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In today's fast-paced world, our canine companions often face stress and anxiety, leading many pet owners to seek effective calming solutions.
While a plethora of supplements claim to soothe anxious dogs, it's crucial to discern which are truly effective and endorsed by veterinary behaviourists in Australia.
In order to list dog behaviour calming supplements with robust scientific backing, we sought the expertise of Dr Dennis Wormald, a Veterinary Behaviourist specialising in canine anxiety.
Alpha-Casozepine (e.g. AC for Dogs™ and Zylkene)
- How It Works: Alpha-casozepine is derived from casein, a protein found in milk. This compound mimics the calming effects that puppies experience when nursing from their mother. It interacts with receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation without causing sedation.
- Why It’s Recommended: Extensive studies and anecdotal evidence support its efficacy in reducing anxiety-related behaviours in dogs. Consequently, many Australian veterinary behaviourists frequently recommend supplements containing alpha-casozepine, for situations like noise phobias, travel stress, or general anxiety.
To see some of the evidence, have a look here:
Dog-Appeasing Pheromones (e.g. Adaptil)
- How It Works: Adaptil is a synthetic version of the natural pheromones that lactating female dogs emit to comfort their puppies. These pheromones signal safety and security to the dog’s brain, helping reduce stress and promote calmness in various situations.
- Why It’s Recommended: Backed by robust research, these pheromones have shown to be effective in situations such as thunderstorms, separation anxiety, and adjusting to new environments. Their non-invasive nature makes them a go-to option for many behaviourists.
Supplements with Limited Evidence
Several other supplements are marketed for canine anxiety, but they lack substantial scientific backing and are seldom recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Here’s how they are thought to work and why they fall short:
1. L-Theanine (e.g., Anxitane):
- How It Works: L-Theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves, believed to increase alpha brain waves, which are associated with relaxation.
- Why It’s Less Recommended: While it may have calming effects, studies on its efficacy in dogs are limited in number, although they do seem promising. It is also difficult to source in Australia.
2. L-Tryptophan (e.g., Calmex, Royal Canin Calm Diet):
- How It Works: L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is present in virtually all protein in our diet. We all eat this stuff all the time, so do our dogs. It is a normal building block used to make serotonin in our bodies; a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. The theory is that more serotonin leads to a calmer dog.
- Why It’s Less Recommended: More tryptophan does not necessarily lead to more serotonin where it's needed, as tryptophan is present in sufficient amounts in all dog foods. Evidence for its effectiveness in dogs is sparse, and results may vary greatly between individuals.
3. CBD Oil (Cannabidiol):
- How It Works: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate mood, stress, and pain responses.
- Why It’s Less Recommended: Despite its popularity, there is insufficient high-quality research specific to dogs, and legal issues in Australia further limit its use. While some research does point to CBD helping with pain in dogs, the research on dog anxiety appears to be more varied with limited success.
4. Valerian Root (e.g., Pet Remedy):
- How It Works: Traditionally used as a sedative in humans, valerian root is believed to enhance GABA activity in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with relaxation and sleep.
- Why It’s Less Recommended: Minimal evidence supports its efficacy in dogs for treating actual behaviour conditions, with some studies finding it doesn't help at all, making it an uncommon choice for behaviourists.
5. Passionflower and Chamomile Blends:
- How It Works: These herbs are thought to have mild sedative effects by enhancing GABA activity or reducing stress hormones.
- Why It’s Less Recommended: Scientific evidence is scant, and their effects on dogs remain largely anecdotal.
6. Ashwagandha:
- How It Works: Known as an adaptogen, ashwagandha is thought to help the body manage stress by modulating cortisol levels.
- Why It’s Less Recommended: There is very limited research on its efficacy in dogs with actual behavioural conditions, making it an unreliable option.
Dietary Alternatives
- How It Works: These diets often include a combination of L-tryptophan and other calming ingredients including alpha-casozepine in some cases, to promote relaxation through daily meals.
- Why It’s Occasionally Used: These diets may support dogs with mild stress when used as part of a broader behaviour modification plan, but their use is tied to the specific diet and concentrations of the supplements cannot be easily altered without changing the total amount of food fed to the dog.
Conclusion
Navigating the myriad of canine calming supplements can be challenging. It’s essential to prioritise products with solid scientific backing and professional endorsement.
Alpha-casozepine supplements (such as AC for Dogs™) and dog-appeasing pheromones stand out as reliable, evidence-based options that are frequently recommended by veterinary behaviourists in Australia.
Always consult with a qualified veterinary behaviourist before introducing new supplements.
Always consult with a qualified veterinary behaviourist before introducing new supplements.
Most importantly, remember that supplements are most effective when combined with a comprehensive behaviour modification plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
By understanding how these products work and their level of evidence, you can make informed decisions to ensure your dog’s well-being and happiness.
About our writer
He is a member by examination of the Veterinary Behaviour Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Dr Wormald enjoys working as a veterinarian doing private veterinary referral behaviour consulting for dogs in Melbourne, Australia.
He is the Founder of ABAdog® - where no dog is a bad dog and the author of "A Dedication to Difficult Dogs". For more information, visit www.abadog.com
Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/abadog.com.au and X at x.com/DennisWormald
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