By Daddy Paw | Dog Health & Wellness
Your dog is anxious. You want to help. But should you go with a natural hemp supplement — or something stronger from the vet?
Both can work. But they work in different ways. Here's a simple guide to help you pick the right one.
What Are Hemp Calming Supplements?
Hemp comes from a plant. The hemp used in dog treats has no THC — so it won't make your dog high. It's totally safe.
Hemp helps calm dogs by working on the parts of the brain that control mood and stress. It's gentle, natural, and good for everyday anxiety.
Hemp works well for:
- Dogs who get stressed by loud noises, car rides, or vet visits
- Dogs who are generally jumpy or overexcited
- Dogs who need gentle daily calming support
The downside: Hemp is mild. It needs 4–6 weeks of daily use to work properly. And for dogs with really bad anxiety, hemp alone probably won't be enough.
What Are Pharmaceutical Calming Options?
These are medicines from the vet — they need a prescription. Common ones include:
- Trazodone — works within 1–2 hours, good for vet visits or travel
- Gabapentin — helps with anxiety AND pain, good for older dogs
- Fluoxetine — for dogs with ongoing daily anxiety, takes 4–6 weeks to work
These work well for:
- Dogs with serious or severe anxiety
- Dogs who haven't improved with natural supplements
- Dogs with diagnosed anxiety conditions
The downside: These medicines can make dogs drowsy or change their personality. They need regular vet visits. And they can be expensive long-term. Most vets suggest trying natural options first.
The Middle Ground Option
Not strong enough with hemp? Not ready for prescription medicine?
There's a third option — Max Veterinary Strength Calm & Confident by VetriScience. It's a natural supplement but much stronger than a basic hemp chew.
Here's what makes it different:
- It's 1.5x stronger than the standard Veterinary Strength version
- It has 5 calming ingredients including an exclusive lemon balm extract called Bluenesse®
- It's clinically tested — proven to work within 30 minutes
- It lasts up to 4 hours
- It won't make your dog sleepy
- No vet prescription needed
Think of it like this — hemp is the gentle option, prescription medicine is the strong option, and Max Vet Strength sits right in the middle. Natural ingredients, but clinically proven strength.
See our full review of Max Vet Strength Calm & Confident for more details.
Which One Should You Pick?
Pick hemp if:
- Your dog has mild everyday anxiety
- You want to try the gentlest option first
- You want a natural daily supplement
Pick Max Vet Strength if:
- Hemp hasn't worked well enough
- Your dog has moderate to serious anxiety
- You want something that works fast — within 30 minutes
Talk to your vet about prescription medicine if:
- Your dog has very severe anxiety
- Nothing else has helped
- They have a diagnosed anxiety condition
One more thing: Dogs with sore joints are often anxious too — because being in pain all the time is stressful. Helping your dog's joints can also help them feel calmer. Daddy Paw's Max Strength for Senior Dogs includes omega-3 fatty acids that help with both joints and mood. £21.99 for 120 tablets with 20% off on subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is hemp better than medicine for calming anxious dogs? For mild anxiety — yes, hemp is a good gentle option. For serious anxiety, prescription medicine works better. Most vets suggest trying natural options first before moving to stronger medication.
Q: How is Max Vet Strength Calm & Confident different from a normal hemp supplement? It's much stronger — 1.5x stronger than the standard Veterinary Strength formula. It has 5 clinically tested ingredients and works within 30 minutes. A regular hemp supplement is gentler and takes weeks to build up. Max Vet Strength is the step between hemp and prescription medicine.
Q: Is hemp safe for dogs? Yes — as long as it's THC-free. Hemp supplements made for dogs are safe and won't cause any intoxicating effects. Always check the label says THC-free and check with your vet if your dog takes any regular medication.
Q: Can I use hemp and prescription medicine at the same time? Only with your vet's guidance. Some natural ingredients can interact with medicines. Never change or stop prescription medication without speaking to your vet first.
Q: How long does hemp take to calm a dog? For ongoing daily anxiety, hemp needs 4–6 weeks of consistent use to work properly. For a stressful event happening right now, hemp alone may not work fast enough — Max Vet Strength works within 30 minutes.
