We love that our dogs can really feel our emotions. They always know the right time to curl up in our laps or give us an extra lick on the cheek. Or, if you’re my dog, you get excited when I’m excited, and nearly knock me over when you try to smother me with all 98 pounds of your Bernese Mountain love.

But we’re not the only ones affected by big emotions -– our pets experience stress and anxiety, too.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses and affect 18.1% of the (human) U.S. population. Our pets sense our emotions and can internalize them. Changes in their life, such as a big move, a new baby, or a new pet can contribute to a dog’s emotional distress. In fact, it’s estimated that 23 million dogs are affected by fear and anxiety disorders in the U.S. 

You may notice that your dog demonstrates hiding, shaking, excessive barking, inappropriate urination, or drooling. They may also be hyper-vigilant, attention seeking, or repetitive in behavior, such as pacing or licking. All of these behaviors could indicate some form of fear or anxiety that your pet may experience.

Thankfully, there are natural solutions that help calm puppies. L-Theanine is an amino acid that’s most commonly found in both green and black tea leaves and some mushrooms, and is known for its calming properties. It can help pets deal with environmental stressors and separation anxiety. It can also help mellow them out during events that are extra-stimulating and exciting. 

Skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know the science behind it. (But, if you do: It increases concentrations of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The structure of  L-Theanine is similar to glutamate, which allows it to compete for calming receptors and block excitation. It increases serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain within 50 minutes of ingestion.) 

But not all L-Theanine extracts are created equally… 

We use Suntheanine® in our calming bites. Suntheanine® is a patented, pure active form of L-Theanine. It’s free of D-Theanine, which can counteract the positive effects of the good stuff. Our goal is to keep all the good stuff where pups can actually benefit from it. 

And most importantly, Suntheanine® doesn’t make them drowsy or tired, just more calm and prepared. 

You can also help regulate your furry friend’s stressors by reducing other issues that can cause physical pain. Our calming bite combines all the goodness of Suntheanine® with other ingredients that promote overall health and wellness.

Ginger, chamomile, and valerian soothe nausea, while chicory promotes overall gut health. By preparing ahead for common pet pains, we can anticipate some of the things that might distress them and save them (and us!) the stress. 

As much as I love Boris’ big hugs, I use calming bites when we have friends over who may not be as used to his slobbery kisses as I am. I love that the ingredients are all natural, and he loves that they taste like bacon. Talk about a win-win.