Herbs to sedate dog for grooming?

[Lisa BatemanStudent]

I have a Shitzu that hates being groomed. Are there any herbs that will calm him for grooming? He’s about 10 lbs.

Lisa Bateman

[Lisabeth SeverinStudent]

Check the class info on chamomile and catnip (individual herbal quickviews and/or monographs), they are both nervines and safe for pets. As for how much, he’s given us the info on dosing somewhere…if I can just remember….

There’s a new class section on Veterinary Herbalism. Although he’s put dosing info elsewhere that covered both humans and animals of various sizes, I’m guessing the animal dosing info will also be in the new section. Which will be easier for me to remember.

[Lisabeth SeverinStudent]

Your question relates to one I’m researching for someone with a puppy that gets overexcited, so I was digging around.

I found a Doc Jone’s formula for dogs that are aggressive or anxious, “K9 Kalm & Relaxed”, (from a lesson PDF download called “Veterinary Formulas”).

“K9 Kalm & Relaxed” has Cramp Bark, Oat Straw, Skullcap and Valerian in it (in various proportions). I wonder if that would work better for your dog’s situation than catnip or chamomile, which are somewhat sedating?

He sells it here:

Kalm and Relaxed Pet Formula

It looks like maybe he renamed the formula to “Kalm and Relaxed Pet Formula”, which is good because I would assume “K9 Kalm and Relaxed” is only for dogs, not cats or other animals.

I hope you find something that helps your Shitzu get thru grooming.

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Dr. Patrick Jones

[Cathy BeedleStudent]

I believe his dosing for dried herbs is 1/8tsp per 10lbs, up to 1tsp for large dogs.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Yup. That’s a good one. Rest Easy works too.

Herb Forms & Dosing For Animals

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Dr. Patrick Jones.

[Michelle KochStudent]

In addition to herbal supplements and support, you might consider reading up on behavior modification.  There are several force-free animal behaviorists and “concept trainers” online now, who have really good ideas (in the form of games to play) for helping dogs grow confidence, optimism, impulse control, grit, flexibility, calm, etc.  I personally subscribed to courses produced by a UK based company called Absolute Dogs.  Susan Garret is also a good one (you can watch her podcast for free on you tube)  The games do work.  They take a few minutes a day, over a period of several weeks, but they do work, as long as you stick with it.  Good luck!

2 users thanked author for this post.

CariAnne Ninaus, Sarah Collie

[Sarah CollieStudent]

Hi Lisa, We are looking into herbs for the same issue for our new (>100 pound) rescue pup. Have you had any herbal experiences with your pup that you would like to share? Thank you!

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