Dog Travel Anxiety: The Best Natural Remedies For Calming Your Dog

Let’s face it. Dog travel anxiety can put a serious damper on your holiday plans! Some dogs do waaaaaay better with change than others. Many times our furry friends can zip from holiday to holiday without a single worry, but other times they need some assistance when adjusting to a new environment. There is no shame in dog travel anxiety. It is a genuine issue that needs addressing, so your holiday starts off as successful as possible. Luckily, there are many natural remedies designed for your canine travel buddy that help them get through the worries often associated with travel.

Dog Travel Anxiety – What Are The Symptoms?

You know if your dog is dealing with travel anxiety if they are panting, pacing, or shaking, they may seem hyper-aroused and overly vocal. Some dogs will salivate, vomit, and, possibly, urinate and defecate. Needless to say, none of these symptoms make travel fun for you or your pet so getting some help from a natural calming remedy is a wise idea.

Dog Travel Anxiety: The Best Natural Remedies For Calming Your Dog

Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic, natural way to help support calm behavior in pets during stressful situations. It is a popular solution for those leaning toward herbal supplements to treat anxiety. Rescue Remedy is a mix of natural herb and flower extracts that can calm the nerves. You can add a couple of drops to your dog"s water dish, or add a drop to a treat. Rescue Remedy helps our animals when they are adjusting to new situations and emotionally out of balance. Rescue remedy can also be used on your traveling cat as well.



 

Herbal Supplements

Lots of all-natural herbal supplements are available for your nervous dog. You can give them directly to your dog or mix them into a regular meal. Many of the same herbal supplements that have a soothing effect on humans will work on dogs as well. Remember to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog herbal supplements for proper dosage instructions and any warnings you might not find during your research. The most popular herbal supplements to calm an anxious dog are passionflower and valerian.

• Passionflower is a mild sedative, pain reliever and anti-spasmodic and is ideal for stressed out dogs. It is commonly used before your dog boards a plane and aids in a calm flight for your dog. Passionflower is perfect for easing separation anxiety because it has properties that prevent vital neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) from breaking down, which increases their levels in the body and results in improved mood and temperament. The best part about passionflower is that you can brew some passionflower tea for you and your dog. Pour a hot mug for yourself and then add some into your dog’s cold-water bowl to dilute and cool it. Passionflower comes in pill or essential oil form.

• Valerian is a sedative herb that is effective in treating dog anxiety. You can buy valerian in dried or capsule form and give it to the dog orally, wrapped in a piece of cheese, or with a treat. Valerian is most effective in small doses over the course of several days. You should use doses several times a day, especially in anticipation of an upcoming holiday that might cause increased anxiety for your pet.

 

Pheromone Diffuser

Pheromones are a type of chemical communication between members of a certain species. A plug-in diffuser releases a scent that’s undetectable to the human nose, but powerful enough for a dog to smell. These pheromones make the dog feel “mothered” and calm when detected. There are a variety of ways that dogs can pick up on the power of pheromones. According to Dr. Jacqui Neilson, DVM, DACVB, owner of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland Oregon, “Pet pheromone products are said to mimic natural cat or dog pheromones and come in various forms, including sprays, plug-in diffusers, wipes, and collars.” In general pheromone diffusers release calming pheromones with coverage of 500 to 650 sq. ft. for 30 days. Pheromone products are terrific a portable option for a family holiday.

Through a Dog’s Ear

Through a Dog’s Ear This is classical music clinically demonstrated to calm canine listeners who are nervous on holiday. Studies show these solo piano arrangements reduced anxiety behavior and induced calmness in 70 percent of dogs in shelters or kennels and 85 percent of dogs in households. What is wonderful about Through a Dog"s Ear (TADE) is that the company regularly reports research findings regarding sound therapy, and they donate this music to help calm dogs in shelter environments. iCalmDog 3.0 is a portable, easy-to-use player pre-loaded with 4 hours of clinically tested music. Pack the music player in your luggage for a stress-free listening experience for your dog.

Thundershirt

Some dog owners swear by this tightly fitting “shirt” that wraps around your dog. The feeling of continuous pressure can help calm a dog"s nerves for things like travel anxiety. When your dog wears a Thundershirt, you should be able to easily slip your fingers under it. The benefit from Thundershirt comes from the pressure around the torso behind the front legs. It’s like a giant hug for your dog and is very effective in easing the symptoms associated with travel anxiety.

Special Calming Treats

Several varieties of dog treats help dogs through holiday transitions and taste great too! Treats are totally safe and highly effective in relieving travel anxiety. The Chillout treat is designed to help calm and relieve the stresses in your dog"s life. They are made with a gourmet blend of vanilla, lemon balm, and lavender extract, which contribute to calming a nervous doggie. Zuke’s Enhance Calming Functional Chews have the perfect balance of natural herbs to help support a calm disposition. Passion Flower, L-Theanine, Chamomile, Hawthorn Berry, and Valerian.

Exercise

Regular exercise is always important for a healthy pet, but additional activity during travel is essential. A few additional hikes in the forest and runs in the park will help to tire them out and relieve stress.

Travel anxiety alters the way your dog behaves and might affect your holiday experiences. You are the best resource to help your dog cope with the changes in their environment. Add any of these natural remedies when packing for your pet and remember that your dog trusts you.

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8 Delicious Vegan Dog Treats You Can Make At Home

Looking for a way give your four-legged friend a treat? Then check out our selection of recipes to make delicious vegan dog treats at home!

Every now and then we all need a little bit of home comfort or a treat at the end of a long day. Our four-legged friends are much the same. You can find all manner of treats in the shops but often these are expensive or can contain harmful additives, so why not don an apron and make some yourself?

Most of our recipes are pretty easy and its so worth it when you see how happy your pooch is enjoying their delicious snack. For those of you that are conscious about the consumption of animal products below we"ve compiled 8 delicious vegan dog treat recipes for you to try your hand at.

Vegan Dog Treats: The Recipes:

1. Carrot, Custard Pup Pies

Our four-legged friends often don"t receive the culinary attention that they surely deserve. They have a keen sense of taste and certainly know what they like and what they don"t. So give them a treat that they will love. Carrot, Custard Pup Pies are cute and delicious bite size snacks that they will adore.

[caption id="attachment_5254" align="alignnone" width="600"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

Carrot, Custard Pup Pies

Carrot, Custard Pup Pies are cute and delicious little nuggets of joy. The recipe is intricate but not overly complicated. The result is individual little pies that make the perfect bite sized snack for any pooch. Note you can substitute the soy milk for almond milk or any non-diary milk product. The recipe works best with fresh carrot juice and apple sauce but you can use shop bought.

• 1 cup wholewheat pastry flour
• 2 tbsp wheat germ
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 cup carrot juice
• 0.25 cup applesauce
• 2 tbsp soy milk
• 1.5 tbsp powdered starch

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a dozen muffin tins.

2. Mix the flour, wheat germ, oil and vinegar.

3. Once the mixture becomes dough-like without any dry pockets roll into walnut-sized balls.

4. Use these balls to line the muffin tins and bake for roughly 15 minutes until they are a golden brown colour and dry in texture.

5. Whilst the cases are cooling you can create the filling. Start by mixing the carrot juice, apple sauce, soy milk and starch in a pan over a medium heat until the mixture is smooth.

6. Allow the mixture to come to the boil - still stirring all the time. 

7. Once the mixture has thickened remove from the heat.

8. Pour the mixture into the cases and allow to cool.

9. Once cooled put in the fridge until they set and then they are ready to serve.

 

2. Spinach, Carrot and Courgette Dog Treats

These Spinach, Carrot and Courgette Dog Treats are a top vegan treat that will be an instant winner for your beloved pooch. These treats are entirely vegan and entirely delicious, plus they"re healthy and packed with nutrients so you can make them time and again completely guilt-free!

[caption id="attachment_5250" align="alignnone" width="650"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

Spinach, Carrot and Courgette Dog Treats

These Spinach, Carrot and Courgette Dog Treats are sure to be a hit with your four legged friend. These treats are entirely vegan and entirely delicious, plus they"re healthy and packed with nutrients so you can make them time and again completely guilt-free!

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 0.25 cup peanut butter
• 2 eggs (large)
• 0.5 cup oats
• 3 cups wholewheat flour
• 1 carrot (shredded)
• 1 courgette (shredded)
• 1 cup baby spinach (chopped)

1. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the pumpkin, peanut butter and eggs until fully combined.

3. Gradually add the oats and flour until a dough is form - it must not be sticky anymore.

4. Add the carrot, courgette and baby spinach until they all fully incorporated.

5. On a lightly floured surface knead the dough and then roll out to roughly 1/4 inch thickness. 

6. Cut into your desired treat shape and place on the baking tray.

7. Place in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until the treats start to turn golden brown.

8. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.

 

3. Three Ingredient Pet Treats

This recipe is a breeze to make and yet is still super popular with all four legged friends. The 3 Ingredient Pet Treat is, as the name suggests, the simple combining of three ingredients to make a gluten-free vegan treat for your pet.

[caption id="attachment_5256" align="alignnone" width="600"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

3 Ingredient Pet Treats

The 3 Ingredient Pet Treat is a super simple recipe that is both vegan and gluten free. Three ingredients that combine to make a really tasty treat for your dog or cat, in fact for any four legged friend. For best results make sure that the bananas are very very ripe.

• 0.5 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 bananas (very ripe)
• 3.25 cups unbaked oats

1. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Blend the oats until they are a fine powder.

3. Form a paste by mashing the pumpkin and bananas.

4. Add the oats (leaving some to flour your work surface with) and combine together.

5. Draw into a dough and knead on the oat-floured surface.

6. Roll to a 1/4 inch thickness and cut into treat shapes.

7. Bake for 10 minutes and then allow to cool before serving up.

 

4. Cinnamon Bun Bites

These Cinnamon Bun Bites are a great way to show your dog how much you care about them. A fun recipe with an end result that looks like something out of a French bakery but for your pooch. Plus its not very complicated and uses ingredients most of us have rattling around the cupboards somewhere.

[caption id="attachment_5261" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

Cinnamon Bun Bites

This recipe for Cinnamon Bun Bites is a fantastic vegan version of a classic patisserie favourite. They"re simple to make and always well received by four-legged friends. Sure to become a regular treat in your household.

• 2 cups wholewheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.25 cup canola oil
• 1 egg (large)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 cup walnuts or pecans (chopped)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

3. In a separate bowl mix the water, egg and oil.

4. Add the two mixtures together and form a dough.

5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle shape around 8 x 14 inches.

6. Drizzle with the honey, cinnamon and nuts.

7. Starting from a long edge roll into spiral shape and then cut into slices. Place these slices face up (so the spiral faces upwards) on a baking tray.

8. Bake for 15 minutes and then allow to cool before serving.

 

5. Banana Flax Vegan Dog Biscuits

Making dog biscuits is not dissimilar to making ones for people. Mix together a selection of the best ingredients in your cupboard, bake and serve. There are some differences of course, dog biscuits want to be drier and there are certain flavours that drive dogs bananas. These banana flax vegan dog biscuits are sure to be an instant success with your four legged friends.

[caption id="attachment_5262" align="alignnone" width="700"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

Banana Flax Vegan Dog Biscuits

These banana flax vegan dog biscuits are easy to make and very tasty for your dog. Be warned as soon as the smell starts emanating from the oven your four legged friend will be glued to your side in anticipation. 

• 2 tbsp ground flax seed
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup wholewheat flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.3 cup coconut oil
• 1 banana (large, mashed)
• 0.25 cup water

1. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the flax seed, rolled oats, flour, cinnamon and salt.

3. Add the coconut oil, banana and water and draw into a dough. You may need to add extra water to help it draw together.

4. Taking a tablespoon at a time, flatten the dough into circles on a baking tray and put into the oven for 20 minutes.

5. Allow to cool fully before serving.

 

6. Carrot, Date and Oatmeal Vegan Dog Treats

These Carrot, Date and Oatmeal Vegan Dog Treats are a great way to show your pooch some serious TLC. These treats are easy to make and go down very well with all kinds of furry friends.

[caption id="attachment_5265" align="alignnone" width="640"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

Carrot, Date and Oatmeal Vegan Dog Treats

These Carrot, Date and Oatmeal Vegan Dog Treats are easy to make, delicious and healthy. You"ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again - much to the delight of you pup.

• 1.5 cups gluten-free flour
• 0.5 cup oatmeal
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup carrot (grated)
• 2 tbsp dates (finely chopped)
• 0.5 cup peanut butter
• 0.5 cup water

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Mix the flour, oatmeal and baking powder.

3. In a separate bowl mix the carrot, dates, peanut butter and water.

4. Add the two mixtures together and combine fully.

5. Draw into a dough and roll out onto a lightly floured surface.

6. Cut into treat shapes and and bake for 15 minutes.

7. Allow to cool fully before serving.

 

7. Peanut Butter and Banana Frozen Doggy Bites

This is arguably one of the easiest recipes in the world and yet is a sure fired winner. Peanut Butter and Banana Frozen Doggy Bites are the perfect treat for your pooch on a hot day and they only use two ingredients!

[caption id="attachment_5267" align="alignnone" width="640"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

Peanut Butter and Banana Frozen Doggy Bites

Peanut Butter and Banana Frozen Doggy Bites are a fantastic treat for your dog on a hot summer"s day. They are super simple to make and your dog will love them. Top Tip make sure to have a easy pop out ice tray to ensure that the treats remain whole when frozen.

• 12 ounces banana greek yoghurt
• 6 ounces peanut butter

1. Mix the yoghurt and peanut butter together.

2. Put the mixture into an ice tray and freeze for at least an hour.

3. Serve when frozen.

 

8. All Natural, Vegan Dog Treats

These all natural, vegan dog treats are a delicious snack that"s good for your dog. Free of all additives and nasty things these treats are a natural and cheap alternative to many of the vegan treats you find in the shops.

[caption id="attachment_5270" align="alignnone" width="320"]Recipe link[/caption]

 

All Natural, Vegan Dog Treats

Whip up some all natural, vegan dog treats to give your pooch a real treat that"s healthy, vegan and entirely natural. Their so tasty and easy to make that you"ll find yourself making them on regular basis we"re sure - something your pooch will be very happy about!

• 1.5 cup wholewheat flour
• 1.5 cup white flour
• 0.5 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the water, peanut butter and oil.

3. Add the flours to create a crumbly mixture.

4. Draw together into a ball and then roll out onto a lightly floured surface.

5. Cut into treat shapes and bake for 20 minutes.

6. Allow to cool before serving.

 

5 Delicious Dog Treats You Should Make This Summer

Check out our selection of ideas and recipes for tasty summer dog treats to make your four-legged friend happy on a hot summer"s day!

Dog Treats for the Summer

When you"re enjoying a nice ice cream or a cold beer on a hot summer"s day what about your pooch? It seems unfair when they must be content with a cold bowl of water. Well, this no longer the case. Today there are a lot of ideas out there for summer dog treats that are both tasty and refreshing for your pup. And you need look no further, below we"ve listed a few of our favourites.

1. Dog Ice Lollies

Dog Ice Lollies, or Pupsicles, are a great way to give your dog a cooling and delicious dog treat that they will love. Plus they are very easy to make. Simply make a beef or chicken stock and pour into an empty ice tray. Then put the ice tray in the freezer and wait until frozen. For an added treat you can even add some chopped pieces of meat, dog food or dog biscuits before putting the tray in the freezer. Serve when entirely frozen much like you would an ice lolly.

2. Dog Ice Cream

Another nice and cooling treat which dogs love is ice cream. However, the kind of ice cream humans eat can be very bad for dogs and so this summer why not make your four legged friend his own special dog treat? It is very simple to make dog ice cream and you can add lots of different flavours and toppings. The simplest recipe is strawberry ice cream. Mix strawberries and yoghurt in a blender and freeze overnight. If you want something a bit more exciting then try banana, peanut butter, honey and yoghurt ice cream. Mash the banana first and warm the peanut butter and then blend all the ingredients and freeze overnight. For an added bonus add bacon sprinkles on top when serving.



 

3. Cheeseburger Ice Cubes

Cheeseburger ice cubes really do what they say on the tin. They are surprisingly easy to make and will go down a real storm with your dog. To begin get an empty ice cube tray: don"t use your favourite tray as you probably wont be using this again or at least not to make ice in. Then take some cooked ground beef (crumbled up left over burger will do) and put a little bit into each section of the tray. On top of this add a couple of pieces of grated cheese (this step is optional) and finish by filling each section with chicken stock. Put in the freezer and serve when frozen.

4. Peanut butter and bacon dog biscuits

Now we"ll admit that these dog treats are not actually specifically for summer but they are such a winner with furry friends that we felt we had to include them in this list. It is a little bit more complicated than the other recipes but definitely worth it. Add equal measures of peanut butter and water to an egg and a tablespoon of honey. The add chopped pieces of bacon and some shredded carrot. Once you"ve mixed these together take four times the amount of flour and roll the mixture into a dough form. Then simply cut or roll into biscuit shapes and bake for about half an hour. These can be eaten straight away - once they"ve cooled down of course - or frozen and saved for a later date if you"re dog can bear the wait!

5. Banana and Honey Dog Treats

Another dog biscuit recipe that you"re dog will love is banana and honey dog treats and these too can be enjoyed all year round. To make simply mix mashed bananas, water, vanilla extract, egg and honey in a bowl. When these are combined add wholemeal flower and baking powder. Mix again. Then roll out the dough and make into biscuit shapes. Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes or until starting to go golden brown at the edges. Turn off the oven but leave the biscuits inside for another 40 minutes to ensure they get the desired brittle texture. Once this is done remove from the oven and allow to cool fully before serving to your four-legged friend.