Sedatives for Dogs

There are a few sedatives for dogs that can be used to treat over excitement and anxiety in them. Pet owners need to have some basic knowledge about these drugs in order to effectively manage anxiety and nervousness in their pets. Read this article to find out some commonly used prescriptions, as well as herbal sedatives for dogs.

A sedative is a class of drug that reduces excitation and agitation. Sedatives are often used in the medical field while preparing a patient for surgery, as well as in the treatment of anxiety, panic attack, insomnia and pain. Like humans, dogs too can get excited or nervous in certain circumstances, especially while traveling by air or visiting an unfamiliar place and during a thunderstorm.

Dogs are also given sedatives before a surgery and sometimes during a dog training

session. However, all types of sedatives may not not be safe for dogs. So, a pet owner should have some basic knowledge about the most commonly used and safe sedatives for dogs.

Sedatives for Dogs

Sedatives have been used for a very long time by the pet owners to relax their pets including, dogs. However, before using any kind of medication for dogs, one should always consult a veterinarian, regarding the appropriate dosage, and the safety issues or side effects associated with such medications. The same thing is also applicable for sedatives, as overuse or prolonged use of sedatives can too cause several side effects. The sedatives that are veterinarians usually recommend for dogs are, acepromazine or promace, diazepam, xanax, clomipramine and medetomidine.

Acepromazine is the sedative that is most commonly recommended for anxious dogs prior to surgery and before a grooming session. Certain overanxious dogs may also require this during a car travel. It is generally considered as one of the safe sedatives for dogs. However, it should be kept in mind that this drug can lower the level of blood pressure, and so should be given in appropriate dosage, as suggested by the veterinarian. Diazepam or valium on the other hand, is a medication that is generally recommended only for humans, but can be given to dogs in case of over excitement and convulsions. However, a prescription from a veterinarian is required to administer valium in dogs. Find out more about dog grooming.

Medetomidine is the drug that is administered intravenously, and used as a sedative and analgesic for dogs. Apart from these three sedatives, xanax or alprazolam and clomipramine are too used as sedatives for dogs. Xanax is a drug that is registered for humans only, just like valium. So, xanax is not meant to be used for the dogs, unless it is prescribed by a veterinarian. More commonly, it is recommended for anxiety relief, though dogs that suffer from thunderstorm phobia, convulsions and separation anxiety can also be given xanax, if suggested by a veterinarian. Clomipramine is the drug that is most commonly used in the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs. Know more about anti anxiety medication for dogs.

Natural Sedatives for Dogs

Apart from the above mentioned drugs, certain natural and herbal sedatives for dogs also exist. One such example is the herb skullcap. Skullcap proves quite effective for treating excitability and nervousness in dogs. Similarly, chamomile too can work as a mild natural sedative that can calm an excited dog. It can promote better sleep and treat an upset stomach caused by nervousness and anxiety. Another excellent herbal sedative for dogs is valerian, which can effectively treat anxiety, nervousness, sleeplessness and separation anxiety. However, it needs to be given only in small doses, as overdose can cause side effects like, gastrointestinal problems.

The hormone melatonin, which is secreted by the pineal gland, too can play an important role in treating dog anxiety. This hormone affects the level of neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, and the hormone cortisol, and thereby help relieve anxiety. Though this natural sedative can be found over the counter, it should be given only with the approval of a veterinarian. This hormone is usually recommended by the veterinarians to alleviate separation anxiety and noise and thunderstorm phobias in dogs. The advantage of using melatonin is that it does not cause drowsiness in dogs, unlike many other common sedatives. More information on:

• Dog Care
• Dog Behavior
• Dog Obedience

In general, the herbal or natural sedatives may not cause any serious side effects like the prescription sedatives, if used judiciously. However, prolonged and continuous use of both prescription and herbal sedatives for dogs may give rise to certain health problems. The side effects can be more worrisome in the case of prescription sedatives. Many times, some sedatives have been observed to produce an opposite effect, instead of calming the anxious dogs. Therefore, pet owners need to refrain from giving any medication, prescription or herbal, to their dogs, without informing their veterinarians. In the long run, anxiety, stress and behavior problems in dogs can be managed with the help of exercises. Exercise is one of the safest way to naturally calm and relax a dog and, promote its health.