Aloha,
Zoe, my adorable 4 mo. shih tzu, lhasa apso, has super dooper separation anxiety. My vet and trainer and I have tried everything. I only keep her in a crate 3 hours a day. We have set up a puppy cam so I can watch her from work to make sure she is okay. She barks, yelps, and cries nearly the entire time.
Anyway, my husband and I found these calming wafer things at Petco and I was wondering if any one has used this. It gets good reviews on Amazon and other sites. I am just a little nervous about giving it to her, although it's a natural product with chamomile (spelling).
This site always gives me good advise so what do you think?

I haven't tried these, but I looked on amazon to see what was in them. I'm assuming you are referring to the Pet Ease Wafers.

The active ingredients are: Chamomile, Hops, Ginger, Tryptophan and Taurine
The inactive ingredients are: Animal Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Brewers Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Calcium Pantothenate, Choline Chloride, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Dried Cane Molasses, Dried Egg Product, Dried Skimmed Mild, Ferrous Sulfate, Fish Meal, Folic Acid, Ground Wheat, Malted Barley Flour, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Meat and Bone Meal, Niacin Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Salt, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Wheat Flour, Wheat Germ Meal, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate.

I would ignore the inactive ingredients because I think they are there to make you think the dog is getting a bunch of vitamins and minerals but their quantities are quite likely too minimum to matter.

The question is then, will the active ingredients help calm your dog. The short answer is: maybe. Chamomile does have a calming effect but whether enough to calm your dog will depend. Tryptophan is the amino acid in turkey that makes everyone want to sleep after gorging on Thanksgiving dinner. Taurine is also an amino acid which studies have shown can have an anti-anxiety affect on the central nervous system.

There is nothing in this formulation that gives me concern. Try it and see if it helps. Let us know the results.

Wow, you really know your stuff, I appreciate it. Here's a picture of my baby girl!

[CorkyMax]

Not much time to be on this forum right now, but just had to check it out anyway----so I could prob. have a better post here if I had the time but just had to add my 2 cents(pet peeve of mine--why don't they have a cent symbol on these key boards!!?) I have looked up taurine before and this is a good thing--can't remember what all it is good for, but I know it is good for the heart! Actually I liked most of what was in it--might even get some myself just for a treat--but prob. not -prob. too expensive and I don't need it for any anxiety probs. anyway. I don't know if you feed 'raw' or cook your own dog food (you could still feed it, either way----but my dogs get ground turkey--get kind w/ not so much fat listed as an ingred.--also you could cook a turkey and, lol-have some yourself too after you fix it-no onions of course! You could package up (I'd use sandwich bags-cheaper) small portions and stick in freezer and give when you leave--double good--as a treat when you leave and also hopefully a calmer downer--wouldn't even have to be thawed--lay pieces spread out on a cookie sheet--sm. pieces--chop up maybe--I wouldn't want your dog to choke on too big a piece if he tried to swallow it frozen---stick the cookie sheet full of the turkey in the freezer--try to have it level--and wait for it to freeze--then package up in the bags and you have it all ready--just grab a bag--or if you use a bigger ziploc bag--you just grab whatever amount you need and give to dog as you go out the door-simple!! You know frm post Frecs did that it is the triptophan (prob spelled wrong) in the turkey that will make him/her sleepy-calmer. Lol, I'm wondering if the hops would make the dog 'happy'---hops is used for making beer--not enough in it to make him drunk of course! And for everyone else who reads this post-----Turkey pieces are a good thing to use as a treat instead of some of the boughten stuff(expensive too)--actually better if frozen or slightly thawed---just have small enough pcs. so dog doesn't swallow whole and possibly choke.---no bad grains-wheat--or preservatives--pure protein!--of course everyone knows--take the skin off after cooking--worst kind of fat--very dense-not really a good thing for a dog.

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

I have looked up taurine before and this is a good thing--can't remember what all it is good for, but I know it is good for the heart! Actually I liked most of what was in it--might even get some myself just for a treat--but prob. not -prob. too expensive and I don't need it for any anxiety probs. anyway.

Actually, you can buy taurine at the health food store and it's not expensive compared to other supplements. Taurine does do allot for the heart -- I was advised to give this to my Libby with her heart condition. I also put it in my homemade dog/cat food -- cats MUST have taurine and it's good for the dogs, too.

As for humans needing to supplement with taurine--just eat a balanced diet! If you are eating complete proteins at the DRI (Daily Recommended Intake) then you don't need to supplement taurine or any other amino acid unless you have a metabolic disorder.

[CorkyMax]

I see what I posted was a little misleading--didn't mean I was going to maybe buy the taurine--was referring to the wafer--that's what I get for being in a hurry---but I didn't get off either when I planned on it--I watch the CBS soaps---my computer desk faces exactly opposite my TV--has to stay that way. It has been at least a week since I 'watched' the darn things--with my back to TV recently all I've been doing is listening--(and I don't want to tape--beginning to wish I did because I am so addicted to this forum I just never get off(hardly) Wanted to watch mainly 'The Young and the Restless' today but that is over with and I hope to get off before the rest are over!! Did you see my last post on the Rabies vaccine meeting coming up--maybe you can answer my question on the best spot to give the shot?

Hey! Congrats on making 'A working dog'!!

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

I see what I posted was a little misleading--didn't mean I was going to maybe buy the taurine--was referring to the wafer--that's what I get for being in a hurry---but I didn't get off either when I planned on it--I watch the CBS soaps---my computer desk faces exactly opposite my TV--has to stay that way. It has been at least a week since I 'watched' the darn things--with my back to TV recently all I've been doing is listening--(and I don't want to tape--beginning to wish I did because I am so addicted to this forum I just never get off(hardly) Wanted to watch mainly 'The Young and the Restless' today but that is over with and I hope to get off before the rest are over!! Did you see my last post on the Rabies vaccine meeting coming up--maybe you can answer my question on the best spot to give the shot?

Hey! Congrats on making 'A working dog'!!

Hey, hadn't even noticed...thanks! Right now I feel like a working dog...no, make that a working dawg!

OH! You were talking about taking the Calming Wafers...silly you. They are reasonably priced ($7).

I have no idea about the best place to give a rabies shot. That is a controversy I have yet to get read-up on.

When I lived in Virginia, I worked at a medical society. A bunch of us -- both men and women -- would take lunch at the same time to watch Y&R. Mostly, please don't hate me for saying this, to make fun of it! Our favorite to make fun of was Victor Newman.

Something I know has worked wonders for a couple dogs I know is available onlice at www.sacredkingdomessences.com They are all natural, SAFE, non-allergenic and WORK!! I would order their St. Frances Pet Formula and the "All is Well" remedy. This combo as worked very well for a few dogs I know with thunderstorm & separation anxiety. Hope it helps you!

[CorkyMax]

:-DJust had to come back to remark on Victor---He reminds me of my exhusband--not the looks but there is a slight resemblance.---And it definitely has nothing to be with being rich----It's mostly his attitude and stubborness,lol and maybe because he has some of his expressions esp. when he repeats a lot of the same things over and over again which my ex did too. Anyway thanks for making me laugh. Don't know when you saw this soap last---but Brad was found drowned under the ice today.

Originally Posted by orangedog

Something I know has worked wonders for a couple dogs I know is available onlice at Healing Essences, Sprays, Oils, Products, Magic Potions, Magickal Products, They are all natural, SAFE, non-allergenic and WORK!! I would order their St. Frances Pet Formula and the "All is Well" remedy. This combo as worked very well for a few dogs I know with thunderstorm & separation anxiety. Hope it helps you!

I finally...after 10 years...found a "cure" to thunderstorm fear.

First, you must picture this: I'm sleeping comfortably and soundly. It is not the thunder that wakes me--it's a 27lb trembling hound dog who has suddenly velcro'ed himself to my head!

The "cure": deafness. My dear hound, Sabastian, has gone deaf and now he is oblivious to the storms. Kinda wish I still needed a remedy....

Anyway, Sabastian also has separation anxiety. He chewed his way out of an airline travel crate when I first got him. I tried everything: Bach's rescue remedy; Valerian; stuffed Kongs; you name it...except prescription drugs...as long as he had Libby, he managed to cope pretty well as long as he wasn't crated. Now that Libby is gone, the anxiety has gone up a notch.

[CorkyMax]

Please go read post I just sent---under POISONOUS Foods for dogs---tells you info on HOPS

Originally Posted by orangedog

Something I know has worked wonders for a couple dogs I know is available onlice at Healing Essences, Sprays, Oils, Products, Magic Potions, Magickal Products, They are all natural, SAFE, non-allergenic and WORK!! I would order their St. Frances Pet Formula and the "All is Well" remedy. This combo as worked very well for a few dogs I know with thunderstorm & separation anxiety. Hope it helps you!

Thanks I will look into it because today the wafer didn't work, she was nuts as always. I think maybe it worked a little bit because she seemed to rest a little longer between her spirts of screaming.

Originally Posted by makahana

Thanks I will look into it because today the wafer didn't work, she was nuts as always. I think maybe it worked a little bit because she seemed to rest a little longer between her spirts of screaming.

It may take a few days or a week for the wafers to show effectiveness....even perscription drugs require time to build up in the system. But, there is also a chance it won't work. I tried allot of things for my dogs separation anxiety to no avail...but others find various products that do work.

This was posted in another thread regarding Ranch Dressing but I thought it should also go here as it really pertains to this discussion.

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

And to the person (afraid I'll lose this post if I go back and see who you are) who wanted to know if those wafers were good for your dog--It really 'baffled' me when I saw the word HOPS. Reason to avoid: unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death---Can you believe it--prob. not enough in the wafers but if this is true why would they put hops in the wafers----just thought I should let you know about this!!

Regarding HOPS -- when reading about toxicity, it's important to look at quantity. The cases of toxicity in dogs with hops were dogs who got into their owners or some other source of BREWING INGREDIENTS. In other words, they consumed a large quantity of hops. What may be beneficial in a small dose can be lethal in large dose.

From Complete Hops information from Drugs.com

Uses of Hops

Hops have been used for flavoring; hops and lupulin have been used as a digestive aid, for mild sedation, diuresis, and treating menstrual problems, but no clinical studies are available to confirm these uses.

Malignant hyperthermic reactions have been observed in dogs that consumed boiled hops residues.

[oes forever]

have you ever heard of d.a.p. ??
dog appeasing pheromone.
calms stressed and anzious dogs

DAP The Dog Appeasing Pheromone calms stressed and anxious dogs

i have known people who have tried it with great results

yes, we have the diffuser plugged in, doesn't seem to make any difference at all, bummer!

The wafers seems to be working a bit, Zoe has longer breaks between her crying and barking LOUDLY! Thanks to whoever told me to keep trying them.

Originally Posted by makahana

The wafers seems to be working a bit, Zoe has longer breaks between her crying and barking LOUDLY! Thanks to whoever told me to keep trying them.

I'm glad they are starting to work! Also, have you tried stuffing a kong toy with peanut butter? Now that the wafers are calming her down a bit, perhaps being distracted with licking out the peanut butter can help as well?

Originally Posted by Frecs

I'm glad they are starting to work! Also, have you tried stuffing a kong toy with peanut butter? Now that the wafers are calming her down a bit, perhaps being distracted with licking out the peanut butter can help as well?

Yes, we have been using the Kong for quite a while, thanks. Today I will put her in the kitchen and go to work, come back for lunch, play and walk her around, then go back to work, wish me luck. I really worry about her getting soooo upset.

omg she found a way out of the kitchen, the only thing I can think of is that she jumped the gate, it is nearly 4' high. Zoe is a shih tzu/lhasa apso. I watched from the webcam at work, she didn't stop crying and barking for 3 hours. Then I didn't see her for quite a while. I drove home and there she was out of the kitchen. Jumping and screeching at me. I put her in the crate for the afternoon, she pooped in it. Geez, I am so depressed, I hate to see her so upset. I had given her 2 of the wafers, tomorrow I guess I'll try 3 and see if there is any difference. Just needed to cry to someone. thanks