What can I give my dog to calm him down?

Before you administer anything to your dog, you must identify why your dog is restless. In veterinary medicine, we encounter nonspecific concerns we term "ill thrift"—essentially, you've noticed your pet "ain't doin' right."

Here's what you need to understand: restlessness or your dog's anxiety can actually signal underlying medical conditions rather than simple behavioral issues. That older dog who is restless at night might not be experiencing anxiety at all—they could be suffering from osteoarthritis pain or nervous system hypersensitivity.

Medical conditions affecting virtually any organ system can influence your dog's behavior. Dogs with overactive thyroid glands (hyperthyroidism) or adrenal issues (hyperadrenocorticism) may appear constantly agitated. Even gastrointestinal problems—hidden foreign bodies or chronic inflammation—can manifest as "fly-biting" or excessive surface licking, which you might mistake for behavioral quirks.

This is why the first step in treating anxiety is bringing your dog in for a thorough veterinary examination to rule out these physical triggers.

L-tryptophan is a common, effective option I frequently recommend. This amino acid serves as a serotonin precursor—the brain's "happiness chemical." Because tryptophan competes with other amino acids for brain entry, research suggests you can feed your dog a low-protein, carbohydrate-rich snack (like plain pasta) after meals to stimulate insulin, which clears the pathway for tryptophan to boost serotonin levels and affect mood positively.

Alpha-casozepine (found in supplements like Zylkene) is another fascinating tool in our arsenal. This milk-derived protein mimics the calming effect nursing has on newborns. Research demonstrates its safety and effectiveness in helping many dogs cope with various stressors without the drowsy side effects you'd see with stronger anxiety medications.

For senior dogs experiencing cognitive decline, Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) provide alternative brain energy, improving your dog's mental clarity and reducing related anxiety issues.

You've probably asked about dog benadryl for anxiety relief—it's one of the most common questions I hear from pet parents. While Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over the counter medication sometimes used for allergy symptoms and mild sedative effects, it's not specifically designed for anxiety disorders.

The right dose depends on your dog's size and medical history, and here's what concerns me: some dogs may experience paradoxical reactions—becoming more agitated rather than calm. Never administer human medications without veterinary approval, as even common over-the-counter drugs can be toxic to your dog, and proper dosing isn't simply calculated from body weight.

Sometimes, the best anxiety relief for your dog comes from environmental changes you can make at home. Dogs communicate extensively through scent, which allows us to leverage Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAP). These are synthetic versions of the chemical signals mother dogs release to comfort their nursing puppies, creating biological signals that tell your dog they're in a safe, harmonious environment.

Creating a safe space is equally crucial for your dog. This isn't a punishment area but a dedicated den where your dog can retreat from stressors.

Let me be clear: a safe space should never resemble a time-out crate; it's a sanctuary you equip with soft bedding, low lighting, and auditory enrichment. Research shows that classical music reduces barking and promotes rest in many dogs, while heavy metal music actually increases agitation and physiological stress. This safe haven helps reduce anxiety in your dog during stressful situations like loud noises or when other dogs visit.

This question requires a direct answer from me: you should never give your dog human medications without my explicit guidance—or that of your own veterinarian.

What seems like a straightforward over the counter medication for you can be dangerous for your dog. Many common human medications are toxic to dogs, and dosing is complex, involving factors beyond simple weight calculations. Even seemingly safe options require professional oversight to ensure they don't interact with your dog's existing health conditions or other medications.

• Trazodone: commonly prescribed for situational anxiety, helping reduce the emotional spikes your dog experiences when triggered by stressful events. This dog anxiety medication has proven effective for travel, veterinary visits, and other anxiety inducing events without causing severe sedation in your dog.
  

• Gabapentin: originally an anti-seizure medication, is now widely used in veterinary medicine to reduce fear in your dog during transportation and examinations, particularly when pain contributes to your dog's anxiety. It's especially valuable for dogs experiencing both physical discomfort and anxiety in dogs.
  

• Benzodiazepines (like Alprazolam or Diazepam): potent, fast-acting anxiolytics I reserve for acute panic situations in your dog. These anxiety medications work rapidly but carry risks of dependency with long term treatment, making them unsuitable for managing your dog's chronic anxiety.
  

The anxiety relief approaches I recommend don't differ significantly between male and female dogs. However, if you have a male dog with certain circumstances—like intact males experiencing territorial stress around other pets or during mating seasons—your dog may benefit from neutering as part of their treatment plan.

The same anxiety medications, natural remedies, and behavior modification techniques apply regardless of sex. Your veterinarian will develop a treatment plan based on your individual dog's needs, considering your dog's behavior, health conditions, and specific anxiety triggers rather than gender.

Several natural remedies provide calming effects for your dog without requiring prescription medications:

• Chamomile: has mild sedative properties and you can give it to your dog as tea (cooled) or in supplement form.
  

• L-theanine: an amino acid found in green tea, promotes relaxation without drowsiness in your dog.
  

• CBD products: have gained popularity among pet parents, though veterinary research is still emerging regarding efficacy and safety for your dog.
  

• Lavender aromatherapy: may help some dogs relax, though individual responses vary considerably.
  

• Adaptogenic herbs like ashwandha/Ashwagandha: can help your dog's body manage stress responses more effectively.
  

Physical exercise remains one of the most effective natural sedatives for your dog—a tired dog is typically a calmer dog. However, for dogs with noise aversion or situational anxiety, exercise alone rarely resolves the issue in your dog. Combining physical activity with other interventions yields better results for most anxious dogs.

The most lasting gift you can give my dog—and yours—is teaching relaxation skills through positive reinforcement training. One effective technique I recommend involves teaching your dog a "Settle" command on a specific mat. By rewarding your dog for lying down and maintaining relaxed muscles on this mat in quiet environments, you're essentially pre-training a relaxation response in your dog.

Eventually, when the world becomes overwhelming, presenting that mat cues your dog's brain to settle, helping them self-regulate their emotions.

Working with a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist provides structured behavior modification programs for your dog. These professionals help you identify signs of anxiety early in your dog—like lip licking, yawning, or whale eye (showing whites of eyes)—so you can intervene before your dog reaches panic levels. Behavioral training combined with anxiety medications often produces better outcomes for your dog than either approach alone.

This represents one of the most challenging anxiety issues I treat in dogs. Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit destructive behaviors, excessive vocalization, or inappropriate elimination when you leave them alone. Treatment typically requires behavior modification combined with maintenance anxiety medications, gradually teaching your dog that your departures are temporary and non-threatening.

Veterinary clinics present multiple stressors for your dog: unfamiliar environments, other dogs, restraint, and sometimes painful procedures. Pre-visit anxiety medications can significantly improve the experience for your dog. Many veterinary practices now offer "happy visits"—brief appointments where your dog receives treats and gentle handling without medical procedures—to build positive associations.

Successful anxiety management for your dog requires ongoing assessment from you. Keep a journal documenting your dog's behavior, noting improvements or setbacks you observe. Pay attention to how your dog responds to different interventions—what works for one dog may not work for another, even with the same anxiety disorder.

Watch for side effects from any anxiety medication you're giving your dog. Common concerns include excessive sedation, changes in appetite, or altered coordination in your dog. Report these to your veterinarian promptly, as dosage adjustments or medication changes may be necessary for your dog. Some commonly prescribed medications require gradual dose escalation or weaning rather than abrupt changes for your dog.

Regular follow-up appointments allow your veterinarian to assess your dog's progress objectively. They may recommend adjusting the treatment plan based on your dog's response, potentially reducing medication dosages as behavioral interventions become more effective for your dog or addressing newly identified triggers.

While this guide focuses on helping dogs already experiencing anxiety, prevention deserves mention if you're considering a puppy. Early socialization—exposing your puppy to various people, animals, environments, and experiences during critical developmental periods—builds confidence and resilience. Puppies learning that new situations typically result in positive outcomes are less likely to develop anxiety disorders later in their lives.

Teaching emotional regulation from young ages helps your dog develop coping skills. Practice brief separations with your puppy, exposure to various sounds at low volumes, and gentle handling that mimics veterinary examinations. These preventive measures create dogs better equipped to handle life's inevitable stresses.

Calming your anxious dog requires comprehensive approaches rather than single solutions. Consider these actionable steps you can take:

1. Veterinary consultation: rule out medical conditions contributing to your dog's anxiety while discussing appropriate anxiety relief options for your dog's specific situation. Consult with pet health experts.
   

2. Environmental optimization: establish a safe space with appropriate auditory enrichment for your dog, use pheromone diffusers, and minimize unnecessary exposure to known triggers.
   

3. Natural remedies trial: discuss high-quality calming supplements
   

4. Appropriate medication: work with your veterinarian to determine whether situational or maintenance anxiety medications would benefit your dog, following prescribed protocols carefully.
   

5. Behavior modification: implement consistent training that rewards calm behavior in your dog, and consider professional help from a dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist for severe cases.
   

6. Body language awareness: learn to recognize early signs of anxiety in your dog—displacement behaviors like yawning or lip licking—allowing you to intervene before panic develops.
   

Think of calming your dog like constructing a house: your dog's medical health provides the foundation, environmental modifications form the walls, and medications or supplements serve as the roof protecting your dog against storms. Addressing all three elements helps your dog live not just a longer life, but a genuinely peaceful one. Many pet owners find that combining approaches yields better results than any single intervention, creating comprehensive support systems that help their dogs navigate the world with greater confidence and reduced anxiety.