UNITE DOGGY’POO Shampoo & Detangler Review 2025: How Our Dogs Fared With These Superior Pet Products

Our Final Verdict

We give UNITE products an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Ingredients: 4/5
Lather: 4/5
Aroma: 5/5
Efficacy: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Every person who shares their home with a dog knows the importance of regular grooming. Even dogs with short hair require periodic bathing, but what’s the best type of pet shampoo? Well, just like with humans, the best shampoos for regular use are going to be both gentle and effective. And just like with us, it’s best to avoid harsh chemicals in the products we put on their skin – like sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. So, when the human shampoo company UNITE decided to add pet products to their lineup, they made sure to craft these products following the same guidelines they use for the human stuff.

The UNITE company, founded by a celebrity hairdresser, made its focus on providing gentle hair care products that still perform at the top of their class. This American-made product line is formulated without harsh chemicals, is cruelty-free, and appropriate for all hair types. This is a quality brand that you can feel good about purchasing because it not only offers one of the best pet cleansers on the market, but the company also gives back to charity. We enjoyed using UNITE in our house for those reasons, and we think you will, too.

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At a Glance: What We Received

Rating Image Product Details
Winner

DOGGY’POO Shampoo
DOGGY’POO Shampoo

  • Ginger lily scent

  • No harsh chemicals

  • Moisturizing cleanser
  • Second place

    DOGGY’POO Detangler
    DOGGY’POO Detangler

  • Softens coat

  • Loosens tangles

  • Long-lasting scent
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    About UNITE

    UNITE DOGGY’POO Review - dog with products after a bath

    Who Makes UNITE and Where is it Produced?

    The UNITE company was founded in 2003 by Andrew Dale, a celebrity hairdresser with over 30 years of experience. Dale wanted to create a top-performing line of hair care products that would be safe and effective for all hair types. This California-based brand has succeeded in what they set out to do and now provide dog shampoo and a detangler in addition to their wide variety of human hair products. UNITE products are American-made, certified cruelty-free, and free of common harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and sulfates. And in an effort to do the most good for the community, 100% of net proceeds from their DOGGY’POO shampoo and detangler go to two charities – the San Diego Humane Society and Shelter to Soldier, which helps veterans with PTSD by pairing them with a shelter dog.

    Which Types of Pets is UNITE Best Suited For?

    UNITE DOGGY’POO shampoo and detangler are safe for all dog breeds and hair types according to the brand’s website. So, whether you have a Poodle, a Border Collie, or a long-haired Afghan Hound, you should be pleased with how these products perform. Whether you need something gentle for weekly maintenance bathing or a powerful cleanser for the dirtiest of dogs, UNITE has you covered. And you can rest assured that no harmful chemicals will be left on the skin after use, which is something every loving pet parent will appreciate. These are also great products for owners who enjoy a lingering scent on their pets, as the fragrance in both the shampoo and the detangler are long-lasting.

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    Discussion of Key Features

    UNITE DOGGY’POO Review - product close up

    UNITE DOGGY’POO shampoo and detangler have proven safe and effective, and through their sales, this brand is able to support two fantastic causes in the California area. Furthermore, these products are not tested on animals and are certified by PETA to be cruelty-free. They are also vegan!

    Ingredients

    UNITE’s dog shampoo and conditioner were designed to be highly effective at removing dirt but still leave the coat in beautiful condition. An emphasis was put on achieving this with safe non-toxic ingredients and UNITE mostly succeeded. Absent from the ingredient list are some of the top chemicals to avoid in shampoos, such as formaldehyde, parabens, and phthalates, which can have side effects like endocrine disruption, skin allergies, and even cancer. UNITE products also claim to be sulfate-free, which reduces the chance of skin irritation and hair damage, but I did notice one sulfate listed on these products – sodium sulfate.

    I was somewhat disappointed with the choice of fragrance ingredients used in these products. In addition to one ambiguous ingredient listed simply as “Fragrance/Parfum,” these products include cinnamyl alcohol, hexyl cinnamal, coumarin, eugenol, linalool, and geraniol. Multiple sources I found across the web – including the National Library of Medicine and the European Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety – advise against using these ingredients due to toxicity concerns and the risk of allergic skin reactions. In the future, I would love to see this brand be more transparent with the fragrance ingredients and choose more natural options instead.

    How to Use

    UNITE’s DOGGY’POO shampoo lathers fairly well on a wet coat and rinses clean. For best results, it is recommended to follow a bath by misting the still-damp coat with the DOGGY’POO detangler. This product helps leave the coat soft and smelling great for days, and can be used to help loosen stubborn tangles and prevent future matting. Both products require special caution to avoid getting in the eyes but are safe to use as needed with no frequency restrictions according to the brand.

    Pet Benefits

    DOGGY’POO shampoo is great for cleansing the skin and coat and leaves the hair soft and easy to brush. The pleasant scent is also long-lasting in the coat, but the fragrance can be extended by using in combination with the leave-in conditioning detangler. The combined use of these two products will help keep your pet smelling fresh and facilitate a tangle-free coat for weeks. Furthermore, these products are designed to be gentler and safer than the average pet shampoo on the market.

    Charitable Contributions

    One key feature of UNITE DOGGY’POO products that puts this brand ahead of so many others is their commitment to regular charitable donations. Currently, 100% of the net proceeds from UNITE’s two pet products goes to two worthy charities – the animal welfare organization San Diego Humane Society, and the non-profit Shelter to Soldier that pairs rescue dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD.

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    Our Reviews of the Products We Received

    1. DOGGY’POO Shampoo

    UNITE DOGGY’POO Review - using shampoo

    UNITE’s dog shampoo is a great cleanser designed to be gentle on both skin and coat. It lathers fairly well in wet hair, removing dirt and excess oil while also soothing dry skin because it contains oatmeal and Argan oil to moisturize. It can be used as needed and has a great scent that lasts for days. The ingredients used are all vegan, but some are naturally derived while others appear to be synthetic. UNITE does not specify the source of their ingredients on the label, and the ones used for fragrance have the potential to irritate pups with very sensitive skin. For pets that don’t experience any adverse reactions to this shampoo, this is a great pick for frequent bathing as the bottle is generous in size and affordably priced.

    Pros
    • Suitable for all hair types
    • Soothes dry and itchy skin
    • Gentle yet effective cleansing formula
    • PETA-certified and cruelty-free
    • No parabens, phthalates, or talc
    • Net proceeds go to charity
    Cons
    • Potentially allergenic fragrance ingredients
    • Moderate lather capability

    2. DOGGY’POO Detangler

    UNITE DOGGY’POO Review - spraying conditioner

    UNITE’s pet conditioner is a leave-in spray that won’t weigh down the coat yet reduces frizz to leave your pet’s hair soft and sleek. It can be used on tangles to help owners brush them out and also serves to prevent matting between baths. While the label advises spraying on damp hair, this pleasant-smelling spray can also be used between bathing to freshen your pup or to spot-treat any sneaky knots forming in the coat. While still wet, however, this product is rather slippery, which can not only make the bottle difficult to grip if it gets on your hands but can also make surrounding hard surfaces slippery – so use caution to avoid you or your pet slipping.

    Pros
    • Keeps pets smelling fresh longer
    • Softens any hair coat
    • Loosens tangles
    • Helps prevent mats between grooming
    • Leaves coats looking sleeker
    • A little goes a long way
    Cons
    • Makes hard surfaces slippery
    • Only one scent option

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    Our Experience With UNITE

    With three scruffy dogs in our household, it seems like someone is always needing a bath. There’s Turtle, a 60 lb Lab-mix with a fluffy coat like a Golden Retriever…Rooney, a 20 lb Schnnoodle-mix with a thin wiry coat…and Candy, a 15 lb Shih tzu/Pekingese with silky medium-length hair. Despite the vast differences in their appearance, they all have one thing in common – they get stinky! So recently I decided to give UNITE DOGGY’POO shampoo and conditioner a try to see if these products have staying power when it comes to fragrance.

    To preface, my dogs are inside dogs, only going out to potty, take a walk, or enjoy a brief siesta in the sun. While they might roll around in the grass, they don’t have the opportunity to get muddy or grimy. But that doesn’t keep them from getting stinky, and when your dogs sleep in bed with you, stinky is not optimal. When they start to smell like “low tide,” it’s time for a bath!

    I bathed all three dogs using the DOGGY’POO shampoo and found it to be pleasant smelling but not overly perfumy. It created a decent lather, although I’ve used other shampoos that lathered better and required less shampoo overall. The soap did rinse cleanly though, and I followed it up with the leave-in conditioning detangler sprayed on a towel-dried coat. The instructions did not indicate to do so, but I rubbed it into the fur after spraying it on to ensure better saturation. After each pup was bathed, dried, and sprayed, I let them air-dry in a sunny spot in the living room.

    Once dry, I found all three dogs smelled great and their coats felt softer and looked sleeker. Although not an overpowering fragrance, my husband said he could tell I had bathed the dogs when he first walked in the door later that day and commented that it was just a nice fresh scent. I found the freshness only lasted on their coats for about three days, but that’s where the detangling spray comes in handy as you can use it in between baths to bring back the fragrance.

    During our trial, I researched every ingredient listed on the bottles and was pretty satisfied with the formula in relation to safety except for the ingredients that directly contribute to these products’ scent. According to multiple sources, these fragrance chemicals, are considered potential allergens and may irritate sensitive skin, which goes against the brand’s claims that this is a soothing formula. Likewise, the chelating, emulsifiers, and preservative Phenoxyethanol used have been linked to skin irritation. However, these chemicals are only present in small amounts, as they are listed towards the end of the lengthy ingredient list, so it is unlikely most pups will experience a reaction, and mine certainly did not. Overall, I am happy with this product and will continue using it, and I especially love the leave-in conditioner. My pups are clean, smell nice, and I love the way their coats look and feel since we started using DOGGY’POO!

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    Conclusion

    The UNITE brand of human hair care products has formulated a top-tier pair of pet products, DOGGY’POO shampoo and DOGGY’POO detangler. This powerful duo has been formulated to be both safe and effective and leaves coats in beautiful condition. Owners who use these products will be pleased with their pets’ new softer coats and the pleasant scent that replaces the usual doggy odor, while budget-conscious shoppers will be thrilled with the affordable price. And if you’re someone who likes to see your money go to a great cause, UNITE is the brand for you due to their charitable contributions to two worthy animal welfare causes.

    The post UNITE DOGGY’POO Shampoo & Detangler Review 2025: How Our Dogs Fared With These Superior Pet Products appeared first on PangoVet.

    NATPAT Pet Zen & Tick Sticker Review: How They’ve Kept My Dog Stress & Pest Free

    Our Final Verdict

    We give NATPAT an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

    Quality: 5/5
    Design: 5/5
    Ingredients: 5/5
    Efficacy: 4.5/5
    Ease of Use: 5/5
    Value: 5/5

    I don’t know about your pet, but my dog absolutely loathes anything to do with sprays, gels, wipes, and more. If it touches her fur, she hates it. So, when she needs something to help her keep calm or prevent ticks during our mountain hikes… we tend to get into a little scuffle.

    Then NATPAT came across my radar, and our unpleasant routine changed for the better with the help of stickers.

    Yup, stickers! NATPAT devised a unique and simple way to deliver calming essential oils and tick preventative scents in the form of a sticker you slap onto your pet’s collar. It has cute designs to make us pet people happy and a non-oily-fur solution for pups like mine to keep her happy. But with this brilliant idea comes the most critical question: Do these stickers work?

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    At a Glance: What We Received

    Rating Image Product Details
    Winner

    Pet Zen Vapor Stickers
    Pet Zen Vapor Stickers

  • Easy-to-apply sticker

  • Scientifically proven to work

  • Essential oils to calm your pet
  • Second place

    Pet Tick Repellent Stickers
    Pet Tick Repellent Stickers

  • Pet locket on the collar

  • Sticker instead of a spray

  • Non-medicated with no side effects
  • Third place

    Pet Locket
    Pet Locket

  • Easily attaches to collars

  • Holds the NATPAT stickers

  • Lightweight and unobtrusive
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    About NATPAT

    NATPAT Review - dog with packaging outdoors

    When it comes to pets and children (where NATPAT started), delivering pills or cream medications can be difficult. This rings especially true for children who may have texture sensitivities or pets who have anxious or fearful responses to medication. NATPAT is a company that wanted to find a solution to these issues and discovered it as a cute little sticker out of the founder’s homes. Since then, NATPAT has expanded to worldwide distribution, helping people and their pets globally.

    These stickers are infused with natural remedies, releasing essential oils while worn. The company expresses that this is a great first step before jumping into a medicated option for a variety of issues such as anxiety, allergies, bug prevention, sleep aids, and more. But unlike other holistic companies, NATPAT has scientific backing for the efficacy of the ingredients used within those cute stickers, partnering with veterinarians, aromatherapists, pediatricians, and bug experts.

    Who Makes NATPAT and Where is it Produced?

    NATPAT’s cofounders are Michael Jankie, Gary Tramer, and Andrei Safonau. NATPAT is from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, but ships worldwide. Although NATPAT started as patches for children, they have begun adding patches for our four-legged best friends as well with calming patches, tick prevention, and training aids.

    Which Types of Pets Is NATPAT Best Suited For?

    Any dog or cat, regardless of size or age, can benefit from NATPAT. The patches are just oil releases, so there is no risk for side effects except if your pet is allergic to any of the essential oils (which is uncommon). The Pet Zen Vapor Stickers are excellent for pets who suffer from anxiety or separation issues or need a calming aid for an overstimulated mind. The Pet Tick Repellent Stickers are good for outdoor adventurers who find themselves where ticks are prevalent.

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    Key Features

    NATPAT Review - instructions

    The fact that NATPAT uses stickers is already a cool feature, but these products have even more in store than just that.

    Price

    NATPAT offerings are priced very well, especially for the amount of product you receive for the cost.

    The Pet Zen Vapor Stickers come in the following options:
    • 1 pack | 24 stickers = $19
    • 2 packs | 48 stickers = $27
    • 3 packs | 72 stickers = $36
    • 4 packs | 96 stickers = $42
    The Pet Tick Repellent Stickers come in the following options:
    • 1 pack | 48 stickers = $19
    • 2 packs | 96 stickers = $27
    • 3 packs | 144 stickers = $36
    • 4 packs | 192 stickers = $42

    If you subscribe, you get an additional 15% off. Bundle discounts are also available.

    The Pet Locket (which holds the stickers on your pet’s collar) is $9.99.

    Shipping is always free, with a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with your stickers.

    Ingredients

    The Pet Zen Vapor Stickers ingredients are the following:
    • Fractionated coconut oil
    • Vanilla extract
    • Lavender essential oil
    • Orange essential oil
    • Clary sage essential oil
    • Geranium essential oil
    • Xiang Mao essential oil
    • Patchouli essential oil
    The Pet Tick Repellent Stickers ingredients are the following:
    • Fractionated coconut oil
    • Cedarwood essential oil
    • Vetiver essential oil
    • Geranium essential oil
    • Vanilla Extract

    What To Expect

    The package is beautifully designed, with quirky cartoon pets adorning the mailing sleeve and the product packages themselves. Both sticker sets come in easy-to-tear bags with a ziploc-style seal to keep the unused stickers safe from the elements.

    The stickers themselves are arguably the cutest part, with each one featuring a funny cartoon. This feels like something that carried over from the children’s products, but I greatly appreciated it.

    The Pet Locket is precisely as it sounds: just a sticker holder on a ring that attaches to your pet’s collar. The holder is designed in the same shape as the sticker, and all you have to do is open it up and put the sticker inside.

    NATPAT Review - stickers on grass

    How It Works

    To use NATPAT, all you have to do is place the sticker. The sticker can be attached directly to a collar or harness or into the Pet Locket designed to hold it on a collar ring. NATPAT uses its own patented AromaWeave technology to slowly release the oils throughout the use of the product. Each sticker is made of biodegradable bamboo fibers blended with the essential oil concoction.

    The Zen stickers work when placed near your pet’s face (such as the locket that goes on your pet’s collar) to engage with the olfactory receptors in the nose. The scent molecules from the sticker are detected, which then sends signals to the limbic system (the part of the brain responsible for behavior and emotion) to encourage relaxation and tone down anxiety response.

    The Tick Repellent stickers are designed to mask your dog to discourage ticks from latching on. The essential oil mix in the stickers interferes with a tick’s chemoreceptors, which are responsible for detecting hosts. The strong scent then overwhelms the tick’s Haller’s organ which detects heat, carbon dioxide, and body odors. The tick is no longer able to sense your pet and cannot figure out where to latch on – like an invisibility cloak for your dog.

    Efficacy

    The Pet Zen Vapor Stickers are best placed closer to their face (such as using the Pet Locket on the collar), and only one is needed, regardless of pet size. Dogs and cats responding well to essential oils will significantly improve with these stickers, but this is not guaranteed as not all animals are affected. It is also important to note that a holistic approach may not be the right one for animals that suffer from severe behavioral disorders and anxieties, for which medication is more appropriate. Talking to your veterinarian about the best solution for your pet is always encouraged.

    The Pet Tick Repellent Stickers uses a similar method to discourage ticks from latching on to your dog. That being said, larger dogs will need more patches than smaller ones to cover their entire body against ticks, so it is best to place multiple stickers on a harness rather than just in a locket on the collar. According to NATPAT, Small dogs are typically okay with just one sticker used, while larger dogs need two, and giant dogs (such as Great Danes or Irish Wolfhounds) may need more.

    NATPAT-12

    Scientific Backing

    Although names are not directly mentioned by NATPAT, both the Pet Zen Vapor Stickers and Pet Tick Repellent Stickers were formulated by a certified veterinarian and expert in essential oil use for animals as well as various bioactive compounds specialists.

    Each of the individual components used in both NATPAT pet products is supported by existing scientific research.

    For the Pet Zen Vapor Stickers, the lavender oil ingredient has been proven to reduce stress-related behaviors in domestic pets. There is currently a published study on lavender oil used in household cats. The orange essential oil contains a compound called limonene, which has been studied for its anti-anxiety effects. Geranium has antimicrobial effects, and clary sage contains linalyl acetate, which has been studied for its sedative effects.

    Geranium has been heavily studied for its insect-repellent effect in the Pet Tick Repellent Stickers. Cedarwood and vetiver are also well-known as insect repellents, and mixing all three together creates a powerful result.

    Safety

    The risk of an adverse reaction is extremely low because the stickers do not have direct contact with skin and would be challenging to ingest. The natural products do not tend to pose side effects except if your pet is allergic to any of the oils, which is considered unlikely.

    The amount of each oil in the formula for the stickers keeps the exposure minimal and is used in concentrations far below known toxicity thresholds for dogs and cats. The oils are also diluted with ingredients such as fractionated coconut oil, which is used as carrier oil.

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    Our Reviews of the Products We Received

    1. Pet Zen Vapor Stickers

    NATPAT Review - Pet Zen Vapor Stickers on grass

    This set of stickers releases calming aromas to soothe your pet, intended for about 8 hours of calming. The package opens to a sheet of stickers, and just one is used per pet. Each sticker has an adorable little critter drawn on it, making this a rather fun experience! Just stick it into the Pet Locket or on your pet’s collar and the sticker will release the oils slowly throughout the day.

    Pros
    • Natural and safe ingredients
    • Uses essential oils
    • Easy to use
    • Intended to last all day
    • Eco-friendly design
    • Scientifically proven to work
    • Adorable designs
    Cons
    • Not all pets respond to it

    2. Pet Tick Repellent Stickers

    NATPAT Review - Pet Tick Repellent Stickers on grass

    Similar to the Pet Zen Vapor Stickers, the Pet Tick Repellent Stickers work the same way. Also adorned with cute designs per sticker, this one you place when you are heading to the great outdoors with your pup. The stickers release a scent that messes with the tick’s ability to find and latch on to a host, so your pup is essentially “invisible” to them. The use time is 8 hours, and the sticker is strong enough to withstand outdoor romps.

    Pros
    • Alternative to toxic tick repellents
    • Natural and safe ingredients
    • Just stick and go, no sprays
    • Smells pleasant
    • Vet-formulated
    • Biodegradable
    Cons
    • Does not kill ticks
    • May not be as effective on large dogs

    3. Pet Locket

    NATPAT Review - Pet Locket on grass

    The Pet Locket from NATPAT is specially shaped and designed to use the various pet stickers. It is a small plastic locket that opens up to hold the sticker in place. Being so small and lightweight, it doesn’t interfere with your pet’s daily activities and simply dangles from the loop on the collar. This is a much better way to use the NATPAT stickers than simply sticking them onto the collar or harness because the sticker cannot be ripped off on accident.

    Pros
    • Discreet but stylish
    • Lightweight
    • Unnoticeable to your pet
    • Attaches right to the collar ring
    Cons
    • A bit difficult to open with longer nails

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    Our Experience With NATPAT

    NATPAT Review - dog wearing stickers indoors

    My (and my dog Lorelei’s) experience with NATPAT was a piece of cake. Lorelei is a 10lb mixed breed dog, so size-wise, she’s probably ideal for the NATPAT sticker products.

    The package came in a specially designed shipping sleeve that I already thought was absolutely adorable. Everything is very well curated and branded, including the actual product bags inside. The stickers themselves had sweet drawings on them, and as someone who is very visual, I really appreciated this extra effort. The package included calming stickers, tick repellents, and a pet locket.

    The locket is a clever design, shaped perfectly for the stickers, and weighs next to nothing! It’s easy to use, just open the locket up and place a sticker inside. I do have longer nails, though, so I did find that it wasn’t as easy to open the locket as I had expected, but it likely would have been simpler if my nails were a shorter length.

    I used to have to spray this oil-based concoction when taking my dog outside, and she absolutely hated the experience (and I did too because it required fussing with my dog). You probably wouldn’t expect ticks in Southern California, but they absolutely exist – especially after the recent rain this past weekend that create a moist environment that is perfect for them. All I had to do was place a sticker in the locket, put the locket on her harness, and off we went on an adventure. We came back with no ticks!

    As for the Zen stickers, we’ve been dealing with some construction happening outside, and the drilling has been rather loud. This is just an annoyance for me, but it has been really bothering Lorelei – she’s gotten anxious and scared by the abrupt, loud sounds. The construction begins around 8 am each day, and that’s when I would plop a sticker on my pup – and lo and behold, she displayed far fewer stress signals than she had before.

    10/10, would recommend it for the ease of use and efficacy on my baby!

    What Our Vet Says

    When you’re dealing with ticks and trying to prevent tick-borne diseases, it’s important to keep in mind that natural and homeopathic products can’t kill ticks and be safe for use on pets. Although the NATPAT Tick Repellent Stickers may discourage ticks from choosing to live on your pets, they can’t provide the same protection as commercial products specifically formulated to kill ticks. If your pet is not regularly exposed to ticks, natural tick repellents may be a good option. However, if you live in a tick-heavy area, especially one with a higher risk of tick paralysis or infectious diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or Ehrlichiosis, you will need to use a stronger product.

     

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    Conclusion

    I really don’t think it gets any easier than NATPAT – a sticker you add to a collar? Sign me up! No fussing with a pet who doesn’t want to be covered in a spray or take a medication. I found that the stickers and little pet locket holder worked so well for my dog, and I’ll be ordering more in the future.

    The post NATPAT Pet Zen & Tick Sticker Review: How They’ve Kept My Dog Stress & Pest Free appeared first on PangoVet.

    How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety: Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks

    We all know that dogs are highly sociable animals and love having us around. Unfortunately, some dogs become anxious and distressed when they are left on their own and this is commonly referred to as separation anxiety.

    The signs that a dog will display with separation anxiety are variable but are typically unwanted and destructive behaviors, causing upset for both them and their human family. If, as a pet owner, you have ever suffered from anxiety or anxious feelings yourself, you can understand how unpleasant it is for your pup.

    Separation anxiety is not uncommon, but it’s not always straightforward as to where or when it started. To help your dog learn that it’s ok to spend some time on their own, let’s ascertain some facts and answers regarding separation anxiety.

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    What Is Separation Anxiety?

    Separation anxiety is the response your dog exhibits when you, their bonded carers, or the people they are used to having around them are not there. This can occur if you leave the house or your dog is left at the groomer. In extreme cases, it may be triggered by you merely leaving the room you are both in.

    Signs of Separation Anxiety

    It can be awful for you when, for example, you return home from leaving your dog to find a clearly distressed pet. In an age where stress and fear are becoming increasingly common in dogs, likely because we are becoming more aware of it as a disorder, what are the signs of separation anxiety so you can become aware as quickly as possible and take action?

    You may find that your dog exhibits one or multiple of these signs:

    • Panting
    • Shaking
    • Any form of destructive behavior, such as chewing, ripping, and clawing at furniture, flooring, or belongings
    • Excessive drooling
    • Clinginess, especially when they think they are going to be left alone
    • Urinating or soiling in the house, in an otherwise house-trained dog.
    • Barking, howling, whining, whimpering, or crying
    • Restlessness/pacing, unable to settle
    • Ears pulled back or pinned down
    • Licking their lips
    • Tail between their legs
    • Repetitive behaviors, such as excessive licking
    • Trying to escape confinement and related injuries

    If your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety, we suggest you speak to a vet.

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    The 4 Tips on How to Help Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

    This takes time, consistency, and persistence, but is possible to solve. The goal is to help your dog become less fearful and more relaxed when you are not around while helping your dog feel less reliant on you and other members of the household.

    Separation anxiety is a complex and vast area to treat, and advice and help should be sought from your veterinarian and a qualified dog behaviorist to yield the best results. A treatment plan is very much based on each dog and situation.

    However, there are some general steps to take.

    1. Recognize the Signs and Identify the Triggers

    sad english cocker spaniel dog lying on the floor looking sad
    Photo Credit: OlgaOvcharenko, Shutterstock

    This initially reverts to the previous list and you as their pet parent noticing the signs and acknowledging there is an issue going on needing your attention. It’s then important to contact your vet so they can check your dog for any medical conditions that might display similar signs, before identifying that separation anxiety is the root of the problem.

    Although there can sometimes be an obvious disruptive life event, or a significant change in routine that has led to the development of anxiety, often the underlying reason for your dog developing separation anxiety is not known. It can, however, be useful to see if you can pinpoint any specific triggers.

    It is advisable to observe your dog and write these down so you have a clear picture. Is it when you leave the room or house, or is it when you leave them in unfamiliar places? Is it all of these? What signs and behaviors do they exhibit and when? After how long do they occur?

    This can help you try and decipher if the behaviors are due to, or made worse by, loneliness, boredom, frustration, needing to go potty, wanting exercise, or because of noises and disturbances outside.


    2. Start Training

    dogs watching TV
    Photo Credit: Javier Brosch, Shutterstock

    Some sort of training or retraining program needs to be instigated, ideally under the direction of a qualified behaviorist. The following suggestions are a helpful start for most dogs.

    • Do not leave your dog alone for long periods. Set up your phone or camera to record your dog while you step outside. Notice how long it takes for their anxious behaviors to start. With this information in mind, reduce the amount of time you leave them before you return home to just before the anxious behavior starts, and then increase slowly from there. Reward positive behavior and be consistent with return times. Some dogs may not be able to be left alone for any period of time at the start of a desensitization process.
    • Leave special or favorite toys out to occupy and distract them. If they have something interesting and fun to do while you are gone, this can help. Examples can be security stuffed toys/teddies or blankets, their favorite balls, interactive puzzles, and treat balls and toys that you can stuff and fill with treats.
    • Meet their basic needs. Have they been walked or taken out for a potty break? Did they actually urinate or defecate? Have they been properly exercised? Have they been fed? Is the house too cold or hot? Do they have water?
    • Minimize disturbances. To a certain degree, and depending on the problem or noise, the following ideas may help you:
    • Close the curtains, blinds, or shutters on all windows and doors
    • Leave a radio or TV on to muffle noises
    • Place them in a quiet space or room
    • Introduce desensitization or counter-conditioning training. These are usually advised and derived from your vet or behaviorist and tailored to your individual dog’s needs. A desensitization program in essence gradually gets them used to being home alone by leaving them for short periods to start with, and gradually building up to longer periods of time.
    • Never punish your dog for unwanted or negative traits and behaviors. Ignore the negative traits and incidences instead and give them no mind. Only reward positive and wanted actions and behaviors.
    • Dog sitters and walkers. These are helpful options and are recommended if you are leaving any dog for more than 4 hours. Having other people check in on them periodically is also super comforting and helpful to them (and you!).

    Your veterinarian or behaviorist may suggest anxiety medication or similar to help with their retraining program.


    3. Don’t Ignore the Issue

    Weimaraner Nooking Dog Sucking Chewing Toy
    Photo Credit: SillyDogPhotos, Shutterstock

    Letting your dog “cry it out” is advice given by some training guides. This technique, sadly, is practiced quite widely but it is neurologically damaging and needs to be avoided. This is due to:

    • Dogs and puppies left to cry it out and tolerate it will only learn that being alone is terrifying.
    • Each time your dog is distressed, stress hormones occur and are released in the body which can take days to reduce and return to normal levels. This may cause negative long-term effects and problems with your dog’s physical and mental health and state.
    • Some dogs, when using this practice, only learn that asking for their owner to come back doesn’t work and they will suffer in silence.

    4. Get a Specialist Involved

    dog owner talking to vet
    Image By; SeventyFour, Shutterstock

    With cases such as separation anxiety, especially if you tried the advice from here or from other reputable sources, getting a specialist involved is key. Treating separation anxiety can be complex and take time so it is always recommended to seek advice from a veterinarian, or a clinical behaviorist.

    Any expert should be certified and fully qualified and you may wish to get information from places such as The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour.

    Do you have an anxious dog? A high-quality, pet-safe CBD oil may be able to help. We like CBDfx’s Pet Tincture, which comes in four different strength levels and is made from human-grade, organic hemp. Even better, your dog will love the natural bacon flavor!

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    Conclusion

    Separation Anxiety in dogs is a big topic to unravel. Rest assured, though, there is plenty of help available. Always consult with your veterinarian or dog behaviorist and act as soon as you notice any signs rather than ignoring it or seeing how it goes. Separation anxiety will only become worse and will not get better if no intervention is taken.

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    Featured Image Credit: eva_blanco, Shutterstock

    The post How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety: Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks appeared first on PangoVet.