The Best Anxiety Relievers for Dogs

Anxiety in dogs can stem from a number of causes, but if your dog is naturally on the more nervous side, or what’s upsetting them is unavoidable, then it might be time to look for ways you can help your dog feel calmer. 

Here, we’re going to walk you through some of the best calmers for dogs so you can get them feeling back to themselves in no time! 

When it comes to both dogs and anxiety in general, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why brands across the pet industry offer a range of treatments for anxiety in dogs with different formulations to suit you and your dog. 

They work by replicating the natural pheromones dogs produce to communicate with one another. Think of when you take your dog for a walk, and they start sniffing a spot for a period of time. This is likely them picking up the pheromones left behind in another dog’s urine, telling your dog it’s their territory. 

Now, you can use synthetic versions of these pheromones in a range of different formats to help your dog feel calm when modern life conflicts with their natural instincts to prevent anxious behaviours, such as: 

• Pacing
• Trembling
• Excessive barking or howling
• Excessive chewing
• And more! 

Please note that stress can be caused by a number of things, including existing medical conditions. If your dog is stressed and you're unsure why, consult your vet for a professional diagnosis. 

One of the most popular formats for dog calmers is the plug-in diffuser, like this ADAPTIL® Calm Plug-in Diffuser. These calming solutions work by heating up a liquid form of the calming dog pheromone and dispersing it into your environment to help your dog feel safe. 

These diffusers are scent-free and will only have an effect on your dog, not any other pets in the home. They are suitable for short- and long-term use, but many diffusers take at least seven days to make a difference. These diffusers typically last 30 days, but ADAPTIL® refills are available, as are those from other brands.

Another popular calmer for dogs is the calming collar. These collars are designed with a copy of the ‘Dog Appeasing Pheromone. That would otherwise be produced naturally by a nursing mother. By having this pheromone matric instilled within the collar, you can provide your dog with constant comforting messages to help them feel at ease. 

Calming collars are particularly popular for puppies when they are brought into a new home, with collars like the Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Collar getting to work in just 15 minutes and lasting up to 30 days. Most brands offer these collars in multiple sizes, and they can be worn alongside your dog’s real collar, offering them ease and comfort even when out of the house, such as with vet visits, training classes, or their first walk.

Herbal remedies have been around for centuries and still work even today. If you want to take a more natural approach to help your dog, then there is a great range of herbal calming supplements available for your dog, like this Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian Calming Support, which is made with all-natural ingredients, such as extracts from valerian root, mistletoe, scullcap and more! 

These herbs work to support the calming pathways in your dog’s nervous system to help reduce anxiety without causing side effects like drowsiness or wobbliness.  Due to their natural composition, these natural dog calmers are popular for show dogs who need to remain calm but alert during high-pressure situations. 

Medication for dog anxiety comes in a variety of forms, like capsules and powders, many of which can be bought without a prescription. Zylkene calming supplements for dogs, for example, are one of the most popular calming supplements on the market and are suitable for both long- and short-term use. 

Calming supplements like these are easy to administer by sprinkling over your dog's normal meal. It’s recommended you start giving your dog the supplements 1-2 days before the initial stressful event and then continue for up to a month. After this time, you should evaluate your dog’s condition and consult a vet for further advice.

In some cases, dogs may not respond to traditional calming methods like sprays or diffusers, so you should consult with your vet if none of the above options work for your dog. They may recommend alternatives for your dog, such as prescription anti-anxiety medication or changes to their environment.

Watching our pets struggle is hard, especially when they can’t tell us what’s wrong. We hope this blog helps you find the perfect solution for your dog’s stress. If not, why not browse the complete range of dog calmers and see what works for you? 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should thoroughly discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle with your vet before starting any program or treatment.