herbal calming remedy for dogs

May 25, 2006 1:30 PM

I found a few references to herbal dog calming remedies in the MeFi archives, but I specifically want some testimonials (positive or negative) about products such as Actipet Anxiety-Free tablets. Or similar products containing St. John's Wort, chamomile, valerian, hops and yeast. Bonus points if you've tried them on a basenji.
posted by nancoix to pets & animals (10 comments total)

We used Rescue Remedy on our rottie/catahoula mix. Didn't seem to do anything. I tried it myself and it didn't seem to help me either!
posted by miss tea at 1:58 PM on May 25, 2006

Can't comment on the tablets or other remedies, but we're going to try Comfort Zone, a pheromone that nursing dogs release, sounds promising.
posted by Atom12 at 1:59 PM on May 25, 2006

I gave my chihuahua something like that once, as a trial before a long plane trip. It totally freaked her out.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:26 PM on May 25, 2006 [1 favorite]

Not specifically with a basenji I'm afraid but I've used gelsemium to great effect. St John's Wort is also good, especially since some dogs love the novelty of the pipette.

As with all homeopathic remedies, I'd recommend checking with your vet first unless they're anti-homeopathy in general. Good luck!
posted by ceri richard at 4:08 PM on May 25, 2006

Dammit, I meant Bach Rescue Remedy mentioned by Miss Tea, not St John's Wort, sorry!
posted by ceri richard at 4:10 PM on May 25, 2006

I'm deeply embarrassed about it but I did break down and buy Rescue Remedy, after reading in Steven Lindsay's authoritative series Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training that some herbal scents were associated with calming dogs (he's still quite skeptical, though). In my experience, it did nothing.

I've always twice used a DAP diffuser ("Comfort Zone" appears to be a different brand). I'm not sure it had much of an effect either, but then our dog is generally quite nervous outside but always extremely calm inside, so who knows.
posted by nev at 7:15 PM on May 25, 2006

Always? Twice? Just twice.
posted by nev at 7:15 PM on May 25, 2006

Dog Appeasement Pheromone (DAP) (one brand name is ComfortZone) mimics the pheromone emanated by lactating bitches and is said to calm dogs. Its results are not well-proven, but it's often recommended by vets. It is harmless, easy to find, and does not need a prescription. You can buy it from major pet stores and start using it immediately.

Rather than focus on drugs, I recommend consulting a dog behavior specialist DVM. It is not necessarily cheap, but it is money well spent. S/he will diagnose the problem and prescribe behavioral suggestions and exercises, and prescribe meds if needed and in consultation with you. If all goes well, you will get a comprehensive, sustainable solution to the problem.
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:57 PM on May 25, 2006

I'm not much of a believer in herbal anything, but i do have an insane basenji (mostly basenji, anyway). You don't specifically limit responses to non-mainstream meds, so:

He took Clomicalm briefly when he was in the skeletonizing-the-furniture phase at about age 1-2. I don't know if that helped the separation anxiety or if he just grew out of it. And he did, by the way, grow out of destruction, though now, at age 13, he is still just as anxious/nervous/whiny as ever.

I also give him a single benadryl (with vet's recommendation) before he goes to the vet, which pretty much makes him stoned enough that he doesn't bite (at least right away). He also occasionally gets a benadryl if a bunch of people or a bunch of other dogs are coming over, just to ease the transition.

Goodness -- reading this makes it sound like my dog is in the beginning stages of drug addiction... FWIW, I have taken him to two behaviorists over the years in hopes of getting him to calm down. They basically said I'd probably have to deal with it.

Our other dog (an otherwise very low-key aussie/heeler X) gets terribly upset on long car trips, making her throw up or get other, even less appealing gastric disturbances. We give her benadryl also before lengthy car rides.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 2:59 PM on May 26, 2006

Animals Apawthecary Tranquility Blend comes highly recommended, by Animal Essentials,inc. [phone].

I can also reccomend clomicalm - I wish human anti-anxiety meds worked that well with so few side effects.

But don't forget the the best anti-anxiety therapy of all for dogs!!! - Chewin' on a big ol' bone, or chew, or chew toy etc....Chewin' is their anxiety release.
posted by SalvoSensu at 10:08 AM on July 10, 2006