Why Ashwagandha Always Ranks In The Top 4 Most Popular Adaptogens For Pet Stress

Anxiety and stress are increasing in dogs and cats. Learn why ashwagandha is one of the top 4 adaptogens for pet stress and why KSM-66 is the safest and best ashwagandha for pets.

Stress and anxiety are becoming increasingly common among today’s dogs and cats. In fact, canine and feline stress is a growing concern for pet parents, with one pet insurance provider reporting a 93% increase in anxiety-related claims between 2019 and 2025. Left unaddressed, chronic stress is linked to behavioral challenges and long-term health issues, including digestive disorders, hormone imbalances, weakened immune function, and skin and coat issues. While addressing stress and anxiety often requires a multifaceted approach, there are effective adaptogens for pet stress, and ashwagandha—specifically KSM-66 Ashwagandha—consistently ranks as one of the safest, most popular, and most effective.

Why Adaptogens Are Gaining Attention in Pet Wellness

Adaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt to physical, mental, and emotional stress. Rather than sedating or overstimulating the system, the way pharmaceutical drugs can, they work by supporting the body’s natural state of balance, or homeostasis. Stress can have many sources for dogs and cats, including environmental changes, separation, noise, aging, travel, or underlying health conditions. Adaptogenic herbs help regulate hormones and stress responses, supporting calmer behavior and benefiting overall health.

Top 4 Adaptogens for Pet Stress

Among the list of adaptogens used in companion animal nutrition and supplementation, four consistently stand out for dogs and cats:

1. Ashwagandha: Supports stress resilience, emotional balance, and overall well-being
2. Rhodiola rosea: Helps reduce mental fatigue and supports cognitive performance during stress
3. Tulsi: May help lower physiological stress markers, including cortisol
4. Ginseng: Traditionally used to support energy, stamina, and cognitive function

While each of these adaptogens offers valuable benefits, ashwagandha has emerged as a clear leader due to its depth of research and versatility.

Ashwagandha: One of the Most Researched Adaptogens for Companion Animals

Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. And today, thanks largely to Ixoreal Biomed, the producer of KSM-66 Ashwagandha, modern science is validating traditional uses, including uses for companion animals.

“People have been using adaptogens like ashwagandha to manage stress for thousands of years, and modern science supports its use in humans,” says Kartikeya Baldwa, CEO of Ixoreal Biomed. “However, we wanted to go the extra mile. We’ve always known ashwagandha had similar benefits for companion animals, and the research we’re conducting demonstrates that it’s among the most beneficial adaptogens for pet health.”

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Is One of the Best Adaptogens for Pet Stress

While all adaptogens support stress relief in dogs and cats, KSM-66 Ashwagandha stands apart. It’s a full-spectrum, root-only extract that’s been the subject of multiple human and veterinary clinical studies. It’s the safest and only clinically proven ashwagandha for pets, and there are studies demonstrating its ability to:

• Significantly reduce perceived stress and anxiety
• Lower cortisol levels
• Support healthy sleep
• Improve overall quality of life

This combination of safety, efficacy, and clinical validation makes it the superior choice for ashwagandha and one of the best adaptogens for pet stress. It also has a neutral flavor that doesn’t alter palatability when it’s included in pet foods, treats, supplements, and other products.

Learn more about KSM-66 Ashwagandha as an adaptogen for dogs and cats.

The post Why Ashwagandha Always Ranks in the Top 4 Most Popular Adaptogens for Pet Stress appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.