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As a pet owner, one of your life goals is to give your pup the best life possible. From plenty of walks and cuddles on the couch, you do everything in your power to ensure your furry friend is happy and healthy. But if you’re struggling to ease your dog’s stress and anxiety, you aren’t alone.
There are many reasons why your dog may be anxious, including loud noises, thunderstorms to separation anxiety, and even new environments. The good news is that there are many products that offer anxiety relief for your pet.
Keep reading to learn about the 10 best products for dog anxiety relief. We will also discuss other ways you can support your dogs mental and emotional well-being so that you can both enjoy stress-free days.
3. Natural Dog Company Calming Supplement
4. Zesty Paws Calming Bites
5. Reggie Anytime Calming
6. Native Pet Calming Chew
7. PetLabCo Calming Chew
8. NaturVet Quiet Moments
9. This Dog’s Life Bye Bye Pup Worries
10. Pawfy Calming Soft Chews
Signs your dog is anxious
Like humans, dogs also experience stress and anxiety. It can affect dogs of all breeds and ages, and if left unchecked, general anxiety could develop into an anxiety disorder, along with behavioral and other health issues.
So how do you know if your dog is suffering from anxiety? As discussed above, anxiety can be caused by all sorts of factors, including separation, new environments, new people, and even aging. Some of the telltale signs that your dog is anxious include:
Drooling and panting
Excessive barking
Pacing
Aggression
Restlessness
Destructive behaviors
Using the bathroom in the home
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms and they're becoming more frequent, seeking treatment from your vet is important. In the meantime, your pup can benefit from an anxiety relieving supplement that helps to calm his mind and body so that he can relax and escape fight-or-flight mode.
Top 10 products to calm your pup
1. Penguin CBD Dog Oil
Calm your dog's fears and stress with Penguin CBD Dog Oil. This CBD oil is made with refined broad spectrum extract that's sourced from hemp grown throughout Oregon. Each drop is formulated to ease your dog's anxiety so that he can get back to wagging his tail and enjoying every minute of the day.
This CBD oil is chicken-flavored, which means your pup won't even know that it's good for him! For best results, add a drop or two into your dog's mouth. Or if your pup is finnicky, you can also add a few drops of Penguin CBD Dog Oil to his dry or wet food.
2. Pupper Calm Dog Treats
Pupper Calm Dog Treats are a tasty way to calm your pup. No matter if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, car rides, or new places, these specially formulated treats will relax his mind and body. Each beef and oat flavored chew is made with a unique blend of organic, all natural herbs, including passion flower, chamomile, L-theanine, lemon balm, melatonin, and ashwagandha.
All of these ingredients target stress and anxiety so that your pup can live the best life possible. Pupper Calm Dog Treats are sure to become your dog's new favorite tasty chew.
3. Natural Dog Company Calming Supplement
Natural Dog Company Calming Supplement is made with a blend of natural ingredients that take the edge off for your hyper, anxious, or scared dog. Each peanut butter and bacon flavored chew is infused with naturally relaxing ingredients, including ginger root, melatonin, chamomile, and organic hemp flour. These compounds work to calm general anxiety and are also great to give your pup before a stressful situation.
Natural Dog Company Calming Supplement is vet-approved, grain-free, and safe for dogs of all breeds and ages.
4. Zesty Paws Calming Bites
Ease your dog's nervousness, stress, and hyperactivity with Zesty Paws Calming Bites. These chews are available in drool-worthy peanut butter and turkey flavors that your pup is sure to go wild for. Each soft treat is loaded with a blend of organic ingredients like chamomile, hemp seed powder, passionflower, valerian root, L-theanine, ashwagandha, ginger root, and L-tryptophan.
Give your dog the recommended dose based on his weight and watch his stress and anxiety drift away!
5. Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Soft Chews
Calm and soothe your anxious pup with delicious Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Soft Chews. These dog treats are made using natural ingredients that are scientifically proven to promote mental and physical calm while also providing stress support. Each treat contains a blend of hemp powder, valerian root, chamomile, L-tryptophan, hemp seed oil, and ginger root.
Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Soft Chews are formulated without wheat, corn, or soy. They're also made without any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
6. Native Pet Calm
Native Pet Calm are functional chews that are made with 100% clean ingredients. They're designed to reduce general anxiety while relaxing your pup's muscles and even improving his sleep quality. These chicken-flavored chews are made with nine powerful ingredients, including hemp seed, L-theanine, melatonin, and thiamine.
Native Pet Calm is backed by science and designed by vets. They're made without any artificial flavors or fillers, but instead include ingredients you can trust, like chicken and citrus fiber.
7. PetLab Co Calming Chew
PetLab Co Calming Chews are made with a unique blend of ingredients that not only help your dog to stay calm, they also support the body's ability to adapt to and cope with stress. These treats are perfect for pups who experience occasional stress and anxiety while promoting balanced behavior and emotions.
Each non-drowsy PetLab Co Calming Chew provides the natural benefits of ashwagandha, passion flower, and L-theanine to ease stress and restlessness. The pork flavor is sure to please your pup's taste buds.
8. Vetnique Labs Petbliss Calming & Behavior Supplement
Treat your dog to stress and anxiety relief with Vetnique Labs Petbliss Calming & Behavior Supplement. These hickory chicken flavored soft chews support balanced behavior and a calm mood with a blend of soothing botanicals. Each veterinarian formulated chew contains lemon balm, passion flower, L-theanine, valerian root, L-tryptophan, and chamomile, which promote relaxation and reduce hyperactivity.
Vetnique Labs Petbliss Calming & Behavior Supplement can help in all stressful situations, whether it's fireworks, a storm, or a trip in the car.
9. This Dog’s Life Bye Bye Pup Worries
Help your dog to ease his stress and anxiety with This Dog’s Life Bye Bye Pup Worries. These calming chews are vet-formulated and are made with a potent blend of natural ingredients that encourage relaxation while easing anxiety.
Made with natural ingredients like green tea, lemon balm, thiamine, and L-tryptophan, these delicious chews keep your dog relaxed, happy, and worry-free. This Dog’s Life Bye Bye Pup Worries are made in the USA and can be used daily or as needed. Results are noticeable in 30 minutes or less.
10. Pawfy Calming Soft Chews
Balance your dog's stress, anxiety, and tension with Pawfy Calming Soft Chews. These turkey flavored bites work to keep your pup calm, comfortable, and happy without any side effects. This means no drowsiness! Each calming chew balances your pup's mood with a research-based formula that includes ginger root, chamomile, L-tryptophan, and passion flower.
Pawfy Calming Soft Chews are safe for dogs of all ages and breeds. For best results, follow the recommended dose based on your dog's weight.
Are certain breeds more prone to anxiety?
All dogs can experience anxiety, especially when it comes to loud noises, strangers, and new places. However, there are certain dog breeds that have a higher prevalence of anxiety. This includes breeds such as:
Miniature Schnauzers
Spanish Water Dogs
Wheaten Terriers
Lagotto Romagnolos
Shetland Sheepdogs
Mixed breed dogs also tend to be more anxious. At the end of the day, it's important to remember that all dogs, no matter their breed, may be predisposed to anxiety. At the same time, if you own one of the dog breeds above, this doesn't necessarily mean that he will have anxiety.
Other ways to calm your dog’s anxiety
Giving your dog an anxiety relief supplement each day is a highly effective way to calm his mind and nerves. However, there are also other steps that you can take to calm and anxious dogs that complement the effects of canine calming products.
Physical contact works wonders
We all know how amazing a hug feels, especially when we're stressed or sad. The same stands true for dogs! During stressful moments, give your dog plenty of love, attention, and praise. A good snuggle session on the couch or a relaxing massage will help your dog to feel safe and at ease.
Play calming music
Playing soft, calming music can help your dog to relax. Music is also beneficial in combating boredom, loneliness, and hyperactivity. Music is a great sensory solution and works as a great soothing mechanism during stressful environments and events.
Exercise
A good workout, especially outdoors, can work wonders for an anxious pup. Giving your dog more time to run, romp, and play will boost his mood while burning excess energy. Take a trip to the dog park, go on a long walk, or play fetch in the backyard. What's important is that you get your dog moving to preoccupy his mind.
Mental stimulation
Puzzle or sensory toys are great distractions for anxiety, boredom, and hyperactivity. These days there are all sorts of toys, like those that release treats, that will keep your dog entertained for hours throughout the day. These toys not only stimulate your dog's brain, they're great for positive reinforcement.
Create a safe space at home
A cozy dog bed or crate can serve as a place of safety and comfort for your pup. If your canine is feeling anxious or scared, he can retreat to his safe space. Creating this kind of area for your pup greatly reduces destructive behavior, especially when you aren't home.
How to prevent dog anxiety
The key to preventing your dog's anxiety is to pinpoint the exact cause. Knowing what causes your dog to become fearful or scared plays an important role in determining the best prevention methods.
Here are some tips and tricks you can try to prevent your dog from becoming anxious altogether.
Learn to read his body language
As a pet owner, it's crucial that you understand your dog's body language. Understanding when he's scared or uncomfortable enables you to avoid negative experiences. You can also turn these experiences into positive training moments so that they become less fear-inducing for your pup.
Your dog's body language will also tell you when he's getting anxious or on edge. This is especially important if your dog has displayed any signs of aggression-related anxiety.
Prioritize obedience
Obedience is all about creating the foundation of a healthy, trusting relationship between you and your dog. When your dog is well-trained and follows your commands, he's less likely to get into fearful situations.
Embrace healthy nutrition and daily exercise
Regular exercise stimulates your dog. It plays an important role in your furry friend's physical and mental well-being. A stimulated dog is less likely to be destructive, as he will have less energy to burn. Good nutrition is equally important. Nourishing your dog from the inside starts by feeding quality food.
Socialize your pup
Proper socialization, especially at a young age, can help to prevent anxiety. Take the time to introduce your dog to new people, places, animals, and experiences. This way your pup is less likely to have an intense response. A well-adjusted canine is a calm canine.
Know what situations and environments to avoid
If you know that your dog is afraid of large groups of people, avoid crowds. Avoidance doesn't mean that your dog's life has to be put on hold. Instead, it reduces the amount of stress that you both face so that you can pave a path forward.
Not all causes of anxiety can be avoided. Other tools, like leashes, harnesses, and muzzles can prevent a situation from becoming dangerous for you and your pup.
Knowing what things give your dog anxiety allows you to prepare for these environments and scenarios ahead of time.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, there are a variety of products available to help alleviate anxiety in dogs, ranging from treats to supplements to calming collars. These products are formulated with natural ingredients that have been shown to have a calming effect on dogs. It's important to remember that anxiety can have a serious impact on a dog's quality of life, and finding the right product can make a significant difference. According to a recent study, up to 70% of dogs display symptoms of anxiety in response to stressful situations. Another study found that anxiety-related behavior problems were the second most common reason for dogs to be euthanized. CBD-based products have been shown to be particularly effective for reducing anxiety in dogs. One study found that CBD oil reduced anxiety in 89% of dogs. Another study found that CBD helped alleviate situational anxiety in dogs, such as during fireworks or car rides. Other natural ingredients that have been shown to be effective for anxiety relief in dogs include chamomile, valerian root, passionflower, and L-tryptophan. These ingredients can be found in a variety of calming supplements and treats. Calming collars, which emit pheromones that mimic the scent of a mother dog, can also be effective for reducing anxiety in dogs. One study found that dogs wearing calming collars had reduced signs of stress during car rides. It's important to talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any new supplements or products for anxiety relief. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right product for your dog's specific needs and can also rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your dog's anxiety. Overall, there are a variety of safe and effective products available to help alleviate anxiety in dogs. With the right product and proper care, you can help your furry friend feel calm and happy.
