Rescue Remedy for Dogs: A Natural Solution for
Your Pet's Anxiety 🐶
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Rescue Remedy?
History
of Rescue Remedy
Ingredients
in Rescue Remedy
Flower
Essences
Preservatives
Water
How Does Rescue Remedy Work?
Calming
Effects on the Nervous System
Central
Nervous System
Sympathetic
Nervous System
Anti-Anxiety
Effects
Acute
Anxiety Relief
Ongoing
Anxiety Management
When Should You Use Rescue Remedy?
Sudden
Stressful Situations
Thunderstorms
Fireworks
Construction
Noises
Car
Travel
New
Environments
Injuries
or Trauma
Ongoing
Anxiety Problems
Noise
Anxiety
Separation
Anxiety
Trembling
and Pacing
Hiding
Behavior
Clinginess
Compulsive
Behaviors
Specific
Stressful Situations
Car
or Air Travel
Preparing For Travel
During the Trip
Settling In New Places
Vet
Visits
Pre-Appointment
During the Exam
Grooming
Bath Time
Nail Trims
Fireworks
Shows
Before Fireworks
During Loud Noises
Boarding/Kennels
Drop Off
During the Stay
Pick Up
How to Give Rescue Remedy
Directly
Into the Mouth
Absorption
Rate
Administration
Tips
Adding
to Food or Water
Mixing
Guidelines
Food
Suggestions
Applying
to Treats
Types
of Treats
Getting
Your Dog to Eat It
Using
a Diffuser
Diffuser
Benefits
Diffuser
Tips
Proper Dosage Information
Puppies
Small
Dogs
Medium
Dogs
Large
Dogs
Giant
Breeds
Safety and Side Effects
Natural
Ingredients
No
Known Side Effects
Interactions
with Medications
Reviews and Testimonials
Noise
Anxiety Success Stories
Separation
Anxiety Success Stories
Veterinarian
Recommendations
Pet
Owner Experiences
Frequently Asked Questions
What
is Rescue Remedy?
Is it
safe for dogs?
How
quickly does it work?
How
often can I use it?
What's
the best way to administer it?
Can I
use it long term?
Does
it have any side effects?
Can I
give it alongside prescription medications?
When
should I give it before a stressful situation?
Does
it work on older dogs?
Conclusion
Summary
of Main Points
Final
Thoughts
Introduction
Does your dog become anxious,
fearful, or stressed in certain situations? 😟 Many dog owners have
pets that experience anxiety due to loud noises 🔊, separation when left
alone 😞, car travel 🚗, or even just visits to
the veterinarian 👩⚕️. This anxiety can
lead to undesirable behaviors in our pets like barking 📢,
chewing 🦴, urination 💦, and more.
Rescue Remedy provides a natural
solution that can offer fast-acting relief for your anxious four-legged friend!
🐶
This holistic flower essence blend was originally created by Dr. Edward Bach in
England during the 1930s. He believed that negative emotional states like fear,
anxiety, and uncertainty caused illness, and that his flower remedies could
restore positive feelings and health.
Rescue Remedy contains a
combination of 5 different Bach Original Flower Remedies that work together to
relieve feelings of panic, tension, stress, and phobias in animals (and humans
too!). It has been used for decades to provide soothing, calming effects during
stressful situations or periods of anxiety in pets. 🙌
In this comprehensive guide, we
will explore everything you need to know about using Rescue Remedy for dogs,
including:
- What Rescue Remedy is and how
it was developed
- The ingredients and how it
works to calm the nervous system
- When to administer it based on
your dog's needs
- Detailed ways to give Rescue
Remedy and proper dosing
- Safety, side effects, and what
veterinarians say about it
- Reviews from real pet owners
who have used it for their dogs
- FAQs and tips for optimal use
By the end, you'll understand how
this natural flower essence remedy can help provide anxiety and stress relief
for your canine companion! Let's get started!
What is Rescue Remedy?
History of Rescue Remedy
Rescue Remedy was first formulated
in the 1930s by a British physician named Dr. Edward Bach. Dr. Bach studied
medicine and bacteriology early in his career. But after years of work as a
pathologist, he grew dissatisfied with conventional medicine and turned his
focus toward developing complementary treatments centered on the mind-body
connection.
Dr. Bach became interested in
homeopathy and the idea that emotional states played a key role in physical
health and disease. He spent years researching, preparing, and testing 38
flower essences that he found to be beneficial in treating negative emotions
and anxiety.
Rescue Remedy contained a
combination of 5 of these essences that Dr. Bach found most effective for
relieving acute anxiety, fear, and panic. He shared his Remedies widely, and
they were soon embraced for their gentle effectiveness. Today they are still made
following Dr. Bach's original methods and formulations.
So while Rescue Remedy may seem
like a new trendy supplement, it actually has 80+ years of successful use
behind it! Dr. Bach's flower essences have stood the test of time as a safe,
natural solution for calming emotional distress in both humans and pets.
Ingredients in Rescue Remedy
The ingredients in Rescue Remedy
are very simple. Let's look at what's inside:
Flower Essences
The key active ingredients are
the flower essences, which give Rescue Remedy its calming properties:
- Cherry Plum - Relieves feelings
of losing control or irrational thoughts/behaviors
- Clematis - For grounding,
bringing awareness back to the present moment
- Impatiens - Eases tension and
irritability
- Rock Rose - Alleviates terror,
panic, and distressing nightmares
- Star of Bethlehem - Helps
recover from trauma, loss, or distressing news
These flower essences are all
sourced from the blooms of plants and trees. They contain no actual material or
chemical constituents of the plants themselves, only their energetic healing
imprints.
Preservatives
Rescue Remedy also contains:
- 27% grape base alcohol - Acts
as a natural preservative to extend the shelf life of the flower essences. It
also helps deliver the extracts into the bloodstream faster once administered.
Water
The remainder is spring water,
which acts as the base. No artificial colors, flavors, or stabilizers are
added.
So as you can see, the ingredient
list is very natural and free of harsh chemicals. This makes it very gentle and
safe for pets when used as directed!
Next let's look at how these
simple but powerful ingredients are thought to work to ease anxiety in dogs.
How Does Rescue Remedy Work?
Rescue Remedy provides calming
effects through a few key mechanisms:
Calming Effects on the Nervous
System
Central Nervous System
Rescue Remedy helps relax the
central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. It has
a balancing, stabilizing effect that can reduce anxiety and emotional
reactivity.
Sympathetic Nervous System
It also counters the acute
"fight-or-flight" response triggered by the sympathetic nervous
system during extremely stressful or frightening events.
By slowing down this automatic
physiological reaction and quelling its effects like rapid heart rate,
trembling, etc., Rescue Remedy helps your dog feel less panicked and fearful.
Anti-Anxiety Effects
Acute Anxiety Relief
Rescue Remedy is particularly
helpful for acute anxiety in the moment of a stressful trigger or situation.
For example, it can provide fairly quick relief if your dog experiences a
sudden thunderstorm or loud noise phobia.
Ongoing Anxiety Management
It can also help manage ongoing,
repetitive anxiety such as separation distress when left alone frequently.
While not a cure on its own, it can be used regularly alongside other training
techniques to ease this type of anxiety.
The key is that Rescue Remedy
works on a physiological level very rapidly to counter panic and instill a
sense of calm. Let's look closer at some specific situations where it can help
anxious dogs.
When Should You Use Rescue Remedy?
There are many circumstances
where Rescue Remedy can help fearful, stressed, or anxious dogs. Here are some
of the most common uses:
Sudden Stressful Situations
Rescue Remedy is particularly
helpful for sudden incidents that cause acute stress or panic, including:
Thunderstorms
Dog anxiety during thunderstorms
is very common. The noise, flashes of light, and atmospheric pressure changes
can all trigger panic. Just a few drops of Rescue Remedy during a storm can
promote relaxation.
Fireworks
Similarly, dogs often fear the
loud noises, smells, and bright flashes caused by fireworks. Rescue Remedy is
safe for easing this anxiety on Independence Day or other fireworks displays.
Construction Noises
The loud equipment used in
construction work like jackhammers, dump trucks, cranes, bulldozers, etc. can
frighten dogs prone to noise phobias. Rescue Remedy helps muffle reactivity to
these noises.
Car Travel
Some dogs experience extreme
distress during travel in vehicles. They may pant, pace, bark, and even get
sick. Rescue Remedy can make car trips much more peaceful.
New Environments
Visiting unfamiliar places away
from home often causes anxiety too. Rescue Remedy helps dogs stay calm when
encountering new environments.
Injuries or Trauma
After an injury, accident, or
other traumatic event, Rescue Remedy can aid the emotional recovery of your
shocked or distressed dog.
Ongoing Anxiety Problems
For anxiety issues that occur on
a frequent or ongoing basis, Rescue Remedy can also help provide relief when
used regularly as part of a management regimen:
Noise Anxiety
Dogs with noise phobias or sound
sensitivities may feel on edge chronically. Regular Rescue Remedy can dampen
this constant anxiety.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety tend
to exhibit distressed behaviors whenever left alone. Rescue Remedy serves as emotional
support during times apart from owners.
Trembling and Pacing
Trembling, shaking, and
repetitive pacing are common physical symptoms of chronic anxiety in dogs.
Rescue Remedy helps minimize these troubling signs.
Hiding Behavior
Anxious dogs may compulsively
hide behind or under furniture whenever they feel stressed. Coaxing them out
with treats containing Rescue Remedy can provide comfort.
Clinginess
Dogs who follow owners from room
to room or demand constant physical contact do so out of insecurity. Rescue
Remedy helps reinforce confidence and independence.
Compulsive Behaviors
Behaviors like excessive licking,
tail chasing, or barking at shadows can indicate anxiety. Rescue Remedy helps
curb the obsession behind these compulsive habits.
So regular use of Rescue Remedy
can support the daily emotional health of chronically anxious dogs in many
ways!
Specific Stressful Situations
There are also some very specific
circumstances where Rescue Remedy can really make a difference. These include:
Car or Air Travel
Traveling anywhere by car or
airplane is very stressful for most dogs, but Rescue Remedy helps in all
stages:
Preparing For Travel
Starting Rescue Remedy several
days before a planned trip begins adjusting your dog's mindset.
During the Trip
Ongoing administration en route
helps your dog stay relaxed in transit. Having the bottle on hand for use if
needed is also important.
Settling In New Places
Once you reach your destination,
continue using Rescue Remedy to help your dog calmly adjust to new
surroundings.
Vet Visits
Veterinary exams can be
anxiety-provoking but Rescue Remedy makes the experience more pleasant:
Pre-Appointment
Give your dog Rescue Remedy the
night before and day of their vet visit for a worry-free mindset going in.
During the Exam
Bring the Rescue Remedy bottle to
provide proper dosing before or during any stressful parts of the actual exam
as needed.
Grooming
Dogs can become fearful or
agitated when handled for grooming. Applying Rescue Remedy in these instances
prevents tension:
Bath Time
Add several drops to bath water
or spray lightly on your dog's coat just before bathing.
Nail Trims
Rub directly on paw pads
beforehand since nail trims often provoke anxiety.
Fireworks Shows
Soothing anxiety before and
during displays prevents full-blown fireworks phobia:
Before Fireworks
Administering Rescue Remedy 15-30
minutes prior helps maintain composure as the noises escalate.
During Loud Noises
Having the bottle on hand to
provide additional doses is key for keeping your dog relaxed at loud moments.
Boarding/Kennels
Anytime your dog is away from
home, Rescue Remedy eases the effects of separation:
Drop Off
Give a dose upon arrival to help
them adjust as you leave.
During the Stay
Ask the caretakers to administer
it daily, especially before bedtime.
Pick Up
Provide another dose when you
return before the ride home for continued comfort.
As you can see, Rescue Remedy is
helpful during nearly any potentially stressful situation a dog may face! Next
let's go over the best ways to administer it.
How to Give Rescue Remedy to Dogs
There are several easy methods to
provide Rescue Remedy when your dog needs it:
Directly Into the Mouth
Absorption Rate
Placing drops directly into the
mouth provides the fastest-acting absorption and quickest effects.
Administration Tips
Use the dropper to squirt 2-4
drops onto your dog's tongue, gums, or inner cheek. Do this 1-4 times daily as
needed. Go slowly to ensure they swallow properly.
Adding to Food or Water
Mixing Guidelines
An easy way to provide Rescue
Remedy regularly is adding 2-4 drops into your dog's food or water bowl 1-4
times per day.
Food Suggestions
Mix well into wet food, broths,
or gravy for easy administration over dry kibble.
Applying to Treats
Types of Treats
Place 1-2 drops onto bland treats
like plain crackers or a slice of apple for your dog to lick up.
Getting Your Dog to Eat It
Present the treat to your dog
casually - don't act concerned. Keep sessions positive. Praise your dog for
obediently taking their medicine treat!
Using a Diffuser
Diffuser Benefits
Diffusers provide constant
aroma-based effects in whatever room they are placed. Great for home use!
Diffuser Tips
Select a location out of reach of
pets. Follow directions for filling, cleaning, and operating the diffuser. Add
more Rescue Remedy as needed.
With so many administration
options, it's easy to incorporate Rescue Remedy into your anxious dog's daily
routine or give it on-the-spot when stressful situations occur. Always stick to
the proper dosing guidelines.
Proper Dosage Information
Proper dosing for Rescue Remedy
depends on your dog's size:
Puppies
For puppies under 6 months old,
give just:
- 1 drop
This tiny amount is perfect for
toy and small breed puppies.
Small Dogs
For dogs under 20 lbs, use:
- 1-3 drops
This encompasses most breeds from
chihuahuas up to small terriers, schnauzers, pugs, etc.
Medium Dogs
Dogs from 20-50 lbs can have:
- 3-4 drops
Medium-sized dogs include cocker
spaniels, bulldogs, collies, beagles, corgis, etc.
Large Dogs
For big dogs over 50 lbs,
provide:
- 4-6 drops
Most retrievers, pointers,
sheepdogs, Akitas, Dobermans would fall in this range.
Giant Breeds
Extra large and giant breeds over
90 lbs can be given up to 6 drops based on their anxiety levels.
Stick to these size guidelines
and start with lower doses, adjusting the amount upwards slowly only as needed.
Never exceed the maximum recommended doses. Contact your vet with any concerns.
Now that you know how to
administer Rescue Remedy and proper dosage amounts, let's go over some safety
considerations.
Safety and Side Effects
The safety profile of Rescue
Remedy is excellent. Here's what pet owners need to know:
Natural Ingredients
Rescue Remedy contains only
natural flower essences and alcohol in purified water. It is chemical-free and
non-toxic for dogs when used properly.
No Known Side Effects
There are no documented side
effects of Rescue Remedy in dogs, cats, or horses when administered according
to label directions. It does not cause sedation or interact with prescription
pet medications.
However, it's still smart to
discuss using Rescue Remedy with your veterinarian first if your dog takes any
regular medications or has any pre-existing health conditions.
Interactions with Medications
There are no known
contraindications or adverse interactions between Rescue Remedy and
pharmaceutical medications. However, always disclose any supplements you give
your dog to your vet when they are on medication.
While quite safe, you still want
to take some basic precautions when administering Rescue Remedy:
- Avoid giving it to pregnant or
nursing dogs without veterinary approval. The effects on unborn puppies or
babies nursing are not known.
- For puppies under 6 months old,
consult your vet on proper dosing. Stick to just 1 drop until otherwise
advised.
- Do not exceed the recommended
dosing amount based on your dog's size. More is not necessarily better.
- Monitor your dog's response to
Rescue Remedy over time rather than increasing the dose repeatedly. Return to
your vet if anxiety symptoms do not improve.
- Do not abruptly discontinue
prescription anti-anxiety medication for your dog without consulting your vet
first. Rescue Remedy should complement other therapies.
- Be aware that Rescue Remedy
does contain a small amount of alcohol as a preservative. While safe for most
dogs, those with liver problems may need vet monitoring while using it.
Overall, pet owners can feel
confident using Rescue Remedy with their dogs based on its long history of safe
use. Just take reasonable precautions and watch for any individual reactions.
Next let's hear from actual pet
owners and veterinarians about their experiences using Rescue Remedy for dog
anxiety relief!
Reviews and Testimonials
Thousands of dog owners and vets
have found Rescue Remedy helpful for relieving anxiety in pets. Here are some
of their reviews:
Noise Anxiety Success Stories
👍 “Our dog has crippling
noise phobias but Rescue Remedy has been a total game-changer during storms and
fireworks. She stays calm and relaxed with just a few drops.” – Amy F.
👍 “I used to have to
heavily sedate my dog during thunderstorms until I found Rescue Remedy. Now a
little bit gets her through every storm calmly.” – Kevin D.
Separation Anxiety Success Stories
👍 “My rescue dog had
severe separation distress but the Rescue Remedy helped her adjust and now she
happily waits for me to return.” – James P.
👍 “I give this to my dog
when I leave to prevent separation anxiety. It seems to help her feel less
distressed while I’m gone.” – Hannah G.
Veterinarian Recommendations
👍 “I’ve been recommending
Rescue Remedy to my clients for years. It’s a safe, non-pharmaceutical option
that really works for dog anxiety issues.” - Dr. Laura V.
👍 “This is a staple
recommendation in our practice for noise phobias, vet visit anxiety, and any
high-stress situation dogs face.” – Dr. Stephanie L.
Pet Owner Experiences
👍 “We tried Rescue Remedy
on our vet's advice for our dog's car sickness issues and it was tremendously
helpful.” – Chris T.
👍 “This stuff is amazing.
It allows my dog to actually enjoy car rides, thunderstorms, and being boarded
when needed.” – Linda S.
👍 “Rescue Remedy has made
a world of difference for my anxious rescue dog. Her reactions to everyday
stressors and triggers have lessened greatly.” – Emily P.
Clearly this natural flower
essence remedy has worked well for many dogs struggling with anxiety! Now let's
go over some common questions about Rescue Remedy from pet owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's recap some key information
about Rescue Remedy:
What is Rescue Remedy?
Rescue Remedy is a calming
formula originally created by Dr. Bach using flower essences and natural
preservatives. It relieves panic attacks, anxiety, and stress in dogs.
Is it safe for dogs?
Yes, Rescue Remedy is extremely
safe for dogs. It contains natural ingredients that are non-toxic at proper
doses. It does not sedate dogs or interact with medications.
How quickly does it work?
Many dogs respond within 5-10
minutes of taking Rescue Remedy for fast-acting anxiety relief. Effects last
about 2-3 hours per dose.
How often can I use it?
Most experts recommend Rescue
Remedy 1-4 times daily as needed for dogs. For sudden anxiety it can be used up
to 4 times per day. For general stress, 1-2 times daily is usually enough.
What's the best way to administer
it?
For fastest absorption, give
drops directly into the dog's mouth. But adding to food/treats or using a
diffuser are convenient ways to give it as well.
Can I use it long term?
Yes, Rescue Remedy is safe for
long-term daily use. However, for ongoing issues, combine it with
training/behavioral therapies too.
Does it have any side effects?
No side effects have been
reported in dogs when Rescue Remedy is used properly. It does not sedate,
interact with other drugs, or have toxicity.
Can I give it alongside prescription
medications?
In most cases it is fine to give
Rescue Remedy together with prescription anti-anxiety or behavior medications,
but check with your vet.
When should I give it before a
stressful situation?
Give Rescue Remedy 10-15 minutes
prior to a known stress trigger whenever possible so it has time to take
effect.
Does it work on older dogs?
Yes, Rescue Remedy can be very
effective for senior dogs. Follow the same dosing guidelines based on body
size. Monitor the results over time.
Those cover some of the most
common questions pet owners have about Rescue Remedy for dogs. Don't hesitate
to ask your veterinarian any additional questions as well.
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points
- Rescue Remedy is a blend of
flower essences developed in the 1930s by Dr. Bach to relieve anxiety and
stress.
- It works by calming the central
nervous system and controlling the "fight-or-flight" response.
- It can be used for both acute
and ongoing anxiety in dogs with great success.
- Proper dosing, administration,
safety precautions, and realistic expectations are key.
- Thousands of pet owners and
veterinarians recommend Rescue Remedy for dogs based on excellent results and
minimal risk.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Rescue Remedy is a
safe and gentle natural supplement that can significantly help ease anxiety in
dogs. Keep some on hand for stressful situations like car rides, vet visits,
boarding, loud noises, and unknown triggers that provoke fear. Follow dosing
directions carefully. Discontinue use if any reactions occur. While not a cure,
it serves as an excellent anxiety management tool along with training and
behavior modification techniques. With a calmer mindset, your dog can get back
to being a happy, relaxed pup!