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The term “Doggie Downers” may sound cute and funny; however, it is a term used to describe drugs for often severe and debilitating symptoms of anxiety in dogs (i.e., separation anxiety, fear-related anxiety, and age-related anxiety).
In an ideal world, training our dogs to rid of these symptoms or behaviors without the use of pharmaceutical drugs is the best way to go, but that is not always an option for many dog owners.
Doggie downers describe different types of drugs prescribed by veterinarians, often in combination with a professional trainer or a behavior training routine. The ultimate goal is to change the behavior and stop taking the medication.
HOW DOGGIE DOWNERS AFFECT DOGS?
Some doggie downers work by enhancing GABA (a natural chemical messenger) in the dog’s body and blocks impulses between nerve cells, thus slowing the activity in the brain and make the dog feel less anxious.
Other doggie downers work by raising the serotonin levels in the dog’s brain. By increasing the serotonin levels and making them more balanced, the dog becomes calmer, sleeps better, and is less nervous.
WHY DO VETS PRESCRIBE DOGGIE DOWNERS?
Doggie downers are prescribed by veterinarians to aid dogs suffering from anxiety issues that result in behavioral problems.
Common symptoms and behaviors when your dog is suffering from anxiety are:
- Aggression
- Depression
- Destroying furniture
- Drooling
- Excessive barking or howling
- Pacing and panting
- Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
- Restlessness, inability to settle
- Self-harm (including excessive chewing or licking)
- Urinating or defecating in the house
Sometimes vets will prescribe drugs to a dog to help him from hurting himself or damaging property. The goal is often to help him reduce his anxiety long enough to learn new, positive behaviors through training.
Here are some doggie downer drugs that vets commonly prescribe:
| Drug Type | Drug Name | Used to Treat |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants | Prozac Reconcile Sarafem Trazodone Fluoxetine (generic) |
Aggression Compulsive disorders General anxiety Phobias Separation anxiety |
| Anipryl | Selegiline (generic, FDA approved) | Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (i.e., Alzheimer’s, Dementia) |
| Benzodiazepines |
Xanax Alprazolam (generic) |
Acute phobias (i.e., fireworks, gunshots, and thunderstorms) Anxiety |
| Buspirone | BuSpar Bustab |
General anxiety Phobias Social phobias |
| Catapres | Clonidine (generic) | Aggression Fears Phobias Separation anxiety |
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
Depending on the type of doggie downer your vet prescribed, the side effects may differ for each specific drug.
Here are some known side effects for the type of drugs listed in the earlier section.
| Drug Type | Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants | Decreased appetite Diarrhea Excessive panting Hypersalivation Incoordination Restlessness Shaking Sleepiness Vomiting Weight loss Whining |
Aggression Excessive vomiting Seizures |
| Anipryl | Anorexia Diarrhea Hyperactive Lethargy Restlessness Seizure Staggering Vomiting |
When combined with: Amitraz Ephedrine Opioids Phenylpropanolamine Some antidepressants |
| Benzodiazepines | Aggression Agitation Diarrhea Incoordination Nausea Sedation Vomiting |
Cardiovascular depression Severe sedation Respiratory depression |
| Buspirone | Decreased appetite Increased aggression Nausea Sleepiness Slower heart rate |
Excessive Sleeping Pacing Persistent vomiting Small pupils Stumbling Weakness |
| Catapres | Abnormal movement (ataxia) Constipation Dry mouth Sedation |
Bradycardia Congestive heart failure Edema Hypotension Weakness |
The above are general guidelines. Every dog is different and can have potentially different side effects or even be allergic to the medication when taking it alone or combined with other drugs.
Some dogs may be at higher risk of having severe side effects if they have pre-existing conditions (i.e., heart disease, kidney disease, liver problems).
It is vital to have a thorough discussion with your vet to understand all of the possible side effects before taking any doggie downers.
DOGGIE DOWNERS: NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
As mentioned earlier, the ideal situation would be for our dogs to rid of their severe and debilitating symptoms of anxiety through positive training without the use of pharmaceutical drugs.
But when that’s not an option, many people have turned to a more natural alternative to help their sad dog, such as CBD Oil for dogs, as more scientific research emerges to back up its calming properties. On the other hand,
In 2015, a review of 49 research papers found evidence to “strongly support” CBD as a treatment for various anxiety-related disorders, including PTSD and OCD.
One 2017 study told a different story; they found no evidence that it reduced anxiety, and even found that it had the opposite effect on some people.
So while it’s clear that research is still in the early stages, there have been many stories of dogs significantly benefiting from this natural plant. Most importantly, the side effects are usually minor, and unlike many prescription medications for dogs, they are not fatal.
