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A nutraceutical is defined as "a substance that is produced in purified or extracted form and administered orally to provide agents required for normal body structure and function and administered with the intent of improving the health and well-being of animals.<ref>Anonymous. Council defines "nutraceutical." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1996; 209:1986.</ref>"
 
A nutraceutical is defined as "a substance that is produced in purified or extracted form and administered orally to provide agents required for normal body structure and function and administered with the intent of improving the health and well-being of animals.<ref>Anonymous. Council defines "nutraceutical." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1996; 209:1986.</ref>"
 
The majority of nutraceuticals have possible benefits as opposed to proven benefits. Nutraceuticals are not regulated in the same way as pharmaceuticals and do not have to undergo the same rigorous testing to be approved.  
 
The majority of nutraceuticals have possible benefits as opposed to proven benefits. Nutraceuticals are not regulated in the same way as pharmaceuticals and do not have to undergo the same rigorous testing to be approved.  
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==Herbs==
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==Alpha-casozepine==
 
==Alpha-casozepine==
 
Alpha-casozepine has been found to be extremely useful in the treatment of anxiety, where its efficacy has been shown to be on a par with selegiline<ref>Beata, C., Beaumont-Graff, E., Diaz, C., et al. Comparison of the effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) versus selegiline hydrochloride on anxiety disorders in dogs. J Vet Behav 2007;2:175-83.</ref> as well as fear related behaviour<ref>Beata, C., Beaumont-Graff, E., Coll, V., et al. Effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) on anxiety in cats. J Vet Behav 2007;2:40-6.</ref> in cats in conjunction with behavioural modification techniques. Alpha-casozepine is available as a supplement or as part of a commercial diet. It is a trypsin hydrolysate of alpha-S1 casein found in milk.  
 
Alpha-casozepine has been found to be extremely useful in the treatment of anxiety, where its efficacy has been shown to be on a par with selegiline<ref>Beata, C., Beaumont-Graff, E., Diaz, C., et al. Comparison of the effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) versus selegiline hydrochloride on anxiety disorders in dogs. J Vet Behav 2007;2:175-83.</ref> as well as fear related behaviour<ref>Beata, C., Beaumont-Graff, E., Coll, V., et al. Effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) on anxiety in cats. J Vet Behav 2007;2:40-6.</ref> in cats in conjunction with behavioural modification techniques. Alpha-casozepine is available as a supplement or as part of a commercial diet. It is a trypsin hydrolysate of alpha-S1 casein found in milk.  
      
==Cognitive Boosters==
 
==Cognitive Boosters==
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==Tryptophan==
 
==Tryptophan==
 
Tryptophan is an amino acid which is used to form serotonin. Low levels of tryptophan in the diet are thought to be linked to a fall in serotonin levels. This may have an affect on mood and can be used in alongside conventional pharmacological treatments, however care should be taken to look for any signs of serotonin syndrome. Studies have shown a reduction in behaviours related to stress and a decrease in signs of anxiety in cats supplemented with L-tryptophan<ref>Da Graca Pereira, G., Fragoso, S., L-tryptophan supplementation and its effect of multi-housed cats and working dogs. Proceedings of the 2010 European Veterinary Behaviour Meeting. Hamburg, 2010, 30-35.</ref><ref>Kato, M., Miyaji, K., Ohtani, N., et al. Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviours in privately owned anxious dogs. 2012; 7:21-6</ref>Tryptophan can be added to the diet or is available at higher levels in some commercial diets.
 
Tryptophan is an amino acid which is used to form serotonin. Low levels of tryptophan in the diet are thought to be linked to a fall in serotonin levels. This may have an affect on mood and can be used in alongside conventional pharmacological treatments, however care should be taken to look for any signs of serotonin syndrome. Studies have shown a reduction in behaviours related to stress and a decrease in signs of anxiety in cats supplemented with L-tryptophan<ref>Da Graca Pereira, G., Fragoso, S., L-tryptophan supplementation and its effect of multi-housed cats and working dogs. Proceedings of the 2010 European Veterinary Behaviour Meeting. Hamburg, 2010, 30-35.</ref><ref>Kato, M., Miyaji, K., Ohtani, N., et al. Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviours in privately owned anxious dogs. 2012; 7:21-6</ref>Tryptophan can be added to the diet or is available at higher levels in some commercial diets.
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==Herbs==
    
==References==
 
==References==