Natural Remedies for Anxious Dog at Night
Everyone is talking about the Sleepy Girl Mocktail and I want to create a Sleepy Pup Mocktail for dogs, especially the anxious ones.
The reason why I started giving Rambo chamomile tea is that he tries to stay up late with me at night. I usually don’t go to bed until 2 am or 3 am for work, and poor Rambo will try to fight sleepiness to stay up with me. As many of you know, Rambo is not young anymore. He will be 9 years old in August. Having good quality sleep is extremely important for a senior dog. That’s why I started giving him chamomile tea, and it seems to help.
I usually just give him plain chamomile tea, and he will drink it with no problem. Then I began to think that maybe I can incorporate other ingredients to make it a better natural sleeping aid for my anxious boy. Plus, other dog parents had shared with me their dogs just won’t touch the chamomile tea. So I hope this mocktail version will be more palatable for the picky eaters.
In this blog post, you will find how I make the Sleepy Pup Mocktail and the reasons why I use those ingredients. You will also find additional product recommendations if you prefer to use vet-formulated products.
Ingredients for Sleepy Pup Mocktail:
1 Chamomile Tea Bag.
I use Celestial Seasonings
1/3 Green Banana
1 tbsp Organic Hemp Hearts
I got the Kirkland brand from Costco
How to Make Sleepy Pup Mocktail:
Steep the chamomile tea bag in hot water for at least 5min. You can steep it longer for more potency. Allow it to cool to lukewarm temperature.
Peel and slice 1/3 of a green banana.
In a blender or Nutribullet, combine the lukewarm chamomile tea, sliced green banana, and organic hemp hearts.
Blend until smooth and well-combined.
Serve the Sleepy Pup Mocktail to your dog before bedtime for a peaceful night's sleep.
Rambo's Serving Size:
Given Rambo's size of 80lbs, he drinks 6oz of the Sleepy Pup Mocktail before bedtime. I also don’t want to give him too much fluids before bed otherwise he will wake me up to go pee super early in the morning. Adjust the serving size according to your dog's weight and individual needs.
Why I Choose These Ingredients
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is celebrated for its calming effects on both humans and dogs alike. It contains compounds like apigenin, which act as natural mild sedatives, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
Green Banana
Unlike their ripe yellow counterparts, green bananas are lower in sugar and higher in resistant starch, making them an excellent choice for dogs, especially those prone to digestive issues. Additionally, green bananas contain muscle-relaxing nutrients such as magnesium and potassium
Hemp Hearts
Hemp hearts are packed with essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6, known for their anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing properties. These nutrients contribute to cognitive function and mood regulation, promoting a sense of calmness and relaxation in dogs. It’s also contains high levels of magnesium, which helps in muscle relaxation.
If you're not comfortable giving the ingredients above and prefer a veterinarian-formulated formula, or if you're seeking additional calming aids—something stronger for your dog to promote restful sleep—consider the following products:
Animal Essentials Comfort Plus: This product is made from certified organic herbs, such as California poppy and skullcap, all known for their calming properties. This is in liquid formula for easy administering to dogs and cats.
Fera Pets Calm Goat Milk Topper: This is probably Rambo’s favorite. I like to mix it with lukeworm water and give it to Rambo before bed. This veterinarian-formulated powder contains Passion Flower, natural GABA, L-theanine and Ashwagandha, which are all well known to support calmness and relaxation.
Native Pet Calming Chews: This is a chicken based dry chew which contains 5mg of melatonin per chew, along with hemp seed powder and l-theanine to reduce hyperactivity and promote calming effect
Thorne Vet Peaceful Pet: This product combines botanical extracts, such as skullcap, valerian, passionflower and lemon balm, plus L-theanine and two forms of vitamin B6 to provide synergistic support for alleviating stress and providing calming support.
Want to know more about our homemade/ DIY recipes?
Check out the blog posts below:
Homemade Electrolytes for Dogs
Homemade Dog Breath Mint Recipe
Disclaimer: Please remember that I'm not a medical professional. The insights shared in this blog post are based on my personal research and the experiences I've gained as a crazy dog mom who is obsessed with my dog's health. In cases where your dog has any medical issues or health concerns, it's vital to consult with a licensed veterinarian or a qualified animal healthcare provider. While I aim to provide informative content based on my personal experiences, it should never be considered a replacement for professional veterinary guidance.
Meet the Chows website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.