Some dog breeds are known for having lots of energy. Dogs with stress and anxiety issues may need a little help to calm their nerves. There are many commercial products available to help calm dogs, but they're not all safe or effective. Front of the Pack Harmony calming supplement for dogs was created by a team of veterinarians and biochemists to specifically address this issue.
From hyperactivity to stress and anxiety, the need to calm a dog is a common among pet owners. Dogs that are hyperactive and/or anxious are easily stimulated and stay stimulated even after the excitement has passed.
This Front of the Pack (FOP) Harmony supplement is made with Ashwagandha extract, a compound that has been used for hundreds of years to reduce stress and anxiety in humans. According to Healthline, “It’s classified as an adaptogen, a substance that helps the body cope with stress. Ashwagandha appears to help control mediators of stress, including heat shock proteins (Hsp70), cortisol, and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase. It also reduces the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a system in your body that regulates the stress response.”
L-theanine has also been studied extensively for it's effect on stress and anxiety. In fact, in a study of five randomized controlled trials that included 104 participants, four trials linked L-theanine with reduced stress and anxiety in people experiencing stressful situations.
FOP uses both of these substances in their Harmony supplement to help calm stressed and anxious dogs. I was drawn to the product for this reason and also because it is a non-drowsy option. Did it work for my Labrador? Keep reading to find out.
Front of the Pack Harmony Calming Supplement for Dogs
As I mentioned, this product was developed by a team of veterinarians and biochemists to specifically support calming and target anxiety. The company is extremely transparent, which is a MUST for me. They provide lots of information on their website about the ingredients they use, where the ingredients are sourced and materials used for their packaging.
The ingredients are all FOP products are non-GMO, hypoallergenic and pesticide-free. They do not use any artificial colors, preservatives or flavorings. Front of the Pack is also a 100% plastic-free company. This supplement is suitable for dogs over 1-year-old.
Harmony is a non-drowsy calming aid that the company claims works in less than 90 minutes. I was pleased to find out that this claim held true for my Labrador, Saddie. I start to notice the calming effects in about 30 minutes after giving her the supplement.
I like the single serving packet, because they're easy to take with us while traveling, riding in the car or going to visit the veterinarian. Saddie usually only has anxiety during new experiences or during times of loud noise. If I know that our area is expecting thunder showers or there are going to be fireworks in our community, I use Front of the Pack Harmony calming supplement in advance.
As you'll see in my video review above, Saddie has no aversion to the product whatsoever. She doesn't mind eating it, and I usually just sprinkle it over her food. However, Saddie is very food motivated, so if your pup isn't, you may have a little more trouble getting them to take the supplement.
It doesn't have a strong smell, so I would recommend sprinkling the supplement on lunch meat or a very enticing treat if your dog won't eat when mixed with his regular food. You could also try mixing the supplement with a small amount of homemade dog food or canned food, which might be a bit more enticing to your pup.
According to the company's website, these are the ingredients found in this supplement:
Active ingredients
| Ingredient | Typical values per stick pack |
|---|---|
| Relora® (a proprietary blend of a patented extract from Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense) | 250mg |
| Certified organic† ashwagandha extract (Sensoril®; Withania somnifera [root, leaf]) | 50mg |
| L-theanine (Suntheanine® enzymatically produced/solvent-free) | 50mg |
Other ingredients
Certified organic* Carnauba Wax, natural peanut butter flavor, certified and non-GMO rice fiber
† Certified organic by EcoCert
* Certified organic by Baystate Organic Certifiers
There are 30 sticks in each box. Dogs weighing less than 25 pounds would require 1 stick per day, dogs weighing 25-50 pounds would need 1-2 sticks and dogs weighing over 50 pounds would require 2-3 sticks per day.
You can purchase one box for $39.99. Buying more boxes reduces the price per box, and Front of the Pack also offers a subscription service that allows dog owners to save 10% on each delivery.
Yes, this supplement is pricey. However, compared with supplements of the same quality, it's in a similar price range. You can certainly find cheaper options, but be careful with the quality of ingredients that are in cheaper supplements.
In my opinion, it's better to spend a little more to ensure that the supplement is both safe and effective. If your dog struggles with anxiety or stress, I would definitely recommend FOP's Harmony calming supplement as an effective over-the-counter treatment.
