Anxiety in dogs is as much difficult and complex as it’s in humans. In so many cases, anxious dogs go undiagnosed by their owners due to a lack of knowledge. For its complexity, the cause of anxiety is a little tough to identify, therefore, it is better to focus more on preventive measures than its cure later.

Anxiety medication consists of sedatives and tranquilizers, so generally, it will try to weed out the anxiety without recognizing the root of it. But the negative side of anxiety medication is its side effects. That said, you should consider anxiety medication as a last resort when anxiety dog food can be a savior for your canine buddy. Keep reading to know more about anxiety dog food and how it may affect your doggie.

Anxiety Dog Food

Your vet may prescribe anxiety dog food if you consult him for your buddy’s anxiety. Basically, this kind of food contains the chemical component that generally aids in curbing anxiety. Most importantly, the chemicals are not sedatives and not directly address the anxiety symptoms.

Is it different than your canine buddy’s favorite canned food? Not necessarily, because that depends on the ingredients and the total amount of the calming substance. So you might need to check labels for that to compare.

The food contains L-Tryptophan and dried hydrolyzed casein, the most important natural substances responsible for keeping dogs calm. L-Tryptophan produces serotonin which induces the feelings of happiness and euphoria in canines. Whereas dried hydrolyzed casein is a protein that is found in their mother’s milk, it helps in keeping litters calm after nursing.

In a nutshell, an anxiety dog food is a prescription diet containing anti-anxiety and calming substances or ingredients rich in L-Tryptophan, Hydrolyzed Casein, and serotonin. 

Are There Any Alternatives to Anxiety Dog Food?

Yes, there are alternatives but the intensity of anxiety is a determining factor when it comes to choosing from the alternatives. Some natural food also contains L-Tryptophan, serotonin, and hydrolyzed casein and regularly eating those in adequate amounts can help to ease stress, fear, and anxiety problems eventually. 

The thing is you can’t rely on natural food sources for immediate results. It takes time, natural food source has a limited amount of calming substances. Clara from PetLovesBest says, “If your dog is already suffering from anxiety then you should go with the prescription diet. There are some products available on the market, read some experts’ reviews or just ask your vet what product to choose.”

List of Food Containing the Calming Substances

Here are some hydrolyzed casein and L-Tryptophan rich food you can feed your four-legged friend.

  • Pumpkin Seeds (Uncooked)
  • Lamb, Beef, and Pork (Roasted Beef and Lamb Shoulder)
  • Turkey and Chicken (Breast Meat)
  • Tuna (cooked)
  • Salmon (Cooked)
  • Shellfish (Crab, cooked)
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Cheese
  • Pineapples
  • Tofu
  • Oats (Uncooked)
  • Eggs (Whole Cooked)

Final Thoughts

Anxiety dog food is a real thing. Your dog’s daily intake of L-Tryptophan and dried hydrolyzed casein, and serotonin keep him calm and happy naturally. However, if you always feed your buddy a homemade cooked or raw food, then you should consult your vet for what supplements you will have to add. But switching to a prescription diet for anxiety is a safer option. And never forget, sedatives and antidepressants are not equivalent to the calming substances we have discussed in this article and sedatives should be considered when nothing seems to work.