Effects of a Nutritional Supplement (DìRelaxTM) on Anxiety in Dogs in a Randomized Control Trial Design

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of DìRelaxTM, a nutraceutical formulated to reduce anxiety in dogs, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The C-BARQ questionnaire, some clinical investigations, and the impossible task test were performed in dogs before and after treatment. The C-BARQ questionnaire is particularly useful for assessing the frequency and severity of problematic behaviors. The impossible task paradigm provides insight into the decision-making processes in the realm of expectancy frustration. Results showed an ameliorative effect on the performances of treated dogs during the solvable phases, with a significant decrease in the time needed to solve the task. No behavioral difference was found between treated and untreated anxious dogs during the unsolvable phase. According to the results from the C-BARQ questionnaire, some of the behaviors appeared to improve. Clinical investigations, including a complete blood cell count and blood chemistry, showed no difference between groups, thus suggesting the safety of the product. In general, this study suggests that DìRelaxTM can be safely administered with no adverse effects and can exercise a beneficial effect on anxious dogs by enhancing their cognitive abilities, but further studies should investigate the best method of administration.

Relationship between thyroid function and sex hormones in female German shepherd dogs

“…However, in the case of TSH, fT4, and TT3, previous studies have reported the use of these methods in dogs. [42][43][44][45][46][47][48] Additionally, for all of the methods applied, internal validation demonstrated good accuracy (coefficient of variation < 7%). The decision to make the sample population as homogeneous as possible in terms of age, physical activity, and breed certainly lent more robustness to the correlations identified but decreased the possibility of identifying subjects that, because of borderline thyroid function, had cycle phase-related variability that may have affected the proper diagnosis of euthyroidism.…”

“…This situation represents another limitation. However, in the case of TSH, fT4, and TT3, previous studies have reported the use of these methods in dogs 42‐48 . Additionally, for all of the methods applied, internal validation demonstrated good accuracy (coefficient of variation < 7%).…”

Signs of Anxiety and Salivary Copeptin Levels in Dogs Diagnosed with Separation-Related Problems in a Short Separation Test

“…The arena contained three chairs (for the owner, the veterinary behaviorist and a cameraperson), a bowl for fresh water and some toys( Figure S1 ). All objects were thoroughly washed after each test to eliminate any olfactory interference, similar to the procedure of Scandurra et al [ 29 ].…”

Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel

“…Over-the-counter commercially available products, including pheromone-based substances, are commonly reported to reduce signs of stress in dogs; however, responses are not consistent across individuals ( Gaultier et al., 2005 ; Gandia Estellés and Mills, 2006 ; Mariti et al., 2012 ). Additionally, a number of nutraceuticals have been evaluated for their anxiolytic effects in dogs, both in the form of supplements ( Beata et al., 2007 ; Bosch et al., 2009 ; Landsberg et al., 2015 ; Cannas et al., 2021 ; Masic et al., 2021 ; Scandurra et al., 2022 ) as well as within complete and balanced diets ( Palestrini et al., 2010 ; Kato et al., 2012 ; Sechi et al., 2017 ), with varying results.…”