Net Weight: 36.8 g (1.29 oz) | 102 scoops
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Events like storms, fireworks and visits to the vet can create stress for many dogs and cats, but so can everyday occurrences, such as loud noises and changes in household routines.
And repeated stress can negatively affect your pets’ health and even their lifespan, but the right calming herbs and nutraceuticals can go a long way toward helping them adapt.
Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support is designed to help ease the internal feelings of stress that many cats and dogs experience from time to time. While primarily intended for occasional use, it can be used long-term when paired with appropriate behaviour modification.
Stress Support is a special blend of 8 adaptogenic herbs and active ingredients packed with phytochemicals, antioxidants, neurotransmitters and other active compounds that work together to support a healthy, calm response to stress.
Net Weight: 36.8 g (1.29 oz) | 102 scoops
Events like storms, fireworks and visits to the vet can create stress for many dogs and cats, but so can everyday occurrences, such as loud noises and changes in household routines.
And repeated stress can negatively affect your pets’ health and even their lifespan, but the right calming herbs and nutraceuticals can go a long way toward helping them adapt.
Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support is designed to help ease the internal feelings of stress that many cats and dogs experience from time to time. While primarily intended for occasional use, it can be used long-term when paired with appropriate behaviour modification.
Stress Support is a special blend of 8 adaptogenic herbs and active ingredients packed with phytochemicals, antioxidants, neurotransmitters and other active compounds that work together to support a healthy, calm response to stress.
Administer Stress Support orally, once per day.
Cats (2+ lbs) = 0.18 g (½ scoop)
Toy Breed Dogs (up to 14 lbs) = 0.36 g (1 scoop)
Small Breed Dogs (15 to 29 lbs) = 0.54 g (1½ scoops)
Medium Breed Dogs (30 to 49 lbs) = 0.72 g (2 scoops)
Large Breed Dogs (50 to 79 lbs) = 1.08 g (3 scoops)
Giant Breed Dogs (80+ lbs) = 1.44 g (4 scoops)
Easy to store, Stress Support does not require refrigeration or other special storage.
The Bark & Whiskers Stress Support blend contains the following active ingredients:
Inactive ingredients: Organic Dried White Cheddar Cheese Powder (Organic Dried Cultured Milk, Salt)
Formulated in a base of organic dried white cheddar cheese powder, Stress Support has a taste both cats and dogs love!
Safe use in pregnant animals or animals intended for breeding has not been proven.
If an animal's condition worsens or does not improve, stop product administration and consult your veterinarian.
If your pet is taking MAO inhibitors or sedatives, do not use this supplement.
Helps calm an anxious
cat or dog during a stressful
situation.
Promote balanced endocrine
function, GI comfort and healthy
neurotransmitter function.
Dr Karen Becker states that in her years of private veterinarian practice, she has become a fan of several “go-to” herbs and nutrients that help dogs and cats cope during stressful times while supporting their normal endocrine balance.
She further adds that because there wasn’t a product that contained all of her favourite calming agents, she decided to create a custom blend and call it Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support.
Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support is an exclusive blend of eight adaptogenic herbs and active ingredients with phytochemicals and other active compounds that work together to support a healthy calm response to stress. It includes:
Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support is great for major stressors like thunderstorms, fireworks, and veterinarian, grooming appointments. It can also be helpful for occasional stressful situations like hot weather, trips, boarding or welcoming a new pet or family member into your household.
Please keep in mind that Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support is not intended to be a "personality changer in a jar."
It won't change unwanted behaviours, such as stopping your dog from chasing your cat or keeping your cat from clawing sofas. It’s also not designed to calm your hyperactive puppy. Only consistent training and behaviour modification can accomplish these things.
What it can do is provide targeted support to promote your pet’s healthy stress response.
Tulsi, also known as “Holy Basil,” has been widely valued and honoured for more than 5,000 years in India, where it’s grown in a special place in many Hindu homes.
Popular for promoting good health in humans, early Ayurvedic texts also mention it as a safe and effective herb in veterinary care.
The leaves of the Tulsi plant contain hundreds of compounds known as phytochemicals. These compounds are rich in antioxidants and support:
Dr Karen Becker recommends using only organically grown Tulsi, not only to avoid pesticide and herbicide residues but also because organic methods help maximize nutritional content.
Bark & Whiskers’ certified organic Tulsi producer in India has the right to harvest Tulsi in central and northern India. They are among the few herbal companies in India to receive organic and kosher certifications, as well as certifications in Safe Food Quality and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
Working hard to educate growers and farmers in sustainable organic farming methods, our producer firmly believes in creating win-win scenarios for all parties involved in the production of this calming ancient herb.
This simple amino acid stimulates anti-stress alpha waves.
First discovered in green tea leaves in 1950, L-Theanine has been extensively studied for its calming effects in dogs and cats.
L-Theanine is absorbed through the membrane of the large intestine and is transported directly to the brain, where it stimulates mentally alert, yet calming alpha waves.
Although tea leaves are a natural source of the amino acid, L-Theanine only makes up 1% to 2% of the dry weight of tea leaves. Not only is it costly and time-consuming to extract L-Theanine from tea leaves, you typically don't get a pure product from tea.
Fortunately, a pure, clean L-Theanine is available through a proprietary process that produces a form that is structurally and functionally identical to the L-Theanine found in tea leaves. This is the form included in Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support.
Derived from another naturally occurring amino acid, it's standardized to 98% pure L-Theanine. Most importantly, it's completely caffeine-free, unlike regular green tea.
A duo of outstanding adaptogen herbs to help your pet's body handle stress.
Adaptogens are a group of herbs and mushrooms that can help your pet's body adapt to physical, chemical and environmental stress by helping to regulate balance in the glands involved in the stress response.
One of these is Rhodiola rosea, or "golden root," a perennial plant that has long been known to be a true, potent adaptogen.
Rhodiola contains substances – like rosavin, rosaridin, rosin, salidroside and tyrosol – that directly support the central nervous system, promoting resistance against harmful physical and emotional stress. It specifically supports the heart in resisting the adverse effects of stress.
Another powerful adaptogen, Ashwagandha supports healthy, balanced endocrine function, which includes the adrenal and thyroid glands. It supports your pets when they’re feeling stressed by promoting their ability to stay relaxed and calm.
Ashwagandha, or "Indian Ginseng," is a small perennial evergreen shrub native to India. It has a long history of use in Ayurveda as a general tonic for promoting healthful balance throughout the body.
The Ashwagandha Root Powder in Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support formula is grown in healthy, fertile soil, with no harmful chemicals used during the growing, drying or production phases.
Gentle yet powerful, chamomile is just as calming for your pet as it is for you.
One of the most popular relaxing herbs in the Western world, the use of Chamomile dates back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.
Native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia, Chamomile is a plant with small daisy-like flowers. Often found growing in clusters along roadsides and in fields, it’s easily recognised by its distinctive fresh herbal fragrance.
The dried flowers contain many terpenoids and flavonoids, including beneficial volatile oils, and are popular for making tea, herbal powders and extracts.
Although it's been used historically for human well-being, most of the published studies on Chamomile have been done with animals, especially those exploring its calming qualities.
Chamomile has a calming effect on the nerves and the digestive tract and may be especially helpful for pets who experience an upset stomach when stressed.
Practitioners value tryptophan for its ability to promote serotonin production. Serotonin supports concentration and feelings of well-being. When levels of serotonin are too low, fear, aggression and anxiety can emerge.
5-HTP is actually superior to tryptophan because it's better absorbed in the gut. Plus, it’s able to pass through the blood-brain barrier to directly access your pet’s brain and nervous system, which is why it’s included in Bark & Whiskers™ Stress Support.
In order to provide the potential benefits of tryptophan for your pets, Dr Becker has included 5-Hydroxytryptohan, or 5-HTP, in their formula. 5-HTP is a compound that your body produces from tryptophan, and 5-HTP, in turn, converts into serotonin.
In addition to obvious stressors such as thunderstorms and holiday fireworks, there are several types of not-so-obvious events and situations that can trigger stress in your pets:
Obviously, not all causes of stress are avoidable. But whatever the cause, you need to know that events like these can cause very real stress for your pet.
For many dogs and cats, these types of events unleash feelings of fear or even terror. Pets have been known to tear curtains and chew furniture in the midst of panic, or even to break a window in an attempt to escape.
With dogs, genetics may play a role in astraphobia – fear of thunderstorms – and certain breeds tend to be predisposed. Herding dogs like collies, German Shepherds, Beagles and Basset Hounds are more likely to react to storms than other dogs. Rescued dogs of any breed often experience storm phobia.
Because cats relate to their surroundings through sound and smell, loud noises can be especially frightening to them. They can even be fearful of rain, instinctively seeking a sheltered location, such as under a bed, for safety.
The first instinct for many caring pet owners is to try to calm and soothe their pets during stressful times. However, you may be unknowingly reinforcing fearful behaviours and instilling more fear in your pet with your actions.
Take a close look at your own behaviour and that of family members. For example, do you or others react fearfully to storms? Or do you get frazzled when guests come to visit?
Your pets can sense feelings of stress, fear and anxiety in your household, causing them to respond negatively.
Dr Karen Becker advises pet parents to go about their normal routine and avoid paying special attention to their pets while they exhibit signs of fear during stressful events. Do your best to remain relaxed and upbeat, giving them the signal that everything is okay.
It’s important to resist the temptation to excessively pamper your pet during storms or fireworks. Doing this can actually reward – and reinforce – the unwanted behaviour.
That said, Dr Karen Becker also advises not to ignore your pets when they are feeling distressed. Research shows stress can seriously affect the well-being and even lifespan of pets, especially dogs. Above all, don’t scold or punish your pet for a natural response to what they perceive as a real threat.
When under stress, your dogs’ bodies release an excessive amount of the “fight or flight” hormone norepinephrine, which can alter their gut microbiome and interfere with GI function.
How can you tell if your pets are feeling stressed? They may experience any of the following behaviours:
When you notice one or more of these signs and suspect your pets may be feeling stressed, try the following strategies below to help support them and encourage good behaviour.
As a caring pet parent, it’s good to know there are things you can do to help your pet that won’t reward unwanted behaviours. However, Dr Karen Becker advises starting as early as possible, as phobias tend to worsen with each repeated incident.
1. Give your pet a “safe” place to retreat.
Have a dark room, closet or bathroom for your pet to escape to when a storm is approaching or during fireworks, especially when you’re not home. Basements are ideal. To provide comfort for your dog, place a solid-sided crate in the room, with the door open, along with some food, water, treats and favourite toys.
Help acclimate your pet to the room in advance by making it a place for fun activities, treats and gentle soothing massage. Keep the lights on during a storm to minimise the impact of lightning flashes. You could also play calming music.
2. Try distracting your pet.
Ask your dog to perform a familiar command and provide rewards for their cooperation. This technique distracts both of you – your dog from his fear of the storm and you from the temptation to reinforce your pet’s behaviour.
Attempt to engage your pet in play or offer your dog a bone or healthy chew, such as our Himalayan Chews or raw bones. Distract your pet with loving touch, massage and treats.
3. Consider getting your dog or cat a "storm" comfort jacket or cape.
"Storm" jackets or shirts are special garments designed to hug your pet’s body as if they’re being swaddled. These can provide comfort for many dogs and even cats, and help during stressful events.
A storm wrap or cape helps shield your pet from static electricity that can build up during storms. Electrical shocks from storms only add more discomfort for an already stressed animal.
4. Use supplements and natural remedies.
Organic Lavender essential oil, therapeutic grade, can help reduce the stress response in dogs, so placing a few drops on your dog’s collar or diffusing it in your home may be helpful. (Never use essential oils around cats.) Calming adaptogenic herbs can benefit both stressed dogs and cats.
This great product - Stress Support for Cats and Dogs is provided via our exclusive partner, Bark & Whiskers, where Dr Karen Becker, one of the most followed wellness and integrative veterinarians in the world, shares the most up-to-date information on species-appropriate nutrition and care.
Just like Furchild, she believes that the food and lifestyle choices you make for your pets form the foundation of their health and longevity.
Moreover, Dr Becker is also the first veterinarian to give a TEDx Talk on species-appropriate nutrition.
She enjoys empowering pet parents and helping them become knowledgeable advocates for their pets’ well-being. Instead of simply addressing the symptoms, Dr Becker promotes the use of functional medicine, which involves making dietary and lifestyle choices to help pets thrive and prevent illness.
And in 2021, she also co-authored with pet influencer, Rodney Habib, to publish their book - The Forever Dog, which became the first-ever No.1 New York Times best-selling book about intentionally creating canine well-being.
Discovering the right dietary choices for your beloved pets can have a significant impact on their overall well-being, especially when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. Here are some food recommendations:
1. Furchild Meals
Our meals feature low-carbohydrate and high-quality protein sourced from fresh, natural, whole-cut meats. This dietary approach can help stabilise a pet's blood sugar levels, potentially reducing mood swings and promoting a consistent energy level. Feeding Furchild can contribute to a pet's overall emotional stability, which is essential for managing stress.
2. Probiotics
A healthy gut can have a positive impact on a pet's overall well-being, including their response to stress. Probiotic supplements or foods rich in probiotics, such as Raw Goat Milk & Kefir, or Organic & Grass-fed Green Tripe, can be beneficial.
3. Turkey
Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can promote a sense of relaxation and reduce anxiety in pets.
Furchild features ethically sourced cage-free turkey in the following menu options: balanced raw meals, raw neck bone, and freeze-dried treats.
4. Fresh Raw Fish
Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fresh raw fish possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit a pet's overall health. Regarding stress management, omega-3s also support cognitive function, potentially reducing anxiety and enhancing a pet's ability to cope with stress.
Furchild features ethically sourced wild-caught fish in the following menu options: minnows, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and salmon.
For more food recommendations and supportive pet products that help with stress and anxiety in your pet, click here.
In addition to diet, addressing the root causes of your pet's stress and providing a comfortable environment are also crucial for their overall well-being.