Holly Mash is a vet specialising in herbal medicine for animals. She qualified from Bristol University in 2001 and was the first vet in the UK to gain a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Herbal Medicine.
We’re so excited to have Holly join the Dorwest team - bringing her veterinary skills, knowledge and experience to our customers and their pets.
Here’s what Holly has to say about how herbal pet care can act as a natural remedy for anxiety in dogs. This focuses on noise anxiety in dogs and her insight in calming your dog or cat on Fireworks night:
Noise anxiety in dogs and cats on Fireworks night
“There’s no reason that Fireworks night needs to be a nightmare for your pet. With the right herbal support and behavioural strategies, you can help them to stay calm and relaxed as the bangs begin. Noise phobia in dogs can happen on many occasions, but we see this is very common on Fireworks night.
Whether they are a quivering wreck or just a little unsettled, giving anxiety remedies for dogs and cats can help them to cope better on Bonfire night. Dorwest Herbs have a range of herbal pet care that helps to treat noise anxiety in dogs. These products include the Valerian Liquid Compound and the Scullcap & Valerian anxiety tablets for dogs. You can use these either on their own or combined together as a top-up for pets that have severe noise phobias.
The secret behind the Scullcap & Valerian herbs
Scullcap and Valerian are traditional herbs that have been used for centuries as ‘nervines’ to help settle and soothe the nervous system. Using herbal pet care rather than pharmaceutical sedatives is a gentler approach to helping to keep your pet calm. Chemical free, these natural remedies for dog anxiety will do just the trick when the night comes.
It’s not only the overtly anxious pets that can benefit from a helping hand on Bonfire night. It can be easier to spot the obvious signs of noise anxiety in dogs when they are acting agitated. But dogs, and especially cats, often hide the signs that they are feeling frightened. Giving them some support with herbal pet care can help them to feel more relaxed and better able to cope with the loud bangs. This is also a good strategy to help prevent noise phobia in dogs from occurring in future.
How they work as anxiety remedies for dogs and cats
These herbs work with the body, strengthening the nervous system. This helps your pet to develop calm responses and reduces their anxiety. Scientific research has shown that active flavonoids, (plant chemicals), in both these herbs help to support the ‘feel good’ brain chemicals. And as a result, help to reduce feelings of stress and noise anxiety in dogs and cats. Phytochemicals within these two herbs act to positively reinforce the actions of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a key inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system.
Working together in harmony, Scullcap & Valerian are the perfect natural remedy for dog anxiety. They do not cause any drowsiness and leave your pet feeling at ease.
To summarise
Lastly, it’s important to use herbal pet care alongside the right behavioural strategies. This will help your pet to stay as calm and relaxed as possible on November the 5th. Whilst there is still time, start to incorporate these anxiety remedies for dogs and cats into their routine. Doing so in advance will maximise the benefits and ensure you can both enjoy Fireworks night.
Not sure of the tell-tale signs of noise phobia in dogs? Learn how to know if your dog is stressed or scared.
Have a safe and anxiety free Bonfire night!”
Holly Mash BVSc MRCVS DipVWHM
Start your herbal pet care journey today!
Looking for more advice on how to calm your dog during fireworks night? Why not have a read of our range of blogs that tackle this topic.
If you’re unsure of the best herbal strategy to support noise anxiety in dogs and cats, contact us. As experts in herbal pet care, we have a wealth of knowledge to offer. We also provide a wide range of natural remedies that help support a variety of common issues. These range from digestive aid for dogs, to natural dog shampoos for sensitive skins. To get in touch for further guidance, call +44 (0) 1308 897 272 or email info@dorwestherbs.com.
