A relaxed Golden Retriever resting on a rug in a bright modern apartment beside a dish of dried ashwagandha roots

Ashwagandha for Dogs: Dosage Chart, Benefits and Side Effects

September 3, 2026

Quick answer

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Ayurveda's best-loved Rasayana or rejuvenating herb, is well tolerated by most healthy adult dogs at the dose used in research: 15 mg per kg of a standardised root extract, once a day. In two randomised dog trials it lowered the stress hormone cortisol, and in one it eased owner-rated fear and anxiety. Check with your vet before starting.

Key takeaways

In Ayurveda: a warming, strength-giving Rasayana that calms Vata, the dosha of movement and nervousness. It has been given for stress and vitality for thousands of years.
In dogs: two randomised, placebo-controlled trials (24 and 20 dogs) at 15 mg/kg/day of root extract found lower cortisol, with no adverse events reported. Research is catching up with tradition.
Who should skip it: pregnant or nursing dogs, dogs with thyroid disease, and dogs on sedatives, anti-seizure, thyroid, diabetes or immune-suppressing medication, unless your vet approves.

What is ashwagandha in Ayurveda?

Ashwagandha is a Rasayana, Ayurveda's word for a herb that rebuilds strength, steadies the mind and supports healthy ageing. The Sanskrit name means "smell of the horse", for the root's earthy scent and the horse-like strength it was said to give. Classical texts such as the Charaka Samhita list it among the balya, or strength-giving, herbs (Singh et al., 2011, review of ashwagandha in Ayurveda).

Ayurveda describes every herb by its qualities. Ashwagandha is bitter and astringent in taste (rasa), heating in potency (virya), and grounding and nourishing in its effect. That profile makes it a classic choice for Vata, the dosha of movement and the nervous system. A Vata-heavy dog startles easily, paces, sleeps lightly and struggles when routines change, and ashwagandha is the first herb practitioners reach for.

Traditionally the dried root is ground into a powder (churna) and given daily with a carrier such as ghee or warm milk, which Ayurveda believes helps the herb absorb. For animals it is mixed into food or ghee. Modern science calls ashwagandha an adaptogen, a plant that helps the body regulate its stress response, and has focused on its active compounds, the withanolides.

Does ashwagandha work for dogs? What science is finding

Science is starting to confirm what Ayurveda has long described. Two randomised, placebo-controlled trials at 15 mg per kg of standardised root extract daily found lower cortisol than placebo, and one found calmer behaviour. Few Ayurvedic herbs have been tested this way in dogs.

An evidence meter comparing three kinds of support for ashwagandha: traditional Ayurvedic use rated long-standing, laboratory and animal-model research rated substantial, and controlled studies in dogs rated early, with two small randomised trials at 15 mg/kg.

Study	Dogs	Dose and length	What it found
Kaur et al., 2022, Journal of Veterinary Behavior	24 dogs with stress and anxiety	15 mg/kg once daily, 4 weeks	Lower urinary cortisol, lower owner-rated fear and anxiety (CBARQ) and lower pain scores than placebo. No adverse events reported.
Bharani et al., 2024, Veterinary Medicine and Science	20 healthy senior Labradors (8+ years)	15 mg/kg once daily, 60 days	Lower serum cortisol and inflammatory markers, better antioxidant markers. Behaviour results not reported. No adverse events reported.
Bharani et al., 2025, Frontiers in Veterinary Science	12 healthy senior Beagles (12 to 15 years)	15 mg/kg once daily, 2 months	Changes in gut and blood markers, including better stool scores. Very small; the paper contradicts itself on some results.

Ashwagandha for dogs with anxiety

In the 2022 trial by Kaur and colleagues, 24 dogs with stress and anxiety received ashwagandha root extract or a placebo for four weeks, double-blind. The ashwagandha group showed a significant drop in urinary cortisol and in fear and anxiety scores on the C-BARQ, a validated owner questionnaire, compared with placebo (Kaur et al., 2022). It fits the traditional picture: a gentle daily support for a stressed dog, not an emergency sedative.

Ashwagandha benefits for senior dogs

The senior-dog trials echo ashwagandha's role as a Rasayana for healthy ageing. In 20 senior Labradors, 60 days of root extract lowered cortisol and several inflammatory markers and improved antioxidant markers compared with placebo (Bharani et al., 2024). The Kaur trial also reported lower owner-rated pain scores.

Ashwagandha for dogs dosage chart by weight

There is no official dose for dogs. The published trials all used 15 mg per kg of body weight of a standardised root extract, once daily, with food. The table applies that research dose as a reference point to discuss with your vet, not a prescription.

A dose-by-weight bar chart showing the research dose of ashwagandha root extract, 15 mg per kg, from 75 mg for a 5 kg dog to 600 mg for a 40 kg dog.

Dog's weight	Example breeds	Research dose (15 mg/kg extract, once daily)
5 kg (11 lb)	Pomeranian, Chihuahua	75 mg
10 kg (22 lb)	Shih Tzu, French Bulldog	150 mg
20 kg (44 lb)	Saluki, Border Collie	300 mg
30 kg (66 lb)	Labrador, Golden Retriever	450 mg
40 kg (88 lb)	German Shepherd, large Labrador	600 mg

These numbers do not transfer to raw root powder, which is weaker and less consistent. For a dog supplement, follow the dosage on the pack. Start at the low end and talk to your vet first, especially if your dog takes any medication, is pregnant or has a health condition.

Ayurvedic home use

With ghee, the traditional carrier: stir the daily extract dose from the table (or the pack dose of a dog product) into the evening meal with a small dab of ghee, about ¼ teaspoon for small dogs and ½ teaspoon for large dogs. Once a day.
Same time, every day, for weeks: a Rasayana works slowly. The anxiety trial measured results after 4 weeks and the senior-dog trial after 30 and 60 days, so give it consistently before judging (see our week-by-week calming guide).
Pair it with a calming ritual: a slow 5-minute evening massage (abhyanga) over the chest and shoulders with a few drops of plain, warm coconut oil suits a restless, Vata-type dog. Once a day.

Safety: use plain extract or a dog product, never essential oils; skip ghee for dogs prone to pancreatitis, and skip ashwagandha for pregnant dogs or dogs on thyroid, calming or anti-seizure medication unless your vet approves.

Is ashwagandha safe for dogs? Side effects to know

At research doses ashwagandha is well tolerated: neither main dog trial reported any adverse events. For the longer-term picture we look to human research. In people, the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that ashwagandha may cause drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting, and has been linked to rare cases of liver injury. It may also affect thyroid function and interact with several medicines.

A safety card listing who should not take ashwagandha without vet approval: pregnant or nursing dogs, dogs with thyroid disease, dogs on sedatives or anti-seizure drugs, dogs on diabetes or immune-suppressing medicine, and dogs due for surgery.

Check with your vet first if your dog...	Why
Is pregnant or nursing	Advised against in human pregnancy and breastfeeding; no safety data in pregnant dogs.
Has a thyroid condition or takes thyroid medication	Ashwagandha may affect thyroid hormone levels.
Takes sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs or anti-seizure medication	Possible additive drowsiness and interactions.
Takes diabetes, blood pressure or immune-suppressing medication	Interactions reported in human guidance.
Has liver disease, an autoimmune condition, or surgery coming up	Rare human liver injury reports; not recommended before surgery or with autoimmune disease.

Stop giving it and call your vet if you notice vomiting, diarrhoea, unusual sleepiness, yellowing of the gums or eyes, or loss of appetite. Avoid human products, which often contain other herbs, sweeteners or flavourings.

Where ashwagandha fits for an anxious dog

Ayurveda never relies on a herb alone: routine, exercise and a calm home come first, and a daily Rasayana supports them. For quicker, situational calm before a known stressor, read about L-theanine for dogs. Fireworks fear needs its own plan, covered in our fireworks anxiety guide, and panic when left alone starts with our guide to separation anxiety in dogs.

AyurPet's take

Ashwagandha is the heart of our calming formula because it has both: thousands of years as Ayurveda's go-to herb for a restless mind, and randomised, placebo-controlled trials in dogs with no adverse events reported. Very few pet ingredients can claim that pairing.

We give it the way Ayurveda intends: daily, alongside companion herbs such as Brahmi and Jatamansi, as steady support for a dog who runs a little anxious, not a fix for severe panic or aggression.

When we would tell you not to use it: if your dog is pregnant, has thyroid disease, or is already on calming or anti-seizure medication, talk to your vet first. If anxiety is sudden or severe, see a vet before reaching for any supplement, ours included.

AyurPet products with ashwagandha

If you and your vet decide ashwagandha is right for your dog, these are the two ways we offer it. Follow the dosage on the pack.

CoolCalm+ calming drops

For dogs with everyday stress. Ashwagandha alongside L-theanine, magnesium glycinate and Ayurvedic herbs such as Brahmi and Jatamansi, in a non-sedative liquid you add to food. A daily support, not a sedative or a treatment for anxiety disorders.

See CoolCalm+

AyurPet Calming Ashwagandha Himalayan yak cheese chew for dogs

Calming Ashwagandha Yak Cheese Chew

For dogs who settle best with a long, absorbing chew. Four ingredients (yak and cow milk, lime, salt, ashwagandha extract), up to 6 hours of chewing, 87% protein, rawhide-free. Sized Small (up to 10 kg), Medium (10 to 25 kg) and Large (over 25 kg).

See the Ashwagandha Yak Chew

Frequently asked questions

Can I give my dog human ashwagandha capsules?

Not without your vet's input. Human products vary widely in strength and often contain other herbs, flavourings or sweeteners. If your vet agrees, choose a plain, standardised root extract with no other ingredients, or a product formulated for dogs.

How much ashwagandha can I give my dog?

Published dog trials used 15 mg per kg of body weight of standardised root extract once daily, which is about 150 mg for a 10 kg (22 lb) dog. There is no official dose. For dog products, follow the pack, and agree any dose with your vet.

What are the side effects of ashwagandha in dogs?

The two main dog trials reported none. Based on human data, possible side effects include drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting, with rare liver injury reported in people. Stop and call your vet if you notice any of these.

Does ashwagandha make dogs sleepy?

It is not a sedative, and drowsiness was not reported in the dog trials. Drowsiness is a known side effect in some people, so be careful combining it with sedating medicines.

Is ashwagandha good for dogs with anxiety?

It may help. One randomised trial in 24 anxious dogs found lower cortisol and lower owner-rated fear and anxiety after four weeks compared with placebo. That is promising early evidence, best used alongside behaviour work rather than instead of it.

Can puppies take ashwagandha?

There is no research in puppies, and all dog trials used adult or senior dogs. We would not give it to a puppy without a vet's advice.

Can I give ashwagandha every day?

The dog trials gave it daily for 4 to 8 weeks without reported problems. Longer-term safety in dogs has not been studied, so review ongoing daily use with your vet, ideally at your dog's regular check-up.

How we researched this: Written by the AyurPet research team from 5 sources, including 3 randomised controlled trials in dogs, listed below. Last reviewed October 2026.

References

Kaur J, Seshadri S, Golla KH, Sampara P. Efficacy and safety of standardized Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on reducing stress and anxiety in domestic dogs: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 2022;51:8-15. doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.03.002
Bharani KK, Devarasetti AK, Carey L, et al. Effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on aging-related changes in healthy geriatric dogs: a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study. Veterinary Medicine and Science. 2024;10(5):e1556. PMC11288135
Bharani KK, Devarasetti AK, Bobbili R, et al. The role of Ashwagandha in modulating gut parameters in dogs: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2025;11. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1491989
Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-213. PMC3252722
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Ashwagandha. nccih.nih.gov/health/ashwagandha

Before you start: ashwagandha is a supplement, not a medicine. Check with your vet before giving it, especially if your dog takes medication, is pregnant or has a health condition. If you would like a second opinion, our online vet consultation can help.

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