CALMING SUPERFOODS

BEHAVIOUR AND HEALTH PROBLEMS LIKE DIGESTIVE ISSUES, BARKING, REACTIVITY, EVEN PULLING ON THE LEAD CAN ALL BE NEGATIVE EFFECTS CAUSED BY STRESS AND ANXIETY IN YOUR DOG.

When a dog is stressed, their body releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which can have a variety of negative impacts on their health, including behavioural changes, digestive problems and a weakened immune system.

Therefore, it’s important for dog owners to try to minimise the stress their dogs experience to help them maintain optimal health and wellbeing. Unlike us, dogs do not understand a lot of modern stress. They simply have a fight or flight response.

Anna Webb – Nutrition & Behaviour expert has studied at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT). Anna is host of the award-nominated podcast A

DOG’S LIFE, and regular BBC contributor.

Here she shares some of the ‘superfoods’ which can help your dog stay calm, provided it is combined with training and mindful de-sensitisation.

Anna is passionate about teaching people to speak dog. She explained, “it’s our duty of care to understand dogs, and what they are communicating to us through body language. Ensuring that messages do not get lost in translation.”

For example, yawning is a behaviour that indicates that your dog could be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and might be better off being removed from that situation rather than heighten the stress and accidentally rewarding it.

Heavy breathing and panting is one of the main signs a dog is stressed, which over time puts pressure on its breathing. A stressed or anxious dog will see its heart rate increase, this means that more oxygenated blood is pumping through the body, demanding more oxygen from the system.

Thyme, one of the main ingredients in Calming by Pawable, is a superfood herb when it comes to increasing your dog’s respiratory function and helping them cope and feel more relaxed.

Understanding the huge benefits of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, Pawable has taken the interesting approach to eliminate any potential risk of fish oils oxidating and being redundant to any health benefits.

Rather, Pawable has selected minimally processed Schizochytrium Algal Omega-3 Powder, which as a Phytoplankton, is a highly bio-available source of essential fatty acids comprising both Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Gingko Balboa has also been shown to increase blood flow to the brain in dogs, helping dogs to stay calm. Just like thyme, this is a superfood herb when it comes to stress and helps your dog’s body stay healthy too.

It is suggested that the welfare of sheltered dogs may be enhanced through exposure to appropriate forms of olfactory stimulation. Chamomile appears particularly beneficial, resulting in activities suggestive of relaxation.

Studies have shown exposure to ginger and coconut resulted in significantly lower levels of vocalisations and movement compared to the control conditions, while coconut and ginger additionally increased levels of sleeping behaviour.

There are of course, plenty of calming supplements available. My advice is to always read the label and check on the processing and manufacture. Look for some of the wonder ingredients I’ve mentioned when you are choosing what to supplement with.

Also bear in mind that stress is contagious! A study from Belfast University confirmed that dogs smell our raised cortisol levels. In another Italian study, scientists compared bloods from stressed owners and their dogs, finding that these dogs also had raised cortisol levels when compared to dogs with less stressed owners. In my experience, I have seen how stress is contagious, as these studies imply!