Dogs, just like humans, can experience anxiety due to various reasons. While there are pharmaceutical solutions available, many pet owners prefer to explore natural, herbal remedies for their furry friends. Here, we delve into some of the most potent herbs for alleviating dog anxiety and also touch upon behavioral approaches that complement these natural solutions.

Recognizing the Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs exhibiting signs of anxiety might display behaviors such as excessive panting, pacing, barking, or whining. Some might resort to destructive actions like chewing furniture, while others may hide, avoid interaction, or even become aggressive. Additional indications include excessive self-licking, indoor accidents, or restlessness. Recognizing these signs is crucial to address and manage your pet's discomfort promptly.

Chamomile for Dogs: A Soothing Herb

Monograph:

• Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita

• Parts Used: Flowers

• Active Compounds: Flavonoids, sesquiterpenes

Benefits and Uses:
Chamomile is renowned for its calming properties. When administered to dogs, it can help in reducing anxiety, settling an upset stomach, and even aiding in sleep. You can give this to your dog in whole herb form mixed in with wet dog food, or you could make a tea to add to their food. There are also tablets available, however it is harder to verify freshness.

Where to Buy:

I get my chamomile flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs because they have the best quality, however you can also find good quality flowers from Starwest Botanicals and other suppliers that ship to the US. Always look for organically grown whenever possible.

Passionflower: Nature's Calmative Agent

Monograph:

• Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata

• Parts Used: Leaves, stems, and flowers

• Active Compounds: Flavonoids, alkaloids

Benefits and Uses:
Passionflower has been historically used to treat anxiety and insomnia in humans. For dogs, it acts as a natural sedative, reducing nervousness and restlessness. It can be administered as a tincture or extract.

Where to buy:

If you don’t have a local shop that sells organic herbs, you can head over to Mountain Rose Herbs for the best quality or check out Starwest Botanicals for a more affordable price.

Scullcap: The Nervous System Soother

Monograph:

• Botanical Name: Scutellaria lateriflora

• Parts Used: Aerial parts

• Active Compounds: Flavonoids, tannins

Benefits and Uses:
Scullcap is known for its ability to calm nervous tension. It's especially beneficial for dogs that exhibit hyperactivity or nervous twitching. Scullcap can be given in the form of a capsule or tincture.

Where to Buy:

If you’re not able to source this organically from a local shop, I’d suggest checking out Mountain Rose Herbs. This herb can also be purchased in alcohol-free tincture form for more convenient dosing.

Valerian Root: A Natural Tranquilizer for Dogs

Monograph:

• Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis

• Parts Used: Root

• Active Compounds: Valerenic acid, valepotriates, and essential oils

Benefits and Uses:
Valerian root is often dubbed the "nature's Valium" due to its sedative properties. It has been used for centuries in human herbal medicine to treat insomnia, anxiety, and nervous tension. For dogs, valerian root can be particularly beneficial in scenarios of heightened stress, such as during thunderstorms, fireworks, or vet visits. It can help to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and induce sleep.

Given its potency, valerian root should be administered in appropriate doses. It can be provided as a tincture, capsule, or even as a dried root mixed into food.

Where to Buy:

Since we use the roots of the valerian plant, it can be harder to “hide” in your dogs food, so going for the alcohol-free tincture on this one is a better bet than the whole herb.

CBD for Dogs: The Modern Marvel

Monograph:

• Botanical Name: Cannabis sativa

• Parts Used: Leaves and flowers

• Active Compounds: Cannabidiol (CBD)

Benefits and Uses:
CBD, the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, has gained popularity for its potential to alleviate anxiety in both humans and dogs. CBD oil for dogs can reduce anxiety symptoms, without the "high" associated with THC. It's available in treats, oils, or capsules.

Where to Buy:

In recent years CBD has become legal in most states and is now widely available in any form you can imagine. With that comes an influx of lower quality products. Some things I look for in a quality CBD product are:

• Is it organic? Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are bad for you and your dog.

• Is it grown outside? Indoor-grown cannabis plants are more susceptible to fungus and disease.

• Is it processed by a reputable company? Reputable companies will publish third party lab test results with terpene content.

At this moment, I haven’t come across any that I really like and feel comfortable recommending. If you have a product that fits all of these requirements, please reach out and let me know so I can support them!

Gradual Exposure and Positive Reinforcement Training

Another non-medicinal approach to addressing dog anxiety is through positive reinforcement training. The idea is to gradually expose the dog to the source of its anxiety (e.g., being alone) while rewarding calm behavior. Over time, the dog associates the previously anxiety-inducing stimulus with positive rewards, thereby reducing anxiety.

Steps to follow:

1. Identify the stressor.

2. Gradually expose your dog to the stressor incrementally in controlled situations.

3. Reward calm behavior with treats and/or praise.

4. Increase exposure duration or intensity, continuing the reward system.

The Benefits of Crate Training

Crate training can be an excellent tool for managing dog anxiety. I have crate trained both of my dogs with great results. A crate, when introduced properly, becomes a safe haven for your pet. It provides:

• Security: A familiar environment for the dog to retreat.

• Routine: Regular crating can help establish a routine, giving the dog a sense of predictability.

• Reduced Separation Anxiety: When trained correctly, a dog can feel safe and comfortable in its crate when left alone.

However, it's crucial to ensure the crate is never used as a punishment tool and that your dog is not left in the crate for the whole day. The goal is to make the crate a positive, safe space for your dog.

Conclusion

Natural remedies, combined with behavioral training techniques, can offer effective solutions for managing dog anxiety. Always consult with a veterinarian before introducing any new supplements or herbs to ensure they're safe and appropriate for your pet's unique needs.

Sources:

Leyel, C. F. (1991). The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Khalsa, K.P. (n.d.). Healthy Pets: Herbs for Your Pet. International Integrative. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://legacy.internationalintegrative.com/course/herbs-for-your-pet/

Herron, M. E., Shofer, F. S., & Reisner, I. R. (2009). Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1-2), 47-54.

Blackwell, E. J., Twells, C., Seawright, A., & Casey, R. A. (2008). The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 3(5), 207-217.