Even the bravest of fur noses can sometimes be frightened. Then she needs a sedative, for example Valerian for the dog.
Valerian is a medicinal plant that is mainly used to treat nervous anxiety.
In the following guide you will find out what you need to know about valerian for dogs in terms of use, dosage, side effects etc.
Valerian for dogs: what is it and what is it used for?
Valerian for dogs is given to dogs for stress and nervous anxiety. Valerian can also be the right remedy for a fear of noise.
The plant has a calming effect, which mainly develops in the central nervous system.
The active ingredients that ensure this are valtrate and valerenic acid.
Good to know
If you are looking for valerian in English-speaking countries, you will find it under the name Valerian.
While valerenic acid has a calming and relaxing effect on nerve cells, valtrate stimulates the GABA receptors.
These receptors are neurotransmitters that ensure that the activity of the nerve cells is reduced.
Proper use and dosage of valerian in dogs
The proper valerian dosage to calm a stressed dog is between 1 and 2 mg of valerian root per dog’s body weight.
It is important that you start with the lowest dose first so that your dog can get used to the valerian.
The smell and taste of the medicinal plant also play a role here. Since both factors are quite intrusive, it may be that the dog initially spurns the valerian.
Please also note that the daily dose of valerian is a maximum of 5 mg, an overdose should be avoided in any case.
If you decide to use drops, the dosage not only depends on the body weight of your four-legged friend, but also on the concentration of the drops.
Here we recommend a quantity of 2 to 8 drops for the fur nose. You can give it directly into his mouth or mix it with his food.
It is also possible to put the valerian drops in warm water and let the dog inhale it.
But that requires a lot of patience and finesse.
Also, since it may involve the use of that hated carrier, it may not be the best option if your dog is already stressed out.
IMPORTANT
Before you give your dog valerian, you should discuss this with the veterinarian to avoid possible side effects and not to harm your dog.
You can get valerian not only as ground roots or drops, but also in the following forms:
- Dog treats with valerian
- valerian tablets
- valerian powder
How long does it take for valerian to work in dogs?
Although the effect of valerian in dogs does not set in overnight, the first improvements usually show up very quickly.
After just a few days, you should be able to see that your dog has become much calmer and more relaxed.
If your dog is particularly sensitive to the active ingredients, a calming effect can also set in after a good 30 minutes.
The duration of use of valerian in dogs depends on the cause of the stress. In the event of sudden stress, the application can be stopped after 1 to 2 days.
As a rule, valerian is given to a dog over a period of 14 days.
What side effects can valerian cause in dogs?
Medicinal plants can also cause side effects – and in the case of valerian, these are usually increased tiredness and the associated coordination disorders.
Gastrointestinal problems can also occur in the first few days of treatment with valerian, but they usually go away on their own after a short time.
Be careful with an overdose. While not life-threatening, it can cause side effects that increase the dog’s stress level.
Instead of calming nerves, increased nervousness then occurs. And the gastrointestinal tract will also rebel against such an overdose.
When should I not use valerian on dogs?
You should not use valerian in pregnant bitches, as the medicinal herb can harm the unborn puppies.
If your dog is already on other medications, you should discuss an additional dose with the vet in advance.
Furthermore, valerian is not the right sedative for your dog if it is hypersensitive to the medicinal plant.
Although you can use valerian in the following case, you should still be careful – namely if cats live with you.
These are almost magically attracted to valerian. Males who are ready to mate, in particular, cannot resist the scent of valerian.
Where can you buy valerian for dogs?
As a homeopathic remedy for dogs, valerian does not require a prescription and is therefore available without a prescription.
You can get valerian in various forms in pharmacies, health food stores, online shops and pet shops, provided they carry valerian.
What alternatives are there to valerian for dogs?
There are a few natural alternatives to valerian for dogs, including passionflower and CBD/cannabidiol, among others.
A calm and stress-free atmosphere can also help your dog to reduce his stress and nervousness.
There are also several medications that can be given to dogs with anxiety and noise phobia.
These include Pexion for dogs and Sileo for dogs. Your veterinarian, who has the appropriate experience and training, will tell you the correct dosage and whether you should use these medicines at all.
Phenobarbital, a very strong sedative used to treat epilepsy, may also be a possible alternative.
Does your dog get valerian? If so, why and what was his/her experience with it? We look forward to reading his story in our comments soon.