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The 12 Best Calming Treats For Dogs

Sometimes, dogs are terrified by things they can not comprehend. It could be fireworks, thunderstorms, a short car ride, or even the lawnmower of a neighbor. However, they may also be energetic, especially when meeting new people.

Calming a dog's anxiety or convincing a hyper puppy to relax is easier said than done, which is why BestForPets (bestforpets.org) compiled these reviews of the best calming treats for dogs.

They contain natural remedies, such as chamomile and hemp, to help your dog relax during stressful or exciting situations.

Reviews

AnimalHonesty SoothingHemp

PetHonesty Hemp Calming Chews for Dogs

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PetHonesty's CalmingHemp Chicken Flavored Soft Chews are the most effective treats for soothing a dog.

To calm your hyperactive or nervous dog, these chews include natural, non-GMO ingredients and are suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, this recipe contains no allergen-causing corn, wheat, or soy.

PetHonesty substitutes artificial sedatives with a mix of hemp, chamomile, ginger, and valerian root. The natural chicken taste is derived from genuine chicken to stimulate your dog’s sense of smell.

This option is also available in three variations; the resealable container comes in 120-count, 90-count, and double 90-count sizes.

Although the suggested dosage is weight-based, it may not be sufficient for certain dogs. However, the dose should not be exceeded.

Pros

  • Soft candies
  • Reusable, durable container
  • Appropriate for dogs of all ages
  • Appropriate for all breed sizes
  • No GMOs
  • No wheat, corn, or soy
  • Organic ingredients
  • Not Permitted
  • Reduces hyperactivity and stress

Cons

  • The dose may be insufficient for certain dogs.

Zesty Paws Hemp

Zesty Paws OraStix for Dogs

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The Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Soothing Peppermint Flavored Chews , sold in 12- or 25-ounce packs, are the most affordable calming treats for dogs.

The chews promote your dog’s dental health and freshen their breath with peppermint flavour. They are affordable and appropriate for pups, adults, and seniors.

This Zesty Paws recipe combines hemp seed, chamomile, melatonin, suntheanine, valerian root, and magnesium citrate to help calm nervous or hyperactive dogs and pups. In order to avoid common food allergies, the recipe contains no grains, wheat, maize, or soy.

Some finicky dogs may reject the peppermint flavor and refuse to consume these treats.

Pros

  • Peppermint flavored
  • Renews the breath
  • Reduces hyperactivity and stress
  • Enhances oral health
  • Two bag sizes

Cons

  • Some dogs detest the peppermint flavor

Vibrant Core of the Paws

Zesty Paws Calming Chews for Dogs

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The Zesty Paws Core Elements Calming Peanut Butter Flavored Soft Chews employ natural treatments to calm your dog during vehicle journeys, fireworks, or long days alone while you’re at work.

The grain-free mix contains chamomile, valerian root, hemp seed powder, and l-tryptophan and is good for dogs of all ages. Additionally, the absence of maize, wheat, and soy components prevents typical canine allergies.

You may purchase 90-count containers individually or in packs of two for a longer-lasting supply.

For optimal benefits, these snacks require at least 30-60 minutes for their effects to take effect, which necessitates planning ahead or guesswork at stressful occasions, especially those including pyrotechnics.

Pros

  • Peanut butter flavored
  • Reduces stress and hyperactivity
  • Appropriate for all ages
  • Sold in 90-count pots individually or in bundles of two.

Cons

  • Use thirty to ninety minutes prior to a stressful situation.

Green Gruff Relax

Green Gruff Calming Chews for Dogs

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The Green Gruff Relax Calming Soft Chew , which is suitable for all dogs of all ages, including your new puppy, soothes hyperactivity and anxiety while boosting your best friend’s general health.

The recipe contains natural sedatives, including ashwagandha, valerian root, chamomile, l-tryptophan, and l-theanine.

Omega oils, amino acids, protein, and antioxidants maintain the health of your dog’s muscles, joints, and immune system, as well as their skin and hair. The absence of maize, wheat, and soy ingredients also helps some dogs avoid sensitivity difficulties.

These soft chews from Green Gruff are flavored with smoked coconut, which some dogs detest and refuse to consume.

Pros

  • Excellent protein content
  • Omega fatty acids
  • Supports the general health of your dog
  • Appropriate for dogs of all ages
  • No wheat, corn, or soy
  • Amino acids
  • Antioxidants

Cons

  • Some dogs dislike the taste.

NaturVet Quiet

NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Dog Supplement

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The veterinarian-formulated combination of thiamine, l-tryptophan, melatonin, ginger, chamomile, and passionflower in the wheat-free NaturVet Quiet Moments Soft Chews alleviates stress and anxiety.

Ginger aids with digestion and alleviates nausea. Specifically, it helps alleviate the effects of motion sickness and gastrointestinal pain.

Each of the four sizes of containers — 70-, 180-, 240-, and 360-count — is resealable in order to preserve freshness and encourage optimal relaxation. Two packs of the 70-count variant are also available.

These treats should not be given to cats, and they may not be acceptable for multi-pet households unless they are kept out of reach of cats. NaturVet Quiet Moments is likewise inappropriate for pups less than 12 weeks.

Pros

  • Facilitates relaxation
  • Available in four sizes and a two-pack.
  • Absolutely no wheat
  • Reduces tension and stress
  • Relieves heartburn and nausea
  • Developed by veterinaries

Cons

  • Unsuitable for puppies less than 12 weeks
  • Not to be administered to cats

Zesty Paws

Zesty Paws Flavored Soft Chews

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Zesty Paws Lil' Zesties Calming Soft Chews are little, jerky-like snacks for dogs of all ages and breeds, flavored to taste like smoked chicken to stimulate the appetites of finicky dogs.

The recipe combines chamomile, melatonin, ashwagandha, and passionflower for their soothing benefits on anxiety and hyperactivity. It is available in 10- or 20-ounce bags to accommodate homes with many dogs.

Lil’ Zesties are grain-free and include no maize, wheat, or soy, making them safe for dogs with sensitivity to these substances.

Due to the weight-dependent nature of the contents, the quantity of treats in each bag might vary depending on their size. Some treats may be ineffective for giant dog breeds due to their size.

Pros

  • Smoked chicken taste
  • Calms stress and hyperactivity
  • Two bag sizes
  • Appropriate for all ages
  • Appropriate for all breed sizes

Cons

  • The quantity of candies in a package might vary.
  • Possible that treats are too little for huge dog breeds.

NaturVet Senior

NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Dog Supplement

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The NaturVet Senior Wellness Quiet Moments Calming Aid helps decrease anxiety and stress in older dogs for dog owners with senior pets. Veterinarians create the formulation with elderly dogs and their problems in mind.

These chicken-flavored chews include chamomile, ginger, passionflower, melatonin, l-tryptophan, and thiamine mononitrate to help your senior buddy rest after a hard day or while under stress.

NaturVet may be administered to any adult dogs, not just elderly dogs, but not to pups less than one year old. Some may be too tough for dogs with missing teeth, especially if the bag is kept open for an extended period of time.

Pros

  • Developed by veterinaries
  • Designed for older dogs
  • Appropriate for all breed sizes
  • Reduces tension and stress
  • Chicken flavored

Cons

  • Unsuitable for puppies less than one year
  • Chews may be too difficult for canines with missing teeth.

PetTrust Hemp

PetHonesty Hemp Calming Fresh Sticks

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The pumpkin and peanut butter-flavored PetHonesty Hemp Calming Fresh Sticks Dental Chews are made with natural, non-GMO, and chemical-free ingredients.

A mixture of hemp, chamomile, and melatonin decreases your dog’s hyperactivity and soothes their frazzled nerves caused by fireworks, vehicle journeys, or separation anxiety.

Additionally, the PetHonesty chews enhance dental health by minimizing the buildup of plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth.

Despite the shape of these chews and their goal to promote tooth health, they contain no anti-bad breath substances. Additionally, some dogs despise the pumpkin and peanut butter flavors.

The bags are stuffed by weight. Depending on the amount of the chews you obtain, you may not receive the 30 chews advertised on the box.

Pros

  • Reduces impulsivity
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Increases dental health
  • No chemical preservatives
  • Pumpkin-peanut butter taste

Cons

  • Some dogs detest the flavor
  • They do not improve dog breath.
  • Not necessarily receive 30 sticks

Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease

Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Soft Chews for Dogs

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The Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Soft Chews Calming Supplement was formulated by veterinarians with chamomile to reduce tension and anxiety and ginger to alleviate nausea and indigestion. The hickory-smoked taste stimulates your dog’s appetite, particularly with finicky dogs.

Each of the 70 chews in the package includes only natural components and no artificial sedatives, making it safe for everyday usage if the suggested dosage is adhered to.

These snacks must be administered at least 20 minutes before a stressful event, which can be difficult to foresee, for best benefit.

Additionally, the chews are too difficult for dogs with missing teeth to chew properly, and they have a mild medical odor that some dogs detest.

Pros

  • Organic ingredients
  • Developed by veterinaries
  • Reduces anxiety and stress
  • Hickory smoke flavor
  • Can be administered every day

Cons

  • Twenty minutes are required for the effectiveness
  • Smells like medication
  • Chews may be too difficult for canines with missing teeth.

Phelps Wellness

Phelps Wellness Collection Keep Calm & Canine On Chicken Flavor Dog Treats

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Keep Calm & Canine On from the Phelps Wellness Collection is easily digestible for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Its chamomile, l-theanine, and passionflower ingredients calm your dog amid fireworks, thunderstorms, vehicle journeys, and vacuum sweeper interactions.

Phelps is also hypoallergenic and utilizes antibiotic-free chicken as a healthier treat for dogs that are allergic to corn, wheat, soy, and/or peas.

These treats are constructed with a broken line in the middle, making it difficult to determine the proper dosage for your dog without knowing the exact size of each treat. The full-size treats may be too large for little dogs to comfortably consume.

Pros

  • Antibiotic-free poultry
  • Calms anxiety
  • Easy to absorb
  • No wheat, corn, or soy
  • Pea-free

Cons

  • Possible to discolor furniture, carpet, or clothes
  • Dosage is perplexing.
  • Large treats are too large for little dogs.

Buyers Guide - How to Choose The Best Calming Treats for Dogs?

What Are Calming Treats for Dogs?

There are several methods in which dog owners might attempt to calm their greatest friend’s anxiousness. These may include pressure wraps, CBD oil, and noise-canceling headphones.

Also available for hyperactive and nervous dogs of all ages are relaxing treats. You can add these non-medicinal supplements to your dog’s diet.

As with your dog’s typical snacks, soothing treats are available in a variety of tastes that dogs enjoy, with chicken and peanut butter among the most frequent.

These treats also contain a variety of all-natural substances designed to calm your dog’s anxiety. You may be familiar with them through your preferred natural remedies:

  • Chamomile
  • Hemp
  • Ginger
  • L-theanine (suntheanine) (suntheanine)
  • Melatonin
  • L-tryptophan

Does My Dog Have Anxiety?

Many of our four-legged companions suffer from anxiety, though not usually for the same reasons. Recognizing the symptoms might help you determine whether or not your dog need a calming agent. These are the indicators of anxiety in dogs:

  • Trembling
  • The behaviors of tail-tucking and chasing
  • Hiding
  • Panting
  • Pacing
  • Diarrhea
  • Urinating
  • Excessively biting or licking yourself

If you identify the behavior and there is a clear trigger, such as fireworks or a thunderstorm, your dog is likely anxious and might benefit from some calming treats.

However, some of them might be signs of other health problems, so if you’re unsure of the cause, you should consult your veterinarian.

What Causes Canine Anxiety?

Depending on their upbringing and experience with a certain setting, dogs respond to various stimuli in various ways.

Fireworks and thunderstorms are two of the most common anxiety-inducing stimuli for dogs, but there are additional factors to consider when determining whether your dog is worried.

  • Unfamiliar scenarios
  • No childhood socialization
  • A record of abuse
  • Separation phobia
  • Illness or agony
  • Aging

What Alternative Therapies Are There to Calming Treats?

Calming treats are excellent as food supplements, but they can be harmful to your dog’s health, especially if you’re also attempting to lose weight with them or if you give them too many.

Especially if your dog suffers from allergies, you may be worried about the materials used in the treats themselves.

There are several alternatives to pharmaceutical anxiety meds and relaxing dog treats that you may try.

Pressure Wraps

Pressure wraps, sometimes known as “Thunder Clothing,” are tight-fitting shirts for dogs. They are intended to be tight and help calm your dog’s anxiety via pressure spots, much like a lengthy, warm embrace.

Remember to train your dog to identify the coat with positive experiences; if they only see it while something frightening is occurring, they will associate it with fear.

Desensitization

This is the most trustworthy, but also the most difficult and time-consuming choice. It entails gradually acclimating your dog to the stimuli, whether it be fireworks or something else, such that they do not respond to it. This requires considerable time and cannot be completed in a single sitting.

Take a recording of the individual’s trigger or locate one online. The intention is to play it in the background while your dog is engaged in an activity he or she enjoys, such as eating or playing a game.

Do not play it too loudly, since you do not wish to accidentally frighten them. Over several days or weeks, increase the volume gradually.

Eventually, if you are successful, your fearful dog will be able to endure fireworks without flinching; nevertheless, it is still best to keep them indoors.

It is equivalent to socializing your dog as a puppy. The greater their exposure to humans, other animals, and circumstances, the less worried they will be.

For optimal results, begin as soon as possible. The more time you have to educate someone to overcome a certain fear, the more effective your efforts will be.

Conclusion

For the best calming treats for dogs, The PetHonesty CalmingHemp Soft Chews  include valerian root and ginger to alleviate anxiety-induced nausea and indigestion.

BestForPets‘ (bestforpets.org) most affordable alternative, Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Calming Chews , promotes your dog’s dental and gum health by eliminating tartar and plaque deposits while calming your pet.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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