Imagine a dog trembling at the sound of thunder or a cat hiding for hours after a trip to the vet. These aren’t just quirks, they’re signs of anxiety, a condition that affects countless pets and often leaves their owners feeling helpless. Whether it’s separation stress, loud noises, or unfamiliar environments, anxiety can disrupt a pet’s well-being and strain the bond between animal and human.
Advancing the standard of care for animals doesn’t just happen in veterinary practices; informed ownership leads to better care all around. By getting to the root of pet anxiety and educating on effective responses, veterinary professionals can empower and ease pet owners and their pets alike.
Getting to the root of a pet’s anxiety
Anxiety manifests in humans through rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, feeling weak, restlessness, nervousness, paranoia, and more. Animals are no different.
Pets experience anxiety from the anticipation of a fear-inducing stimulus. It can be situational or related to specific triggers such as being left alone, a visit to the vet, or fireworks during holidays. The most common forms of pet anxiety are:
- Separation Anxiety – when pets get nervous or uncomfortable when they are alone or separated from their family.
- Fear-Related Anxiety – stems from several factors, including early life experiences, environmental influences, or even genetics. Examples of triggers are loud noises, specific situations, and unfamiliar people/animals.
- Age-Related Anxiety – often associated with older dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), where memory, learning, perception, and awareness can decline and lead to confusion/anxiety.
Helping pet owners understand the root of their pets’ anxiety can also help them understand the symptoms can show in many different forms, including but not limited to:
- Destructive Behavior
- Restlessness
- Hiding
- Loss of Appetite
- Clinginess
- Excessive Vocalization
- Urination or Defecation
- Aggression
Empowering pet owners through education
Pet anxiety doesn’t just affect the animal; it deeply impacts the owner’s emotional well-being and confidence in caregiving. When owners understand the signs of anxiety and the science behind it, they’re better equipped to respond with empathy and effectiveness.
Education can foster trust between veterinarians and pet parents, creating a collaborative approach to care. It also helps demystify behaviors that might otherwise be misinterpreted as disobedience. For example, a dog chewing holes in the carpet when left alone can be sign of separation anxiety rather than the pet acting out.
As a veterinary professional, you play a vital role in this learning process. By offering clear explanations, personalized guidance, and evidence-based resources, you empower owners to take proactive steps. This includes recognizing early warning signs, implementing calming strategies, and knowing when to seek medical support.
When pet parents feel empowered, they become active participants in their pet’s healing journey, reducing stress for everyone involved—and most likely making visits to your practice much simpler in many cases!
How pet owners can ease pet anxiety
Managing pet anxiety requires a blend of behavioral techniques, environmental adjustments, and sometimes medical intervention. Here are some proven strategies to share with your clients:
- Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet, cozy area where their pet can retreat during stressful moments. Familiar blankets, toys, and scents can help soothe them.
- Desensitization and Counterconditioning: Gradually expose pets to anxiety triggers in a controlled way with professional guidance from a certified behaviorist or trainer, pairing the experience with positive reinforcement.
- Routine and Predictability: Pets thrive on consistency. Regular feeding, walking, and play schedules can reduce uncertainty and stress.
In severe cases, you may recommend anti-anxiety medications based on the short-term or long-term needs of a pet. For example, short-term medications can help pets relax when they come to your practice for a visit, making their appointment as stress-free as possible
Common pet anxiety medications include:
- Fluoxetine – a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) often used for long-term anxiety management.
- Trazodone – frequently prescribed for situational anxiety, such as vet visits or travel.
- Clomipramine – a tricyclic antidepressant used for separation anxiety.
- Gabapentin – often used in both dogs and cats to reduce fear and anxiety, particularly during veterinary visits.
- Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam) – short-acting medications used for acute stress events or predictable triggers such as fireworks or thunderstorms.
- Buspirone – sometimes prescribed, particularly in cats, for generalized anxiety.
These medications help regulate mood and reduce fear responses, but they work best when paired with behavior modification techniques. It’s important to talk through all the symptoms and options with your clients to determine the right medication and dosage for each pet’s unique needs.
Office-Use Medications for Your Practice & Patients
Our team knows that quality and consistency are non-negotiable when it comes to pet health. That’s why we proudly manufacture gabapentin, fluoxetine, and other essential medications to FDA standards, ensuring safety and efficacy in every dose.
Learn more about our veterinary medication portfolio!
Stokes Pharmacy also compounds many of these other drugs for individual patient prescriptions!
Pet anxiety is more than a behavioral issue. It’s a health concern that can affect the entire household. For veterinary professionals, recognizing the signs of anxiety is just the beginning. The real impact comes from guiding pet owners with clarity, empathy, and evidence-based solutions.
Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to transform fear into comfort and confusion into clarity. Through thoughtful education, personalized care plans, and access to trusted medications, you empower owners to become confident caregivers.
We believe that every pet deserves peace of mind and every owner deserves the tools to provide it. From manufacturing high-quality medications to supporting wellness education, we offer a variety of resources that your practice can share so you and your clients can make compassionate care a reality, together.