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Your stress affects your dog’s decision-making
Do you feel stressed out often? If the answer is yes, you’re far from alone — a recent Gallup poll showed that 49% of Americans say they frequently feel stressed. And while we all know that isn’t great for our health, what we may not have considered is how it could be affecting our beloved pets. A new study out of the United Kingdom showed that dogs can not only smell human stress, but that it affects their emotions and leads them to make more pessimistic decisions.
Researchers from the University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the British charity Medical Detection Dogs tested more than a dozen dogs, having them smell rags soaked in sweat from people who had done high-pressure tasks like giving a speech or taking a math test. Then, the dogs were given a version of a famous test in which a person is shown a glass and asked whether it’s half empty or half full — they were put in a room with bowls in multiple places, some with food in them and some without. After smelling the sweat of stressed people, the dogs approached the bowls slowly and cautiously, indicating they were less optimistic about discovering a tasty treat. The dogs who smelled sweat from relaxed humans, however, didn’t change their pace when looking for food.
So what can we do to help our pets out? Lucky for all of us stressed-out folks, there are tons of products out there that can help relieve stress — both for those who walk on two and four legs. It’s good for humans to take steps to relieve their own stress — for example, with fidget toys, homeopathic remedies and at-home massagers. And for pets, calming supplements can help them find zen.
In this article: OLLY Goodbye Stress Gummy, GABA, L-Theanine, Lemon Balm, Stress-Relief Supplement in Berry Flavor, ONO Roller – Handheld Fidget Toy for Adults and PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chicken-Flavored Calming & Anxiety Chews Supplement for Dogs
The list below has a wide variety of stress-relieving items for both people and pets. If you’re interested in finding some calm — for yourself or for your beloved pet — these might do the trick.
Stress-relieving products for people
OLLY Goodbye Stress Gummy, GABA, L-Theanine, Lemon Balm, Stress-Relief Supplement in Berry Flavor
GABA, L-theanine and lemon balm extract work together to calm the body and mind in these gummy treats.
ONO Roller – Handheld Fidget Toy for Adults
This quiet and compact fidget toy allows you to work out nervous or anxious energy without distracting others around you.
Boiron StressCalm Tablets, Homeopathic Medicine for Stress Relief
Boiron’s non-sedative tablets use natural ingredients like belladonna to relieve stress and restlessness.
Hello Bello Stress Relief + Ashwagandha, Adult Stress Support Gummy for Men & Women
Ashwagandha and vitamins give these gummies natural calming abilities without any sedative effects.
Comfier Cordless Hair Scalp Massager, Head massager
Get a calming, relaxing massage at home with this cordless head and scalp massager that you can operate with one hand.
Anti-stress supplements for pets
PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chicken-Flavored Calming & Anxiety Chews Supplement for Dogs
These chicken-flavored chews are delicious for dogs and use natural ingredients like chamomile and valerian root to keep them calm.
Rescue Remedy Stress-Relief Pet Supplement
This liquid calming supplement uses a blend of five natural flower remedies to help pets feel calm: star of Bethlehem, rock rose, cherry plum, impatiens and clematis.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Calming Care Liver-Flavored Powder Calming Supplement for Dogs
Purina’s pet nutritionists and researchers have developed this strain of probiotics to promote calm for pets and curb anxious behaviors.
HomeoPet Anxiety-Relief Dog, Cat, Bird & Small Animal Supplement
This liquid calming supplement can be used for a wide range of pets and relies on natural ingredients — not chemicals — to calm them.
Pupford Calming Puppy Supplement
String cheese-flavored chews include chamomile, valerian root and other calming, natural ingredients that are safe for pets.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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