Many dogs and cats experience stress at some stage in their lives. Fireworks, thunderstorms, travel, visits to the vet, moving house, separation from family members or even changes in routine can all affect how our pets feel. Some become withdrawn, others pace, vocalise, hide or develop digestive upsets.
What’s exciting is that research is changing the way we understand anxiety in pets.
Scientists now recognise that the brain and the digestive system are constantly communicating through what is known as the gut-brain axis. The billions of beneficial microorganisms living in the gut don’t just help digest food, they also influence mood, behaviour, immunity and the body’s response to stress.
This means that supporting emotional wellbeing is about much more than simply “calming the brain.”
New evidence-informed nutritional supplements are now being formulated to support several of the body’s natural calming pathways at the same time. Rather than relying on a single ingredient, they combine carefully selected nutrients, amino acids, beneficial yeast and traditional herbal ingredients that work together to support relaxation, healthy neurotransmitter production, cognitive function and gut health.
Ingredients such as L-theanine and L-tryptophan help provide the building blocks for calming brain chemicals, while herbs including ashwagandha and valerian have traditionally been used to help the body cope with stress. Nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc and phosphatidylcholine support healthy nervous system function, while Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a beneficial nutritional yeast, helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, an important part of the gut-brain connection.
Importantly, products like Broadreach Nature Relax and Calm Care are designed to support relaxed, normal behaviour rather than sedation. The goal is not to make pets sleepy, but to help them relax and feel better able to cope with life’s everyday challenges.
Of course, no supplement replaces good behavioural management. Providing predictable routines, positive training, regular exercise, enrichment activities and a safe environment all contribute to emotional wellbeing. For pets with severe or persistent anxiety, your veterinarian can help develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
As our understanding of the gut-brain axis continues to grow, so too does our ability to support pets in a gentle, evidence-informed way. By nourishing both the brain and the gut, we can help dogs and cats become more resilient, more relaxed and better equipped to enjoy life.
More Than Just the Brain: Supporting Your Pet Through the Gut-Brain Connection
Many dogs and cats experience stress at some stage in their lives. Fireworks, thunderstorms, travel, visits to the vet, moving house, separation from family members or even changes in routine can all affect how our pets feel. Some become withdrawn, others pace, vocalise, hide or develop digestive upsets.
What’s exciting is that research is changing the way we understand anxiety in pets.
Scientists now recognise that the brain and the digestive system are constantly communicating through what is known as the gut-brain axis. The billions of beneficial microorganisms living in the gut don’t just help digest food, they also influence mood, behaviour, immunity and the body’s response to stress.
This means that supporting emotional wellbeing is about much more than simply “calming the brain.”
New evidence-informed nutritional supplements are now being formulated to support several of the body’s natural calming pathways at the same time. Rather than relying on a single ingredient, they combine carefully selected nutrients, amino acids, beneficial yeast and traditional herbal ingredients that work together to support relaxation, healthy neurotransmitter production, cognitive function and gut health.
Ingredients such as L-theanine and L-tryptophan help provide the building blocks for calming brain chemicals, while herbs including ashwagandha and valerian have traditionally been used to help the body cope with stress. Nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc and phosphatidylcholine support healthy nervous system function, while Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a beneficial nutritional yeast, helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, an important part of the gut-brain connection.
Importantly, products like Broadreach Nature Relax and Calm Care are designed to support relaxed, normal behaviour rather than sedation. The goal is not to make pets sleepy, but to help them relax and feel better able to cope with life’s everyday challenges.
Of course, no supplement replaces good behavioural management. Providing predictable routines, positive training, regular exercise, enrichment activities and a safe environment all contribute to emotional wellbeing. For pets with severe or persistent anxiety, your veterinarian can help develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
As our understanding of the gut-brain axis continues to grow, so too does our ability to support pets in a gentle, evidence-informed way. By nourishing both the brain and the gut, we can help dogs and cats become more resilient, more relaxed and better equipped to enjoy life.