L-Theanine Science
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Ingredient Spotlight

L-Theanine: Calm Focus

L-Theanine is an amino acid that promotes relaxation without sedation, helping your dog maintain calm alertness during stressful situations.

Calm
Alert

Why does my dog get anxious?

Anxiety in dogs stems from an imbalance in neurotransmitters. Excessive glutamate (excitatory) and insufficient GABA (inhibitory) create a nervous, reactive state—especially during storms, fireworks, or separation.

This manifests as:

  • Storm SensitivityPanic during thunderstorms or fireworks
  • Reactive BehaviorExcessive barking or jumping at stimuli
  • RestlessnessInability to settle or relax

Anxiety Response Timeline

L-Theanine's rapid onset of action

30 min1 hour2 hours4 hours

*Based on clinical studies with L-Theanine supplementation

The Solution

Calm Without Sedation

L-Theanine works by increasing GABA and serotonin while inhibiting glutamate, creating a state of "relaxed alertness"—your dog stays calm and responsive, not drowsy.

01

GABA Enhancement

L-Theanine increases GABA, the brain's primary calming neurotransmitter, without pharmaceutical side effects.

02

Rapid Onset

Works within 15-30 minutes, making it ideal for pre-emptive use before known stressful events.

03

Alertness Preserved

Unlike sedatives, L-Theanine maintains mental clarity and responsiveness—your dog can still engage and play.

How L-Theanine Works

Neurotransmitter Modulation

L-Theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier and directly increases GABA and serotonin levels while inhibiting glutamate. This creates a balanced neurochemical state that promotes relaxation without sedation.

Alpha Wave Induction

L-Theanine promotes alpha brain waves—the same waves produced during meditation and relaxation. This is distinct from the delta waves of sleep, allowing your dog to remain alert while feeling calm.

Stress Response Regulation

By modulating neurotransmitters, L-Theanine helps regulate the amygdala (fear center) and promotes prefrontal cortex activation (reasoning center), helping your dog respond calmly to stressors.

Backed by Research

L-Theanine for Storm Sensitivity in Dogs (2015)

"L-Theanine was an effective treatment for storm sensitivity, decreasing severity of the dog's overall response to thunderstorms and fireworks."

Pike et al.2015

L-Theanine Reduces Stress-Related Behaviors (2018)

"L-Theanine (Anxitane®) helped improve undesirable manifestations of stress in companion animals, with better results seen after 30 days of supplementation."

Dramard et al.2018

Nutraceutical Support for Canine Anxiety (2021)

"CALMEX® nutraceutical containing L-Theanine significantly improved stress-related behavioral responses in dogs after 14 days of supplementation."

Eaton et al.2021

Safety Profile

Calms Without Drowsiness

  • Naturally occurring amino acid from green tea with excellent safety record in dogs
  • Remarkably well-tolerated even at high doses—safe for anxious and reactive dogs
  • Promotes relaxation response without sedation or impaired alertness
  • No serious adverse effects documented in veterinary or human studies
  • Rapid onset of action (15-30 minutes) makes it ideal for pre-event anxiety support
  • Safe for dogs who need to remain responsive and engaged
  • Compatible with all other Pawdagen ingredients for comprehensive anxiety support

All Pawdagen ingredients are selected for safety, efficacy, and compatibility with your dog's health.

Synergistic Ingredients

L-Theanine + Ashwagandha

Enhanced calm resilience. L-Theanine's rapid action combines with Ashwagandha's cortisol support for comprehensive anxiety management.

L-Theanine + Bacopa

Nervous system harmony. Both support GABA and calm the nervous system while maintaining cognitive function.

L-Theanine + Phosphatidylserine

Calm clarity. PS supports brain cell health while L-Theanine promotes relaxation for balanced emotional wellness.

L-Theanine + L-Tyrosine

Balanced neurotransmitters. L-Tyrosine supports focus while L-Theanine promotes calm—perfect for reactive dogs.

Ready to help your dog find calm?