Have we recommended anti-anxiety medications for your dog or cat? Whilst this can sound concerning, try not to worry! When used correctly, these medications are generally well-tolerated and effective.
Are anti-anxiety medications commonly used in pets?
Anxiety is an issue that is increasingly being recognised in pets. Whilst this is partly attributable to an increased awareness of the symptoms of anxiety, many veterinary staff have also noticed an increase in pet anxiety since COVID – perhaps due to reduced socialisation opportunities at that time.
The bottom line? Your pet isn’t the only one requiring a little extra help with their mental health sometimes!
Will my pet always require these medications?
Depending on your pet’s type of anxiety (situational or generalised), they may require regular daily medication and/or episodic usage (e.g. medication administered a couple of hours prior to predicted stressful events).
With good concurrent behavioural modification (“brain retraining”), some pets may improve enough to be able to be successfully weaned off their medication eventually. However, others may require their medication to be continued in the long term, and that’s OK, too.
Will there be side effects?
Two of the most common anti-anxiety medications, fluoxetine (commonly used in dogs) and gabapentin (commonly used in dogs and cats), are generally safe and well-tolerated when used appropriately.
The main side effect of gabapentin usage tends to be sleepiness, whereas fluoxetine may cause nausea or tummy upset for the first few days of use until pets become acclimated to it.
In cases involving older pets or prospected long-term medication usage, it is recommended that pets undergo a general blood test first, to ensure that their organs are healthy enough to handle the drug safely.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure that you always follow the dosage instructions we have provided for that medication.
For more information on the safe usage of anti-anxiety medications in your pet, consult our mental-health aware team!