Can an ancient root ease your dog’s stress? The science says it’s promising.

Ashwagandha has been treasured for centuries. Now a carefully designed study has put it to the test in dogs, and the results are truly fascinating.

See the results
dog and ashwagandha landing page hero image desktop

Why we love this study

They didn’t just watch the dogs. They tested them.

Most supplement research relies on what owners notice. This team also measured cortisol, a stress hormone, in each dog’s urine, so the results don’t rest on impressions alone.

  • 24 dogs who were stressed or anxious
  • Half got ashwagandha the other half got a placebo
  • 4 weeks, one dose a day
  • No one knew which dogs got the real thing

What happened in 4 weeks

Calmer bodies, calmer minds, more comfort

urine test

27% Less stress

Dogs on ashwagandha had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in their urine, than dogs on the placebo.

pet parent giving dog supplement

20% Less fear & anxiety

After 4 weeks, owners saw less fearful and anxious behavior than owners of dogs on the placebo.

active dogs running outdoors

44% Less pain

Owners said their dogs seemed to hurt less, and pain got in the way of everyday life less.

From the study

How much did the dogs receive?

15 mg of ashwagandha root extract for every kilogram (2.2 lb) a dog weighs, once a day.

Dog's weight Daily study dose
10 lb 68 mg
20 lb 136 mg
30 lb 204 mg
40 lb 272 mg
50 lb 340 mg
Dog's weight Daily study dose
60 lb 408 mg
70 lb 476 mg
80 lb 544 mg
100 lb 680 mg

Calculated equivalents of the study dose, not veterinary dosing recommendations. The study used KSM-66®, and 300 mg of one ashwagandha product isn’t necessarily equal to 300 mg of another. Dogs on medications, especially sedatives or thyroid drugs, need veterinary guidance first.

Good news for cat parents!

What about our kitty cats?

In the first study of its kind in cats, just 30 days of ashwagandha root brought some truly exciting benefits.

calm cat

Lower stress hormone

Significantly less cortisol, the main stress hormone, than cats on the placebo.

aswagandha for cats

Calmer inflammation

Key inflammation signals in the blood went down.

cat cellular health antioxidants

Stronger antioxidant defenses

Protective antioxidants went up, and a cell-damage marker went down.

Gentle on the body

Gentle on the body

No side effects, and liver and kidney values stayed healthy.

A note for cats with thyroid concerns

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common conditions in older cats, and ashwagandha root may stimulate thyroid hormone. It isn’t a good fit for hyperthyroid cats, especially long term. If your cat is a senior or hasn’t had a recent thyroid check, ask your vet for a blood test first. The dose chart on this page is for dogs only.

Be a proactive pet parent

Thinking about ashwagandha for your dog?

In just 4 weeks, this time-honored root helped stressed dogs in three big ways. Here’s your quick recap.

  • Talk with your vet first

    Especially if your dog takes medicine, like sedatives or thyroid medication.

  • Quality matters

    The study used KSM-66®, a standardized root extract. Brands vary, so 300 mg of one isn’t the same as 300 mg of another.

  • Stay tuned in

    Watch how your dog responds, and keep your vet in the loop.

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