Valerian Root for Dogs: Benefits, Safety, and How It's Used for Calm

by The Get Joy Food Team ・ 7 min read

Reviewed by Veterinarians | Science-Backed | Dog Health Experts Meet Our Experts ›

Updated: September 2026 · By The Get Joy Food Team · Reviewed by our veterinary team · Meet our experts

The short answer

Valerian root is an herb traditionally used to support calm, and it's thought to work by supporting GABA — the brain's natural "brake" on over-arousal. In dogs it's generally considered well tolerated at supplement doses, most useful for situational stress (storms, fireworks, travel, vet visits) given 30–60 minutes ahead, and usually blended with complementary calming actives rather than used alone. Dogs on sedatives or other medications need a vet conversation first.

Valerian has been used for calm since the Roman era — it's one of the oldest tools in the herbal kit, and one of the most common ingredients on calming-chew labels. Here's the honest version of what it is, what we know, and where it fits in a dog's calming routine.

What valerian root is (and how it's thought to work)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a flowering plant whose root contains compounds — valerenic acid among them — studied for their interaction with GABA, the neurotransmitter that quiets excess activity in the nervous system. Think of GABA as the brake pedal: valerian is thought to help the brake engage a little more easily. That's a different mechanism from L-theanine (calm alertness) or L-tryptophan (serotonin building block), which is exactly why well-built formulas combine them — several gentle pathways instead of one heavy lever.

What the evidence says — honestly

Human research on valerian (mostly for sleep and mild anxiety) is mixed but suggestive; dog-specific research is thinner, with some studies of multi-ingredient calming products that include valerian showing behavioral benefit. The fair summary: valerian has a long history of traditional use, a plausible mechanism, and encouraging — but not definitive — evidence, which is why it belongs in the "gentle support" category, not the "treatment" category. For dogs with severe anxiety, valerian is not a substitute for a veterinarian or behaviorist.

Safety and side effects

Consideration	What to know
General tolerance	Generally considered well tolerated in dogs at label doses in quality supplements
Most common effect	Mild drowsiness or mellowing — often the point, but worth knowing before a training day
Occasional	Mild stomach upset in sensitive dogs — introduce with food the first time
Talk to your vet first if…	Your dog takes sedatives, anti-seizure medication, or anxiety medication (effects can add together); is pregnant or nursing; has liver issues; or is scheduled for anesthesia
The smell	Famously funky in raw form — one honest reason it's usually delivered inside a flavored chew

Dosing: amounts vary widely between products because valerian is almost always part of a blend. Skip DIY human capsules and tinctures (unpredictable strength, sometimes with xylitol in liquid formulations — toxic to dogs) and follow the weight-based label of a dog-specific, NASC-certified product.

Where valerian fits in a calming routine

Valerian's sweet spot is predictable, situational stress: give a valerian-containing chew 30–60 minutes before the storm, the drive, or the nail trim (our full timing guide covers each situation). For everyday nervousness, it plays a supporting role alongside daily actives — and alongside the quiet foundation most calming guides skip: the gut. The gut and brain are in constant conversation, and much of the body's serotonin is made in the gut, which is why we treat calm as something you feed daily, not just dose situationally.

Valerian in Get Joy Calming Chews

Get Joy calming chews for dogs pair valerian root with passionflower (a GABA-supporting partner it's traditionally combined with), chamomile, L-theanine, and L-tryptophan — named actives, NASC-certified, with no CBD and no reliance on melatonin. It's the blend approach in practice: several gentle mechanisms, one tasty chew, honest expectations.

Gentle, named, and honest

Valerian, passionflower, chamomile, L-theanine and L-tryptophan — calm you can read off the label.

Shop Calming Chews

Frequently asked questions

Is valerian root safe for dogs?

At the doses used in quality dog supplements, valerian is generally considered well tolerated. Talk to your vet first if your dog takes sedatives or other medications, is pregnant, or has liver issues.

How much valerian root can I give my dog?

Follow the weight-based label of a dog-specific product — valerian is almost always blended, so amounts vary by formula. Avoid human capsules and tinctures, which have unpredictable strength and sometimes dog-toxic additives.

How long does valerian take to work in dogs?

For situational use, plan on 30–60 minutes before the stressor, consistent with calming-chew timing generally.

Does valerian make dogs sleepy?

It can have a mild mellowing or drowsy effect — usually gentle at supplement doses, but worth observing the first time before a day that needs your dog sharp.

Is valerian better than melatonin for dogs?

They're different tools: melatonin is primarily a sleep hormone, while valerian is traditionally used for situational calm. Our comparison of L-theanine vs melatonin covers how we think about choosing actives.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Calming ingredients are designed to support mild and situational stress and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always talk to your veterinarian before starting a new supplement, especially if your dog takes other medications.