Generally speaking, it’s easy to spot signs of physical illness in dogs, but it’s equally as important to be aware of your pup’s mental health since it’s part of animal wellness. Underneath those floppy ears and wet noses, dogs experience a wide range of emotions just like humans, and they rely on their pet parents to create a safe, stress-free environment.
Sometimes, anxiety in dogs can’t be avoided, whether due to a traumatic background, nervous disposition, or late-onset dementia. However, you can help manage their symptoms with medicinal plants such as ashwagandha as part of your at-home pet care routine.
Ashwagandha for dogs, in particular, is a powerful herb for managing stress, as well as strengthening the immune system, relieving pain, and more.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a traditional evergreen shrub that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Also referred to as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, ashwagandha is native to parts of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.1 Its holistic properties have long been used to treat a variety of human health conditions, and research now shows that it can be beneficial for both you and your pup’s overall health.
Ashwagandha is a safe, non-toxic remedy for dogs with lots of tail-wagging benefits.
Healing Properties of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha’s secret weapon is found in its bioactive compounds and homeostatic properties. When used properly, ashwagandha root, stem, and leaf extract may help to relieve stress, anxiety, insomnia, hormone imbalance, inflammation, and more.
Ashwagandha’s two most important compounds to note are:
- Withanolides – A common ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine, withanolides are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants.2
- Adaptogens – Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that naturally helps balance our internal systems, promoting both physical and emotional well-being. Adaptogenic plants are especially effective at managing stress and anxiety.2
Put simply, ashwagandha is known to positively impact the nervous, immune system, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Read on to discover how ashwagandha can boost your dog’s quality of life and how to properly incorporate it into their regimen.
Should My Dog Use Ashwagandha?
Studies have shown that 14% of dogs in the US experience separation anxiety, and 10% display signs of a specific fear or anxiety.2 There are many reasons for anxiety in dogs—perhaps they grew up a stray and are now distrustful of humans, hate being left alone in an empty house, or have been scared of loud noises since they were a puppy.
Not sure if your dog is showing signs of anxiety? Here are some common things to look out for:
- Physical indicators – Tucked tail, ears back, tense mouth, dilated pupils
- Nervous behaviors – Salivation, sweating, licking, barking, whining, rapid heart rate, shaking/trembling, excessive panting, yawning, loose stool or diarrhea
- Changes in activity – Pacing, circling, restless energy, disobeying commands, escape attempts, hiding
- Separation issues – Following people, whining when their owner is out of sight, cannot stay calm when left alone
- Changes in appetite – Refusing meals, resource guarding
- Aggression – Barking, growling, irritability, destructiveness
Persistent exposure to anxiety-inducing or stressful situations can cause permanent damage to your four-legged friend. To that end, prioritizing your dog’s mental health is a crucial part of maintaining their overall well-being and happiness.
If you notice that your dog needs a bit of a cognitive function boost, ashwagandha may be able to help minimize stress responses and support dogs with chronic anxiety disorders.
Benefits of Ashwagandha for Dogs
Ashwagandha is a powerful plant that can help your dog in a number of ways. Even if your pup is not dealing with an active disorder, ashwagandha can be used to promote overall dog health and well-being, strength, and resiliency, in turn reducing the risk of illness or injury down the line.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Whether due to an unstable upbringing or a genetic tendency, there are many reasons why your furry friend could struggle with stress and anxiety. Fortunately, ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties can help calm the nervous system and make your dog more comfortable with stressful situations.
For anxiety-prone dogs, even small environmental changes can release stress hormones and make them extremely nervous. Potential stressors that are part of everyday life may include:
- Vet visits
- Car rides and other travel
- Loud noises (thunderstorms, fireworks, etc)
- New pets
- Household guests
- Separation and/or being home alone
- Illness
- Unfamiliar situations
Similarly, ashwagandha supplements can also help calm down dogs who easily become overexcited or hyperactive.
Improved Joint Health
Ashwagandha is an excellent anti-inflammatory remedy for dogs suffering from joint pain, arthritis, ligament injury, and more. The withanolides in the herb can help reduce inflammation to promote overall pet care and comfort. At the same time, ashwagandha can help strengthen tissue and support long-term dog joint health, strength, and stamina. This means you can enjoy many more games of fetch with your furry friend.
Pain Management
As they get older, dogs tend to develop general aches, pains, and stiffness, even if they’re not diagnosed with a specific condition. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce pain severity and interference based on a Canine Brief Pain Inventory scale.2
Stronger Immune System
As an adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha is a powerhouse when it comes to immune function-boosting properties. In particular, ashwagandha can stimulate disease-fighting cells, minimize fatigue, and help keep your pup as healthy as can be. This means with proper immune support, that they’ll be better equipped to recover from bacterial infections, digestive issues, bowel problems, and more.
Hormone Regulation
Ashwagandha is often used by humans to address hormone-related infertility, and dogs with hormone imbalances can also benefit from this regulating property. This includes imbalances with the stress hormone cortisol (lower cortisol levels = lower stress), as well as sex and growth hormones.
The takeaway? Ashwagandha is a holistic solution. It can support both the mind and body of your dog, combining stress relief with physical health benefits. Ultimately, it’s a win-win—even when cortisol weakens the immune system, ashwagandha can reduce stress, bolster immunity, and help to regulate hormones.
How to Administer Ashwagandha for Dogs
You should never give your dog ashwagandha in its natural form, as it must be extracted from a plant to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Fortunately, there are many ways to seamlessly incorporate the herb into your dog’s daily regimen.
- Chewable supplements – As with any medication or vitamin, ashwagandha supplements can be added to your dog’s daily diet. We recommend the nutritional all-in-one supplements from Vetericyn.
- Treats – Ashwagandha treats are a fun way to practice tricks or reward good behavior, all while promoting the active benefits of ashwagandha.
- Powder – Ashwagandha powder can be a tasty meal topper when sprinkled on kibble. It can also be added to spreadable goodies like peanut butter or yogurt, or mixed into the batter of your homemade dog treats.
- Drops – You can administer drops to your dog by mouth, or put dog-safe essential oils featuring ashwagandha into a diffuser.
No matter which administration method you choose, make sure to always buy pet-friendly ashwagandha. Herbal supplements for humans usually contain higher concentrations that are unsafe for dogs.
How Much Ashwagandha Should I Give My Dog?
It’s important to follow the recommended serving size on your ashwagandha product based on your dog’s age and weight. Whether you’re giving your dog solid or liquid supplements, the dosages and concentrations will vary. You should also gradually introduce ashwagandha into your pet’s diet, just as you would when switching their dog food.
When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian for a professional recommendation.
Is Ashwagandha Good for All Dogs?
Every dog is different, and new food or medicine has the potential to cause adverse reactions. The most common side effect of ashwagandha for dogs is stomach upset, including vomiting or diarrhea. If your dog has a sensitive tummy, keep a close eye on them to make sure they can handle the supplement.
You should also be cautious if your dog is already taking medications or supplements, as it is possible that combining them with ashwagandha can actually make your dog feel worse. Ashwagandha also carries a risk of miscarriage in pregnant dogs.
Before adding this herb to your dog’s diet, ask yourself: Is my dog…
- Taking other medications?
- Pregnant?
- Chronically ill?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, consult with your veterinarian to discuss if ashwagandha is the right choice for your pup.
Promote Stress Relief and Lifelong Health with ALL-IN
With so many supplements and treats on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. Enter Vetericyn’s ALL-IN dog supplements which offer an enhanced blend of vitamins, minerals, omegas, pre- and probiotics, and antioxidants. Designed with pet parents in mind, ALL-IN promotes physical health, mental health, healthy digestion, and lots of happy zoomies.
We also use age-specific ingredients in a custom formula depending on your dog’s weight and stage of life. From our 5-mushroom blend to human-grade nutritional enzymes, our recipes are packed with balanced nutrition for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. Plus, all ingredients are natural, without any GMOs, artificial fillers, or coloring. This holistic supplement can be given as a daily treat, put in a pill pocket, hidden in a treat dispenser toy, or crumbled over your dog’s food.
ALL-IN supports all facets of your dog’s health, including:
- Bone and joint
- Muscle
- Skin and coat
- Digestive
- Heart
- Immune
- Mental
Check out our store locator to find ALL-IN at a local pet shop near you or place an online order today to start nurturing your dog’s health in the long run.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ashwagandha. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ashwagandha
- Science Direct. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Efficacy and safety of standardized Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on reducing stress and anxiety in domestic dogs: A randomized controlled trial. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787822000326
