There are times when my Pomeranians get anxiety attacks, which can cause mental fatigue and potential psychological damage. This is something I want to avoid 100% because my family and I want the best for our furry little family members. Ensuring that our Pomeranians live a long and happy life is one of the most important aspects of being a Pomeranian parent.
Whenever my Pomeranians enter a state of stress and panic, I try to find out what the problem is, how I can address the problem, what the best way to comfort my Pomeranian is, and how I can be prepared for the next potential anxiety attack. These aren’t always obvious steps to take, so I wanted to share with you how best to treat and prevent your Pomeranian’s anxiety attacks.
So how can we treat and prevent Pomeranian anxiety attacks?
Find out What’s Wrong
There’s no point in addressing a problem if we don’t know the source of that problem. Being aware of what your Pomeranian is going through is the best first step in treating their anxiety attacks.
Loud Noises
It’s easy to tell when Pomeranians start getting nervous and stressed out whenever there are loud noises surrounding them. Almost immediately they’ll start barking and running around the house. Since dogs also have a heightened sense of hearing, whatever noises start to erupt that might seem loud to us are even louder for them.
A great example is when there’s a storm outside. The sound of heavy rain and winds can be nerve-wracking for any Pomeranian, especially during the evening. The clatter on the roof, windows, and walls can often time be loud enough to set off our Pomeranians into a state of anxiety. On top of that, if there’s thunder and lightning as well, there can a lot of short and intense bursts of noise that can really put a Pomeranian on alert.
Loud noises from fireworks are also a source of anxiety for a lot of Pomeranians. While it may be beautiful and mesmerizing for the rest of us, Pomeranians have a tough time being around this sort of activity. However, the issue isn’t only the noise but also the bright, flashy colors that emanate from the sky. This combination of loud noise and bright lights can cause distress in any Pomeranian.
Lots of Surrounding Activity
Having parties, BBQs, and get-togethers at our house or a friend’s house is one of the more fun activities my family and I get to share with one another. They’re always a great excuse to see the people we care for and just have a good time. Well, if we have our Pomeranians around, some of them don’t necessarily have the greatest of times.
The problem with gatherings of a lot of people for a Pomeranian is that there are a lot of different situations going on at the same time and they don’t really know which one to pay attention to. This can cause them to become disoriented and feel a bit lost. I’ve definitely seen some of my Pomeranians get this way in large crowds.
Not only that, since Pomeranians are so small and low to the ground, they might become a bit nervous about getting stepped on by accident. If you have a Pomeranian, it’s likely this has happened several times and they might, understandably, be a bit anxious about being stepped on again.
Leaving the House
Our house is a bustling place since my family often comes and goes to school, sports, and other activities. There are times when my Pomeranians get to come along with me, but that’s definitely not always the case. Sadly, some of my Pomeranians (read: most) start to cry and jump around before I leave.
Separation anxiety among Pomeranians is one of the most common reasons for a Pomeranian to get anxiety attacks. The thing is, they get overly attached to one of their Pomeranian parents (in this case, me) and enter a huge state of distress when I leave them at home. Even when someone else from my family is still home, it seems like they think the world’s about the end.
Most of the time my Pomeranians that have separation anxiety just sit at the door until I get home. When I get home is when the tornado of spinning and barking ensues!
Threatened by Bigger Dogs
Pomeranians are some of the cutest little creatures out there, but they’re far smaller in size when compared to some other dogs. Sometimes it feels like the bigger dogs could just pick up my Pomeranians and throw them around like little play toys. Unfortunately, I’ve seen some Pomeranians get extremely nervous around bigger dogs, which could point to a cause for anxiety.
Whenever I take my Pomeranians on a walk or to the dog park, it’s almost guaranteed that we’re going to run into some bigger dogs. The vast majority of the time there’s no issue since bigger dogs tend to be more relaxed than Pomeranians, even though Pomeranians are known to be little provocateurs.
However, I have seen situations unfold where bigger dogs do start to react to the initial barkings of a Pomeranian. Almost every time the Pomeranian will retreat and keep their distance from the big dog. Silly enough, if the big dog walks away in triumph, Pomeranians will pick up where they left off by continuing the barking competition. This can end up leading to an endless bark fest.
Addressing the Problem
Now that we know the potential issue that’s causing our Pomeranians to become anxious and react in a negative way, we can start addressing the problem. Even if we’re not exactly sure of the true cause of the anxiety attack, we can always use the following tips to help curb the stress they might be enduring.
Remove Your Pomeranian from the Environment
Being able to remove oneself from an uncomfortable situation is one of the most effective ways to remove any anxiety problems. If the cause of the anxiety is coming directly from the environment, then this can be extremely effective. Pomeranians can be easily corralled as well, so getting them away can be as easy as picking them up and leaving.
When Pomeranians enter a state of stress, like anyone else, they might have the feeling of being trapped and not being able to escape. Being able to take your Pomeranian and isolate them from the situation is probably going to be the most effective method since they may stop like a deer in the headlights.
Whether you believe your Pomeranian is feeling threatened by a series of loud noises, lots of activity, or a bigger dog, taking them to a place where they won’t be exposed to those threats is the first action a Pomeranian parent should take to address their Pomeranians anxiety attack.
Compression/Anxiety Vest
Research has shown in humans and some animals that an effective way to overcome anxiety attacks is through the use of a compression vest (aka anxiety vest). If being able to simply slip on a clothing item to reduce the effects of an anxiety attack, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be worth a try.
Now, a compression vest is known to be effective due to research showing that the gentle, uniform pressure against the body actually releases the “feel good” chemical inside of our bodies called endorphins. Just like when you’re comforting a child or person who’s experienced trauma with a good hug, compression vests are supposed to simulate the same feeling.
I actually put a ThunderShirt Polo Anxiety Jacket (link to read reviews on Amazon) on my Pomeranians whenever we have people over or the weather starts turning ugly, which has hade the noticeable effect! They clearly start feeling a sense of calm once the vests are on because they’re more likely to sit with their ears pointed up during storms and loud chatter than run around and bark like crazy cute little animals.
Pheromone Diffuser
A long time ago it was discovered that pheromones play a big role in how people and animals act in everyday situations. They’re the main way we all interact with one another on a chemical level, and these messages are transmitted between our bodies, noses, and mouths. Well, someone came up with a way to use pheromones to keep pets calm during moments of stress, which can be extremely effective for Pomeranians as well.
Pheromone diffusers are a fantastic, all-natural way to keep your Pomeranian calm during times of high stress and anxiety. These diffusers release a certain amount of pheromones that mimic the natural dog pheromones. As a matter of fact, these pheromones can be released not only by diffusers, but through sprays, wipes, and collars.
I personally like the ThunderEase Dog Calming Pheromone Diffuser Kit (link to read reviews on Amazon). It’s extremely easy to use and can help reduce your Pomeranian’s general stress, separation anxiety, and noise phobias. The downside to pheromone diffusers is that they don’t address the problem of an over-aggressive Pomeranian.
Stress and Anxiety Calming Bites
Nowadays, there are a lot of alternatives to prescription medicines that were once thought be ineffective, but have turned out to work in some cases. When it comes to stress-reducing medication for Pomeranians, that’s certainly the case. By avoiding the use of prescription medications and using natural supplements that can boost a Pomeranian’s health while reducing their stress, we can ensure our Pomeranians live a long and happy life.
When treating Pomeranians for anxiety with supplements, there are many options out there. Most consist of specific ingredients like organic kelp, valerian root, passion flower, chamomile flower, ginger, thiamine mononitrate, and l-tryptophan, which have been known to relieve nervousness and reduce stress and anxiety.
Now, I’ll admit that I haven’t used any of these types of solutions for reducing stress and anxiety in my Pomeranians, but one supplement that I’ve heard about over and over again is the Zesty Paws Stress & Anxiety Calming Bites with Suntheanine (link to read reviews on Amazon). This seems like a great solution for treating your Pomeranian’s anxiety attacks!
Comfort Your Pomeranian
Once you’re able to pinpoint the problem with your Pomeranian and address it with a solution, you’ll want to provide them as much comfort and support that they’ll allow you to give them.
Keep Your Pomeranian Close
Even after addressing the problem of an anxiety attack with whatever solution seems appropriate, your Pomeranian may need that little extra boost of comfort from you. Pomeranian parents are the best at giving the most love a Pomeranian truly needs, and you’ll want to that’s the case even more during these moments.
One of the best ways to let them know you’re there is to be next to them by holding them or letting them sit on your lap. That way they can feel secure knowing you’re watching over them. Petting them will also hopefully sooth them a bit from whatever anxiety they have built up inside of them.
Give Your Pomeranian Space
While some Pomeranians might prefer to be kept close and be comforted by their Pomeranian parents, there’s definitely the chance that they prefer a little distance. If you start holding your Pomeranian or trying to be close to them in these times of stress and you notice they’re not comfortable, let them go.
They may need to just have a little alone time before they can enter back into a normal state. This can happen if your Pomeranian is known to have their own little corner of the house that they go to from time to time, so don’t be worried if they run off to that spot. I’ve noticed one of my Pomeranians always runs to the washer and dryer to sit on some of the clothes on the ground.
If you see your Pomeranian run off and stay put in a place all alone, let them have their peace. They’ll come out when they’re ready.
Offer Your Pomeranian Comfort Food
In times of stress and anxiety, it’s not uncommon for people to grab a nice bite to eat to soothe whatever anxieties come over us. Well, Pomeranians aren’t much different in this regard! When people and animals consume comfort food, especially in the situation where we’re not that hungry to begin with, our bodies spend energy to process that food causing us to calm down a bit.
While not necessarily the most healthy option, eating a bit of comfort food to calm the nerves every so often won’t have detrimental effects. The great part about it is that it’ll likely cause your Pomeranian to become tired, resulting in them hopefully falling asleep. This sure happens to me!
Be Prepared for Next Time
Armed with the necessary information on what’s caused your Pomeranian to become anxious, how to address it, and the best ways to let them ride it out in a comfortable way, it’s a smart move to be ready for the next potential episode. If your Pomeranian’s had an anxiety attack once, it’s not unlikely they’ll have another.
Have Your Gear Ready
It’s always a good idea to be prepared for a situation where someone’s health is on the line. Similar to how we keep first aid kits and fire extinguishers around the house for emergencies, it’s a good idea to put together a set of items that are easily accessible in moments your Pomeranian enters a serious state of anxiety.
If you read above the best ways to address your Pomeranian’s anxiety and stress, you’ll know there are several products that can help your Pomeranian. Your best bet is to test these products to find out which ones help each of your Pomeranians and keep them stocked for safekeeping the next time they experience an episode of panic.
Also, you want to make sure your family knows where everything is, so anyone can find the gear at the moment they’re needed. This may seem like a small detail, but it’ll definitely help treat your Pomeranian’s anxiety attacks.
Overcome Fears Through Dog Training
Sometimes the best way to overcome our fears is to realize that those fears are only in our head and don’t actually pose a threat to us. Well, a proven and effective way to prevent your Pomeranian from having anxiety attacks is through proper and effective dog training.
Dog training can help your Pomeranian have a better understanding of themselves through improved behavior and trust. While it may seem odd that this could reduce the anxiety attacks of your Pomeranian, some dog trainers specialize in this sort of training and have proven to be effective.
