Just like us, our pets can experience anxiety. If you’ve ever felt anxious, you know how frustrating it can be to feel powerless in stopping it, both for yourself and for your pet. As more pet owners look for ways to help their anxious pets, there’s been a surge in new products that are specifically designed to calm them down.
These dog calming products include (but are certainly not limited to) cozy beds and toys that mimic a heartbeat to medications and supplements. Calming supplements and “treats” for dogs are an especially popular option. The question is, do these supplements truly help dogs with anxiety? How do they work, exactly?
We’ll be discussing this below, as well as reviewing the best calming supplements for dogs that Under the Weather has to offer. Let’s get started!
How Do Calming Supplements Help with Dog Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural reaction to fear or discomfort. The fight, flight, or freeze response is important for survival in both humans and dogs. However, when this reaction happens frequently or in response to something that isn’t truly dangerous, it can cause significant stress for both dogs and their owners.
Calming supplements, also known as calming treats or chews, are supplements that are designed to ease your dog’s stress by reducing the intensity of their fight, flight, or freeze response. While all calming supplements can help soothe your dog’s anxiety, they work in different ways depending on their ingredients.
Some calming supplements, for example, contain ingredients like casein, tryptophan, or melatonin. Casein, which is a protein found in milk, has been shown to calm dogs, while tryptophan is the substance in turkey that makes you feel sleepy after a big Thanksgiving dinner. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep, and extra melatonin can help signal to your dog’s body that it’s time to relax.
Other calming treats use CBD — a compound from hemp — which interacts with the endocannabinoid system in both dogs and humans. This system helps to regulate sleep, emotions, and other important functions. Some dog calming supplements focus on the brain and nervous system — using amino acids like L-theanine — which may help to increase serotonin and dopamine.
Not only that, but probiotics are often included in calming treats to support a dog’s digestive health (probiotics are especially helpful for dogs who get an upset stomach from stress).
Probiotics can do more than just ease digestive issues; research suggests that a healthy gut may also improve a dog’s mental health. Unlike other treats that work immediately, probiotics are most effective when given regularly, so just keep that in mind.
What Are the Best Dog Calming Supplements?
There is an abundance of dog-calming supplements on the market. Admittedly, this can make picking out the right supplement for your pup a bit difficult. That’s why we’re here to help you narrow down your choices. Here’s what Under the Weather has to offer when it comes to dog-calming supplements:
Calming Soft Chews for dogs
If your dog gets anxious during thunderstorms, fireworks, or even just a trip to the vet, Calming Soft Chews might be just what you need to help them stay nice and relaxed. These chews are a natural supplement formulated by vets, so they’re a great option for anxious dogs.
These chews are packed with ingredients that are designed to ease your dog’s anxiety — such as green tea extract and spearmint. They’re also made with chicken liver flavoring, which your dog will find delicious. By using these treats regularly, you can help reduce your dog’s anxiety and make them feel more at ease in stressful environments.
Ingredients
- Arabic gum
- Brewers yeast
- Buffered white distilled vinegar
- Canola oil
- Chicken liver powder
- Citric acid
- Guar gum
- Green tea extract
- Natural mixed tocopherols
- Rosemary extract
- Silicon dioxide
- Spearmint
- Sunflower lecithin
- Tetrasodium pyrophosphate
- Vegetable glycerin
- Vegetable oil
Directions for use
For dogs weighing up to 50 lbs, give 1 chew daily. If your dog weighs over 50 lbs, you should give them 2 chews daily. As you can see, Under the Weather’s Calming Soft Chews are a fantastic option for any dog owner who’s looking to manage their pet’s stress and anxiety naturally. As always, a healthier and happier pet contributes to a healthier and happier home!
Calming Powder for dogs
Do you feel like your dog would prefer their calming supplement in powder form? Under the Weather’s Calming Powder for dogs works just as well as their chews. Like the chews, this powder is vet-formulated, and it has a blend of ingredients that are known for their calming effects.
For example, L-theanine (an amino acid) plays a huge role in reducing anxiety and stress. Ginger is also included to soothe any minor stomach upset your dog might experience when they’re anxious.
This powder even includes chamomile, which is great for easing digestive issues and inducing sleep. That’s right — you’ll basically be serving your dog a nice cup of calming chamomile tea!
Our Calming Powder is also super easy to use, which is why a lot of dog owners love it. Just sprinkle the appropriate amount over your dog’s food, and you’re good to go. Now, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients below:
Ingredients
- 60 mg of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
- 50 mg of Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla)
- 50 mg of L-Theanine
- 20 mg of L-Tryptophan
- Brewer’s yeast
- Natural poultry flavor
Directions for use
For dogs under 25 lbs, use 1 scoop daily. Dogs between 25-50 lbs should be given 2 scoops daily, while dogs over 50 lbs need 3 scoops daily. Since this calming powder is easy to use and is made from natural ingredients, most people agree that it’s a great choice — especially for picky dogs with anxiety issues (like separation anxiety, for example).
Are Calming Supplements Safe to Give Your Dog?
While calming supplements can help some dogs, it’s important to be aware of the possible side effects. Some dogs might have minor digestive problems, like an upset stomach or diarrhea, after taking calming supplements. If your dog seems uncomfortable or shows any negative reactions, it’s probably best to stop giving them the supplements and talk to your vet.
You also need to be careful about how much of these calming supplements you give your dog. Overdoing it could cause more serious side effects because of too much of certain ingredients. Always stick to the recommended dosage instructions from the manufacturer. This will be the best way to keep your dog safe and make sure that the product works as intended.
How to Choose a Dog Calming Supplement
Before adding calming supplements to your dog’s daily routine, there are a few important things that you’ll want to take into consideration. First, you should make sure that your dog doesn’t have any health issues that could react badly to the ingredients in the calming supplements. Some health conditions might not mix well with certain ingredients, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
We’d also recommend talking to your veterinarian before starting your dog(s) on any new supplement, including calming treats. It’s also important that you do your homework on the brand you’re considering buying calming supplements from. There are a lot of different brands to choose from, so this is easier said than done.
Look for companies that are known for using high-quality ingredients and have a solid reputation for making safe, effective products — like Under the Weather, for example. Check out reviews from other pet owners, and you’ll be able to get a better idea of how well the calming supplements actually work.
How to Give Calming Supplements to Your Dog
If you’re thinking about adding calming supplements to your dog’s diet, you’ll want to start by giving them a small amount to see how they react. Keep a close eye on your dog for any signs of negative reactions or changes in their behavior. If everything seems fine, you can slowly increase the dosage (following the instructions from the manufacturer or your vet, of course).
You should also pay attention to how your dog’s mood and behavior change after they start taking the calming supplements. Take note of any improvements or issues, and keep a record of their progress over time. This can be really useful when you talk to your vet about how the supplements are affecting your dog.
Conclusion
At Under the Weather, we understand how hard it can be to pick out the right foods and supplements for your fur babies. Our goal is to make this process easier for you — which is why we offer so many different options when it comes to calming supplements for dogs.
Keeping your pet healthy and happy is the most important thing, so don’t wait any longer to start giving your furry family member what they deserve. Whether you’re trying to help your dog with separation anxiety or simply want to be prepared for the Fourth of July, we’ve got you covered. A healthy pet means a happy home.
