Dog Anxiety Supplement: New For 2016

Dog anxiety is exhausting not only for the dog, but for his pet owner as well. As someone who works directly with anxious and fearful dogs daily, I’m always looking for a new way to reduce anxiety in dogs every day. Well, as luck would have it, I share my home with an anxious dog too, and our holistic veterinarian recently recommended a newer supplement with promising results.
I’ve kept up with every type of supplement out there promising to reduce anxiety–I sampled and read the latest research. As with anything, some work, some don’t and others work well with prescribed medications. Learning that there was another option in the dog anxiety supplement category, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Now, this supplement is not necessarily new, but it just fell under my radar. I’ll admit, so far I’ve witnessed amazing results.
Kemin Resources Anxiety & Stress
Kemin Resources Anxiety & Stress contains a combination of herbs and melatonin in a chewable tablet form, and can be easily purchased through your veterinarian or online (Amazon has best prices). I’ve tried melatonin on its own, which works well, but there’s something about Kemin’s combination that seems to reduce anxiety quicker and longer.
Ingredients
Besides a healthy dose of melatonin, this dog supplement also contains herb powerhouses that are proven to reduce anxiety on their own. Lately, I’ve dabbled into the power of herbs and so far I’ve seen some really good results. I’ll write more about this in 2016, so stay tuned!
Oyster Shell
Made from the interior and exterior of oyster shells, this supplement causes relaxation within the brain, and has been known to decrease gastric ulcers. Dogs sensitive to shellfish may have a reaction.
Chamomile
Most commonly used in tea, chamomile settles upset tummies and relaxes the body to promote sound sleep. This little herb works wonders. When I was living in Germany, many German veterinarians recommended soaking wounds in strong chamomile tea twice a day every day. The results were simply amazing; they healed quickly with little scarring.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is used to improve cognitive performance by improving memory and stabling the mood, which increases positive social interactions. Plus, several studies have found ginkgo biloba to reduce anxiety. Check out this interesting article here.
Dan Shen
Also known as “red sage,” Dan Shen is known to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, anti-inflammatories have shown to reduce anxiety and depression in many recent studies hence the increase of turmeric as an anti-depressant.
Magnesium Aspartate
Supplemental magnesium has been a lifesaver for me. Not only does it relax stressed muscles, but it has also been proven to lower high blood pressure. Usually, I take magnesium before bed because it promotes relaxation without tranquilizing the body. Now, magnesium can certainly cause a reaction if your dog is taking other medications, so always ask your vet first.
Usages
Kemin Anxiety & Stress Calming supplement is recommended to reduce canine anxiety. Plus, it works well when dogs are exposed to stressful situations (i.e. car rides and veterinary visits). Now, this supplement isn’t a fix-all. It’s best used in combination with prescribed medications or supplements, and only administered under a veterinarian’s guidance.
What to Expect
Sobek, my Rottweiler, gets anxious during car rides so much so he whines continuously. About 20 minutes after taking this dog anxiety medication, his vocalization stops. He’s able to lie down and relax instead of pace and whine. Now, this supplement doesn’t knock him out like Dramamine; he is still awake, takes treats and responds to cues. Rather he’s much calmer with relaxed body language. After taking Kemin Anxiety & Stress Calming supplement at home, he remains active, but has the ability to self-settle quickly and reserve a calm demeanor.
Dosage Recommendations
Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations. Fortunately, Kemin’s supplement provides dosage recommendations by weight. Just to be safe, serve this supplement with a small meal.
Be your dog’s voice!
