Stress-reducing foods for dogs and cats

Help ease stress in your dog or cat with nutrient-rich foods like turkey, sweet potatoes, fatty fish, and pumpkin seeds — plus easy homemade recipes to support calm and well-being.

Dogs and cats suffer from stress much as we do. Stress and anxiety in our animal companions can arise from a range of sources. These include changes in household routines, a loss or move, loud noises, and more. 

Certain foods can help alleviate stress in our dogs and cats. Turkey contains tryptophan while fatty fish is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Sweet potatoes offer B vitamins, and pumpkin seeds provide magnesium. These and other whole foods can help manage the impact stress has on our animals. 

You can incorporate these stress-reducing foods into healthy recipes. They help bring your four-legged friend a sense of calm and well-being.

Stress-fighting foods for your dog or cat 

• Turkey is a terrific stress-reducing food. It is rich in the amino acid L-tryptophan, which the body converts to serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain. We often refer to serotonin as a “feel good hormone.”

• Beef is a natural antidepressant. Its B vitamins can regulate stress levels. Beef provides a high level of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which helps ease anxiety.This vitamin enables the production of anti-stress hormones in the adrenal gland, controlling the release of cortisol. 

           The increased presence of pantothenic acid reduces blood cortisol and dulls the body’s response to stress. Beef liver is also a great                        source of pantothenic acid.

• Fatty fish is the perfect solace for stress. We have all heard about the “fight or flight” response.  Too much adrenalin can lead to anxiety and even aggressive behaviour.

          Fatty fish is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids. Consider adding wild salmon or other fatty fish, like mackerel and sardines, to your dog              or cat’s diet. It’ll help take the edge off a stressful situation, by increasing serotonin production.

• Sweet potatoes are one of the world’s healthiest foods. They are packed with antioxidants and are a terrific source of vitamin E. Sweet potatoes offer complex carbs that help regulate blood sugar and insulin resistance. 

          The potassium and vitamin C in sweet potatoes helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, which supports heart health and helps                    reduce the stress response.

• Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan and glutamate. The body needs glutamate to produce GABA, a natural anti-stress neurochemical. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of vitamin E, which protects tissue cells from free radicals.

          Pumpkin seeds contain selenium, an antioxidant that helps support the immune system. Studies link selenium deficiency to increased              anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

• Almonds offer vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. Magnesium supports healthy nervous system function and the production of “happy” chemicals in the brain. This helps the body become more resilient during bouts of stress because nerves and muscles are more relaxed. 

          Instead of peanut butter, try some almond butter when stuffing a Kong for your dog!

Recipes 

The following recipes include stress-reducing foods for dogs and cats. Try to use organic ingredients whenever possible. 

Turkey and sweet potato pie

Ingredients 

1 pound ground turkey thigh

1 cup shredded sweet potatoes 

1 egg, lightly beaten

½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

½ cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped

1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

1 cup homemade stock, or try low sodium store-bought stock

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a glass pie plate and line with shredded sweet potatoes. Add ½ cup stock and pour lightly beaten egg on top. Sprinkle ¼ cup of parsley over the mixture, then add ¼ cup of cranberries. 

Distribute ground turkey evenly over mixture. Add the remaining ½ cup stock and sprinkle sea salt over top. Add the remaining parsley and cranberries. Gently press down mixture with a spatula. Bake for one hour. Cool completely before slicing and serving.  

Tip:  If you would like to serve this dish to your dog or cat raw, simply combine ingredients rather than layering for baking.                    

Ingredients

½ cup raw beef liver, chopped

2 tablespoons filtered water or broth

1 tablespoon potato flour

½ teaspoon turmeric

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a small cast iron pan or pot. Gently sauté on medium heat. You can prepare this recipe in under five minutes, but be sure to let it cool completely before serving.

Sweet potato chips

Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes (about 1 pound)

¼ cup first pressed/extra virgin olive oil or other first pressed oil of your choice

1½ teaspoons local honey

1 tablespoon (or more to taste) of a sweet or savory herb blend

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Gently warm olive oil and honey mixture before basting the sweet potatoes. This makes coating them easier. Sprinkle with selected seasoning blend – e.g. choose two or three of the following: oregano, marjoram, parsley, sage, basil, thyme.

Bake for 15 minutes. Then turn the sweet potatoes, sprinkle with extra seasoning, and bake for another 15 minutes. Line a plate with paper towel, transfer the chips, and let them cool. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This is a treat you can share with your whole family. 

Tip: For extra crisp, let the oven cool to 250°F, then bake the chips for a further 20 minutes, checking them regularly to ensure they don’t burn. Store as above.

Fish topper

Ingredients

1 can wild salmon

¼ cup first pressed/extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup fresh catnip or parsley

Instructions

Finely chop catnip or parsley with a knife, or whirl in a food processor or blender. For your feline friend, arrange salmon on a special serving dish, then sprinkle with catnip and add an olive oil glaze. Use fresh parsley for your dog. You can use this recipe as a perfect topper for meals.

Tip: Choose wild canned fish, packed in spring water. You can also use mackerel or sardines, or fresh fish such as steamed fish cheeks.

Lightly roasted pumpkin seeds

Purchase certified organic raw pumpkin seeds. You can store them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to two months. Preheat oven to 175°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, place the pumpkin seeds on it, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Smash the seeds with a rolling pin. Once they cool completely, sprinkle a little on your animal’s food.

Simple stock

Ingredients

24 cups filtered water

3 pounds chicken backs and necks

2 carrots, in pieces

2 celery stalks, in pieces

3 Shiitake mushrooms, dried or fresh

1 large piece of fresh ginger

12 white peppercorns

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ cup fresh parsley

Other fresh herbs to taste – e.g. oregano, sage, thyme

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a stockpot. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, skim off the foam, reduce the heat, and let the pot simmer all day. Refrigerate overnight. 

The next morning, skim off the fat and remove the meat and vegetables. You can give them to your animals, but be sure to remove all cooked bones. Strain the stock into containers or ice cube trays. Freeze it for later use.

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