Natural Anti-Anxiety Relief- DRUG FREE Remedies
Acupressure
The hall of impression point (Ying Tang) lies between your eyebrows.
Applying pressure to this point is said to help with both anxiety and stress.
To use this point:
1.Sit comfortably. It can help to close your eyes.
2.Touch the spot between your eyebrows with your index finger or thumb
3.Apply gentle, firm pressure in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes.
I’ll be doing this, and I find it to be very helpful!
Valerian Root
Valerian root tincture has many documented benefits, including acting as a natural muscle relaxant, as well as being great to help with anxiety- and it works fairly fast. A standard dose of the tincture is 1/2ml/ 20 lbs of body weight 2-3 times/day.
Wrap up those thunderstruck pets
The ThunderShirt, a vest for calming anxiety related to noise aversion, applies gentle, constant pressure to help calm a pet owners petrified fur-baby. Think of it like a hug in a shirt. You can also make your own inexpensive thundershirt by swaddling your pet in a blanket. I have tried this with Tula to varying degrees of success :-)
L-theanine
This is an amino acid isolated from green tea. It has a 'calming' effect on the brain. Very safe, no side effects, although it doesn't work fast...good to give before everyone is 'revved' up. Dose of 20mg/10lbs twice daily.
Zylkene
Zylkene(®) is a natural remedy which helps to create a feeling of calm and relaxation in dogs. It is useful for reducing the anxiety felt during stressful situations (e.g. thunderstorms or visits to the vet) and is preferred by many owners over synthetic medicines. Zylkene is derived from casein, a type of protein often found in the milk of mammals which has been proven to have anti-anxiety effects. Despite being derived from milk, it is lactose free, so lactose-intolerant pets can take it without any issue.
The capsules come in 75 mg, 225 mg and 450 mg strengths to treat different sized dogs.
Probiotics
Bacteria in the gut communicate with the brain
Gut bacteria make chemicals that communicate with the brain through the nerves and hormones — this connection is called the gut-brain axis. In fact, it is now known that many key chemicals and hormones used by the brain and nervous system, such as serotonin, dopamine and GABA, are produced in the gut.
Serotonin impacts mood and anxiety, and has actually been termed the “happy chemical” because it contributes to emotional well-being, while low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression. It is estimated that 70% of serotonin is made in the gut.
Dopamine is involved in motor function, mood, decision-making, and the control of other hormones. Reports estimate that about 50% of dopamine is produced in the gastrointestinal tract by enteric neurons and intestinal cells.
GABA regulates stress, anxiety and sleep patterns, and is known to be modulated by bacteria in the gut microbiome.
Ensure that your pet is on a good quality probiotic supplement if they have ongoing anxiety.
Cannabidiol
CBD has been documented to be very beneficial for anxiety in dogs, cats and yes…people. The doses vary, but a good starting dose is 3mg/10lbs and can be safely given every 12 hours. That equates to 1 drop of Dr Jones’ Ultimate CBD- It is safe to give 5 times this dose for the ‘very anxious’ pet (or person 😊 )
Melatonin
Melatonin can be an excellent supplement for your dog. The sedative qualities in melatonin make it effective in calming down and soothing anxious dogs. Melatonin helps improve your pet's mood and relieve your pet's anxiety issues, including hyperactivity, restlessness, separation anxiety, and any kind of phobias like loud noises. Doses of 1mg/10lbs once-twice daily, to a maximum of 6mg per dog.
