L Tryptophan For Dogs: Complete Guide
Tory JohnsonL Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that's necessary for many bodily functions. It's naturally found in red meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Your dog's body doesn't produce L Tryptophan naturally, it must be consumed in their diet or in a supplement containing L Tryptophan for dogs.
Once your dog consumes L Tryptophan, it then turns into a brain chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is commonly known as the happy hormone since it makes your dog (and you) feel more calm and relaxed.
L Tryptophan For Dogs (Video)
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What Is L Tryptophan?
L Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that makes proteins and brain-signaling chemicals.
The word 'essential' signifies that our dog's cannot produce this natural amino acid themselves. It must be consumed through their diet.
Once these amino acids are in your dog's body, they can be converted to serotonin.
What Is Serotonin?
Serotonin is an important chemical messenger that moves messages from one nerve cell to another.
Additionally, it has a lot of influence over how your dog feels, sleeps, and digests food. It can even control immune system functions like healing wounds and controls blood pressure levels.
Overall, Serotonin affects many organs including the brain and intestines. In the brain, it influences mood, cognition, and sleep.
It may even help anxiety related behavior problems.
What Are The Benefits of L Tryptophan?
Once your dog has converted the Tryptophan to serotonin, many bodily functions can occur.
In addition to what has been mentioned above, serotonin plays a key role in many more functions.
Serotonin helps to regulate sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, and blood clotting.
5 Benefits of L Tryptophan
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Better quality sleep
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May relieve anxiety related behaviors
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Improved emotional well being
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Separation anxiety relief
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Increased pain tolerance
How To Safely Give Your Dog L Tryptophan
The safest way to administer L Tryptophan is in a L Tryptophan supplement or treat. Specially formulated supplements will give you instructions and the correct dosage to give your dog.
This helps ensure your dog is getting the correct dosage for their weight.
Xen Pets offers a supplement containing 60 milligrams of L Tryptophan per serving.
Further down in this post, you can find foods that are naturally high in L Tryptophan. Although it's difficult to dose correctly - fresh food is always great for dogs!
How Much L-Tryptophan Can I Give My Dog?
The generally suggested dose for adult dogs is 6.5 milligrams per pound of body weight.
Surprisingly, the suggested dosage for puppies is much higher at 41 milligrams per pound of body weight.
As always, please speak with your vet before administering L Tryptophan supplements, calming treats, or calming chews that contain active ingredients.
Foods That Contain L Tryptophan
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Milk
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Tuna
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Turkey Meat
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Chicken
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Oat flour
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Cheese
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Peanut Butter
Is L-Tryptophan Safe For Dogs?
L-tryptophan is widely considered safe for dogs. It's a naturally occurring amino acid that many dogs need to thrive.
There are many studies showing L Tryptophan is safe for dogs to consume.
It's often considered an essential ingredient for the body to produce, so supplementation may be necessary if your pup doesn't make enough on their own.
What Are The Side Effects of L-Tryptophan?
One of the more serious, but rare, side effects of L Tryptophan is serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious side effect of some products that contain L Tryptophan.
It is an unhealthy buildup of serotonin in the body. It can affect dogs and humans.
Serotonin syndrome generally occurs in animals that are taking multiple medications.
If your dog is taking additional supplements or medications like serotonin reuptake inhibitors, ask your vet before starting L Tryptophan supplementation.
4 Signs of Serotonin Syndrome
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Increased heart rate
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Confusion
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Increased temperature
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trembling and seizures
Can Dogs Overdose on L-Tryptophan?
Your dog may experience mild digestive signs like vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, you will see increased lethargy in a tryptophan overdose.
Contact your vet immediately if you believe your dog has overdosed on L Tryptophan.
Conclusion
If you have a dog that suffers from anxiety and insomnia you can try supplementing with L Tryptophan.
Our calmingĀ treats may helpĀ relieve anxiety and include a low dose of L Tryptophan and other essential nutrients.
Overall, our treats may help your dog feel more relaxed and comfortable in situations that would normally trigger their anxiety.
Calming bites can provide many benefits for your dog:
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May reduce your your dog's stress levels
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Promotes a calming effect to help sleep habits
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Provides anti - anxiety and calming effects
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Keeps your dog calm through storms and loud noises
Have you tried giving your dogs calming treats? Is your dog getting enough L Tryptophan? Have you tried dietary Tryptophan supplementation? Does your dog exhibit anxiety related behaviors?
Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
Does tryptophan make dogs sleepy?
L-Tryptophan is an excellent choice for pets with anxiety because it will not make them drowsy when given in the prescribed dose.
Instead, it helps their ability to handle situations that may cause worry or stress - like heading to the vet or dog groomers.
Does tryptophan help with anxiety in dogs?
L-tryptophan may help with anxiety related behavior problems. Monitor your dogs improvements as you begin supplemental tryptophan, and see if it works for them!
What is the best calming aid for dogs?
There are many calming treats in the market today. But which is best?
Our calming aids and chews include a number of natural and organic ingredients that help promote calming effects in your dog without the use of harsh chemicals. We use only natural herbs and ingredients.