Hyperactivity issues on our canine friends can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated early. When your dog becomes overly impulsive, extra-active and playful, and overly attention-seeking, you may have to talk with your vet for a thorough checkup. Sometimes, it’s normal behavior, but I’m sure you wouldn’t want to take chances. Once your four-legged canine family member is confirmed to have hyperactivity problems, certain tricks and medication would help bring them back to normality. The choice of medication to calm a hyper dog would entirely depend on the breed and hyperactivity level.
Ways to Calm a Hyper Dog
You want to treat the hyperactivity behavior the soonest as possible. You can go the medication way or the natural way, but each of the tricks would always work to your advantage. Watch out for these tips for calming a hyper dog.
Don’t Support Your Canine Friend’s Hyper Behaviors
Just because you cherish your four-legged homie doesn’t mean you should tolerate each of their behaviors. In fact, don’t encourage any of their behaviors once you notice they have hyperactivity issues. You don’t have to entirely ignore them when they come nipping or jumping at you overly excited. Rather try techniques such as no eye contact, no touch, or no talk to calm them down.
Get Your Four-legged Canine Friend Busy
If dogs stay idle for long, the built-up energy could make them overly peppy. Distracting your hyper dog with a walk or exercise gets them involved, helping them release the excess energies and toxins. Exhaustion will humble your dog, reducing their nipping and jumping excesses.
Stimulate Them Mentally
One easy and fun way to calm your hyper dog is by stimulating them mentally. The best way to do so is through outdoor activities and interactive games. Go for fun games such as treat-release toys and puzzles for a more intriguing treat.
Try Aromatherapy Treat
A dog’s most sensitive body part is its nose. Yes, dogs can smell as far away as 20 kilometers. Just imagine how well aromatherapy will work on a dog if it works miracles to a human only able to smell some kilometers away. Just the same some smells trigger soothing and holistic healing to humans, some scents would make an overly excited dog relax. Aromatherapy solutions containing essential oils such as chamomile and lavender could trigger a calming effect on a hyper dog. You just need to spray the oils on the pants or scarves the dog wears and you’ll be good to go.
The Best Medication to Calm a Hyper Dog
If you try the interaction and behavioral tactics above and none works, consider using medicines. Currently, there is no specific medication for calming hyper dogs. However, vets have confirmed certain medications work to soothe and calm a hyper dog. No matter the level of anxiety and hyperactivity, try out these medications for the best results.
Benzodiazepines
The first medication that reacts positively to hyperactivity in dogs is benzodiazepines. This type of medication is fast-acting and doesn’t require you to commit to giving your dog a prescribed amount every day. In fact, you don’t have to give it to your dog continually, as it may be the case with other medications.
Benzodiazepines act almost instantly, and it’s mostly used to relax and calm dogs for a specified period. This medication is perfect for helping four-legged canines to overcome phobia and the stress associated with trips to a veterinarian. Benzodiazepines offer temporary effects, which disappear a few hours after intake.
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride
The second highly recommended medication for calming hyper dogs is Amitriptyline Hydrochloride. Widely known as Elavil, the medication is widely given to dogs undergoing anxiety and stress resulting from separation from family or friends. Our canine friends undergo a period of anxiety after we separate them from their family and friends.
The anxiety and stress dogs experience after separation could be traumatic to the pet owner. It could also make it challenging to deal with such dogs. When given Elavil, dogs can keep their stress and anxiety levels under control, making their lives calmer with less drama.
Fluoxetine
The last medication for calming hyperactivity in dogs is fluoxetine. Dogs experiencing toxic anxiety and stress would usually benefit from this medication. The unique medical formula allows it to soothe aggressiveness among puppies and dogs. This medication the most common reliever for rescue dogs that showcase extreme levels of aggressiveness.
Widely known by the brand name Prozac, it’s one of the well-known serotonin reuptake inhibiting medications for pets. The medicine simply works to control mood swings, helping target dogs to be happier.
When Should You Hire a Veterinary?
Hiring a vet should be a priority when your dog’s aggressiveness and hyperactivity persist. You can’t tell the depth of damage the hyperactivity has pierced to your dog’s mental and emotional health. Trying any of the approaches suggested above should be done as first aid. Yes, thousands of homeowners have tried these medications and behavioral change tactics, and they worked. However, that doesn’t guarantee they will work for your dog as the breed type and hyperactivity issues are not the same.
It’s based on this point argument you’ve to consider hiring a vet to examine your four-legged canine the soonest possible. Veterinarians have the right tools and skills and would examine your dog carefully to tell exactly what’s disturbing him or her before they recommend any medication. The service of a vet goes beyond examining and giving medication as they also advise on the best care tips.
Conclusion: Medication to Calm a Hyper Dog
Looking for the best medication to calm a hyper dog? We’ve given you the limelight of the meds and solutions that work when properly used. They are perfect first-aid solutions, so you don’t want to keep on trying each of them for long before you consult your vet. The soonest you realize your dog is hyperactive, make that call to your vet immediately. You want to know what you’re treating to avoid wasting time treating the wrong condition. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should not try each of the tricks and medications we outlined above.
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