ZYLKENE - Stress in Dogs and Cats - A Safe, Natural, New Treatment

Do Animals suffer from Stress?

All animals can suffer from stress. Sometimes stress is easy to recognise at a glance, sometimes not. A particularly stressed dog or cat might well adopt a low posture and look around in an agitated way with wide pupils. Sometimes the signs are more subtle, such as not wanting to go to certain places, going to the toilet in inappropriate places (such as indoors) or habitual over-grooming. Scientists can measure stress by monitoring blood pressure, heart rate and blood levels of hormones such as cortisol.

What causes stress to dogs and cats?

There are many possible causes of stress, such as:

• Moving house
• New members of the household, such as a baby or a new pet
• Keeping lots of cats in one house
• Sudden, loud noises, such as thunder or fireworks
• Boarding at a kennel or cattery
• Travel
• Another cat moving into your cat's territory

Some animals are very robust natured, and tend not to be stressed by very much at all. Others are much more sensitive (often due to experiences in the first few weeks of life). To some dogs or cats, the normal routines of the average day are filled with scary moments.

How can stress be treated?

1. Natural treatments
2. Drugs
3. Behavioural modification and training

Sometimes it is helpful to use drugs from the vet, but these have to be prescribed professionally and are known to have possible side effects. Behavioural therapy can be a huge help in some situations. However we are finding that a new safe, natural remedy called Zylkene is having some spectacular results.

What is Zylkene?

Zylkene is not a drug as such, it is a food supplement made from a protein found in milk. The active ingredient is a peptide (a simple sort of protein molecule) which is able to bind temporarily to certain receptors in the brain. This has a calming influence which is similar in some ways to tranquilliser drugs such as diazepam (“Vallium”), but without the side effects. It has been clinically proven to be effective in dogs and cats (as well as rats and humans). It is supplied in 3 different sizes of capsule, chosen according to the size of the animal to be treated. The capsules are opened and sprinkled on food once daily. The contents seem to taste delicious to most dogs and cats and are easy to give. It is possible to provide treatment for just a few days if it is to cover a particular stressful event, such as travelling away for the weekend. However it is perfectly safe in most situations to give for long periods if needed. Usually a course is given for 2 – 4 weeks then re-assessed. If in doubt ask your vet, or email us at VioVet for more information. Zylkene is available without prescription and is a safe, natural treatment worth trying for most dogs or cats suffering from stress. It should be used with caution in animals known to be sensitive or allergic to milk, though in fact it is very unlikely to cause trouble even to these animals.