Best Calming Treats For Dogs: Soothing Solutions for a Relaxed Pup

Road trips, family reunions, dog walks in the park, and watching fireworks under the midnight sky are just some of the things we look forward to (especially in this day and age). This changes inexplicably, though, when you have to take care of a pooch who is acting up.

We know how nerve-wracking it is to pacify anxious dogs and hyperactive pups. At times, it can even be heartbreaking. Thankfully, over-the-counter dog calming treats, aka “calming chews or calming bites,” exist to help keep the nerves of your dog in check. Problem solved, right? Think again.

The number of pet products to help manage dog’s anxiety and stress are plenty. While it is good to have a lot of options, this just makes the task of choosing the best calming treat crazy difficult.

Keep calm and relax, though, because we’ve just compiled for you this year’s best calming treats for dogs. 

Our Best Dog Calming Treats

If playtime, as well as hugs and kisses, no longer keep your dogs at ease, giving them calming chews might work as a temporary fix. 

The big question now is: Which one is the RIGHT one?

Sadly, there’s no one full-proof calming supplement that works for dogs of all breeds and sizes. As we all know, each dog is made unique. What works well for one will not always work for another. Don’t fret, though, because help is here.

 

Apart from providing you with a list of treats approved by fur moms, fur dads, and their furry pals, we also went the extra mile. Our buying guide is here to give you tips on how you can choose the best calming treat for your canine companions.

As a bonus, we have also included all the must-know details about canine anxiety.

Now that we’ve done the nitty-gritty part, it does not hurt to talk to your vet as well. They are, after all, the experts when it comes to your pet and his/her health.

So, hearing what they have to say should be your top-most priority.

1. PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chews

You and your furry pals no longer have to dread trips to the vet, loud noises, or thunderstorms. This is all thanks to these soft chews.

Among all the calming aids or calming treats, this one gets the top spot in our list or best dog calming treats. Wondering why? Here are just a few reasons.

Produced in a US GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-certified facility and veterinarian-reviewed, this calming supplement contains all-natural and preservative-free ingredients.

The combination of active ingredients like Valerian root, L-Tryptophan, organic chamomile, passion flower, hemp oil, and ginger root promises to soothe your troubled pup in no time.

Pros:

• Dogs (even those suffering from severe separation anxiety) and their human pals can get a good night’s sleep or go through day-to-day activities with lesser worries.
• Unlike sedatives, these calming treats keep the dogs’ nerves calm and collected without zoning them out.
• Focus is enhanced. These calming treats help pups get back on track and make training sessions more bearable.
• Dogs love this healthy treat thanks to its natural ingredients.
• Positive effects were seen on dogs of all sizes, from Shih Tzus to Labradors.

Cons:

• Finicky eaters may not like this calming hemp’s odor and taste. Adding flavored pills or mixing this with their favorite food can help make it more appetizing.
• For a small number of dogs, the calming effects did not immediately show.

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2. Zesty Paws Calming Bites

Thanks to these treats, your furball can now join the pack. If your dogs love peanut butter and you’re on the lookout for grain-free calming chews that are manufactured using heat-free methods, then this might just be the treat you need for your PB-loving paw friend.

Like PetHonesty’s calming hemp, these treats are made of non-artificial ingredients, including hemp powder, chamomile, Valerian root, and L-tryptophan.

One of its main ingredients is Suntheanine, a clinically-researched and non-GMO form of L-theanine. It is a type of amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness

Pros:

• These calming treats work like a charm on highly-energetic and fidgety dogs as well as pups suffering from separation anxiety, regardless of age, size, and breed.
• Pups consider this a yummy treat since it is available in turkey and peanut butter flavors that most dogs love. 
• Training sessions are more fruitful because of this treat’s focus-enhancing effects.
• These calming treats curb a dog’s anxiety and rowdy behavior without altering their personality or draining their energy.

Cons:

• While these calming treats get a thumbs up for their flavor, expect this to leave a mess because of its crumbly texture.
• A few wish that this came in bottles with more bite pieces instead of just 90 soft chews.
• It is a bit pricey compared to other soft calming chews.

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3. SmartBones Calming Care Chews

Pups who love rawhide sticks will love this treat. Each pack contains 16 sticks. These tasty chews are made with real chicken and provide all the benefits of rawhide sticks minus the rawhide.

You heard that right. SmartBones’ SmartSticks chamomile and lavender chew dog treats are rawhide-free.

Apart from its calming effects, your lovable four-legged pets’ teeth are also taken care of thanks to its gummy texture that scrapes the teeth clean.

Pros:

• Skittish dogs (including the fussy eaters), from chihuahuas to German shepherds, gobble this up without a problem thanks to its yummy chicken flavor.
• Most dogs love having this as their snack before bedtime.
• Price-wise, this will not burn a hole in your pocket. 
• Your pooch can say goodbye to stinky breath.
• These scrumptious calming treat will help calm your pet without upsetting his tummy or causing diarrhea.

Cons:

• Senior dogs may have trouble chewing on these calming treats. Cutting them into smaller pieces helps.
• A few dog owners did not notice any change in their dog’s behavior.

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4. VetriSCIENCE Composure Bite-Sized Chews

If you want your jumpy dog to stop pacing around or your stress-driven pet to mellow down their excessive barking without altering its behavior, try VetriSCIENCE’s vitamin-enriched Composure Behavioral Health Bite-Sized Dog Chews.

NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) – and veterinarian-approved, this tasty calming treat comes in a pack filled with 60 chicken flavor chews that your dog (young or old) will surely love.

These treats’ active ingredients have gone through extensive research and are known for their natural ability to bolster balanced behavior without impairing a dog’s motor skills.

Its ingredients include L-theanine and Thiamine (Vitamin B1).

Pros:

• Many dog owners attest to this treat’s mild yet noticeable calming effects on both overly-excited and anxiety-filled dogs. 
• The size of these chews is perfect for small dogs.
• It is fairly-priced.
• Dogs enjoy eating this as a treat thanks to its chicken liver flavor.
• Although it has a calming effect, dogs remain alert. This allows them to focus more on their training sessions.

Cons:

• The effect of this calming supplement lasts for not more than 4 hours. A few wish the effects could last longer.
• A small number of fur dads and moms thought this treat had a weird, unpleasant scent.

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5. Greenies Calming Chicken Flavored Soft Chews

You and your furry friend can finally savor quiet moments with the help of these soft chews. A veterinarian recommended calming treat; this easy-to-feed dog treat deserves a spot in our list of best calming aids for its positive results in managing dog anxiety.

If your pet has a sensitive stomach and is over the age of 12 weeks, then this calming treat for dogs is worth trying. Stress and tension are reduced with these calming aids’ unique combination of L-theanine and L-tryptophan.

Its active ingredients also include dried chicken, natural hickory smoke flavor, rosemary extract and vinegar. Dried chicken provides protein for stable energy, while hickory smoke flavor enhances palatability, making the treat more enjoyable.

Rosemary extract offers antioxidants that support brain function and stress reduction, while vinegar aids digestion, promoting overall mood balance. Together, these ingredients contribute to a calming effect for anxious dogs.

Pros:

• Pets of various breeds who are reactive and whose anxiety is caused by trips to the groomer or loud noises like thunderstorms and fireworks can settle down with the help of this dog treat.
• Fur moms and dads who gave this dog treat to their pups before bedtime were happy with its calming effect. Both the dog and their owners had a good night’s sleep.
• It is priced right.
• This dog treat did not have any adverse side effects for most dogs.

Cons:

• Picky eaters may need some pushing to eat these dog treats because of its medicinal smell. Blending this with your dog’s favorite food like peanut butter or gravy fixes the problem.
• A few pet owners had to give these treats to their dogs a couple of times before seeing its calming effect.

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6. Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Calming OraStix

It seems that Zesty Paws has a lot to offer when it comes to high-quality pet products. Their products are so good that we can’t help but include this one on our list of top-rated calming treats.

Bedtime restlessness can’t be helped for some dogs, but this calming treat has proven its worth when it comes to easing sleeplessness.

This dog treat is also made of natural ingredients. Its ingredients include hemp seed powder, melatonin, chamomile, Valerian root, and L-Theanine (Suntheanine).

Aside from its calming effect, the peppermint flavoring of this dog treat will help freshen the breath of your pooch.

Pros:

• After a stick (or just half of the stick), its relaxing effects were already noticeable. Dogs of various breeds (from Yorkies to Huskies) approve of its positive results.
• Aside from helping fidgety dogs calm down, these dog calming treats have also freshened up their breaths and kept their teeth healthy.
• These calming aids taste good. Most dogs (even the finicky eaters) gobble this up without hesitating.
• It comes in an easy-to-open and resealable pack. Choose between 2 sizes: 12 oz and 25 oz.
• This calming treat curbs stress and anxiety without lowering down your pet’s energy levels.

Cons:

• A small number complained about their pooch experiencing mild tummy problems, which caused them to vomit or have loose stool.

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7. NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments Calming Aid

Make the best out of a stressful situation with the help of these hemp chews. Formulated and recommended by veterinarians, this easy-to-feed calming treat earns its place on our list of top calming aids for its effectiveness in reducing dog anxiety.

This treat’s active ingredients include chamomile and L-Tryptophan as well as Thiamine, ginger and melatonin.

The addition of hemp oil makes this calming treat a pet product to look for if your pooch suffers from excessive scratching or fur loss.

Hemp oil contains essential fatty acids and vitamins that improve the dog’s skin protecting it from breakouts and aiding healing.

Pros:

• These treats help calm most dogs (small or big) without experiencing drowsiness.
• This dog treat proved that it is effective in calming anxious dogs as well as managing destructive behavior.
• It is reasonably-priced.
• Despite its calming effect, dogs are still alert and are able to walk and play.
• Many gave these treats high marks for its all-natural ingredients.

Cons:

• Its taste is not the most pleasant for a few dogs.
• Bowel issues were experienced by a small number of pups who tried these treats.

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8. PetNaturals Calming Chew for Dogs and Cats