Passion Flower for Puppies

Passionflower can help ease your puppy's anxiety.

Passionflower is one of several flower essences believed to have calming effects on dogs as well as humans. Puppies can experience anxiety similar to that of a small child, and owners with anxious puppies may want to try a natural alternative to traditional medicine. Passionflower is usually combined with other essences in a supplement intended to calm your puppy.

Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is commonly used to treat anxiety. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the herb can also be used to treat insomnia. Passionflower is believed to work by elevating a chemical, gamma-aminobutyric, in the brain.

Puppy Anxieties

Puppies fret over being alone. One of the most common forms of anxiety in puppies is separation anxiety--being away from its owner for extended periods of time. A puppy may whine, destroy furniture and scratch, chew and dig at whatever it can if it is experiencing this emotional stress. Anxiety can cause stress and affect the overall health of a puppy just as worrying can cause stress in humans. Puppies may also experience anxiety when traveling or being away from home.

Passionflower Implications for Puppies

According to Good Dog Care, passionflower can help dogs with epilepsy and anxiety. See a holistic vet before you give any herbs to your puppy. The dosages, for example, may need to be adjusted according to the weight and age of your pup.

Form of Administration

Passionflower can be administered as a tablet, liquid or powder. Greg Tilford, an animal herbalist, recommends considering ease of administration (will your dog swallow a pill or liquid best?) and availability of the herb when deciding what form to give your puppy.

Research

Tilford cautions against considering all pet supplements labeled "herbal" as the same. It is important to read the labels of any supplement before giving it to your puppy. Passionflower supplement is often combined with other anxiety-reducing herbs such as skullcap or valerian root, so make sure you know the implications of all of the herbs in a given supplement before administering it to your pet.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Passionflower
• Good Dog Care: Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnata)
• The Animal Herbalist: Herbs for Anxious Dog or Cat