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https://iheartdogs.com/6-all-natural-ingredients-to-help-calm-an-anxious-dog/

#1 – Valerian

Valerian is a sedative herb that relieves tension, anxiety, and over-excitability in dogs. Valerian can be bought dried or in capsule form and given to the dog orally, wrapped in a piece of cheese, or with a treat. Our favorite option for easy administration would be as a soft chew (Amazon link). Give it to the dog before situations that tend to cause anxiety and over-excitability in your dog.

#2 – Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that naturally rises in the bloodstream when animals sleep. Giving it to them when they are awake can help calm them down during stressful situations. It may be especially effective in dogs with separation anxiety issues, as its calming effects may last up to 8 hours. Be sure to read the ingredients before sharing your melatonin – it may contain Xylitol or other ingredients that are toxic for dogs.

#3 – Lavender (Scent)

You probably already know that the scent of lavender helps you to relax and fall asleep, but did you realize it can have the same calming effect on your dog? The scent of lavender actually reduces the body’s production of cortisol, the stress hormone, and it doesn’t have the same sedative effects of some of the other ingredients on this list. A drop or two of lavender oil in a place where your dog can’t ingest it will help relieve their anxiety.

#4 – Passionflower

Passionflower has been used since the mid 1500s as a sleep aid and sedative. Studies have shown that it can actually lower your brain activity and boost levels of GABA, a feel-good chemical. In humans, it’s been shown to be as effective as benzodiazepine medications such as Valium and Xanax in treating anxiety. It also has less of a sedative effect than other herbs. This can be a great option for highly anxious dogs. For easy administration, we like these soft chews that contain Passionflower.

#5 – Lemon Balm

A member of the mint family, lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages to soothe nerves, relieve indigestion, and remedy insomnia. This sedative herb is effective in treating excitability and anxiety in dogs.

#6 – Chamomile

If you’ve ever suffered from insomnia, you’ve probably tried chamomile tea to help you sleep. Chamomile calms the nerves and induces sleep. It can also calm the stomach and ease digestive problems. You can give chamomile tea to your dog or soak a dog treat in the tea. Another option is a soft chew that contains chamomile.

All Natural Anxiety Relief

Did you know you can get several of these ingredients, plus a few more, in our Project Paws™ Advanced Calming soft chews on Amazon Prime? (also available in the iHeartDogs store here) They’re formulated to relieve your dog’s anxiety, nervousness, hyperactivity, tension, or stress related to traveling, thunderstorms, fireworks, vet visits, introducing new pets, or a change in their routine.

High-potency natural ingredients are properly formulated for optimal results, and dogs love the turkey flavored soft chew! It’s gentle enough to be used as a daily supplement and powerful enough to work as needed in stressful situations. And if that isn’t awesome enough, each purchase feeds 7 shelter dogs!

via Why Do Poms Spin In Circles? | Pomeranian Information and Facts

Recognizing When Your Dog Is Stressed

A stressed-out dog will probably exhibit different body language than his chill peers. The whites of his eyes may be more pronounced. You may notice that he has an intense and direct stare or engages in hypervigilant scanning of the environment. He may avoid eye contact or frequently turn away from people or other canines. He may blink excessively — or not at all.

Your dog’s ears can also signal feelings of anxiety or stress. When your dog is alert or uneasy, his ears may becomes more erect. He may also move his ears back so that they lay close to or flat against his head. If your dog has floppy ears, it may be harder to distinguish this movement; watch for the base of his ears to rotate back and the ears themselves to move slightly back from their neutral position.

When your dog feels anxious, he may close his mouth tightly or pull his lips back in a tense grimace. This can be a sign that he is preparing to move into a growl, snarl, snap or bite. You may notice that the whiskers on his muzzle are erect and that the whisker beds appear more pronounced.

An anxious dog may also vocalize — he may bark, whimper, whine or growl, or make some other type of distress signal. Depending on the dog and the context, these vocalizations may indicate fear or aggression.

A stressed-out canine may stand in one place and lift a front paw or shift his weight away from whatever is scaring him. He may turn his head and body away or lower his body in a cowering, slinking movement.

You may see a change in his activity level as well. He may escalate and become hyperactive or appear more on edge and ready to react defensively. He may also freeze in place and refuse to move.

Other Ways Your Dog Experiences Stress

Like humans, canines experience physiological symptoms of stress. These may include respiratory changes, such as excessive panting, slow breathing or shallow breathing. Your dog may also hold his breath if he’s anxious.

Other signs to be aware of include excessive drooling or shedding, trembling, or sweaty paws. Your dog may also experience piloerection, which is when the hair on his neck, back or the base of his tail stands up; this can indicate high arousal.

An anxious dog may also urinate or defecate suddenly or break prior house-training habits. He may lose interest in food or become pickier about what he eats; he may also exhibit excessive thirst. He may spit out treats or grab them from you more aggressively than usual.

Your dog’s anxiety may manifest itself in some seemingly innocuous behaviors. He may shake (similar to how he shakes off after a bath) or yawn in an exaggerated manner. He may lick or scratch himself. He may roll onto his back and expose his belly; jump on people; or mouth, hump or mark objects. He may hug, lean on or cling to you, or try to climb up or hide behind you. He may suddenly demand more attention from you.

His general behavior may change, too. He may attempt to hide, look sleepy or depressed, or jump and startle easily. He may act goofy and hyper without proper context, or he may pace restlessly. He may fail to follow basic commands, like sit, and may lose interest in food, play and interactions with you.

If your dog exhibits ongoing signs of stress, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Once your dog has a clean bill of health, your veterinarian may refer you to a trainer or veterinary behaviorist to address both the fear and the behaviors it causes.

via How to Tell If Your Dog Is Anxious or Stressed