Choosing a Dog Bed: How to Find the Right One
August 9, 2026
As more pet parents seek out natural calming supplements for dogs and cats, there are some important safety considerations—particularly when a pet is already taking veterinary-prescribed anxiety medication.
Some supplements may help pets with mild or situational anxiety, while others can support a broader treatment plan involving medication, environmental management and behaviour modification.
However, “natural” does not automatically mean risk-free. Some calming ingredients can affect the same pathways in the brain as prescription medication, increasing the risk of interactions.
I caught up with Veterinary Psychiatrist, Dr Jacqui Ley, to discuss what pet parents need to know before giving their dog or cat a calming supplement.
Anxiety can develop for several reasons. Some dogs and cats may have a genetic tendency towards anxiety, while others develop fears following inadequate, overwhelming or negative socialisation experiences during puppyhood or as kittens.
Anxiety can also begin after a frightening experience, such as a dog attack, loud noise, stressful veterinary visit or another event that leaves the dog feeling unsafe.
Pain, illness, sensory decline and cognitive changes can also cause or worsen anxiety, particularly in older pets. This is why any sudden or unexplained behaviour change should be discussed with a veterinarian.
The signs of anxiety can be subtle, especially in the early stages.
Dogs may show:
Cats often show anxiety differently. Signs may include:
Many of these behaviours can also be caused by pain or illness. If your pet’s behaviour changes suddenly or begins affecting their wellbeing, seek veterinary advice.
Learn more about the signs of anxiety in dogs HERE.
Learn more about anxiety in both dogs and cats HERE.
When Might Anxiety Medication Be Recommended?
For some pets, changes to their environment and a behaviour modification plan may be enough. In other cases, medication may be recommended to reduce anxiety and improve their ability to cope and learn.
Long-acting medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, help regulate serotonin over time and are generally taken daily.
Short-acting medications may be prescribed for specific stressful situations, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, veterinary visits, car travel or separation.
Other medications affect different chemical pathways in the brain, including noradrenaline. The most appropriate medication will depend on the type and severity of the pet’s anxiety, their health and their individual response.
Medication should always form part of a broader treatment plan developed with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviour specialist. To read more about medication, click HERE.
Sometimes, but it depends on the supplement’s active ingredients and how they interact with the pet’s prescribed medication.
For pets with mild anxiety, a supplement may be helpful on its own. In other cases, it may support a broader treatment plan involving medication, behaviour modification and environmental management.
Zylkene, and Zylkene Plus for example, contains alpha-casozepine, a peptide derived from the milk protein casein. It supports calming pathways in the brain but does not influence serotonin in the same way as an SSRI. This means the two may be considered together as part of a veterinarian-supervised treatment plan.
However, other calming ingredients in many other products readily available require greater caution.
L-tryptophan is an amino acid the body uses to produce serotonin. It is included in some calming supplements and therapeutic diets.
Because SSRIs and some other behavioural medications also affect serotonin, pet parents should not add a concentrated L-tryptophan supplement without first consulting their veterinarian.
Combining serotonin-promoting products can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Although uncommon, this can be serious.
Signs may include:
Seek urgent veterinary care if these signs develop after your pet receives medication or a calming supplement.
St John’s wort should not be combined at all with pharmaceutical antidepressants or other serotonin-increasing products unless specifically directed by a veterinarian.
Although it is plant-derived, St John’s wort can have significant biological effects and may interact with medication. There is also limited controlled evidence supporting its use for anxiety in dogs and cats.
Never give your pet a human St John’s wort product, as the dose and additional ingredients may be unsuitable or unsafe for animals.
Some of the same classes of behavioural medication may be prescribed for dogs and cats, including SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. However, the condition being treated, dose and individual response can differ considerably.
Medication prescribed for one animal should never be given to another, even if their symptoms appear similar.
The same supplement precautions apply to cats. Check every active ingredient and make sure your veterinarian knows about all medications, calming products, supplements and therapeutic diets your cat receives.
Because changes such as hiding, overgrooming, irritability and toileting outside the litter tray may also indicate pain or illness, cats should receive a veterinary examination before these behaviours are assumed to be anxiety.
Before giving your dog or cat a calming supplement:
Taking a photo of the product label can make it easier for your veterinarian to assess the complete formulation.
Calming supplements and medication may reduce anxiety, but they do not teach a pet how to feel safer around a trigger.
An effective treatment plan may also involve identifying and managing triggers, providing safe resting or hiding places, avoiding forced interactions and using gradual behaviour modification.
A qualified reward-based trainer, veterinarian or veterinary behaviour specialist can help develop a plan suited to your pet.
Natural calming supplements for dogs and cats may be useful, but the right product depends on your pet’s needs, health and current medication.
Always check the ingredients, what they act on and how much the product contains. Introduce new supplements carefully and discuss ongoing use with your veterinarian—particularly if your pet already takes an SSRI or another behavioural medication.
To learn more about Zylkene and Zylkene Plus, visit their website. Speak with your veterinarian if you notice signs of anxiety or an unexplained change in your pet’s behaviour.
Can dogs take calming supplements with SSRIs?
Some calming supplements may be used alongside SSRIs, but it depends on their ingredients. Do not add a product containing L-tryptophan, St John’s wort or another serotonin-promoting ingredient without veterinary advice.
Is Zylkene safe to use with anxiety medication?
Zylkene affects different calming pathways from an SSRI and may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan. Generally Zylkene, and it’s core ingredient alpha-casozepine, is safe to use alongside medication, but may not be suitable to treat dog aggression.
Ask your veterinarian whether it is appropriate for your pet and compatible with their medication.
Can cats take calming supplements?
Some calming supplements are formulated for cats. However, behavioural changes can also indicate pain or illness, so seek veterinary advice before assuming your cat has anxiety.
Can calming supplements replace anxiety medication?
A supplement may be helpful for mild or situational anxiety, but it should not replace prescribed medication without veterinary guidance. More significant anxiety usually requires a broader treatment plan.
When should I speak to my veterinarian?
Consult your veterinarian before introducing a supplement if your pet takes medication. You should also seek advice if their anxiety is worsening, affecting their wellbeing or has appeared suddenly.
About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com.
Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog
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