are also specific groups of dogs for whom Clomicalm is unsuitable, including:

• Male breeding dogs (due to an increased risk of testicular hypoplasia)
• Puppies under six months old
• Dogs with cardiovascular disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, or a history of seizures

Additionally, Clomicalm should not be combined with other medications that affect the central nervous system, such as general anesthetics, and should be discontinued as long as possible before elective surgery.

Dangerous Drug Interactions

A significant concern when using Clomicalm is its potential for dangerous drug interactions. According to the Clomicalm website, when used in conjunction with products like the Preventic collar or Anipryl tablets, an “undesirable reaction" may occur. While the site does not specify what this reaction is, Pfizer’s disclosure statement for Anipryl warns that combining it with Clomicalm can lead to severe CNS toxicity, including death.

Alternatives and Natural Solutions

While Clomicalm may be an effective option for some dogs, it’s important to weigh the potential risks and side effects. If possible, I recommend trying alternative treatments, such as behavioral modification, before resorting to medication.

One option to consider is our Natural Dog Calming Chews, which can help support your dog’s calmness without the side effects associated with conventional medications.

P.S. If your dog is on any type of anti-anxiety medication, be sure to monitor for side effects and consult your vet regularly. And whenever possible, consider trying natural alternatives along with behavioral modifications to manage your dog’s anxiety.

You can find our Complete Canine Calming Chews here!