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Sustenance Herbs · Canine & Feline Calm
Six certified organic herbs, each working in a different way on the brain's own calming system. Six different angles at once, working with your dog's biology instead of overriding it.
You have watched it happen
The pet parent in this moment is left with very few good options. Prescription sedatives work, but they often leave dogs foggy and detached in ways that feel wrong. Single-ingredient supplements like chamomile alone are gentle but usually not enough. And most calming chews on the market do not address the underlying brain chemistry that drives anxiety in the first place.
Canine & Feline Calm is not prescription-strength sedation. It will not knock out a severely traumatized rescue dog or cure deep-seated behavioral issues that need training support. What it does, with consistent daily use, is help your dog's nervous system find its baseline calm again, so that thunderstorms become manageable, vet visits become tolerable, and everyday anxieties stop accumulating into chronic tension. This is the formula for helping a dog feel safe in their own body without dulling who they are.
The biology of anxiety in dogs
What is GABA?
GABA is the brain's primary calming chemical messenger. Brain cells communicate by sending chemical signals to each other, and GABA is the signal that tells the body it is safe to calm down. Think of it as the brake pedal of the nervous system. When GABA is working well, the brain can shift from alarm mode back into rest mode.
When the brake pedal fails
When GABA is depleted, blocked, or cleared away too quickly, the brake pedal does not work. The dog stays in alarm mode. Heart rate stays elevated. Muscles stay tense. Sleep stays shallow. The trigger passes but the nervous system does not get the signal to stand down. This is what chronic anxiety looks like from the inside.
What these six herbs do
Each herb supports GABA in a different way. Some activate the brain's calming signal directly. Some slow the process that clears it away too quickly. Some increase how much of it is available. One herb works alongside them on mood-related brain chemicals. Together they create layered support that a single herb cannot replicate.
The full formula
1.2 grams of certified organic herbs per teaspoon. Every ingredient organic, non-GMO, and chosen for a specific role in supporting the nervous system.
The Calming Herbs · Five Herbs, Five Different Ways
All five of these herbs support GABA, the brain's brake pedal, but each in a different way. Together they create overlapping coverage that one herb alone cannot achieve.
The heavyweight calming herb · works two different ways on the brain's brake pedal
Presses the brake pedal AND prevents it from being released too quickly · simultaneously
If chamomile is the gentle anchor, valerian is the herb that does the firm work of calming a deeply wound-up nervous system. It works on the brain's calming system from two different angles at once: it activates the brain's calming receptors directly AND slows the process that clears GABA away. (Receptors are the specific docking points on brain cells where calming signals attach and trigger a response.) This two-pronged approach is why valerian has been used for centuries for severe nervous tension, and why it is the most likely herb in this formula to produce visible relaxation within an hour or two of dosing.
Note on the smell: Valerian root has a distinctive earthy aroma that humans often find unpleasant. The smell does not affect the herb's function, and most dogs accept it readily mixed into food.
The anticipatory anxiety specialist
Quiets the mind that cannot stop spinning before the trigger even arrives
Passionflower's specialty is anticipatory anxiety: the tension that builds when the dog senses the suitcase coming out, when they realize the carrier has appeared, when storm clouds are still on the horizon. The natural compounds in passionflower increase GABA levels in the brain, producing calm without sedation. Think of it as a gentle hand on the shoulder for a mind that will not stop spinning. Also one of the safest herbs in the calming category, with an excellent safety profile in dogs.
Certified Organic Chamomile
Gently presses the brake pedal · calms the anxious gut too
Contains a natural calming compound that connects with the same calming spots in the brain that anti-anxiety medications target, but with a much gentler effect. The difference from a sedative: chamomile supports the brake pedal without slamming it down. Also calms gut inflammation that shows up alongside anxiety in most dogs. This is the herb that helps a wound-up dog finally exhale.
Certified Organic Lemon Balm
Stops GABA from being cleared too quickly
Lemon balm slows the natural enzyme (a protein the body uses to break specific chemicals apart) that dismantles GABA, helping this calming brain signal stay active longer. Chamomile gently presses the brake pedal. Lemon balm makes sure the brake does not get released too quickly. The two herbs work in sequence rather than doing the same thing twice.
Certified Organic Skullcap
Turns down the volume without turning off the personality
American skullcap is one of the most respected nervines in Western herbalism. "Nervine" simply means an herb that specifically nourishes and supports the nervous system. Its natural compounds connect with the brain's calming receptors and produce calming without sedation, particularly for scattered, "jangly" anxiety where the dog cannot settle, paces, or reacts to every small sound. The animal stays alert and engaged. The edge just comes off.
Mood Support · Through a Completely Different Route
Anxiety in dogs often has a depressive layer underneath it. The dog is not just nervous. They are also withdrawn, less interested in toys, less engaged with family. This herb addresses that dimension through a completely different route from the other five.
Addresses the grey cloud underneath the anxiety · see caution note
Supports the brain's mood chemicals so they stay available longer
St. John's Wort helps the brain's own mood-stabilizing chemicals, primarily serotonin and dopamine, stay available longer rather than being cleared away too quickly. (Serotonin is the brain chemical most associated with feelings of wellbeing and stability. Dopamine is tied to motivation, pleasure, and engagement.) The practical effect is that the brain has more of what it needs to regulate mood from one moment to the next. Think of it as the herb that addresses the grey cloud underneath the anxiety, while the other herbs handle the storm itself. For dogs who are not just nervous but also withdrawn, sleeping more, or less engaged with the world, this is the herb in the formula addressing that layer.
Two things to know about St. John's Wort before you start
What this does in your dog's nervous system
The trigger arrives and the brain enters alarm mode
Skullcap and passionflower begin helping the brain's calming receptors do their job, encouraging the nervous system to start downshifting even as the alarm is sounding.
GABA gets cleared too quickly and the brake pedal stops working
Lemon balm slows the enzyme (a natural protein that breaks chemicals apart) that dismantles GABA, keeping this calming signal active longer. Valerian slows it through a different but complementary route at the same time.
Dog cannot settle, paces, or reacts to every small sound
Valerian does the firm work of calming a deeply wound-up nervous system through its two-way approach: activating the brain's calming receptors directly while also slowing GABA breakdown. Chamomile adds its gentler calming support alongside it.
Mood goes flat, dog seems withdrawn, less interested in play
St. John's Wort helps the brain's mood chemicals, serotonin and dopamine, stay available longer, addressing the depressive layer underneath chronic anxiety that the other five herbs cannot reach.
Anxious gut tightens, appetite changes, digestion suffers
Chamomile reduces inflammation and helps relax the digestive muscles that tighten during stress, addressing the gut side of the anxiety picture. Anxiety almost always shows up in the gut as well as the brain.
Cumulative result over weeks of daily use
The nervous system finds its baseline calm. The stress response becomes more proportionate to actual threats. Recovery from triggers happens faster. Thunderstorms become manageable instead of catastrophic. The dog is still fully themselves. The edge just comes off.
Important cautions before starting — please read all of these
We are sharing these because Sustenance Herbs publishes them transparently on their label, and we think that kind of honesty deserves to be visible here too. These are real considerations, not fine print to skip.
Is this right for your dog?
How to give it
The herbal powder mixes easily into wet food, dry food moistened with water, or bone broth. These herbs build their full calming effect over days, not minutes. They are not designed as last-minute sedatives.
For chronic anxiety, most dog owners report initial improvements within one to two weeks, with deeper baseline calm developing over four to six weeks of consistent daily use.
Works well with
ThorneVet Peaceful Pet Soft Chews
Pairs amino acid and nutrient-based calming support (including GABA itself, L-theanine, and B vitamins) with the herbal approach of this formula, giving the nervous system multiple angles to relax simultaneously. Useful for dogs where one approach alone has not produced enough change.
ThorneVet Canine Cognitive Support Powder
For senior dogs whose anxiety has worsened alongside cognitive decline. The cognitive support formula addresses the brain aging that often underlies new-onset senior anxiety, working alongside the calming herbs of this formula.
ThorneVet Gut Health Formula Powder
The gut and brain are directly connected through the nervous system, and chronic anxiety in dogs is often accompanied by gut inflammation. Supporting the gut directly often reduces the inflammatory signaling that feeds anxious behavior.
ThorneVet CurcuVET-SA150 Powder
Chronic anxiety has an inflammatory component throughout the body, and highly bioavailable curcumin, the anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric, addresses that body-wide inflammation from a different angle than the calming herbs.
Questions and answers
Is valerian root safe for dogs?
Yes, valerian root is one of the most thoroughly studied calming herbs and has a strong safety profile in dogs. The herb works by supporting GABA, the brain's primary calming signal, the same system that prescription anti-anxiety medications also target, but with a gentler effect and without the dependency risk of those drugs. The valerian in Canine & Feline Calm is certified organic and dosed appropriately for dogs of all sizes.
Can I give my dog St. John's Wort?
Yes, St. John's Wort is safe for dogs at appropriate doses and is included in many veterinary herbal formulas. However, two important cautions apply. First, it can change how the liver breaks down certain prescription medications, which affects how much of those medications actually reach the body. Consult your veterinarian if your dog is on other medications. Second, large doses can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, particularly in dogs with light coats. The St. John's Wort in Canine & Feline Calm is dosed within the appropriate range for daily use.
How long does it take to see results?
These herbs build their calming effect gradually rather than producing instant sedation like prescription drugs. They work by shifting the brain's chemical balance over time, not by forcing an immediate response. Most dog owners notice initial improvements within one to two weeks of daily use, with deeper baseline calm developing over four to six weeks. For situational anxiety like fireworks or travel, begin daily dosing at least five to seven days before the anticipated event. This is not a last-minute sedative and was not designed to function as one.
Can I give this alongside my dog's other medications?
Consult your veterinarian first. St. John's Wort can change how the liver breaks down certain prescription medications. The calming herbs in this formula can also amplify the effects of sedatives, certain pain medications, and prescription anti-anxiety drugs. The formula should also be discontinued at least seven days before any planned surgery requiring anesthesia. None of this means the formula cannot be used alongside medications. It means the combination should be reviewed by your veterinarian first.
Will this make my dog drowsy?
At appropriate doses, this formula supports calm without producing significant drowsiness. The goal is to help the nervous system find its natural resting state rather than override it. Most dog owners report that their dog seems more like themselves, just less reactive and better able to settle. Valerian is the strongest sedating herb in the blend, so dogs at the upper end of the dose range may experience mild drowsiness, particularly in the first few days of use. If drowsiness is more than mild, simply reduce the dose.
Can this be given every day long-term, or only when I know a stressful event is coming?
Both. For dogs with chronic anxiety, daily use is exactly what this formula is designed for, and the most meaningful results come from consistent daily supplementation over weeks and months. For dogs with primarily situational anxiety (thunderstorms, vet visits, travel), daily use for five to seven days before a known event is the most effective approach. Many dog owners do both: give it daily during high-stress seasons like summer thunderstorm season and around fireworks holidays, and year-round for dogs whose anxiety is an ongoing daily reality.
What do holistic vets recommend for dog anxiety?
Holistic veterinarians typically recommend a layered approach that includes behavior work and training, environmental management, nutritional support, and targeted supplementation. On the supplement side, multi-herb calming formulas that support the brain's GABA system are commonly recommended for chronic and situational anxiety, as they address the underlying brain chemistry rather than just masking symptoms. Many integrative practitioners also recommend supporting the gut, since gut inflammation contributes to anxious behavior, and addressing body-wide inflammation through supplements like curcumin, the anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric.
The clean formula standard you expect
Canine & Feline Calm is built around the science of how the nervous system finds calm, with six certified organic herbs working through six different angles to support that biology. Not built around a single trendy ingredient. Not prescription sedation. Not a quick fix.
Chamomile gently presses the brake pedal and calms the anxious gut · Lemon balm keeps the calming brain signal from being cleared away too quickly · Skullcap turns down the volume without dulling the personality · St. John's Wort addresses the grey cloud underneath chronic anxiety · Valerian does the firm work on the most wound-up nervous systems · Passionflower quiets the racing anticipatory mind before the trigger even arrives
This is the daily nervous system support that helps an anxious dog find their baseline again. Two minutes a day, in the bowl, done with honesty about what it is and what it is not.
