Is Xanax Safe For Dogs?

Xanax is the common name for a benzodiazepine drug known as alprazolam. Many people are asking “Is Xanax is safe for dogs?”, and finding the risks outweigh the benefits. Generally, Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders in humans. However, it is becoming common practice for vets to prescribe it to dogs.

Most dog owners want their companion to be healthy, strong, and happy. It is human nature to wish the best for those we love, including animals. It is important for pet owners to educate themselves before giving their pets any medication, especially pharmaceuticals like Xanax, and even before giving them certain foods. For example things like chocolate and onions can be lethal for your dog.

The internet is flooded with people living with an anxious dog. Stories range from mild to severe. Mood swings, outbursts, aggression, physical issues like incontinence, and the dog “just not being itself”. You name it. Some people just learn to live with it. Others try everything under the sun to help their furry friend. Sometimes we want instant results, and that’s understandable when your dog is suffering. Xanax often is a “quick fix”. The safer and more long term solutions often take time to heal anxiety. Not only will these solutions help with anxiety, they will also improve yours dogs overall health. There are a variety of solutions, which we will cover in this blog post.

Treating Canine Anxiety With Xanax…

First let’s, explore is Xanax safe for dogs?

In general Xanax is not entirely “safe” for dogs or humans. It comes with a long list of side effects. Xanax is designed for humans. Not for dogs.

It is becoming common place for dogs to develop anxiety. As a result of abuse, neglect, malnutrition, unhealthy home environments, genetics, and a wide variety of compounding factors, anxiety can become a daily occurrence. Anxiety is more than just a mental health issue. It can be related to many other symptoms in dogs.

What Xanax Can Help Treat…

Xanax for dogs is used for conditions such as:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Panic Attacks
  • PTSD
  • Convulsions
  • Depression
  • Fears and phobias
  • Reduced appetite
  • Separation anxiety

What Are The Side Effects Of Xanax?

Ranging from mild to severe, here are some of the undesirable side effects your dog may experience:

  • Lethargy and sleepiness
  • Clumsiness and lack of coordination
  • Depression
  • Gas, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Opposite desired effect (increased anxiety / aggression)
  • Allergic reaction (facial swelling, seizures, breathing problems, skin hives)
  • Withdrawal symptoms when coming off Xanax

If you think your dog is having an allergic reaction to Xanax, seek medical help immediately. Allergic reactions need to be treated as an emergency. Dogs that have liver or kidney issues, glaucoma, or muscle weakness, should not consume Xanax. It is wise to do a full health inspection with your vet before you start giving your dog Xanax or other prescription drugs.

Xanax is easy to overdose, especially when it comes to dogs. Here are some signs of Xanax overdose to keep in mind:

  • Confusion
  • Coma, or coma like state
  • Sudden mental decline and extreme cognitive problems

If your dog is suffering from anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, your vet may recommend Xanax for treatment. From our research, Xanax is best used in extreme conditions. Try it as a last resort, once all other options have been exhausted. Now lets take a look at natural solutions.

Natural Alternatives To Xanax

Even though anxiety is on the rise among dogs, there are natural solutions. We have an amazing opportunity to nourish our dogs with all the goodness they need to be healthy: Love, exercise, food, and supplements. When treating anxiety without pharmaceuticals, it is important to have daily solutions, as well as acute solutions.

Daily Solutions:

  • Exercise – Get your dog out everyday for a walk or a run. Especially take them to dog parks so they can socialize with others.
  • Diet – Feed your dog healthy and natural foods. Avoid artificial fillers, and ingredients you can’t name. Try to feed your dog some fresh foods like raw meat, especially organs and bones.
  • Healthy oils – Feed your dog healthy oils like coconut, flaxseed, olive, and fish oils.
  • Love – Make sure to give your pup extra love. Physical touch, massages, kisses, and “dog talk”.
  • Avoid taking your dog to stressful environments, such as high traffic areas.

When your dog is in a state of anxiety and panic, it is important to have acute solutions.

Such as:

  • CBD Oil – As soon as symptoms develop, give your dog 3-5 mg pure CBD oil. This is a good daily solution too. Increase dose as needed.
  • Massage – When your dog is in fight or flight, try giving it a massage. A massage will relax your dog, and remind it that everything is ok.
  • Rescue Remedy – This is a homeopathic solution, that can be purchased at most wholistic pet shops. It will help to calm your dog’s nerves.
  • Keep them busy – When you’re not in control of what’s going on, such as a thunder storm, try distracting your pet. Give them a treat, ask them to sit, lay down, roll over. Get their mind off the situation.

There are many people writing testimonials, and sharing their amazing success stories. By using natural solutions, pet ownders are finding relief, and sometimes permanent cures, for anxiety. CBD oil is particularly effective. When it comes to immediate relief, some are finding it be even more effective, and safer than Xanax for their dogs (without the side effects…). A few drops of CBD directly in your dogs mouth, and boom! Instant reduction and relief from anxiety.

Give it a try. We carry a special CBD canine formula designed especially for your furry friend.

To Conclude…

Xanax is not entirely safe for your dog. It is best to try alternative and natural solutions, such as diet, exercise and CBD. Once those options have been exhausted, Xanax is a last resort option. Remember, sometimes the risk outweighs the benefit. Do your due diligence, and ask your vet to give you all the information (positive and negative), before giving your dog any prescription drugs.

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