It can be quite heartbreaking watching your dog deal with anxiety and stress. Your first call should be to your veterinarian, particularly if the anxiety is severe, because food alone is unlikely to solve the issue. That being said, diet can be used alongside training, environmental changes, and medication to help with anxiety.

Here, we have a list of foods and methods that you can use to help your dog with anxiety.

The 10 Ways That Food Can Help Reduce Anxiety in Dogs

Besides being equipped with knowledge of the best foods for calming anxious dogs, you need to devise a way of serving them to your pup.

Dogs with anxiety issues should also be mentally stimulated, which can go a long way toward reducing stress. The following tips should give you a few ideas for using food to help your dog.

1. Antioxidants

Antioxidants have an important role in healthy bodies, as they scavenge free radicals, a source of oxidative stress. The free radicals are produced under stressful physiological conditions, and are also detrimental to brain health. So you can see how antioxidants are important in stressed dogs to counteract the free radicals produced, and minimize their impact on the brain.

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2. Alpha-casozepine

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neutrotransmitter in the brain with calming effects. Alpha-casozepine acts on GABA receptors in the brain and has been proven to be effective in managing anxiety and stress. Alpha-casozepine is available as a supplement, made from cow’s milk.

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3. L-Tryptophan

L-Tryptophan is an amino acid, and is needed for the formation of serotonin. Supplementing tryptophan eases anxiety and stress. There are lots of calming chews on the market that contain tryptophan but certain foods also naturally contain high levels of tryptophan, including:

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4. L-Theanine

Theanine is another amino acid, and another common ingredient found in calming chews. It boosts dopamine and serotonin in the brain, and has been proven to help anxious dogs with storm phobias and fear of strangers. The main source of L-theanine is green tea however, green tea contains caffeine which is bad for dogs. So for L-theanine, it’s best to stick to supplements and chews made for dogs.

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5. Probiotics

A relatively new area of research is the role of the gut microbiome in the regulation of stress and emotions. The gut-brain-axis refers to the two way communication between the brain and gastrointestinal system, and explains how stress can result in signs like inflammatory bowel disease, and a good microbiome has positive effects on mood. Scientists are still looking into the links, but focusing on gut health could lessen anxiety. If your anxious dog has frequent digestive upsets, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian to rule out things like parasites and food allergies. However, they may recommend adding some good bacteria into your dog’s gut with a probiotic.

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6. Prebiotics

Prebiotics are food sources that promote the growth of good gut microbes. Certain kinds of fiber are prebiotic, and can improve gut health, and possibly mood. You can add prebiotics to the diet in the  from of commercial supplements, or add prebiotic foods to the diet, including:

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7. Use Food Puzzles

Simply setting your dog’s food bowl down several times a day can get boring after a while. Consider using a food puzzle several times a week to mix things up. You can still use your dog’s regular kibble, but making them work for it can provide mental stimulation to enrich their lives and reduce stress. They get positive reinforcement for earning the food rewards.

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8. Change Up Mealtime in Multi-pet Homes

If your dog is experiencing anxiety around mealtimes and you have multiple pets all eating at the same time, you might want to separate them. You can try feeding them at different times, in separate rooms, or on opposite sides of the room, particularly if there are any resource-guarding issues.

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9. Use Snuffle and Lick Mats

Sprinkle a few pieces of kibble or dog treats in a snuffle mat, which will take them time to sniff out. There are also lick mats, which are made with silicone and have lumps and bumps that you can spread wet dog food or peanut butter on. Both options will keep dogs busy, and they’ll enjoy the time spent locating and eating their treats.

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10. Create Your Own Food Puzzles

This is a dog-treat version of the “shell game.” You can use three paper or plastic cups or even emptied and cleaned yogurt containers. Punch a hole in each of the three cups, and put a treat under one of them (you can let your dog see you do this). Your dog just needs to knock over the cup to retrieve the treat. After you’ve put the treat under one cup, you can test your dog by switching the cups around. Some dogs will likely knock them all down in their enthusiasm, though!

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs are expressive animals, and their body language shares a great deal about how they are feeling. However, for humans, the signs of anxiety can be subtle and misread. This is why getting to know dog body language is essential, so you can learn the nuances. Many of those videos that show “guilty” dogs having done something wrong are actually dogs that are stressed and fearful.

Conclusion

Using food to help your dog with anxiety can be beneficial. That said, you should figure out what is causing the anxiety in the first place. Take your dog to the vet to rule out any underlying health conditions and get medication or supplements if needed.

Stress can negatively impact your dog’s health, so it’s crucial to manage it properly. With persistence, help from professionals, and plenty of love, you will likely find your dog becoming more well-adjusted and happier.

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Featured Image Credit: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock