Calming products
Calming dogs!
Now this topic is an interesting one and what works for one dog might not necessarily work for another, this is why when it comes to using a supplement to calm your pet, then you’ll need to do your homework.
Supplements are a tool to replace what is missing in the body, with a joint supplement, we know exactly what nutrients need to be replaced to have a positive affect on joints, the brain though is not so easy to read, the cause of the anxiety or stress could be due to missing nutraceuticals or down to a mental trauma. This is why you need to see what works best for your pet, not all supplements will have the nutraceuticals in it that your dog may require, there’s too many to put all in one product.
That being said, here is a breakdown of some calming remedies.
The most simple and effective calming remedy is getting your dog to chew something it likes, a tasty raw bone for example.
Chewing has a calming and comforting effect on the adrenal-pituitary axis in the brain - it triggers the release of endorphins which help relieve stress and anxiety. Chewing also gives the dog the opportunity to self soothe.
There are some herbal preparations such as scullcap or valerian, which work by providing a sedative type affect. Unfortunately not enough is known about herbal supplements and Valerenic acid may actually inhibit brain GABA metabolism to produce its calm affect but decreased GABA levels are associated with several neurological and mental health conditions.
Vitamin C supplementation with VitC-Flex is probably one of the least considered methods for calming in dogs, this is because dogs should be able to synthesise their own Vitamin C, but owners are generally unaware of how quickly Vitamin C can be and actually is, depleted in the canine body.
Vitamin C has an excellent affect on the brain, it is especially useful in the aging brain to help with cognitive decline.
It is also important for the conversion of tyrosine into dopamine, tryptophan into serotonin, and for GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine and epinephrine production.
Without Vitamin C neurotransmitter levels decline in the brain and body resulting in prolonged stress, anxiety and lower mood.
Chronic stress and anxiety leads to elevated levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). Vitamin C can help the body to better manage its cortisol levels.
Our own calming supplement, KalmoFlex, works by supplementing the body with the most commonly used ingredients to help with calming.
Lemon Balm Extract 4:1 – Works on GABA levels for calmer behaviour and relaxation. Can also help to soothe your dog during stress-related incidents.
L-Tryptophan – Natural amino acid which is involved in the production of the hormone serotonin and can help to reduce aggression and stress.
Passiflora Incarnata (Passion Flower) – known for its ability to relax and reduce tension. Passiflora aids the effectiveness of GABA brain receptors which aids relaxation.
Taurine – Taurine increases GABA quantity, which has a soothing effect on the nervous system and contributes to the reduction of stress hormones.
Brewers Yeast – Rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and B9) and antioxidants, the high levels of B vitamins can help to reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. In addition to this, brewer’s yeast promotes healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver function.
In the coming months we are looking at adding L-Tyrosine to our formulation.
This is a natural amino acid which is involved in the production of several important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It can help mitigate the adverse effects caused by stress and encourage focus.
So if you are struggling to keep your pet calm, then please make sure you’ve visited all avenues, as stated before the brain is far too complex to have a “one fits all” supplement.
As always please seek the advice of your veterinarian when starting new supplements.