Anti depressants are often used in dogs to treat behavioral problems including separation anxiety and excessive barking. They can make a big difference to a dog’s quality of life, as they feel relaxed and are less stressed.

These drugs increase the amount of a specific chemical in your dog’s brain called serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter, involved in transmitting chemical messages from a nerve cell to an adjacent cell. It is often called the “feel good” chemical, and will improve your dog’s mood and appetite, and generally make him feel good.

Serotonin also helps your dog learn new behaviors,so if your vet has recommended a training program to change his behavior, it will be effective sooner than if your dog didn’t take the medication.

These effects in combination make anti-depressants an important part of treating behavioral problems in our dogs. However, it can often take 4-6 weeks for them to take effect, so they are certainly not a quick fix.

Canine anti-depressants are very safe, and most dogs will have no problems at all while taking  them. Having said that, there are some potential side effects that you should keep an eye out for.

·         Some dogs are more sleepy than usual when they start the medication. This is usually only a short term problem.

·         Some dogs show signs of gastro intestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Again, this doesn’t usually last very long, and can be resolved by giving the medication with food.

·         Some anti-depressants can lower the “seizure threshold” in dogs, so if a dog has any tendency to have a seizure, even if it has never happened before, it may happen when he starts taking an antidepressant. Some drugs are more likely to do this than others, so if your dog has a seizure when you start giving him anti-depressant medication, your vet may suggest an alternative drug.

·         There is a well recognized condition called “serotonin syndrome” which occurs when there is too much serotonin in your dog’s brain. It too isn’t common, and tends to occur when your dog taking more than one drug that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Affected dogs are depressed with a rapid heart rate and trembling muscles. They recover well when the medication is stopped, but may benefit from muscle relaxants and intravenous fluids. 

Although the risk of side effects from anti-depressants is relatively small, you should try a natural treatment for anxiety and behavioral problems before you resort to these medications.

Sleepytime Tonic contains a number of herbs which lower anxiety, reduce restlessness and help your dog relax. It also contains homeopathic remedies to boost your dog’s confidence and reduce shyness, and alleviate depression.

There are no side effects, and dogs find the natural honey flavor hard to resist.

Unlike anti-depressant medication, Sleepytime Tonic works within 20 minutes, which makes it ideal if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, or becomes anxious while traveling in the car.

If your dog suffers from anxiety or stress, you can help him feel better naturally, and without any risk of side effects by making Sleepytime Tonic a regular part of his health care program.

*Information in this article is not to replace the advice of your own verterinarian and is the opinion of the author.

When your dog is itchy, it’s distressing for both of you. Wouldn’t it be great if there was something you could do to give him instant relief? Well, you’ll be happy to hear that there is.

1. Check the ingredients on his food . One of the most common causes of itchy skin is allergies and specifically food allergies. A vet will almost always recommend changing an itchy dog’s food. Especially if he’s being fed "kibble" type dry food which usually contains fillers and preservatives. Ingredients to watch out for include corn wheat or soy which are common allergy triggers. Switch to a more natural food like Honest Kitchen or Orijen and of course make sure your dog always has plenty of fresh water.

2. Check for fleas; another common cause of itching, but be careful, even if you can’t see fleas, they may still be causing your dog grief. The lower back and base of the tail are typical spots for flea bites. As if the bites themselves weren’t bad enough dogs who are allergic to flea bites can scratch for several weeks after one flea bite. Of course we recommend all-natural Flea The Scene ! Not only is it a safe and effective way to repel the little buggars but the formula contains no poisons or pesticides so even if your dog licks it off, it’s perfectly safe.

3. Fish Oil has been shown to help with itching and also has anti inflammatory qualities. As an added benefit it also helps to make the coat shiner and more manageable. You can buy fish oil tablets specifically for your pet from Nordic Naturals and Animal Essentials but your own pills are perfectly fine. If he balks at swallowing a pill (and we suspect he will) just puncture the outer skin of the capsule with a pin and squeeze the contents onto his food. Most dogs like the taste of fish so it should not deter him from eating.

4. Try not to bathe the dog too often , (I know this may be easier for some dog’s than others) it can dry out the skin and make the problem worse. But do bathe your dog regularly so that you get rid of dust and pollen that may have settled on his fur. (Bath time tips fort itchy dogs ) Use a colloidal oatmeal shampoo such as Comfy Dog Shampoo to reduce his skin inflammation and itch. Colloidal oatmeal has been approved by the FDA to ease itchy skin. Wash your dog, then follow up with Fur Butter. It too contains colloidal oatmeal, as well as aloe and shea butter and will have your best friend feeling more comfortable in no time. Click here to read more about colloidal oatmeal .

5. Cover it up! If your dog is scratching the same spot over and over, cover it up with a doggie Tshirt or doggie booties. By placing a barrier between your dog’s claws and the abrasion you allow the irritation to heal and hopefully your dog will start thinking about something else! Check out the hip T’s from RuffRuffandMeow.com

6. CHILLAX! If your dog is licking and scratching all night long keeping the both of your up, give him a few drops of Sleepytime Tonic . Your dog may be working himself into a frenzy and the scratching becomes a nervous habit. Sleepytime Tonic won’t cure the itchy skin, but it WILL relax and calm the both of you so you can both get some much needed sleep! If you think your dog’s scratching is all in her mind, here are a couple of articles you may want to read. Your dog’s constant scratching could be a habit and Is your dog’s scratching all in his mind?

7. Spot On! If your dog has a particular part of his body he’s really scratching or chewing at, consider using Itchin’ For Relief . This is a convenient, easy to use spray with a unique nozzle to direct the spray to where it’s really needed. That way you’re not wetting the whole coat, and wasting the product on areas of the body where it’s not needed. Its all natural ingredients quickly soothe the itch of hot spots. You’ll notice your dog stop scratching straight away.

Of course, if these tips above don’t work, a trip to the vet may be necessary.

Antihistamines such as Benadryl may help stop your dog’s itch. This medication actually blocks the release of histamine in cells, which causes the reddening and itching of the skin in response to an insect bite or allergy. Antihistamines are very safe drugs, but not all dogs show improvement when they’re treated with them. In fact, only about 30% of dogs are more comfortable when they’re given antihistamines. If you’d like to try this medication, speak to your vet about an appropriate dose and frequency for your dog.

Anti-itch medication usually contains corticosteroids. These drugs also block the inflammatory response, but do so much more effectively, so virtually all dogs will respond to treatment. An injection of corticosteroid by your vet will ease the itch very quickly. She may suggest that you follow that with corticosteroid tablets or creams, to extend the effect. Keep in mind that there are potential side effects if you use these drugs, and it’s important that you use as low a dose as possible to reduce the risk. Combining corticosteroid medication with Comfy Dog Shampoo and Itchin’ For Relief will mean you don’t need as much medication to stop your dog scratching. This is much better for his health.

Constant itching and scratching can lead to a secondary infection, and worsening of your dog’s skin problem. It’s good to have some effective tools in your arsenal to nip that scratching in the bud. That way, you’ll both get some rest.

If your dog is bouncing off the walls with way too much energy you might want to try Sleepytime Tonic, an all natural herbal elixir helps to calm a nervous, anxious or overactive dog. This herbal elixir is perfect to use during Thunderstorms, travel, trips to the groomer and vet and periods of change

“I just got back from taking my two Yorkies on a 250 mile road trip and gave them each Sleepytime Tonic before leaving,” Said Rebecca Whitley, a dog owner in North Carolina. “They settled down after a few minutes in the car and were GREAT the whole way down with NO upset tummies or worries!”

This concentrated elixir was formulated exclusively for happytails by Robert McDowell, the world’s leading authority on applying western herbal medicines to canine health problems.”The formulation contains an herbal blend so that the metabolic and nervous system imbalances are all addressed together. The herbal mixes are not toxic in any way, are free from side effects and are simple and safe to administer at home,” McDowell said.

“I have to tell you that I was skeptical. I ordered the product & gave a bottle to the most unruly dog that shops in the store. My customer, the dog’s owner, called the next day & said that the Sleepttime was amazing! She referred to it at "Doggy Prozac ." In any event, it has sold great, and my customers swear by it,” said Cynthia Waldenmaier owner of Hyde Bark Fashions in Cincinnati.

Los Angeles-based happytails creates eco-friendly spa, grooming and wellness products for the modern dog. They use the finest (“better than human quality”) ingredients to solve the toughest problems that dogs face, like itchy skin, tear stains and bad breath. Happytails is sold and recommended by veterinarians around the world for one simple reason- they work, naturally! The products can be ordered at HappytailsSpa.com or by calling 1-866-HAPPY-20.

Why does my dog sleep so much and how much is normal?

You may find it hard to believe, but adult dogs can sleep for as much as 12 hours out of 24! This does vary with the breed of the dog; the larger breeds tend to need a bit more sleep than other breeds. You’ll also find that growing pups also need more nap time, and over the course of a day and night, they’ll snooze for anything up to 16 hours. Although dogs sleep more than we do, they also wake more frequently, so they tend not to get a long period of unbroken sleep.

These figures vary - a dog with an active lifestyle will obviously sleep more than a couch potato. Also, if you’re out at work all day, there may be nothing for your dog to do, and he may sleep just because he’s bored.

Dogs can have rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, just as we do. They may twitch, yelp and move their legs as if they’re running. They can look quite funny. Most vets will agree that dogs do dream during these REM phases.

Sleeping Like A Baby

You can expect your baby puppy to sleep a lot, but there are some pups that seem to sleep way more than they should. These pups may be unwell. If you’re concerned about how much your pup is sleeping, it would be a good idea to have him checked by your vet. He may have a simple infection, or he may have a congenital defect such as a liver shunt, which can make him very ill.

On the other hand, some pups are like naughty children, and just will not go to sleep at bedtime! These pups need to learn what bedtime is all about. It’s a good idea to teach them to go to bed in a warm cozy crate, so when they go into the crate, they know it’s sleep time. If they’re noisy, don’t pat them or talk to them, that only gives them attention when they do the wrong thing. If they’re particularly raucous, you may need to put their crate in another part of your house. A gentle tonic such as Sleepytime Tonic will help relax your restless pup, and allow both of you to have a good night’s rest.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

As they age, dogs can naturally sleep more, but again, if they’re sleeping excessively, it can be an indication that they have a health problem. These dogs may have an underactive thyroid gland which can slow down their metabolism. They will usually gain weight and will generally act more sluggish. A simple blood test will tell you if your dog has a thyroid problem, and giving him thyroid hormone in tablet form can have him back to normal in no time.

Another cause of excessive sleepiness in an elderly dog is heart disease. If his heart isn’t pumping blood around his body efficiently, he’ll tire very quickly, and you’ll notice he’s not as active as usual. Again, have your vet examine him; the appropriate medication will make a big difference to his well being.

When older dogs don’t settle at night, it can be a nightmare for their owners. Some elderly dogs pace the floor, and are anxious and just can’t get comfortable. It can be very hard to get up to go to work the next day, if your old dog has kept you awake all night!

There are few possible causes for this behavior, but unfortunately it’s not always easy to figure out what’s going on. Your first step is to have some blood tests done to make sure there aren’t any health issues that aren’t obvious from the outside.

In many cases, vets can’t find a reason for this behavior, and all you can do is try a range of treatments to see if any of them bring relief.

There is a condition in elderly dogs known as geriatric cognitive dysfunction. It basically means they are going a little senile with age. They tend to have abnormal sleep/wake cycles, which may cause night waking, restlessness, anxiety and barking. Treatment for your dog can include anti-anxiety medication, sedatives or natural calming tonics such as Sleepytime Tonic to help you both get some sleep.

Some old dogs can be unsettled because of arthritis. If their joints are sore, they may find it very hard to get comfortable when they lie down. Pain relief can make a big difference to these dogs, and vets will usually suggest a trial of anti-arthritis medication to see if it makes any difference.

Unfortunately some of these old dogs are very wakeful and restless because they have a brain tumor. Your vet can advise you best on how to manage this, but there may not be much you can do for these old souls.

Help Me Make It Through The Night

There are steps you can take to help dogs of any age have a restful night, so you’re both recharged and ready for the next day. Crate training is a great idea to teach your dog that when he’s in his crate, it’s sleep time. A good walk in the afternoon can help him expend any excess energy, and he’ll sleep better in a quiet environment without distractions.

Sleepytime Tonic is a relaxing elixir which will help to relax your dog, ready for bedtime. Its gentle combination of herbs and homeopathic medicines are completely safe, and work gently to relax even the most restless dog. It’s a valuable addition to your doggy tool kit, no matter how old your dog.

Easing Your Dog’s Anxiety

For lots of us who work there is a painful moment every morning when we leave the house. You’re in the car, ready to back out of the driveway, when you look back at the house and you see your dog staring mournfully at you from the window. He looks at you like you’re abandoning him forever. At that moment you feel enough guilt to sink into the earth and die. You’re leaving your poor dog home alone all day. You’re his best friend and all you can imagine is how sad and lonely he’s going to be without you.

Wherever you live, or however many pets you have, you probably experience some version of this guilt when you leave your home. (My dogs used to stare at me out the living room window when we lived in town. Now that we live in the country they gather at the back gate and watch me as I get in the car.) In actuality, many pets are well-adjusted and cope very well to their owners’ daily absences. However, they all seem to have the sad, guilt-inducing look down pat. And, quite a few pets do seem to become lonely and bored during the day. Some even suffer from separation anxiety .

Your pet can show his loneliness and boredom in a lot of different ways. I once had an Irish Setter who took out her frustration at being left alone in the house by “redecorating.” Unfortunately, her idea of redecorating the house included things like digging holes in sofa cushions and strewing books all over the living room. She even unwound cassette tapes and ran around the room with them. When I came home it looked like she’d had a party.

Other pets can chew on your things, claw and scratch at doors, or potty in the house from anxiety. Dogs are very social animals and it’s not usually part of their nature to be alone. Whether they are fearful for themselves when left alone or fearful for you out in the big, bad world, they can become nervous if they are alone with nothing to do.

Fortunately, there are some good ways to combat loneliness and boredom. Here are my top 10 ways:

1. Herbal Remedies - Sleepytime Tonic is very helpful at soothing and calming dogs who are stressed at being left alone. It’s a natural herbal product that can help your dog relax while you’re away from home. Sleepytime Tonic contains herbs such as valerian, passion flower and Skullcap and Back Flower Essences to help your dog relax when he’s anxious. These herbs have been used for centuries for relaxation and calming purposes. You can give the tonic to your dog orally or put it in your dog’s water supply so he can get a little several times a day to help him stay calm while you’re away from home. Sleepytime Tonic works well for dogs with all kinds of anxiety — whether it’s separation anxiety, nervousness from fireworks, or anxiety about traveling.

2. Training- You can work on desensitizing your dog to your absences. Go through all the motions for leaving the house — take your keys, your purse, your briefcase — whatever. Leave the house for just a couple of minutes and come back. Let your dog see that you don’t always leave the house for long periods of time. Start the car and come back inside. Let your dog get used to seeing you come and go for these brief periods until they start to feel better about seeing you leave.

When you leave the house keep things very low-key. Don’t have emotional scenes with your dog or your dog will think there is something to worry about. Likewise, when you come home, keep things quiet and calm. Let your dog know that coming and going are not a big deal. Don’t act like leaving your dog is the end of the world.

3. Activities Galore! Make sure that your dog has lots of things to do while you’re away at work. There are plenty of great interactive toys on the market these days. There are toys that:

• challenge your dog to find the treat and test his IQ
• toys within toys
• talking toys
• toys that let you record a message for your dog.
• light up and flash laser lights
• There’s even an ice lick toy that your dog has to lick to get to the toys and treats inside (probably best as an outside toy). One fun toy has bacon, chicken and peanut butter-scented bubbles!

These great interactive toys can entertain even the sulkiest dogs. Check around and you may find something that will interest your dog. You don’t have to limit yourself to bones and chew toys.

• Don’t forget the old favorite Kongs — they’re still great for keeping a dog busy trying to get the treat out!

4. Virtual Pet Barriers - If your dog tends to destroy things while you’re away from home you may want to consider setting up a dog room. You could confine him to one room or one part of the house where he can’t cause much damage. It’s easy to do this if you use dog gates (or baby gates). You can also use virtual pet barriers. A virtual pet barrier is a training system for your dog. You plug a transmitter dish into a wall socket. Your dog wears a spray receiver collar. When your dog approaches a designated off-limit area the dish emits a low frequency signal. If your dog ignores the signal his collar will release a spray to let him know that he’s gone past his boundary. Your dog learns quickly to respond to the signal and doesn’t get sprayed. This way you can teach your dog to stay out of rooms where you don’t want him to go. You can also teach him to stay away from other things he shouldn’t bother, such as garbage, Christmas trees, and so on. There are similar virtual pet barriers for outdoor use.

5. Clean Water - You can also look into self-dispensing water and food bowls. Maybe your dog hates to drink old water? Maybe he would be happier if he had some fresh food to eat while you’re away from home? There are some good self-dispensers on the market that could keep your dog happy while you’re away.

6. Catch some zzzzzs in style - Don’t forget to provide your dog with a nice bed while you’re away from home. There are plenty available. Your dog may prefer your expensive sofa or even your bed, but it’s nice if he has his own bed available, too.

I know that it sounds like you’re providing your dog with food and provisions for weeks instead of eight hours, but if you can make him happy while you’re at work you’ll both be a lot happier.