Many dogs suffer from anxiety even in the absence of real threats. Some, for example, experience terror whenever they are left alone. Others may be terrified of thunder or of strangers. Regardless of its cause, canine anxiety can make life difficult for both a dog and its owner.
Natural anxiety medications include homeopathic remedies, B vitamins, pheromones and melatonin. They help dogs relax without the unpleasant side effects of acepromazine, commonly used to sedate overly anxious dogs.
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Homeopathic Anxiety Medication
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Homeopathy treats each patient on a case-by-case basis, matching the medicine to the individual dog's symptoms. You can find a holistic veterinarian who practices homeopathy in your area through the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Passionflower, or Passiflora 3X, according to a clinical trial performed at Iran's Tehran University of Medical Sciences, was as effective in calming nervous patients over a 4-week period as the prescription drug oxazepam with none of oxazepam's performance-impairing side effects.
B Vitamins
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Andi Brown in The Whole Pet Diet, says of vitamin B3, or pantothenic acid, "this calming vitamin...helps reduce anxiety." She also recommends supplementing an anxious dog's food with a B-complex vitamin.
Pheromone Spray
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The Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat mentions that synthetically produced pheromones that smell like those a nursing dog produces shortly after giving birth may relieve anxiety in both puppies and adult dogs.
There's now a plug-in pheromone diffuser, similar to a plug-in air freshener, that releases a synthetic version of these pheromones. Pheromone-infused collars are available for dogs that become anxious when outside.
Melatonin
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Melatonin, a hormone all dogs produce naturally, may be helpful in cases of separation anxiety. Melatonin controls a dog's waking and sleeping cycles. Providing an extra dose will encourage an animal to sleep while its family is away.
Valerian
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Valerian has been used as an animal muscle relaxant and sedative, although there is no clinical research supporting its effectiveness. Valerian is approved in Germany as a sleep aid for humans and may help dogs cope with thunderstorm or travel-induced anxiety.
Bach Flower Remedies
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The 38 separate Bach Flower Remedies, highly diluted floral essences, are formulated to appease anxiety and other undesirable emotional states. Originally developed in the 1930s for use in humans, they are now produced in animal formulas. Despite the fact that clinical research finds no support for their effectiveness, their popularity among pet owners is increasing.
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