Ever felt stressed after a hectic day? That’s an obvious question, for sure.
Stress is common amongst people, as many statistics and studies have confirmed it. However, don’t think stress is limited to the human race.
Animals feel stress too, especially intelligent ones like dogs and cats.
Your pooch may not have a demanding 9 to 5, but it gets stressed. Life changes, separation anxiety, loud noise, and trauma can be triggers for stress, which the dog will display in destructive ways.
Fortunately, there is a remedy to dog anxiety. The antidote comes in the form of calming treats for dogs, and it can relax them.
When your dog is looking anxious, giving it these treats can forestall disaster.
Because there are so many products out there, it might be frustrating to have to sort out these products and pick the good from the bad.
We’ve helped you narrow your choices down to the ten best dog calming treats. Under each, we’ll highlight the pros and cons so you can make an objective decision.
Is Calming Treats Good For Dogs?
It’s important to know why your dog needs a calming treat and when to give one to the dog to avoid unrealistic expectations.
Calming treats are not an instant panacea to anxiety, and most of them have limits.
Calming treats can be useful in treating mild anxiety but may not be efficient in severe cases (you’d need an expert for those).
It can also help calm your dog’s separation anxiety but isn’t a cure for it.
Calming treats could also temporarily help if your dog is hyperactive, but exercise is the best solution to get your dog calm again.
You can as well give your dog a calming treat if it is nervous about something, like visiting the veterinarian or a groomer.
The Best Dog Calming Treats
1. PetHonesty Hemp Calming Chicken Flavored Soft Chews
| Main Ingredients | Organic hemp oil and powder, organic chamomile, organic ginger root, valerian root, L-Tryptophan, melatonin, suntheanine |
| Additional Ingredients | Barley, carrot, coconut glycerin, duck, flaxseed, mixed tocopherols, natural bacon flavoring, oat flour, palm fruit oil, rosemary extract, sorbic acid, sunflower lecithin, sweet potato |
| Dosage | 1-25 pounds = 1 chew, 26-75 pounds = 2 chews, 75+ pounds= 3 chews |
| Treat type | Soft chew |
The Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Chews is ideal for dogs of every age, and it comes first on our list because it is one of the best out there.
It doesn’t make use of genetically modified crops, corn, wheat, or soy, all of which can hinder a dog’s good health.
Rather, this brand uses natural ingredients, which consist of hemp, ginger, chamomile, and valerian roots. All these are known to be nerve-calming.
It also doesn’t have artificial flavors but relies on natural chicken flavor, which is enough to distract your dog from its anxiety.
The only setback is that the dosage may not be enough to calm some dogs, and it is unhealthy to give an overdose.
Pros
- Utilized natural ingredients.
- Easy to chew.
- The pack is resealable.
- Uses no harmful ingredients or artificial flavors.
Cons
- The dosage may not be enough for some dogs.
2. The Anxious Pet Relax & Roll Calming Dog Treats
| Main Ingredients | Acetyl L-carnitine, chamomile, ginger root, L-theanine, L-Tryptophan, melatonin, organic flaxseed powder, organic turmeric, willow bark |
| Additional Ingredients | Citric acid, Lecithin, Natural bacon flavor, natural peanut butter flavor, organic glycerin, organic palm fruit oil, pea protein concentrate, sweet potato flour |
| Dosage | 1-25 pounds = 0.5 chews, 26-100 pounds = 1 chew, 101+ pounds = 1.5 chews |
| Treat Type | Soft chews |
The Anxious Pet Relax & Roll Calming Dog Treats was started by pet owners to alleviate anxiety in their pets and others around.
Their major propelling force was understanding that a pet’s well-being and that of a human are interrelated.
Alongside veterinarians, these pet owners developed Anxious Pet products that were tallied at alleviating anxiety.
Some of the ingredients used were chamomile, melatonin, and Acetyl-L carnitine.
Pros
- It contains chamomile, melatonin, and Acetyl-L carnitine.
- Veterinarians contributed to this product.
- It relaxes the dog.
Cons
- It doesn’t work on severe anxiety.
3. Zesty Paws Hemp Calming OraStix for Dog
| Main Ingredients | Chamomile Flower, Ginger Root, Valerian Root, Lemon Balm Leaf, Suntheanine® (L-theanine), Tryptophan, Sensoril® Ashwagandha, Plant-based Cannabinoids (CBD & CBN) from Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract, Melatonin |
| Additional Ingredients | Beef Bone Broth, Chickpea Powder, Coconut Glycerin, Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Mixed Tocopherols, Organic Vegetarian Roast Beef Flavor, Pea Fiber, Pumpkin, Palm Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Sunflower Oil, Tapioca flour |
| Dosage | 1-25 pounds = 1 chew, 26-75 pounds = 2 chews, 75+ pounds = 3 chews |
| Treat Type | Soft Chew |
Zesty Paws is a very popular brand, and for good reasons. Their Hemp Elements Calming Peppermint Flavored Dog Chews are suitable for dogs of all ages, and it comes at an affordable price.
You’d often find it in a 12-ounce or 25-ounce bag. Zesty Paws Hemp does more than calm your dog’s nerves. It also gives fresh breath and helps the teeth.
The brand avoids products they know can cause allergies. These include wheat, soy, grain, and corn.
Instead, it blends in ingredients like chamomile, hemp seed, melatonin, suntheanine, valerian root, and magnesium citrate. Some dogs dislike the peppermint taste, though.
Pros
- It makes the dog’s breath fresher and helps the teeth.
- It has proven to be excellent in calming anxiety.
- It comes in two bag sizes.
Cons
- Some dogs don’t like the peppermint flavor.
4. Green Gruff Relax Organic Calming Treats
| Main Ingredients | Organic Hemp Seed Powder, Organic Chamomile, Organic Cricket Flour, Organic Ashwagandha Root, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Valerian Root, L-Tryptophan, L-theanine |
| Additional Ingredients | Palm Fruit Oil, Barley (hulled), Oat Flour, Carob, Flaxseed, Powdered Cellulose, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Sorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract |
| Dosage | 1-10 pounds = 1 chew, 10-25 pounds = 2 chews, 26-50 pounds = 3 chews, 50+ pounds = 4 chews |
| Treat Type | Soft chews |
The Green Gruff Relax Calming Soft Chews is also geared towards puppies but can be suitable for dogs of all ages.
It has natural remedies and is not limited to chamomile. Ashwagandha, valerian root, I-tryptophan, and I-theanine are included.
Green Gruff isn’t only about calming your dog down; it also has some health benefits.
The omega oil, protein, antioxidants, and amino acids work on the dog’s bones, joints, and muscles.
The skin and coat aren’t exempt either. As a bonus, it is grain-free. The only challenge this product has is that some dogs don’t like the flavor.
Pros
- Good for all dogs.
- Relies on natural remedies.
- Contains amino acids, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.
- It is grain-free.
- It is high in protein.
Cons
- It uses a smoked coconut flavor which some dogs don’t like.
5. NaturVet Quiet Moments Dog Calming Supplement
| Main Ingredients | Chamomile, Thiamine Mononitrate, Passion Flower, Ginger, L-Tryptophan, Melatonin |
| Additional Ingredients | Brewers Dried Yeast, Canola Oil, Dried Potato Product, Flaxseed, Glycerin, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Mixed Tocopherols, Natural Flavoring, Rosemary Extract, Sorbic Acid, Tapioca Starch, Vegetable Oil, Water |
| Dosage | 1 to 26 pounds = 1 chew, 27 to 50 pounds = 2 chews, 51 to 99 pounds = 4 chews, 100+ pounds = 6 chews |
| Treat Type | Soft Chews |
NaturVet was put together by veterinarians and contains natural ingredients like thiamine, ginger, passionflower, chamomile, I-tryptophan, and melatonin.
Besides anxiety, NaturVet also works on nausea, indigestion, and carsickness and is good for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
NaturVet comes in four sizes, and all four are resealable, an added advantage as that helps preserve the treat.
It isn’t suitable for cats, though, and if you own a cat, ensure to keep the treat away from its reach.
Pros
- Uses natural ingredients.
- Works on other problems like indigestion and nausea.
- Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Cons
- Not suitable for cats
- May cause side effects in some dogs.
6. Zesty Paws Calming Soft Chews for Dogs
| Main Ingredients | Organic Hemp Seed, Organic chamomile, Valerian Root, Organic Passionflower, L-theanine (Suntheanine®), Organic Ginger Root, Ashwagandha (Sensoril ®), L-Tryptophan, Magnesium Citrate |
| Additional Ingredients | Beef Liver, Coconut Glycerin, Flaxseed, Mixed Tocopherols, Natural Flavor, Natural Peanut Butter Flavoring, Palm Oil, Pea Flour, Peanut Flour, Powdered Cellulose, Rosemary Extract, Sunflower Lecithin, Sweet Potato |
| Dosage | 1-25 pounds = 1 chew, 26-75 pounds = 2 chews, 75+ pounds = 3 chews |
| Treat Type | Soft chews |
Another Zesty Paws product, the Peanut Butter Flavored Calming Soft Chews, is ideal for dogs with anxiety.
It relies on natural ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, I-tryptophan, and hemp seed powder. You’d find no grain in products like corn, soy products, and wheat.
The treats come in a 90-count pack with a peanut butter flavor and fit dogs of all ages.
It tends to work after 30 to 60 minutes, which can be a setback if you’re expecting fast results.
Pros
- Peanut butter flavor.
- Good for dogs of all ages.
- Helps hyperactive and anxious dogs.
Cons
- It takes a long time to work.
7. Honest Paws Calm CBD Bites
| Main Ingredients | Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Organic, Full-Spectrum hemp oil with naturally occurring CBD |
| Additional Ingredients | Organic Barley, Boswellia Serrata Powder, Organic Coconut Oil, Human Grade Eggs, Glucosamine HCL, Hyaluronic Acid, L-Theanine, Organic Oats, Organic Turmeric, Tryptophan, Organic Peanut Butter, Rapeseed oil, Dry Roasted Peanut |
| Dosage | 1-25 pounds = 5mg, 25-50 pounds = 10mg, 50+ pounds = 15mg |
| Treat Type | Soft chews |
Honest Paws is geared towards puppies and was developed out of the owner’s desire to help her pup. Natural and easy to chew, your little friend will benefit from this.
Honest Paws help with anxiety but don’t stop there. It can also be beneficial when dealing with an overactive dog.
It doesn’t use genetically modified foods, and hemp is grown in the United States.
Pros
- Good for puppies.
- Helps with anxiety and hyperactivity.
- It has a 30-day money-back policy.
Cons
- Customers complain about the bite.
- It may not be suitable for other ages.
8. HolistaPet Hemp Dog Treats
| Main Ingredients | Turmeric Root, Boswellia, Hemp Seed Powder, CBD Oil |
| Additional Ingredients | Pumpkin Puree, Brown Rice Flour, Molasses, Cinnamon, Coconut Oil |
| Dosage | 0.25mg to 0.5mg for every 1 pound of bodyweight |
| Treat Type | Seed |
Holistapet is particularly helpful for dogs suffering from separation anxiety, and it also takes care of their overall health.
If your dog is very choosy with its meal and treats, holistapet is the recommended calming treat for it.
Holistapet uses natural ingredients, much like all others we’ve seen. It contains cinnamon, coconut oil, molasses, and hemp seed powder.
It also uses flavors dogs love, namely green apple and peanut butter. To relieve stress and anxiety, holistapet uses chamomile and L-theanine.
Pros
- Helps with separation anxiety.
- It is good for picky eaters.
- Dogs often love the flavor.
- It contains chamomile and L-theanine.
Cons
- Customers have complained that the product isn’t too effective in many cases.
9. FOMO Bones
| Main Ingredients | Chamomile, Valerian Root, Passion Flower, L-Tryptophan, CBD Isolate |
| Additional Ingredients | Rice Bran, Cane Molasses, Tapioca Starch, Purified Water, CheesePowder, Soy Lecithin, Safflower Oil, Glycerin, Natural Beef Protein, Bacon Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid |
| Dosage | 10-50 pounds = 1 treat, 51+ pounds = 2 treats |
| Treat Type | Soft chews |
FOMO Bones are prized for being soft to chew, a good choice for cats, senior dogs, and dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Like the brands we’ve mentioned so far, FOMO Bones has chamomile, which helps ease your dog’s anxiety.
That isn’t the only relaxing ingredient FOMO has, though. It also has valerian roots and passionflower plants that help your dog relax.
Another valuable ingredient is the amino acid named L-Tryptophan, which eases pain, depression, and anxiety. It helps your dog sleep well too.
Pros
- It can be easily chewed.
- Good for dogs with soft stomachs
- Has many relaxing ingredients.
Cons
- Getting the right dosage can be difficult.
- It has limited flavor.
10. King Kalm Crunch CBD Dog Treats
| Main Ingredients | 2-3 milligrams of CBD per treat |
| Additional Ingredients | Gluten-Free Stone Ground Oat Flour, Rolled Oats, Eggs, Almonds, Honey, Turmeric, Black Peppercorn |
| Dosage | Unavailable |
| Treat Type | Crunchy Chews |
King Kalm’s crunchy comes like a cookie, and which dog wouldn’t like cookies? Using ingredients like honey, almonds, turmeric, and oats, King Kalm produced a treat your dog will want more of.
Also, this brand got its cannabidiol from U.S Grown Hemp. There are essential vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and CBD.
With King Kalm, your dog can be free of anxiety and experience calming moments.
What makes this product even more special is that a holistic physician and nutritionist made it.
Pros
- It was made in the USA.
- It was made with natural ingredients.
- It is 100% gluten-free.
- Available in Blueberry and Apple Cinnamon Flavors.
Cons
- It is expensive.
Buyer’s Guide
Because every dog is susceptible to anxiety, investing in calming treats is one of the best things you can do.
Positive reinforcements and exercise can help, but they have their limits. As we’ve seen, there are benefits these treats bring.
Thus, here’s what to keep in mind while you shop for dog calming treats:
- Look at the pack for the ingredients listed, as well as tests that were done on the product and vet approval. Do not get a product based on guarantees or hypes. Some of the major ingredients you’ll find on a product include chamomile, melatonin, CBD, and L-Tryptophan.
- Know what type of anxiety your dog is suffering from. It could either be from separation, fear, or even an illness. These would help you get the right treats.
- Know which type of treat your dog would prefer. Does it like chewing, or would swallowing be better?
Recommended:
10 Worst Dog Treats To Avoid (+10 We Recommend)
FAQs
Can I give my dog calming treat every day?
Calming treats have a particular dosage and use, so if your dog is not displaying any form of anxiety there’s no need to give them to them.
Daily intake can lead to overdose, so that’s not advisable too. Calming treats are usually given when needed.
What is the best natural calming aid for dogs?
There are different calming treats you can give your dog. The super-effective ones are those that contain L-theanine and L-Tryptophan, both of which are good at relieving stress.
Is it okay to give my dog calming treat?
Generally, calming treats are safe for dogs. However, follow whatever guidelines are given to ensure you don’t abuse it.
Get advice from a veterinarian before getting a calming treat.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, you found our review of the best dog calming treats helpful.
Your dog’s well-being is very important, and that means a life free of anxiety and stress.
Calming treats can help you manage your dog’s stress and anxiety levels, giving you a happy and peaceful pooch.
The treats we’ve suggested contain the right natural elements without adding up grainy products that could trigger your dog’s allergies. The choice gets easier from here.
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