From zany to Zen: the transformative effects of ashwagandha on anxious dogs
We humans don’t hold the monopoly on stress and anxiety. The world can be a scary place for our favorite fur friends too. From loud noises and strange dogs, to environmental changes and separation anxiety, stress can play an important role in your canine’s well-being. If your dog suffers from anxiety, you know the havoc it can wreak – on their health and happiness, and the state of your home.
Fortunately, there is increasing evidence that ashwagandha, particularly pure root extract KSM-66 Ashwagandha, offers a safe, effective, and natural solution to anxiety in dogs.
Understanding adaptogens
At the heart of ashwagandha’s stress-relieving prowess lies its adaptogenic nature. Adaptogens are substances that adapt their therapeutic properties based on the body’s specific needs. In the case of managing anxiety in dogs, ashwagandha’s calming properties kick in, allowing it to help their sweet, furry bodies adapt to and cope better with stressors, whether they’re physical, emotional, or environmental. They do this by:
1. Balancing stress hormones
Like their humans, when dogs face stress, their bodies release stress hormones like cortisol. Ashwagandha regulates this secretion of cortisol, preventing excessive production that can lead to chronic stress. By maintaining this balance in stress hormones, ashwagandha helps create a calming effect in anxious canines.
2. Reducing anxiety levels
Additionally, the root extract of ashwagandha has demonstrated tranquilizing properties – meaning it has the potential to reduce anxiety levels. This natural remedy may help your pooch feel more at ease in situations that typically trigger their stress. This, in turn, means a reduction in any of the behaviors typically associated with anxiety in dogs, such as destructive tendencies, excessive barking, frantic pacing, and indoor accidents.
3. Enhancing neurotransmitter function
Ashwagandha’s impact on the body’s ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters – like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – also contribute to its anxiety-relieving effects. By modulating these, ashwagandha is able to promote a sense of calm and relaxation in dogs.
4. Improving sleep quality
Everybody knows that poor sleep only works to exacerbate anxious tendencies. This is as true for dogs as it is people. Ashwagandha’s ability to promote relaxation also works wonders in this regard and has been shown to lead to improved sleep quality for anxious dogs. After all, a well-rested dog is a dog who’s better equipped to handle stress and maintain overall health.
5. Holistic wellness approach
Unlike many conventional prescribed medications for anxious dogs – which primarily work on the premise of sedative effects – ashwagandha offers a holistic approach to stress management. It not only addresses the root causes of stress and anxiety, and promotes overall well-being, it does so in a gentle and natural manner. All of which makes it a compelling option for helping our poor petrified pups deal with the big, bad world. This is especially true when you choose KSM-66 Ashwagandha. Carefully grown and harvested, and meticulously traced from seed to supplement, KSM-66 Ashwagandha is produced with your dog’s optimal safety, health and happiness in mind.
As we continue to explore the potential of herbal remedies to help and heal, KSM-66 Ashwagandha stands out as something of a miracle treatment for anxiety in dogs.
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.