A botanical ingredient blend targeting dogs’ stress and anxiety demonstrated measurable behavioral improvements in a 30-day in-home study, alongside favorable feedback from pet owners.
During her presentation at Petfood Forum 2026, Jess Jarett, PhD, R&D principal scientist with Cargill, presented findings from an experiment involving 75 dogs with owner-reported behavioral concerns, including separation anxiety, fear, aggression and excitability.
The botanical blend contained fenugreek, milk thistle and purple passionflower. It is administered daily at an inclusion rate of 21 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
Behavior remains a top concern of pet owners
The research builds on global consumer insights showing behavior-related needs rank as the top priority for dog owners. A survey of more than 1,200 pet owners across 12 markets found that ensuring dogs behave well with people and other pets is the top concern.
“Almost half of pet parents are telling us that stress and anxiety is something that they're concerned for their pet,” Jarett said.
At the same time, many pet owners remain dissatisfied with current solutions.
“What people are really hoping for is something that's effective… but that they don't feel like it's changing the personality of their dog,” she said.
Real-world study design measuring dog anxiety
The in-home use test was designed to reflect everyday conditions rather than controlled environments. Dogs received either a placebo or the botanical blend daily in soft chew format over 30 days.
“We allowed pet parents to give this however they wanted to… to really allow people to give them in a real world way,” Jarett said.
Behavioral outcomes were measured using the validated Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ-S), which includes 42 scenario-based questions to improve consistency in owner-reported observations.
Results showed improvements in several areas aligned with owner priorities. Dogs receiving the botanical blend demonstrated reductions in stranger-directed aggression and dog-directed fear, supporting better social interactions.
Owners also reported improvements in stress-related physical signs, particularly those linked to separation anxiety.
“He was definitely better, and he didn't pee on anything for weeks,” one participant said.
In more excitable dogs, gains were observed in focus and responsiveness.
“I really noticed a difference… she'd run over and look, and then I'd call her, and she'd come back,” another owner reported.
Participants receiving the active ingredient blend were significantly more likely to correctly guess their group assignment, suggesting observable changes in behavior.
Jarett said this indicates that “people are really perceiving and seeing some of these behavioral changes for themselves in that active group.”
Energy, personality remains intact
Importantly, the blend did not appear to compromise dogs’ normal energy or personality, a key concern among pet owners.
“She didn't act dopey. She didn't act too sleepy,” one owner said.
“It didn’t make her groggy, it didn’t change her. It just took that baggage off her,” another said.
Pet owners seek daily behavioral support solutions that deliver visible benefits without sedation. Transparency also plays a role in consumer acceptance.
“People don't like opaque labeling," Jarett said. "Knowing the active ingredients is something that was helpful in our consumer research."
As interest in behavioral health grows, in-home studies may offer pet food and supplement companies a practical way to help support calm, balanced behavior while aligning with consumer expectations.
