Dogs go through immense anxiety just as humans do. Dogs panic when their owners leave the home, when they hear loud noises, and in new environments. It's even more frustrating when we can't understand what is causing the anxiety.
Luckily, there are a few remedies you can try to help ease your dog's anxiety. In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of L-Theanine for dogs.
Shop now: Calming Chews (with L-Theanine).
L-Theanine for Dogs | Supplement Guide (Video)
What Is L-Theanine For Dogs?
L-Theanine is an amino acid that is naturally occurring and can be found in black and green tea leaves and other natural resources.
Interestingly, unlike many other amino acids, L-Theanine is not used as a building block for protein synthesis.
L-Theanine can promote relaxation without causing drowsiness.
It may even have cognitive-enhancing effects! Do you think it can improve your dog's intelligence? Let us know in the comments below.
Is L-Theanine Safe For Dogs?
L-theanine has an extremely low toxicity. It has been proven safe for dog breeds of all sizes and ages. When compared to other harsh prescriptions like Valium, Prozac, or Xanax it's a great natural alternative.
L-Theanine is simply an amino acid that won't have the harsh side effects of artificially created drugs.
If you've begun administering L-theanine to your dog, be aware of their behavior and any noticeable changes. If you notice negative side effects, discontinue use immediately and speak with your vet.
Many dogs show results after 20 days of taking L-theanine. If you don't see any results, you should discontinue use and try another method.
Lastly, there are a few reasons to avoid giving your dog L-theanine.
When To Avoid Giving Your Dog L-Theanine:
- Your dog has hypertension
- Your dog is pregnant or nursing
- Dogs with severe phobias or behavioral issues may not show improvement
What Are The Benefits of L-Theanine For Dogs?
The main benefits of L-Theanine for dogs is its ability to promote a relaxed state without making your dog drowsy - A perfect supplement for separation anxiety.
L-Theanine has also been shown to lower blood pressure in humans during stressful events. Therefore, it may prove useful for your dog during stressful situations and promote low blood pressure.
Lastly, although it does not provide a sedative effect, L-Theanine aids your dog's sleep quality by promoting relaxation in your anxious dog.
How Does L-Theanine Work?
Once your dog has consumed L-Theanine, it can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect your dog's brain activity by promoting alpha waves. Alpha waves are a pattern of brain activity associated with a relaxed state.
This may help to explain its stress and anxiety reducing properties.
L-Theanine Dosage for Dogs
How much L-Theanine should you give your dog?
Your dog's L-Theanine dose depends on a few factors. The dosage mainly depends on your dog's weight and specific needs.
Most dog owners should administer the dose twice daily, splitting the overall dose in two. L-Theanine can be given every two hours.
As always, please consult with your vet on the recommended amount. Please see the chart below for an estimate.
L-Theanine Dog Dosage
- 5-20 pounds: 100 mg
- 21-40 pounds: 200 mg
- 41-60 pounds: 300 mg
- 61-80 pounds: 400 mg
- 81+ pounds: 500 mg
How To Give Your Dog L-Theanine
L-Theanine is mainly found in black tea, green tea, and mushrooms. Of course, giving your dog one of these options may result in adverse affects and you may not know the exact dosage for your dog.
Additionally, too much green or black tea may lead to caffeine toxicity. Learn more about tea for dogs in our post Can Dogs Have Tea?
Calming Chews contain a dose of L-Theanine in each serving and can be spread throughout the day.
Conclusion: Can dogs take L-Theanine?
If you have a dog that suffers from canine anxiety or insomnia, you can try L-Theanine for dogs.
Our L-Theanine calming treats are designed to treat insomnia and help your dog feel more relaxed and comfortable in situations that would normally trigger their anxiety and sleep disorders.
Calming bites can provide many benefits for both young and older dogs:
- May reduce your your dog's stress levels
- Promotes a calming effect to help sleep habits
- Provides natural dog anxiety relief
- Keeps your dog calm through storms and loud noises
Shop now: Calming Chews (with L-Theanine).
Have you tried our L-Theanine calming chews for dogs? Let us know in the comments below!
