The short answer: Over-the-counter calming supplements come in four main types: pheromones, milk protein, amino acids and herbs. None of them removes a strong fear, and none replaces training and preparation. For the herb ashwagandha there are small studies in dogs pointing in the right direction, but they concern a different extract from the one found in most herbal blends. Expect calmer, not fearless.
First: what a supplement can and cannot do
Between a quarter and half of all dogs are reported to have some form of noise fear, and the longer you wait to do something about it, the harder it becomes to work with.1 The Swedish Kennel Club advises owners of dogs with serious problems to see a vet in good time about possible medication.2
A supplement is therefore the smallest part of the solution. A hiding place, drawn curtains, familiarity with sounds and an owner who behaves as usual do more. The supplement can be a support for the animal that is anxious but can still be reached.
If the dog is shaking, refuses to eat and cannot be reached, it is a matter for the vet, not for a supplement.
Five kinds of calming, side by side
| Type | What it is | How it is given | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheromones | Synthetic copies of scent substances the animal recognises | Diffuser in a wall socket, spray or collar | Nothing the animal eats. Often used together with something else. |
| Milk protein | A broken-down protein from milk, alpha-casozepine | Capsule or powder, daily for a period | Usually started a few days before the event. |
| Amino acids | For example L-theanine and L-tryptophan | Tablet or chew | Found in many chews, often blended with other things. |
| Herbs | Plant extracts, for example ashwagandha, holy basil and bacopa | Syrup, drops or tablet | Amount and type of extract vary a great deal between products. Read the contents. |
| Prescription | Medicines prescribed by the vet | As prescribed | The only option for severe fear. Requires a visit well before New Year. |
The first four are over the counter. Which one suits depends more on your animal and on what you can actually get into it than on which is best in theory. A cat that refuses tablets gets no benefit from a tablet.
Ashwagandha for dogs: what the studies show
Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, is the calming herb with the most research in dogs. In a study from 2024, healthy older Labradors were given a root extract at a dose of 15 mg per kilo of body weight every day for 60 days. The level of the stress hormone cortisol fell over the period in the dogs that received the extract.3
That is promising, but three things limit what can be said:
- The study included 20 dogs. That is small.
- The extract was donated by the company that makes it, and the groups differed in age.
- The result applies to a standardised root extract at a set dose. It cannot be transferred to a product with a different extract in a different amount.
For holy basil and bacopa we are not aware of any corresponding studies in dogs or cats. They have a long history of traditional use, and that is the honest way to describe them.
Where ANNUSTRESS belongs
ANNUSTRESS is a herbal syrup with four plants: holy basil, ashwagandha, bacopa and amla. These are water extracts, not the same extract as in the study above, and we therefore do not lean on it. What we can say is what is in the bottle, how much and how it should be given. ANNUSTRESS is not sedating and does not affect the animal's movement.
According to the pack it can be given in two ways:
- Before a single event. One dose one to two hours before, for example before a car journey or a vet visit.
- Daily for a period. Two doses a day during the weeks before and after New Year, or during a move.
How many bottles are needed for New Year?
If you want to give ANNUSTRESS daily for four weeks, the sums look like this. One bottle is 200 ml and costs 259 kr.
| Animal | Dose per day | Used in 28 days | Bottles | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitten or puppy | 10 ml | 280 ml | 2 | 518 kr |
| Medium-sized cat or dog | 10 to 20 ml | 280 to 560 ml | 2 to 3 | 518 to 777 kr |
| Large dog | 30 ml | 840 ml | 5 | 1,295 kr |
For a large dog, a daily dose for four weeks is expensive, and we would rather say so ourselves. If you have a large dog it is more reasonable to give one dose before the evening itself and put the rest of the effort into preparation. Get in touch if you want help thinking it through.
Cat, carrier and car journey
For cats, transport is often the biggest problem, and there the work starts with the carrier, not the bottle.
| When | What you do |
|---|---|
| Three weeks before | Leave the carrier open where the cat spends its time. Put in a blanket that smells of home and feed the cat in it if you can. |
| One week before | Close the door for short moments. Carry the carrier through the room. Try mixing the syrup into a little wet food so that you know the cat will eat it. |
| Travel day | Give the dose one to two hours before departure. Cover the carrier with a thin blanket and drive gently. |
Never give medicines meant for people, and give nothing on prescription unless the vet has prescribed it for your particular cat.
Frequently asked questions
Is natural calming as effective as prescription medicine?
No. Prescription medicines are made for severe fear and are prescribed by a vet. Over-the-counter supplements are for milder anxiety, and should be seen as a support alongside preparation.
How long before a journey should I give ANNUSTRESS?
One to two hours before, according to the dosage on the pack. Try one dose on an ordinary day first so that you know how your animal reacts and that it eats it.
Will the dog get drowsy?
ANNUSTRESS is not sedating. If you notice that your animal becomes sluggish or unwell, stop giving it and get in touch.
Can I combine it with pheromones?
Yes. A diffuser and a supplement the animal eats work in different ways and can be used at the same time. If the animal is on medication, ask the vet first.
Read on
- Dog afraid of fireworks: how to prepare it for New Year
- Supplements for dogs and cats: how to choose
That was the short answer. If you have a question about your own animal, email info@herbiovet.se. We reply within one working day.
Sources
- Distriktsveterinärerna (Swedish district veterinarians), Fireworks and firecrackers, noise fear (in Swedish).
- Swedish Kennel Club, Tips for owners of gun-shy dogs, December 2024 (in Swedish).
- Bharani et al., Veterinary Medicine and Science 2024;10(5):e1556, full text.