Anxious Maltese with sensitive stomach — what works

Anxiety in dogs tends to fall into a few distinct patterns — separation anxiety, noise phobia, and generalised anxiety — and the right product really does depend on which type you're dealing with and how severe it is. GI sensitivity adds a meaningful layer here, because it immediately rules out a lot of the oral supplements and chews that would otherwise be good first options. To point you in the right direction: what does your dog's anxiety actually look like, when does it tend to happen, and what breed and age are we talking about?

That's a really clear picture, thank you. Separation anxiety plus travel nerves in a Maltese is a very common combination — they're a breed that bonds hard and can struggle with being alone. The GI sensitivity is the key constraint here, though, because it immediately takes most of the calming treat and supplement options off the table. The good news is there's a well-evidenced non-ingestible route that suits this exactly. Before I give you my recommendation, one thing worth knowing: has she always had the sensitive stomach, or did it develop alongside the anxiety? And has your vet commented on it at all?

Perfect, that's helpful context. If her vet is already managing the GI issue with diet, the last thing you want is anything oral that could destabilise that. My clear recommendation for her is the Adaptil Calm On-the-Go Collar. It's a pheromone-based collar that releases a synthetic version of the calming pheromone mother dogs produce — nothing ingested, nothing that touches the gut at all. It works continuously, which suits separation anxiety well because it's working before you even leave the house, not just in the moment of stress. It's also effective for travel anxiety, which covers the car journey issue. For a small dog like a Maltese the collar fits easily and lasts about four weeks. It's widely available on Amazon UK and your vet will be familiar with the Adaptil range if you want to mention it at her next check-up. The pheromone approach won't sedate her or change her personality — it just takes the edge off the underlying tension. That's what you want as a starting point.

Most owners notice a difference within the first week, though it can take a full two to three weeks to see the full effect — pheromone products work gradually rather than immediately, so give it time before deciding whether it's helping. In terms of what to do alongside it: the collar works best when you pair it with some basic separation training — keeping departures and arrivals low-key, short practice absences, that kind of thing. You don't need a formal trainer for mild to moderate separation anxiety, but the behavioural side does matter. For the car journeys specifically, feeding her in the car while it's stationary first, before you even move off, helps desensitise that trigger over time. The collar handles the physiological stress response; the training handles the learned association. Together they're much more effective than either alone.

Good plan. One last practical note: make sure the collar sits snugly against her skin — you should be able to slip two fingers underneath it, but no more. If it's too loose the pheromone doesn't transfer properly. And when you order, double-check you're getting the On-the-Go Collar rather than the diffuser or spray, as those are the plug-in or room-based versions and won't have the same effect for separation and travel. I hope she settles well — Malteses are such affectionate little dogs, and it's worth getting this sorted early before the habits become more entrenched.