Is it possible to give a dog valerian to calm it down: how do tablets or drops affect them? What happens if you give water to a puppy and the differences from the dosage for cats

Sometimes dog owners want to somehow calm their animal down before traveling, going on a visit, visiting a veterinary clinic, or before participating in any competitions. Every first aid kit contains a set of standard products that are often used. Including valerian officinalis.

But can it be given to a four-legged friend? How to do this correctly? Veterinarians have differing opinions on these issues. Many doctors admit the possibility of using valerian as a sedative for dogs. But there are certain rules.

Do they give it to calm you down?

Valerian is a herbal remedy. This is the simplest, relatively safe and accessible drug to everyone, which can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. Reasoning logically, one can assume a positive answer, but it is better to thoroughly study all the possible consequences and the essence of the action of this medicine.

In which cases?

Long trips.
Going to the veterinary clinic for any exciting and unpleasant procedures.
Before flying on an airplane.
Before going to places where there are very large crowds of people.
Before guests arrive.

There are many cases when it is necessary to calm an animal. But still, valerian officinalis is a drug intended for humans. And therefore, it can be given to animals only when there is really a need for it.

A well-mannered and socially adapted dog, in most situations, is able to cope with stress on its own.

For stroke

Dogs, like people, are not immune to stroke.
This disease consists of impaired blood circulation in the brain. The maximum that is allowed to be used from medications in such cases is a few drops of valerian or motherwort. Important! If you notice symptoms of a stroke in your dog, you should immediately take the animal to a veterinarian.

Solving the main problem: stress in dogs

Stress—feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or apprehension—is at the root of most behavioral problems in dogs. Anxiety is completely normal at times, but becomes a problem when it is severe or frequent enough to negatively impact the quality of life of the pet or its owner. If your dog is stressed, you may notice a combination of the following symptoms:

Tight muscles
Shiver
Urination, defecation in the wrong place
The dog crouches close to the ground or tries to hide in a “safe” place
Eyes wide open
Flatten ears
Destruction of toys, shoes and other items
Sudden aggression
Decreased appetite

The cause of stress can be moving, a change of environment, loud noises, a long absence of the owner of the house, the appearance of a new animal or person in the house.

What will happen?

It is very important to observe the dosage of this sedative. It is also worth considering that valerian does not have an immediate effect and the first results can be noticed only a couple of months after intensive therapy. The yellow coating of the tablets may cause skin problems such as itching and dermatitis.

Important! Valerian tincture can have a stimulating effect on aggressive dogs. Especially if they have any mental abnormalities or physiological disorders in the body.

Does it work the same as on cats?

Cats and dogs react differently to valerian. If a cat can experience euphoria and behave not quite adequately, then with dogs there will be no such effect. To date, there is no drug that would have the same intoxicating effect on dogs as valerian on cats.

Reviews from veterinarians

Irina Ivanovna, veterinarian. I have a very positive attitude towards valerian and often prescribe it to dogs for nervousness. It is best to give the drug in tablet form for 1-2 months. The dog becomes calmer and stops getting nervous for no reason. Many owners noted a significant improvement in their pet’s condition after just two weeks of use. It is better not to give valerian to your dog in the form of drops. The alcohol contained there does not have the best effect on the animal.

Veterinarians note that valerian is quite safe for dogs, but this only applies to tablets.

Oleg Andreevich, veterinarian. From my many years of practice, I have concluded that using valerian for dogs is not very effective, especially if the dog is large. Smaller or medium-sized breeds respond well to the drug. It has no side effects or contraindications (except for alcohol tincture). If the required dosage is observed and taken for a long time, valerian is very effective. After all, each dog’s body is individual: for some, ordinary valerian can help, while for others, stronger specialized medications are needed. Only a veterinarian can draw conclusions about the need to use valerian after a complete examination of the animal.

Antonina, veterinarian. According to owners' reviews, valerian tablets cause drowsiness and lethargy in some dogs (especially small breeds). The drug in drops, on the contrary, promotes aggression and agitation. In my opinion, valerian is one of the safest and most effective sedatives that does not cause addiction or negative reactions in dogs. But giving valerian to large, massive dogs does not make sense. It simply won't work on them.

In tablets or drops?

Liquid tincture is more effective. It helps well with diarrhea and various spasms that are the result of fear. Sometimes veterinarians prescribe medicinal valerian in tablet form. In this case, the time for taking this drug increases to two to three months.

Important! It is unacceptable to use sedatives in combination with antidepressants and sedatives.

Dosage and frequency of use

The dosage for large breed dogs is three tablets at a time. Medium-sized dogs receive two tablets. For small breeds, as a rule, one piece is enough. Therapy should be repeated at least twice a year.

If you plan to take a tincture, then the dosage will be 5-15 drops at a time three times a day. It is better if the veterinarian himself calculates the correct dose of the drug, focusing on the age, weight and health condition of the pet.

How to drink?

The drug contains herbal components, but, nevertheless, valerian should be given to an animal with extreme caution. The tincture has a high alcohol content.

Having correctly calculated the dosage, you should draw the contents into a syringe without a needle and quickly pour it into the dog’s mouth, placing the syringe as far as possible to the root of the tongue. It is better to crush the tablets into powder and mix them into your dog’s favorite treat. As a rule, they do not have an unpleasant taste, unlike tinctures.

List of natural sedatives

For dogs, all those plants that are traditionally used for humans are used, although the sedative effect of such substances in some animals may manifest itself individually or be absent. It can be:

rhizomes with valerian roots;
lemon balm herb;
motherwort grass;
evasive peony grass;
passionflower incarnate (passion flower);
common hop cones;
Baikal skullcap herb.

Each of these plants has a unique effect, while some herbs are not only sedative, but also produce an antispasmodic and anxiolytic (reducing the feeling of fear) effect. Some owners are wondering whether it is possible to give their pets medications (motherwort tincture, peony extract, etc.).

Remember

: Correct dosage can only be guaranteed if veterinary sedatives are used. In addition, medications created for animals do not contain alcohol or sugar.

Drugs that contain several components that enhance each other’s effects have an advantage. For example, Fitex drops contain extracts:

valerian officinalis (increases secretion of the digestive tract, calms, reduces anxiety and tension);
motherwort (produces a sedative effect, reduces blood pressure, relieves spasms, has an anticonvulsant effect);
common hops (sedative, mild analgesic, antiulcer effect);
Scutellaria baicalensis (sedative effect on the central nervous system).

Contraindications

Dogs are just as susceptible to various fears and phobias as people. They are often afraid of other animals, heights, people, cars or sudden noises. Various mental disorders, psychoses, increased excitability, and behavioral disorders are contraindications to taking valerian.

In the natural environment, psychosis and other abnormalities in dogs are rare. Mental problems are associated with the dog’s living conditions.

Attention! You should not treat your dog yourself. This can cause many side effects.

Classification of drugs

Any sedatives are prescribed only by a doctor after consultation, examination and testing (if necessary). Depending on the cause of the nervous disorder, the doctor selects medications and a treatment regimen. The consequences of self-medication can affect your pet's physical health and aggravate existing problems with the nervous system.

Benzodiazepines

A group of drugs that have a pronounced sedative and anticonvulsant effect. Prescribed to eliminate acute anxiety, they have a quick but not long-lasting effect.

Not suitable for frequent use as they can be addictive. In some cases, they may be prescribed to eliminate aggression.

Should be taken with caution and strictly according to your doctor's instructions.

Non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers

Of this group of sedatives, only Spitomin (Buspirone) is used for dogs, which does not have a hypnotic effect and does not cause other side effects. Effective for eliminating phobias, incontinence and other anxiety conditions.

Intended for long-term treatment, the course usually lasts from 4 to 6 weeks with a gradual increase in dosage. Often prescribed as a mild sedative for small breed dogs.

TCA (tricyclic antidepressants)

Drugs in this group are prescribed to eliminate attacks of aggression caused by phobias, neuroses or acute panic. Antidepressants of this group have a cumulative effect, which becomes noticeable from about the 20th day of use.

Benzodiazepines

Dogs' behavior is highly dependent on their environment. You and I shape their reality and are responsible for their health. Therefore, each owner must be aware of his responsibility for this creature, which just cannot speak. Otherwise, it’s not too different from you and me. So, stress can be:

Short-term.
Long lasting.
Chronic.

For example, a dog is afraid of injections. Going to the veterinarian will be a short-term stress. This may include cutting and treating nails, visiting a noisy and crowded place. The manifestation is that the dog does not eat or drink, and refuses to play. Usually she tries to retire or hide. This condition lasts from several hours to several days.

Features for different breeds

Valerian officinalis has different effects, depending on the dosage and weight of the animal. It may not have any effect on particularly large breeds, while in small animals it may cause drowsiness and lethargy. In such cases, it is better to look for analogues and replace this drug with something else.

Reasons for concern

There may be several reasons to worry about your pet's condition:

The dog becomes depressed and doesn’t want anything. Lying in a secluded place, she does not respond to any calls, does not eat or drink.
Unreasonable aggression - rushes at everyone, growls, barks, howls.
Manifestation of fear - hiding from everyone, not allowing anyone to touch him.

All of these symptoms in your four-legged friend indicate that he is ill and you need to urgently contact a professional. The dog feels great about its owner. And her recovery depends only on your attitude towards her.

Analogs

In our world, there are many high-quality and effective remedies that are quite capable of replacing medicinal valerian.

Cat Baiyun. This drug is best given after the animal is one year old. It has both liquid and pill varieties. Very popular among veterinarians.
Fitex. It has contraindications for low blood pressure, and is also not recommended for use in Greyhound dogs. The advantage of the drug is that it is not addictive.
Stop stress. This medicine is used only after a doctor has confirmed the diagnosis of the dog and in no case for prevention. Contraindicated for dogs under one year of age, pregnant or lactating dogs, as well as dogs with liver, kidney, nervous system diseases and diabetes.
Phospasim. This homeopathic remedy is milder and has no contraindications. Sold both as a solution and as an injection.

Important! Sedatives are not used after operations with anesthesia.

On a note

Attention

In severe, advanced cases, when it is necessary to transport a very nervous animal, a combination of drugs is also possible. For example, start using Feliway at home a week before your trip, and additionally use Fospasim an hour before departure and on the road. The French drugs Feliway and Adaptil () stand apart from traditional sedatives. They are produced in two versions: a spray and a diffuser like a fumigator, which is plugged into an outlet. Both drugs are certified in Russia. Their action is based on imitation of natural calming pheromones for the animal, a synthetic analogue of which is released when the diffuser is turned on or the spray is used. Their advantages (especially the diffuser) include ease of use, inconspicuousness for people, the ability to cover several animals at once if they live in the same room, as well as remote influence: there is no need to give or inject anything to the pet. Disadvantages include the high price, the need for prolonged exposure, and the fact that not all animals are susceptible to their effects. In addition, cats need their own drug (Feliway), dogs need their own (Adaptil), but for other species such drugs simply do not exist. In addition, if the living space is large, then several diffusers may be needed at once. And if an animal leaves the “controlled zone” in which the diffuser operates, then it immediately finds itself outside its field of action.

Elena Kvasova, practicing veterinarian

Herbal Calming Tricks

Valerian

You should discuss the dosage of calming herbal infusions with your veterinarian before giving them to your pet.

To help your pet calm down faster, you can give him herbs that have a gentle effect. If your four-legged friend begins to feel anxious before visiting the veterinarian or gets scared by thunderstorms, give him 5-20 drops of a dog sedative.

The exact dosage should be calculated based on the weight of the animal. But it is best for a veterinarian to select a safe dose.

Therefore, before giving a sedative to your dog, be sure to consult a specialist.

Valerian

Indications for use

Only a veterinarian has the right to prescribe the drug. If we talk about drops, they are sold in the form of dark-colored bottles, 15 ml each.

Per 1 ml there are about 100 mg of phenibut and medicinal herbal extract. Stop Stress tablets are available for small and medium breed dogs.

The content of phenibut in a tablet for miniature pets is 100 mg, for medium-sized pets – 250 mg. If the barking friend is very small, then cat Stop-Stress tablets, which contain only 50 mg of nootropic, are perfect.

Determining how many tablets or drops a particular dog should take is quite simple. You should proceed from the weight of the pet, taking into account that 2 drops per 1 kg, twice a day.

Tablets of 100 mg should be given in half or quarter doses if the dog weighs from 5 to 12 kg. If the animal’s weight exceeds 15-20 kg, then you can safely give it a whole tablet, if over 20 kg, then one and a half, for very large pets (over 30 kg) - one tablet of 250 mg, or two of 100 mg.

The drops can be mixed with the animal's food or pipetted onto the root of the tongue. The tablets can also be crushed into small pieces and mixed with food.

The product should be given twice a day for 14 days after being prescribed by a veterinarian. The dog begins to feel better after the first 2-3 days, the influence of stress decreases, sleep normalizes, and the pet clearly becomes calmer.

Remember that the maximum course cannot last more than 28 days. If the dog is about to have an exhibition, then Stop Stress should be given 2-3 days before and 1-2 days after.

You can buy the drug at any veterinary pharmacy, the price is reasonable, and it is not addictive.

Indications for use are quite extensive:

As a preventative against stress.
From motion sickness during transportation.
Participation in events (competitions, exhibitions), moving or change of environment.
Uncontrolled sexual activity, urine marking indoors.
Aggression, howling, fear, hyperactivity.
Sleep and diet disturbances.

“Stop-Stress” sedatives for dogs are placed into the mouth cavity closer to the back of the tongue or behind the dog’s cheek, with a favorite treat, 2 times a day according to the instructions.

Drops are used in dosages: 2 drops of solution per 1 kilogram of weight.