Top Supplements for Dog Anxiety

If your dog suffers from anxiety or restlessness, then this article will help you a lot. This article lists supplements and easy tips to help your dog stay calm. 

Our modern world is full of noise pollution these days and this is having a harmful, detrimental effect on animals - be it our companion animals like our beloved dogs or cats or be it stray or wild animals.

We, humans, have become way too selfish and self-centered with respect to how we are treating environment and Nature, often forgetting it is home to many animals and they deserve calm and a noise-free environment to thrive!

Stray birds, squirrels, frogs, etc. often become distressed and disoriented from loud noises and run into cars or buildings causing them sudden, untimely death or even worse, painful slow deaths in the form of injuries.

On top of that, carnivals, fiestas, festivals, marriages, celebrations, fireworks, parties, crowds and fireworks can be very overwhelming not just to little children but also to our dogs.

Another thing that really concerns me is that a lot of dogs these days have anxiety, restlessness, behavior issues and so on - just like the rise in mental health issues in humans.

In this article, I cover tips and supplements  that you can use to help your dog stay calm and centered. I also use this space to raise awareness for other animals so we will cover that too in this article - the word 'animals' just doesn't mean 'dogs'; it includes lots of sentiment, innocent, voiceless beings that need our awareness and love.

Top 5 Calming Supplements for Dog Anxiety -

1. Lemon Balm - This herb has got to be one of my most favorite for dogs. I have personally used it for one of my dogs who was from a shelter and came with a list of health issues. My poor dog (a miniature poodle) was prone to seizures and this herb, along with a super healthy, home-cooked 100% plant based diet is what kept him young and healthy and seizure-free most of the time.

Lemon balm is used for calming anxiety, stress management, digestive issues, and seizures in dogs and is a very safe herb that has been used since centuries.

When buying, make sure it says 'Full Spectrum' and is of high quality.

Dosage - 

So, for my 15 lbs. dog, I would give 2 capsules - open and mix in food or however you like. 2 capsules = 500 mg/day and it worked! You can do a lower dose and just about 1/4 teaspoon or try 100 mg/day for the same size.

I even wrote about this sacred herb in my article titled -  Top 5 Everyday Herbs for Dogs

Remember, you can start on a lower dose and increase if your dog needs more.

Where to buy from? 

You can pick from any health store or places like Whole Foods (U.S.). Check the 'specialty' area of your grocery store - you might be lucky and find it there. You can buy either in capsule, tea or tincture form.

Check the HERBAL TEA department and you will surely get it there! Open the tea bag, put the actual herb in warm water and then cover and let it sit overnight. Then, you use this tea to give to your dog - either a few spoonful's in food, or mixed in with some banana or something he likes or as is...your choice. Store the remaining tea in a glass jar and keep in the fridge.

2. Bach's Rescue Remedy - This is another great and super safe way for managing stress and anxiety in dogs. Unlike lemon balm which is a herb, Bach's Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic formulation and uses flower essences.

It has a great track record for helping dogs with anxiety issues and truly I thank the doctor who developed this formula - a 100% safe, healthy alternative to prescriptions for dogs.

Where to buy from? 

You can again check any health store or places like Whole Foods. Again, you might be able to get it from your grocery store - see it in 'specialty' area or 'Natural Foods' area. It will clearly say 'Pets' on the packaging so you can't miss it.

3. Hemp Oil - Both of these are super oils in calming dogs with anxiety. I regularly use organic, unrefined hemp oil for my dogs. I add it daily to their food and besides the fact that it is healthy for brain health, it also prevents cancer, obesity, joint aches and issues like arthritis in dogs.

Basically, hemp oil is a saint and must be part of your dog's diet.

4. CBD Oil - This is for those dogs who get seizures or severe anxiety attacks. Invest in good quality CBD oil and keep at home for days that are tough for your dog. Buy CBD oil from a reputed company and the dosage will come listed on your dog's CBD oil bottle. 

For dog owners, CBD oil can be the answer when it comes to helping your dog feel safe, calm and relaxed. Plus, CBD oil also lowers inflammation in the body so it is great at protecting your dog's body from high-stress mode (sympathetic mode). 

5. Oregano - Dried oregano (like the one added on pizza) is excellent for calming a dog's brain. Yup - you read it correctly. Simply buy some dried oregano and start adding it to your dog's food daily. The beauty of all these natural remedies is that they only have side-benefits, and not side-effects!

Now, if you have fresh oregano growing in your garden, then that will do too! Just use little less and add to your dog's favorite treat or food and that is it. Boiling it for a few mins with some rice or lentils or sweet potatoes will mellow down the flavor and make it easier on your dog. Just a very small quantity is needed so better be safe than sorry - don't add too much.

Excellent Bonus Tip - Doggie Massages -

Massaging Your Dog with some Chamomile or Lavender oil - Just few drops with a carrier oil like olive oil or hemp oil or coconut oil and massaging your dog for good 30 minutes to an hour to relax his or her sympathetic nervous state (flight and fear state) can be a HUGE benefit in relaxing your pooch and bringing his body back to the parasympathetic state (the relaxed, good, positive, calm, healthy state).

Don't ever underestimate the power of massage therapy for dogs - it can promote deep relaxation, sound and healthy sleep and a very calm, centered state of mind plus it can also lower inflammation in the body if your dog is suffering from any health issues.

You can learn how to do doggie massages by watching some YouTube videos or you can hire a professional dog massage therapist for your dog. 

More Tips for Festivals, Holidays, Celebrations, Fireworks, Guests, Etc. -

Fireworks are known to make dogs scared and even more so, many dogs escape from the backyard or even from the leash due to this reason (since they get scared and startled).


So, besides keeping an eye on your pooch and making sure they are on leash (check the leash before going out and make sure it is secure or use double leashes) when out, make sure you keep the doors locked to avoid your dog from running into the backyard and out! Make sure your fence is perfectly closed and sealed in all the areas.


Double check your dog's collar before going on a walk to make sure it is not too loose and if the dog suddenly gets scared and tries to run, the collar does not slip or open! Even better, I highly suggest (and just what I do with a few of my dogs) using 2 collars and 2 leashes so that if one opens up (and that can happen!), you have a back-up and peace of mind - trust me, this works! 😀😍


Make sure that if you are having guests or parties, then you let everyone know what is the protocol for your dog's safety - you are the only one who can (and who MUST) speak up for your dog's safety so go over the rules with the guests over opening and closing the doors and backyard entrances - so they ALL are on the same plan as you - to keep the dog/s safe.


Let the guests know that when going in and out, they MUST make sure the dog is not there and the doors must be completely closed each time - NOT just lightly shut off.

End Note - 

Hope these tips keep your dog safe and happy during fireworks, celebrations, travel and otherwise.

Also, please remember, while we think of our dogs, there are many small animals AND plants/trees who have become invisible to us but nevertheless, they are equally important. Do think of the tiny frogs, bees, butterflies, birds, night birds, crows, stray cats, squirrels, the trees, the grass, the outdoor plants, etc. that inhabit our surroundings and work hard each and every day to give us the ecosystem needed for our food and survival.

They do not have a home; they don't have a human who loves them and the small animals, when scared, run into trees or worse, into the busy freeways and roads.

So, let's all work together consciously to keep our noise levels down - plz. stop playing loud music in cars and at night and during celebrations, let's all let go of fireworks, outdoor loud music and let's make this planet a safe, calm home to all animals - both our companion animals as well as strays. 

-Somyata