Best calming supplement for Rhodesian Ridgeback

So your Adaptil diffuser has run out and you're wondering whether to restock it or try an oral supplement instead — that's a really common crossroads, and honestly it's worth pausing before you just auto-reorder. Anxiety in dogs tends to show up as separation anxiety, noise phobia, or more generalised day-to-day tension, and the right product depends heavily on which type your dog has and how severe it is. To point you in the right direction: what does the anxiety actually look like with your Ridgeback, when does it tend to happen, and how old is he or she?

That sounds like classic separation anxiety — the destructive chewing and restlessness when you're gone are pretty textbook signs. The Adaptil diffuser working 'a bit' is actually useful information: pheromone products tend to be better at mild background calming, whereas separation anxiety at the level you're describing often responds better to something with more of a physiological effect. Before I suggest anything, a couple of quick questions: how long is she typically left alone, and has she ever been on any other calming products or had a vet mention anxiety to you?

Three to four hours with that level of distress is significant for a Ridgeback — they're a breed that bonds very closely and can really struggle with isolation. Given that the diffuser gave partial relief but wasn't quite enough, I'd suggest moving to Zylkene 450mg capsules. It's a casein-based supplement derived from milk protein, and it works on the same GABA receptors as some prescription anxiolytics but without sedation or side effects. The 450mg dose is specifically formulated for large dogs — a 6-year-old Ridgeback will typically be 32–45kg, so this is the right strength. You give it once daily, ideally an hour before she's left alone, and most owners see a meaningful difference within a week to ten days of consistent use. It's significantly more targeted for separation anxiety than a pheromone diffuser, and it's the product I'd recommend first before anything stronger. You can get it on Amazon UK — search Zylkene 450mg 30 capsules. One box should cover about a month's trial.

Yes, Zylkene is safe for long-term use — it has no known dependency issues and no organ stress even with extended use, which is one of its real advantages over some alternatives. You don't need to wean her off it; you can stop at any time without a tapering schedule. Many owners use it for a defined anxious period — a house move, a winter of fireworks — then stop when things settle. Others with dogs like yours, where the separation anxiety is ongoing, use it continuously without issue. If after four to six weeks on Zylkene you're still not seeing enough improvement, that's the point to go back to your vet and have a conversation about prescription options like Reconcile or situational medications. But for most dogs at this level, Zylkene is enough.

Good plan. Give it a consistent four weeks before you judge it — daily use matters more than anything else with Zylkene. If you want to stack anything alongside it, a good snuffle mat or a stuffed frozen Kong while you're out can help occupy her during those first anxious minutes after you leave, which is often when it's worst. Hope she settles well.