Latest news with #doganxiety
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I'm a vet – everyday habit you do without thinking could be silently destroying your dog's mental health
FOR many families, the car is a part of daily life - from school runs and the food shop to weekend getaways. But while most drivers don't think twice about using their horn, vets are now warning that this common driving habit could be quietly harming the mental health of their beloved pets. 2 2 Motoring experts at Plates Express have teamed up with veterinary professionals to raise awareness about the unexpected link between frequent car horn use and rising anxiety in dogs. It's not something many pet owners consider, but according to new findings, the sharp, sudden sound of a horn especially when used often or near the home can trigger deep stress in dogs that builds up over time. Dr Ellie Grant, a veterinary behaviour specialist, explains: 'Dogs hear things far louder and more clearly than we do. "A car horn might just be a quick sound for us, but for dogs, especially nervous ones, it can feel like an alarm or a threat. "Over time, repeated exposure to sudden, loud noises like honking can lead to chronic anxiety and fear-based behaviour.' Even small, daily honks outside the house can cause pets to associate the car or the driveway with stress. For pets left at home during the day, these sounds can feel unpredictable and threatening, leading to pacing, barking, shaking, or even destructive behaviour. Many dog owners don't realise their pet is reacting to car horns, because the signs aren't always immediate. But the warning signs often show up at home. Some of the most common symptoms of horn-related anxiety include barking or howling when they hear a horn, even on TV, and hiding or retreating when cars approach the home. Everyone can see the happy dog but you need 20-20 vision to spot the mistake in under 7 seconds Your pooch could also show sudden aggressive or fearful behaviour during walks near traffic, or start to pant and shake when exposed to loud, unexpected sounds. What's especially worrying, according to the experts, is that repeated stress can impact a dog's long-term mental health making them more fearful, less trusting, and more prone to panic in everyday situations. While honking isn't always avoidable, experts say most drivers can reduce their use of the horn and help ease the pressure on nearby pets. Here are three simple changes recommended by Plates Express and Dr. Grant: A spokesperson from Plates Express adds: 'Most drivers never think about how their habits affect animals. "But the simple act of using your horn too often, especially around pets can build up anxiety that lasts all day. "We urge homeowners to treat the horn like a last resort and be more mindful, especially when pulling into their own driveway.'
ABC News
21-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Dogs are increasingly given anti-anxiety drugs for behavioural issues, but do they need them?
Two-and-a-half-year-old rescue dog Mabel is sweet and happy when her owner, veterinarian Amy Lee, is at home. But when Dr Lee is gone, Mabel can be a whole different animal. "She wouldn't eat when I wasn't home. She would bark, she would whimper, she would cry. She sometimes wouldn't toilet," Dr Lee said. "When we went overseas recently, for the first time in her life, she escaped the yard because there was a dog sitter with her and not our family." Now, Mabel is one of many dogs on a medication called fluoxetine — a type of antidepressant sold under the brand name Prozac. For Dr Lee, being able to prescribe fluoxetine for dogs like hers has been "a godsend". While Dr Lee is comfortable with providing anxiety medicines to dogs like Mabel at her clinic in Blacktown, NSW, she said it wasn't suitable for every animal. Dr Lee takes dog owners through one-hour long consultations about their pet's history and behaviours before deciding whether to prescribe medication. But this isn't standard across the veterinarian sector, with some vets only getting a 15-minute appointment to make the decision. This is creating concerns from some in the industry about how many dogs are going onto anti-anxiety medication as a first-line treatment. A study looking at millions of canine medical records in the US from 2010 to 2020 found a 10-fold increase in behavioural problems, and an increase in antidepressant medications. Dr Lee says she's seen an increase in dogs at her clinic with behavioural issues like aggression, separation anxiety as well as problematic behaviours. Although Australia-wide data on use of drug therapies for animals is not recorded by groups like the Australian Veterinary Association, there is evidence that their use is on the rise. Australian pet pharmacy YourPetPA listed fluoxetine on its website as its third "best selling" prescription medication. But Paul McGreevy, a veterinarian and a researcher of animal behaviour at the University of Sydney, said the real issue for the dogs was the management by their owners. "The danger is that pet owners demand a medication to resolve a problem, when the problem is actually them," he said. Dogs, he noted, have different needs and wants to humans, which we struggle to respond to, and instead, we "expect the dogs to adapt to our way of life". "If you want a dog, expect it to do doggy things, and expect it to have doggy needs," Professor McGreevy said. Michelle Rassool, a behavioural veterinarian who works in both general practice and a behavioural clinic, said many owners were at their wits end with their dog's behaviour when they came to her. "The average person gets a dog to have a friend, and they are normally not skilled in behaviour modification," she said. "People should be aware that there are multiple options for intervening in behaviour. Instead, Dr Rassool suggested positive behavioural training, changes to the environment, and changes to what the owners expect from their dog could all help create a better dog-owner relationship. "Is the dog getting enough exercise? Are they fulfilled? "If we've got a dog that's worried about being left alone, we don't just give medication and leave it alone. "Our goals are always to use medication to leverage change and then look at weaning off or reducing where we can." Dr Rassool said training needed to occur long-term to give dogs the best chance not to develop behavioural problems. "Going to a couple of weeks of puppy school is not going to cut the mustard," she said. "Most people should continue to go to — at a minimum — a weekly training session for that dog's first year because there's so much developmental change." Dr Lee noted that using positive reinforcement, rather than negative, was also extremely important to ensure the behaviour didn't become worse. "If you've got a dog and you use either a combination of punishment and positive [reinforcement], or if you use just punishment, you're actually more likely to end up with aggression in your dog," she said. "[Negative reinforcement] will work for a while because the dog doesn't want to be punished, but because they're not solving the underlying emotions it will eventually make the behaviour worse." Getting the balance right between appropriate training and medication can be life or death for dogs. "Behaviour problems are the biggest killer of young dogs," Professor McGreevy said. "Is that because they're they are not medicated correctly? Arguably. But is it possible that they were managed inappropriately to begin with?" Navigating the fine line of when medication might be appropriate is something Dr Lee is very aware of at her clinic. "I've got a patient that I treat now — Stannis — and he's one of my favourites because when he used to come in … he could have been euthanised in a pound somewhere for being unmanageable," she said. Now, although Stannis will likely need ongoing anxiety medication, his owners have also undertaken significant behavioural work, and according to Dr Lee "his quality of life is so great". "Those are the cases that just make your heart so full because you see people who believe in their dogs, and do the work." Check out What the Duck?! presented by Dr Ann Jones to look at our modern dogs and what we've created and subscribe to the podcast for more.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SEEKING DOGS WITH EXTREME FEAR OF THUNDERSTORMS FOR VETERINARY STUDY IN FLORIDA
Multiple Clinics Participating in Study Evaluating an Investigational Medication With the Goal of Achieving the Medication's Approval by FDA RALEIGH, N.C., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dog owners in Florida—the storm capital of the U.S—now have the opportunity to have their dogs screened for possible inclusion in a clinical study evaluating a potential treatment for severe thunderstorm aversion. The study is evaluating an investigational oral medication given twice-daily during storm season that could offer round-the-clock relief. Participation is free, and qualifying dogs receive all study-related care--including evaluations, diagnostic testing, exams, and medication (or placebo) at no cost. Marilyn Bonner says her dog was "skittish" of storms and loud noises when living in Pennsylvania, but upon moving to Florida, her Boxer developed intense anxiety. "Nothing prepared us for the thunderstorms in Florida. They're so intense and so frequent. As soon as one rolls in, she'll start panting and severely shaking. It's heartbreaking." Dogs With Thunderstorm Aversion Are Suffering Dogs with severe thunderstorm aversion often display their intense fear by hiding, cowering, destructiveness, trembling/shaking, self-harm, and more. Sadly, the fear may begin hours before a storm arrives, and in some cases, take days for dogs to recover. "During a thunderstorm, my dog never leaves my side; she's there shaking, drooling, and practically hyperventilating. There are times I've thought she was going to have a heart attack," says Jill Powers, of Southwest Florida. "I just feel so terrible for her." In a published study, nearly 50% of dog owners reported their dogs show fear when exposed to noises. What Dogs Can Participate?In order to be eligible, dogs must show signs of thunderstorm aversion, weigh at least 8.8 lbs., be in good general health, and meet certain other criteria. Interested dog owners can visit to see if there's a participating veterinary site nearby and complete a short pre-screening questionnaire. Take Action NowThe study only runs a few months during Florida's storm season, so pet owners interested in signing up their dogs should act quickly. Participation offers pet owners a chance to help their dogs, support research that could lead to a medication approved by the Food & Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, and benefit generations of dogs in the future. To learn more, visit About VisionaireVisionaire Research & Education supports patient recruitment for veterinary clinical studies, helping veterinary pharmaceutical Sponsors speed new pet medications to market. The Company's number one priority is helping dogs, cats, and horses — and their owners — experience a better quality of life through innovative treatments and solutions. The pivotal studies Visionaire supports can be a way to gain access to quality diagnostics and veterinary care — and investigational therapies that often aren't available anywhere else — all at no cost to pet owners. For more information, visit Contact: Megan Hepp, 919-293-0243 x 202; megan@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Dog Storm Study
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
£3 puppuccinos and £10 beef meatballs? Why Gen Z spends £145 a month on their pampered pooches
Gen Z: Can you keep your voice down? Boomer: Nursing a hangover? I'm teetotal. But loud noises trigger Bailey's stress disorder. He's a spaniel, not a Second World War veteran. He's actually a cavachon: a cavalier King Charles spaniel and bichon frise cross. Cost me £900 on Pets4Homes. Maybe his 'stress disorder' is the guilt he feels over draining your bank account. Three-quarters of people my age are worried about their dogs' anxiety levels, according to a survey by Companion Life. What's stressing him? The effect of Trump's tariffs on Royal Canin? GEN Z'S PUPS DINE AT FURRY-FRIENDLY SPOTS LIKE PAWSITIVE CAFÉ He actually only eats £3.50 cans of Lily's Kitchen Chicken & Turkey Casserole for dogs. Not inherited your veganism yet, then? Touché. His anxiety is a sign of intelligence, according to TikTok's @HappyWolf, AKA Alex, who posts about dog behaviour problems. And his obsession with chasing his tail? Rude. Apparently when your puppy growls, they're 'learning to communicate their boundaries' around being petted, Alex told her 786,000 followers. So the best way to stop my labrador barking at the postman is to tell him I validate his emotions? Yes, and to give him Kayode's Relax supplement, along with its 'Collagen Puptides' for a shiny coat, only £30 for 90 scoops. I'll stick to Bertie's biannual bath with Pets at Home's £3 dog shampoo – plus a Febreze spritz if I smell fox poo. You Boomers are so tight! Money mag Fortune found us Gen Zers spend around £145 a month on our pets, and you guys just £70. And yet you're always asking me for cash… I pay for Bailey's goodies by selling old clothes on Vinted, obviously. It's a full-time side hustle given I'm always WFH. I'm not sure selling your grubby old jeans is going to fund your penchant for oat lattes and dog sweaters. Bailey would never drink an oat latte. He prefers a £3 puppuccino from Paws For Coffee in Hampton. I meant your oat latte addiction! Don't tell me the dog's hooked, too? He's a sophisticated gastronome. He ate one of my mud-crusted Birkenstocks! More gour-mutt than gourmet. He also enjoys the £10 beef meatballs and courgette with fresh tomato purée at West London's Pawsitive Café. Treat day for my Bertie means table scraps from our Sunday roast, not a remake of the pasta dish from Lady And The Tramp. It's lit content for his #pupfluencer account. I'm gonna set him up on new dog social-media site Meet My Paws. They missed a trick not calling it Facebark. It is a bit like Facebook, actually. You can add local dog owners in your area, and select whether you're looking for friends or romantic partners. Talk about puppy love. Mock all you want, but doggy socials are a lucrative career. Winston the Weiner from Brisbane, Australia, is said to earn £3,500 per post. Winston the Weiner sounds like a better fit for OnlyFans than Facebark… He's a long-haired mini dachshund who narrates his life. If he's a talking dog, I'll happily give him £3,500 from my own pocket. Well, his mum pretends to be him narrating his life, but he looks adorbs while she does it. What does the bloke you've been seeing make of eating at Pawsitive Café to help Bailey's influencer career? He's in the bin. Didn't bring you flowers? No, he didn't bring Bailey liver treats. I'm with the 54 per cent of Gen Zers who see partners not getting along with their pooch as a dumpable offence. Gen Z is barking mad. It's a healthy choice. A recent study shows that owning a dog delivers a mood boost equal to a £70,000 salary increase. Don't tell Bertie, he'll be demanding a joint bank account and to be written into my will. Even better? They bring you 'more happiness than a romantic partner'. At last – something we agree on!
Free Malaysia Today
12-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
How bringing home your job stresses can affect your dog
Dogs display behaviours indicative of anxiety when their owners brood over work problems. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : After a stormy meeting, an urgent job to finish, or tension with a colleague, your dog may greet you as usual when you get home. But something might not feel right: your pet may seem agitated, pace back and forth, and whine softly. Too preoccupied with your work worries, you fail to make the connection: your stress has already contaminated your faithful companion. This scene, experienced by millions of 'dog parents', illustrates the conclusions of a recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University and published in Scientific Reports. It shows that our dogs feel our work-related stress directly, especially when we struggle to mentally unplug from our preoccupations at work. The researchers surveyed 85 working adults who own dogs. Participants were asked to rate their level of work stress and their tendency to ruminate, and they were asked to rate their pet's stress according to specific behavioral indicators. The results showed that the dogs displayed behaviours indicative of anxiety when their owners brooded over their work problems. However, the study reveals an important nuance: it's not so much the high level of work-related stress that affects the animal but rather this tendency to ruminate – that is, to mentally transport work concerns into the privacy of the home. When we carry our professional worries beyond office hours, we remain tense and distracted. Body language, tone of voice and general behaviour betray this inner tension – signals that dogs pick up with remarkable acuity. Emotional contagion A dog's ability to decode emotional states is explained by a scientifically recognised mechanism: emotional contagion. These four-legged companions are absolute masters in the art of deciphering non-verbal signals, which means they can 'catch' their master's emotions. Dogs excel at reading facial expressions and picking up changes in tone and posture, which makes them highly attuned to their owners' work stress. Aim to spend quality time with your dog by being fully present, without phones or distractions. (Envato Elements pic) This phenomenon goes far beyond simple observation. The animal perceives subtle changes in breathing, gestures or body language, creating a surprising emotional synchronisation with its owner. This extraordinary sensitivity explains why our pets sometimes seem to sense our moods before we are even conscious of them ourselves. In light of this, the study authors suggest a number of ways of shielding animals from this emotional contagion. In particular, they recommend practising mindfulness, through deep-breathing exercises or meditation, to truly leave stress at the office. Establishing end-of-day rituals, such as a short walk or a change of clothes, can also mentally signal that the working day is coming to an end. The idea of spending quality time with your dog by being fully present, without phones or distractions, is another key recommendation. Monitoring your pet's body language and maintaining a calm home environment also help to create a reassuring haven for the animal. Finally, the researchers do not hesitate to suggest seeking professional help if stress becomes unmanageable. Ultimately, this study reminds us of a fundamental truth: our dogs don't know our jobs or our bosses' demands, but they know perfectly well when we're upset or distracted. In spite of themselves, our four-legged companions offer us a lesson in professional wisdom – the importance of leaving work at work.
