Pets can suffer anxiety, just like humans, and as March is Pet Anxiety Awareness month, there is no better time to share our experiences with pet anxiety and how we cope with and try to overcome it.

Dogs can display anxiety in a number of ways, such as hiding, shaking, barking, showing the whites of their eyes, panting, reactiveness and destructive behaviour. The list goes on, and it’s important to speak with a professional to ensure there’s nothing else going on other than anxiety which could be causing these reactions.

Of course, every household will have coping mechanisms and strategies in place to help their doggy feel calm and stress free. But there are certain times and triggers that some pooches may face when they need a little extra help finding their moment of calm.

Adaptil is the number 1 behaviour solution for dogs, used and recommended by vets and suitable for all life stages. Adaptil is a synthetic copy of the comforting pheromone released by Mumma dogs which naturally calms her new pups! The pheromone can still have a calming effect on adult dogs, helping them cope with stressful situations and increase confidence when released through Adaptil products.

We have three very different doggies, who all have varying needs. We have Pops the rescue dachshund, who can get very stressed on walks with loud noises and around new people. We have Pomegranate, an ex-breeding bitch who has crippling separation anxiety and last but certainly not least, we have our gorgeous Puggy Smalls. He is a confident, super zen Pug who loves to nap and have be cuddled and until recently I would say he has never been an anxious dog. Sadly, over the past few weeks, Puggy has been very poorly with a ruptured eardrum, affecting his balance and causing pain. Throughout his healing process and numerous vet appointments, Puggy has shown signs of dog anxiety and we have really benefited as a family from Adaptil products.

For stressful vet visits, including a 45 minute drive to the specialist, we have found the Adaptil Calm Collar and travel spray essential in ensuring all the dogs are comfortable. The collars are super easy to use, simply remove the packaging and fit to your dog’s neck and the pheromones will last for up to 4 weeks! Neither of the products smell and both really help to calm Puggy when he is stressed with vet appointments, especially as us humans are not allowed in to appointments with him under current covid restrictions.

Pops has been wearing her Adaptil collar for over a week now and we have definitely noticed her confidence improve on walks. She is much less anxious and seems less afraid of sudden noises and passers-by. Its lovely to see her walk with a skip in her step and enjoy the world around her without fear. The collars are suitable for all dogs and come In two adjustable sizes, small enough for Pops and large enough for Puggy! There is also a Junior version available which is suitable for pups, to give them a real confident start when exploring their new surroundings.

Thankfully, our three have always travelled well. However since Puggy has been poorly he struggles to settle in the car which in turn causes Pops to panic too. We have used the Adaptil travel spray and are super impressed with the results. You simply spray the car interior and the dog travel beds 15 minutes before you hit the road and rest is history! One 60ml bottle of the travel spray will last for up to 50 trips and we noticed a drastic change in all three dogs behaviours while in the car and waiting to be seen at the vets. The effects last for up to 5 hours and this is definitely an essential item for whenever we make any long distance trips in the future!

We were also sent the Adaptil Calm plug in diffuser, which I must admit we have used before. We used the plug in diffuser on two occasions in the past, when we moved house and when we first rescued Pomegranate. We couldn’t have lived without it and noticed all three doggies were able to nap and relax despite lots of changes and potential triggers around them.

We currently have the Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser plugged in close to the dog beds in the lounge (it covers up to 70 square Meters), as we are slowly working on their separation anxiety, so they can cope with being alone for a few hours once the humans return the office.

Like most dog owners in the UK right now, we are concerned about how the dogs will cope when we return work. Ours already have separation anxiety, which we predict to be heightened when normality hits, but we feel much better about leaving them alone knowing the diffuser helps them relax. We have purchased a dog camera for tracking their progress and so far we have left them for up to an hour and the diffuser most certainly helps all three to settle quickly until our return.

With over twenty years of experience under their belts, it’s easy to see why Adaptil is the number 1 behaviour solution, bringing dogs and humans closer together.

We think Adaptil products are truly amazing and they have helped us to reduce anxiety and stress for our dogs without medication. Adaptil is clinically proven to help dogs cope better with their anxieties, whether its caused by being home alone, fear of the hoover or nerves on firework night. Depending on your situation, I can guarantee Adaptil has a product that will help alleviate some symptoms and make life easier for you and your pooch.

Adaptil has been a game changer for us and has really helped us when one of our dogs has been very poorly. We will continue to use their products and will always recommend our favourite items, which include the home diffuser and the travel spray. They have become an integral part of our day to day routine, resulting in three happier, healthier doggies.

To learn more about pet anxiety, visit www.adaptil.com or follow them on Instagram: @adaptildog