How Chamomile Benefits Dogs With Anxiety
Did you know chamomile benefits dogs suffering from anxiety?
Yes, dogs suffer anxiety just like people do. And, chamomile benefits dogs in pretty much the same way it helps people.
Dogs typically show nervousness by panting, drooling, acting hyper, pacing or experiencing flatulence, diarrhea and other gastric upset.
Situations commonly causing anxiety in pets may include new environments, travel, fireworks, thunderstorms, grooming, separation, and introducing a new family pet.
In order to relieve your pet’s stress, consult your veterinarian to find out your best options.
Your vet may recommend a natural solution, such as chamomile for dogs, to help calm your pup.
What Is Chamomile?
People typically use chamomile flowers to brew a mild, caffeine-free tea.
It has been used in herbal medicine for people and animals as a mild sedative and antispasmodic.
One of the chemicals in chamomile, apigenin, acts like aspirin in the body, reducing inflammation. Another chemical, chamazulene, has a similar effect.
Chamomile also helps by dilating smooth muscles, relieving stomach cramps and anxiety.
According to a small double-blind study from 1987, chamomile was proven to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of skin abrasions.
3 Ways Chamomile Benefits Dogs
Now, we’re going to talk about the top three ways chamomile benefits dogs.
1. Chamomile Eases Digestion
Many dogs experience digestive upset during stressful times.
Your pup may lick his lips, pass gas, vomit, or have diarrhea when he is stressed.
Chamomile may be the solution.
Chamomile benefits dogs’ upset stomachs by relaxing the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract.
The flower contains a variety of volatile oils such as apigenenin, chamazulene and matricin, as well as flavonoids.
These compounds have antispasmodic qualities.
They can help expel gas, ease nerve spasms and produce more bile, improving digestion.
They also reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
2. Chamomile Reduces Anxiety
Because of chamomile’s muscle relaxant qualities, it can also decrease blood pressure.
Since chamomile has such a gentle relaxing effect, you can combine it with other herbs such as valerian.
However, always consult your veterinarian before combining herbs and medicines.
Give your pet chamomile in a dog treat prior to stressful situations, and watch them react more calmly.
For example, give your pet chamomile before traveling, going to the groomer, or a loud fireworks display.
3. Chamomile Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
As reported in a study, chamomile has proven anti-inflammatory effects.
These properties make it chamomile beneficial in reducing anxiety, as inflammation and anxiety are closely tied in the body.
The combined effect of chamomile’s anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and antispasmodic properties is a calmer, healthier pet.
Pet parents often administer chamomile topically to alleviate skin inflammation.
However, administer chamomile orally to reduce anxiety.
A low percentage of dogs are allergic to chamomile, but if your pet is allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemum flowers or other Compositae (Asteraceae) flowering plants, avoid this herbal solution.
Because it is difficult to get your pup to drink a strong cup of chamomile tea, a supplement containing chamomile is best.
One with active ingredients such as passionflower, ginger, tryptophan, and melatonin will have the best calming effect for your pet.
Vet Classics Stress Away Chews is a natural, chemical-free solution to help support the nervous system in reducing stress and tension and to promote relaxation.
