Calming Products to Combat Anxiety In Your Cat or Dog

The holiday season, from Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings to Fourth of July celebrations, can be a stressful time for our pets. Extra guests, loud noises, and holiday decorations can make dogs and cats anxious, leading to behaviors like hiding, destructive scratching, or even attempts to escape.

Travel plans add to this stress, as pets often struggle with changes in routine, whether they’re joining you on the trip or staying with a sitter. To help keep your pets calm and comfortable, consider natural calming aids like CBD, hemp, tryptophan, or melatonin. These gentle supplements can offer much-needed relief, making the holiday season safer and more enjoyable for your furry friends.

CBD or Hemp

Dog getting cbd tincture from owner

We've all heard about the calming effects CBD or hemp products can have on our pets. CBD can change the way your pet's brain responds to serotonin release in the brain, helping them to remain calm when they might otherwise show signs of tension. The non-psychoactive products can provide stress relief for your pet, and also help with joint pain, seizures, cancer, and more. 

Whether you're providing hemp-derived CBD via liquid drops, chews, spray, or balm, it's a great way to reduce anxiety in your pets. Friendly reminder that all CBD products are sold in-store only including treats, tinctures, capsules, balms, peanut butters, and more. 

If your curious to learn more about CBD and other medicinal hemp products for your pet, check out our blog here

Pheromone Diffuser or Spray

NaturVet "Quiet Moments" Product line

Pets often scratch or urinate on nearby surroundings when they are frightened or worried. Pheromone products, such as diffusers or sprays, tell your furry friend that the pheromone-scented area is a familiar and safe place. This calming smell can prevent your pet from participating in destructive behavior.

Calming Chews 

If your pet is food-motivated, it may be easiest to give them a few special treats on nights you know there's a good chance they'll get scared, such as July 4th, New Year's Eve, or when thunderstorms hit. 

Calming chews like NaturVet Quiet Moments include soothing ingredients such as chamomile, thiamine mononitrate, L-Tryptophan, and melatonin. All these components aid in relaxation. VetriScience's Composure Behavioral Health Chews offer thiamine and L-Theanine, both calming agents, for anxious pets.

Comfort Collar

An easy set-it-and-forget-it solution for calming your pets for extended periods are calming collars

A Calming Collar mimics a pet's natural nursing pheromone scent, which can reduce your pet's fear of loud noises or separation anxiety. Once you've fastened the collar on, your pet's body heat will trigger the pheromone release. These collars can provide constant stress relief for up to four weeks and are 100% safe.

Peanut Butter with L-Theanine

Green Coast Lickable Actives Natural Calming Peanut Butter

We all know dogs love peanut butter. At least, most dogs. So why not use their favorite sticky, peanut-y treat to help combat anxiety. 

You can't use just any peanut butter from your local grocery store. It would be best if you had peanut butter with L-Theanine like Green Coast Pet's Lickable Actives. L-Theanine increases alpha waves in your dog's brain, which keeps them peaceful and focused without experiencing drowsiness. Load it into their favorite toy or offer a spoonful when they need it most.

Which Product is Right for Your Pet?

Not sure which product is right for your pet? No worries! We're here to help. Call us or stop by to talk with one of our knowledgeable staff members.