I’ve been overwhelmed online in recent months with ads for supplements that are said to “calm” dogs, even to make them “more submissive.” These ads often insist that the supplements are “veterinarian-approved,” yet there’s rarely a full name of even one DVM mentioned by location.
That’s just the first red flag, and there are so many more … you’d be wise to wonder.
So I asked dog professionals:
“Dog pros, in your opinion, what’s up with so many ads for products to ‘calm’ dogs?
“Facebook is full of ads for products that are promised to ‘calm’ dogs, as if ‘calm’ is what dog guardians most want from their family pet. I am wondering: is lack of ‘calm’ really the huge problem for pet dogs that these ads indicate?
“Or is it that there are now products that can be said to produce ‘calm’ in dogs and these businesses have jumped on the bandwagon to make big bucks (they hope)?
“I have the same questions about ‘anxiety,’ now being touted as ‘the #1 behavior problem’ in today’s dogs. What’s changed recently to make ‘anxiety’ such a huge health issue for canines? What are the statistics from reliable sources? What do you think—is this fear-mongering for the sake of profit?”
I found the responses from dog professionals eye-opening:
Shelly Keel (Idaho) I think with more attention being paid to dog anxiety and fear, companies have discovered a new segment to market to. And since they can say pretty much whatever they want and the FDA doesn’t regulate ingredients, they can sell cheap-to-make products and prey on owners who just want inexpensive help and don’t know better. Sadly, there are dogs who—because of breeding, life experiences, lack of training, or personality—do struggle with coping skills, and humans want quick fixes. Many companies are now very willing to provide the products that claim to do just that.
From my news feed today: These supposed “vet recommended” products—made with hemp, chamomile, CBD, and various herbs and “natural” ingredients—are advertised widely on social media, and similar products are peddled in pet stores. Working mostly with dogs that struggle with fear, aggression, and various anxieties, I have never had a veterinary behaviorist recommend these products to my clients, especially as a “solution,” and have been explicitly told by a renowned veterinary behaviorist that she does not recommend CBD. While there may be signs of symptom relief, there have also been indications of possible liver changes, and there are no long-term studies indicating that it is safe for use. Further analysis of what is actually in CBD or other products varies widely, and because of the lack of FDA controls, ingredients are not required to appear on the label. When you look up CBD studies on dogs, of which there are a few, most conclusions indicate that there needs to be more data before recommending CBD use in dogs for pain or anxiety.
Jackie Pritchard (Alberta) Over the last few decades, our culture has humanized pet dogs so much that they are now treated more like little humans in fur coats rather than the canine species that they are. Dogs are not allowed to be dogs any more. Almost everything that is normal dog behavior is looked upon as a behavior issue. Barking, jumping, sniffing, hunting, digging are normal dog behaviors. It is our job to teach them kindly to behave politely in an often not-so-kind human world. People tend to want a quick “fix” for problem behaviors. But by never giving a dog the opportunity to do dog things, their needs are not being met, which often leads to anxiety and frustration. Sadly, many companies see this as a way to make money by offering people a quick “fix” of calming treats, calming foods, etc. The truth is that what these dogs often need is to be understood and given the opportunity to behave like a dog.
Photo by Gayle York
Ali Blakney (Washington) Yes! Dogs need the ability to just be dogs, not the robots people want them to be. People need to understand that each dog is an individual, with different needs that must be met before the dog can “calm down” and be more like the dog most pet dog owners want.
Jackie Pritchard And if what pet owners want is a perfect dog that does nothing, perhaps they should just buy a stuffed dog to place on their shelf.
Ali Blakney Exactly! As soon as I wrote “perfect,” I caught myself and said, “Oops, the perfect dog does not exist.” Sorry to burst the public bubble.
With regard to anxiety, I think one problem is how our lifestyles have changed over the last 100 years versus what we bred dogs for during that time. We bred certain characteristics in to working dogs and now we’re asking those same working breeds to live in urban environments. They’re biologically in complete conflict with their environments and it’s stressful for them. It’s also a conflict between what the general population expects socially from pet dogs versus understanding that dogs are individuals.
Kate LaSala Ctc Csat (Connecticut) This is continuing fallout from the damage TV trainers have done perpetuating the idea that dogs should be “calm and submissive” when really most of the dogs they show are usually shut down and fearful. We’ve created a society where people want dogs to do robotic obedience and not act like dogs or do doggy things. I wrote about this topic myself here.
Sarah Adams (Oregon) I think a lot of people do want calmer dogs. Maybe some people who got COVID puppies but are now having to go out to work …
Margaret Tyler (Illinois) Rescues all over are being inundated with those young, unsocialized, untrained dogs. We are begging for new foster homes because we can’t keep up. At the same time, the mill market has dropped off. No more COVID puppies—and in my state it’s not legal to sell mill puppies in pet stores. We got two pregnant females (as in a day or two from whelping) from one breeder eight weeks ago.
Michel Berner (Wisconsin) IMO, lack of “calm” in dogs is from people not providing proper outlets for genetic behaviors (sled dogs living in apartments in the city, pointing breeds not being able to use their scenting and problem-solving genes while running, hounds not allowed to follow scents/chase), then adding them into a room or fenced enclosure with dozens of strangers (dog day cares and dog parks), while expecting them to be nonchalant about seeing other people and dogs while on leash. Those are the root causes of so many of the anxiety-based behaviors we are seeing now versus thirty years ago.
Alisha Ardiana (California) Everyone wants the magic bullet. In my experience, many people do not know what their dog needs for mental stimulation. They walk the dog on a short leash. They take the dog to run at the dog park. They feed out of a bowl. None of that will produce a calm dog.
Jorge Melara (Wisconsin) People want a quick fix so they don’t have to enrich, exercise, train. People are also quick to diagnose destructive behavior as “anxiety.”
Harve Morgan (California) If you want a ‘turnkey’ dog, get a stuffed one. Real dogs require patience, understanding, and training to become the dog of your dreams. It’s work, folks.
Denise Nuttall (United Kingdom) [These products] give owners permission to fail to recognize why their dog is stressed and to not do anything about it!
Annie Zeck (Washington) People who think they love dogs but don’t really know them very well.
Eileen Anderson (Arkansas) What disturbs me is the conflating of “not afraid” with “lying down quietly in a corner.” Successfully addressing a dog’s fear makes them free of fear, not necessarily somnolent. A dog who is not afraid could be doing any number of doggy things. Yet virtually every product marketed to address fear shows a dog asleep somewhere. I can’t help but think that a lot of the marketing strategy is to sell to people who just want their dog to “stop bothering them already.” This is not to criticize the many people who love their dogs and would do anything to help them be happier. There are plenty of those, too. But perhaps those people are more likely to be willing to try something other than a quick fix.
Want to know more about supplements and products that are sold to “calm” your dog and/or to relieve the dog’s anxiety? First step: Make an appointment with a trusted veterinarian to focus on your questions about “calm,” “anxiety,” and your dog. Then follow up on the information you learn.
Be one of those people who are willing to try something other than a quick fix.
