Natural Calming Supplements For Dogs

Some of the most common signs of a dog being anxious include: 

• Excessive panting
• Excessive drooling
• Tucked tails or flattened ears
• Pacing
• Trembling
• Hiding 
• Withdrawal 
• Irritability 
• Potty accidents 
• Barking

If your dog is commonly showing any of these symptoms, then they may need support from you to help keep them calm. These could be calming products for your dog such as powders or balms, along with activities to help reduce boredom and increase stimulation, such as regular exercise, mental stimulation, enrichment licking mats or enrichment bowls.

Many different things can prompt anxiety in dogs, including the following: 

• Genetics:some breeds of dog are simply more prone to feelings of anxiety 
• Past trauma:if you rescued your dog, then trauma from their time before they came to you can trigger anxiety in many different ways
• Limited socialisation:dogs who weren’t socialised as puppies can be more fearful of being around other dogs and humans as they grow older
• Boredom: dogs who lack mental and physical stimulation can display signs of anxiety
• Human emotions:if a dog is in a household where owners are experiencing stress or anxiety, or there is arguing, dogs can pick up on this and will likely eventually feel those same emotions
• New situations: some dogs struggle to regulate their emotions when in new or unfamiliar environments 
• Loud noises: dogs are very sensitive to noise and so fear of noise, that then causes anxiety, is common. Supporting your dog through noise phobias is important for their overall wellbeing, particularly on Fireworks Night. We have a blog on how to keep your dog calm on Fireworks Night to help! 
• Separation anxiety: if a dog develops a strong attachment to their owner, when they aren’t present, it can induce feelings of anxiety
• Sensitivity with age:as dogs get older, general cognitive decline and increased sensitivity can result in very relaxed dogs becoming more anxious 
• Medical issues: if a dog is experiencing discomfort or illness, it can lead to them displaying signs of anxiety 

Diet: if a dog isn’t consuming enough essential nutrients, it can cause imbalances in the gut which then has a knock on effect on brain health and mental wellbeing. A daily sprinkle of dog calming supplement powder can help to counteract this.

One of the most effective remedies to help reduce anxiety in dogs is with calming supplements. Supplement powders designed to calm your canine contain quality ingredients that are designed to help dogs who are reactive, anxious or unfocused. Targeting both your dogs brain and gut health, the natural ingredients in calming supplements for your dog provide a natural solution to help encourage the production of serotonin, balance gut bacteria to consequently improve mood and mental wellbeing, as well as superfoods that help to reduce anxiety, encourage calmness and improve sleep.  

Alongside introducing dog calming supplements, physical exercise and mental stimulation are important in helping to reduce anxiety for your dog. Similarly to the positive effect exercise has on humans, it releases endorphins, which boosts your dogs mood and helps to relieve stress they might be feeling, as well as burning off any excess energy. 

The same goes with mental stimulation, which is crucial for reducing stress, minimising behavioural issues and preventing destructive behaviours. Puzzle toys, new routes on walks, teaching new tricks, socialisation and agility training are all great ways to keep your dog engaged and to help minimise their anxiety, working to naturally calm your dog. Food based enrichment is also great, using lick mats and enrichment bowls to reduce boredom, especially if you freeze dog-friendly foods in the mat for an extra challenge. 

You can give your dog their calming supplement by mixing the recommended amount for your dog with plain yogurt, then spreading into the mat with a silicon spatula helps to get it nice and smooth. This hack is ideal for mental stimulation in a heat wave, too!

The A-OK9 natural calming supplement for dogs is a powder that is designed to be taken once a day, with the quantity depending on your dog's weight. You simply add the recommended amount of the supplement powder to their food, or place it into an enrichment mat and freeze it with yogurt for additional stimulation for your dog. Alongside the calming supplements for your dog, you can also utilise calming balms, enrichment mats and bowls, mental stimulation tasks and plenty of exercise to help minimise anxiety.

Our calming supplements for dogs are made by experts, formulated by a team of vets, champion trainers and nutritionists, who also happen to absolutely adore dogs and want the best for their health and wellbeing. This knowledge of behavior, canine science and nutrition helps us to formulate innovative products that help you to support your dog from the inside out. Additionally, our dog calming supplement powder is 100% natural with ingredients supported by research, so you know you’re only giving your dog the best calming supplements available.

The natural ingredients in our calming supplements for dogs can help to reduce barking. Typically dogs bark in response to feelings of anxiety, frustration, fear or stress, emotions which can be reduced by supporting your dog with our calming powder supplement that encourages the production of serotonin, as well as balancing the gut to improve overall mental wellness.

It can be concerning when your dog is showing signs of anxiety. Some dogs are more prone to being nervous, but there are plenty of things you can do to help minimise those feelings, alongside adding our powder calming supplement to your dogs diet daily: 

• Create a safe space:having a comfortable and quiet space in your home that is just for them can act as a natural calming remedy for dogs, giving them somewhere to escape to if they’re feeling nervous or overwhelmed. Ideally this is somewhere away from where unfamiliar people would be when they visit, such as in a utility room or a little cubby under the stairs. 
• Support them with their diet: if a dog has deficiencies in their diet, or their gut isn’t healthy, it can either result in anxiety or worsen any existing signs. A balanced diet with natural calming supplements for dogs, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory foods, fiber to support digestion and B vitamins is key. 
• Calming music:when your dog is home alone, they may experience separation anxiety, or feel stressed when they hear any noises if it’s silent. So, having the radio playing or putting on a calming playlist can help to remove the silence and provide a sense of comfort. Using a Calming Balm on your dog before you leave the house can also provide a sense of tranquility for them. 

Manage potential triggers: knowing what triggers anxiety in your dog, and knowing how to manage it, can help to calm anxious dogs. For example, if your dog gets particularly anxious around unfamiliar people, introduce them in neutral spaces where they can engage in a calming activity, like using their enrichment mat whilst they adjust. For dogs that struggle with separation anxiety, play calming music, give them dog calming supplements in their food before you leave and set up a puzzle for them to complete whilst you leave the house. Picking up on the triggers can help you to minimise anxiety for your dog.