Pankratz, Korman, Emke, Johnson, Griffith, & Gruen (2021) investigated the use of the Calmer Canine, a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device, to address one of the most common and disruptive behavioral disorders in companion dogs: separation anxiety (SA). SA negatively impacts both canine welfare and owner quality of life, and while psychoactive medications can help, they are often limited by side effects and caregiver concerns.
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 40 dogs with moderate to severe SA. Owners administered the device twice daily for six weeks, and assessments included baseline and follow-up questionnaires alongside video recordings of dogs left alone. While owner questionnaires did not reveal significant differences between active and sham groups, video analysis demonstrated reduced negative behaviors in the PEMF group by week six (p = 0.036). Improvement trends were also noted at earlier time points, and success rates were higher across the treatment period.
No serious adverse events were reported, with eight minor cases resolving spontaneously. The findings suggest that video-based behavioral assessment is more reliable than owner-reported questionnaires for monitoring treatment outcomes in SA. Importantly, the study supports the efficacy and safety of PEMF therapy, highlighting it as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for managing canine anxiety disorders.
Source: Pankratz, K., Korman, J., Emke, C., Johnson, B., Griffith, E., & Gruen, M. (2021). Randomized, placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the Assisi Anti-anxiety Device (Calmer Canine) for the treatment of canine separation anxiety. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8. Authors: Kat Pankratz, J. Korman, C. Emke, B. Johnson, E. Griffith, M. Gruen. Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
