Does your dog seem to dread taking a ride in the car? Do they cower and hide with the sound of fireworks, the vacuum cleaner, or thunder? Is it difficult for them to see you leave the house? If this sounds like your dog, calming treats may help your dog relax a little and not be so affected by car rides, fireworks, thunderstorms, the vacuum cleaner, or display destructive behavior from their separation anxiety.
What Are Calming Treats For Dogs?
Calming treats are chews made for dogs that are composed of ingredients that help your dog to relax. They are not designed to knock your dog out, but rather to calm them down just enough that they can better handle their stressor.
Who Are Calming Treats Good For?
Calming treats are good for all types of dogs who may experience negative effects from stressful events. These may include:
- Thunderstorms.
- Vacuum Cleaners.
- Separation Anxiety.
- Car Rides.
- Going To The Vet.
- Getting Groomed.
- Being Around A Lot Of People.
- Fireworks.
- Other loud noises.
Dogs may respond to these stressors by:
- Hiding.
- Shaking.
- Barking.
- Pacing.
- Nipping.
- Being Destructive In The House.
- Behaving Aggressively Towards Other People Or Dogs.
What Effects Will Calming Treats Have On My Dog?
Calming chews should relax and calm your dog down just enough that they are able to tolerate their stressor. They may even be able to stay in a room while a thunderstorm is happening without finding a small space to burrow into.
Calming treats are not meant to put your dog to sleep.
If your dog has severe anxiety, calming chews may not be enough for them and they may require prescription medication from your veterinarian.
Are Calming Treats Safe For Dogs?
Generally speaking, calming chews are safe for dogs to take. They are made up of a blend of ingredients that are used to naturally calm your dog. This blend of ingredients will vary depending on the brand you buy.
Check the ingredient list of the chews you want to be sure none of them will affect your dog negatively. This is especially important if your dog has current allergies, medical conditions, or is taking any medication.
What Ingredients Make Up Dog Calming Treats?
The ingredients that make up a calming chew vary by the brand of treats you buy. Each contains their own blend of relaxation supplements. Common ingredients include:
- Chamomile. This acts as a sedative and also as a muscle relaxant.
- Valerian Root. Acts as a mild sedative.
- Passion Flower. Used to relieve anxiety.
- L-Tryptophan. Increases serotonin production, thereby reducing stress.
- L-Theanine also known as, Suntheanine. Reduces stress and anxiety.
- Melatonin. A sedative to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Magnesium. Dogs burn off magnesium when they are stressed so adding it in a treat can help replenish that loss and reduce anxiety.
- Hemp. Used to lower anxiety.
- Ashwagandha reduces stress.
- Lemon Balm reduces stress and anxiety, while helping to calm a sensitive stomach.
- Ginger Root calms a nauseous stomach and is good for motion sickness.
- Taurine supports the central nervous system and can increase sleepiness.
****Check with your veterinarian before administering calming chews to your dog. Go over all of the ingredients to be sure it is safe for your dog to take. This is especially important if your dog is taking any medications, as some ingredients in calming chews may interfere with their intended use.*****
What Are The Side Effects Of Calming Treats For Dogs?
There may be some side effects of calming chews related to the individual ingredients. The most common side effects is an upset stomach, which can include diarrhea or vomiting. Side effects of individual ingredients may include:
- Chamomile may cause an upset stomach (diarrhea or vomiting) and can cause an allergic reaction if your dog is already allergic to a plant in the chamomile family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies).
- Valerian Root side effects may include lethargy. It can also interact with other medications, causing an increased response to those medications, particularly anti-fungals, anti-epileptics, and sedatives.
- Passion Flower may cause your dog to have an upset stomach.
- L-Tryptophan may cause an upset stomach (vomiting and diarrhea ).
- L-Theanine. Does not have any known side effects.
- Melatonin can cause digestive issues and an increased heart rate, as well as affect insulin resistance in diabetic dogs and fertility in females.
- Magnesium. Too much can interfere with kidney function if they already have kidney disease.
- Hemp can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, diarrhea, and low blood pressure.
- Ashwagandha can cause an upset stomach.
- Lemon Balm can result in hypothyroidism in extreme cases.
- Ginger can affect the time it takes blood to clot. Avoid chews with ginger if your dog has a bleeding disorder or is taking medication that can affect their clot time.
- Taurine can cause a minor upset stomach.
How Do I Give My Dog Calming Chews?
It is best to start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you reach the recommended dosage. By doing this, you will be able to monitor your dog’s reaction to the calming treat. If your dog experiences any negative reaction, you will be able to spot it and discontinue giving them the treat.
The full dosage, or number of calming chews to give your dog, should be given per the manufacturer’s recommendation. This is usually based on your dog’s weight.
How Long Does It Take For The Calming Chews To Work?
It is recommended to give your dog the calming treats at least 30 minutes before the stressful event is likely to occur.
Can I Give My Dogs Calming Chews Everyday?
Calming chews are safe to be given to your dog every day, as long as you don’t exceed the recommended dosage posted on the package of treats you buy.
Best Calming Treats For Dogs
Here are the top rated calming chews for dogs. Product descriptions are per the manufacturer. All of these calming treats relaxed dogs enough that they showed improved tolerance for their stressful situation, according to their dog parents.
There are two major cons to these treats. One con to these treats is the taste. Some dogs just didn’t like the flavor and wouldn’t eat them. If your dog doesn’t like them, don’t give up! You may have to try a few before you find one your dog likes.
The second con is for those who have big dogs. For larger dogs, you need to give them more treats to get the desired calming effect. Most containers of treats do not contain too many and you will go through the bag quickly if your dog needs to take them on a regular basis.
There will be some dogs that these calming chews just won’t work for. These dogs may require medication from their veterinarian.
We separated our list into the top 5 calming chews without hemp and the top 5 calming chews with hemp.
Best Calming Treats For Dogs
Vetnique Labs Petbliss Calming And Behavior Soft Chew
- Hickory Chicken flavor.
- Promotes relaxation.
- Soft chew.
- Good for all dogs.
- No corn, soy, or wheat.
- No artificial ingredients or preservatives.
- Active Ingredients Include:
- Chamomile.
- Thiamine Mononitrate.
- Valerian Root.
- Passion Flower.
- Lemon Balm.
- L-Tryptophan.
- L-Theanine.
- Magnesium Gluconate.
- Made in the USA.
Finn Calming Aid
- Soft chew.
- Helps ease and soothe stress.
- Beef Liver flavor.
- BPA free container.
- Good for all dogs.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Organic Passion Flower.
- L-Tryptophan.
- Valerian Root.
- Organic Ginger Root.
- L-Theanine.
- Organic Chamomile.
- Melatonin.
- National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal.*
- Made in the USA.
Good Good Calming Dog Chews
- Good for all dogs.
- No artificial ingredients.
- Pork Liver and Apple flavor.
- Soft chew.
- Manages stress.
- Promotes balanced behavior.
- Contains probiotics to support gut health.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Taurine.
- Ashwagandha.
- L-Theanine.
- L-Tryptophan.
- Magnesium.
- Chamomile Flower Extract.
- Lemon Balm Leaf Extract.
- Passion Flower Extract.
- National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal.*
- Made in the USA with domestic and globally sourced ingredients.
Nutri-Vet Pet Ease
- Soft chews.
- Hickory Smoke flavor.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Bio-Calm Complex (blend of Chamomile, Hops, Ginger, Tryptophan, and Taurine).
- National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal.*
- Made in the USA.
Phelps Wellness Keep Calm and Canine On!
- Chicken flavor.
- Good for all dogs.
- No corn, wheat, or soy.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Chamomile.
- Passion Flower.
- L-Theanine.
- Made in the USA.
Best Hemp Calming Treats For Dogs
Open Farm Calming Chews
- Soft chews.
- For calmness, relaxation, and balanced behavior.
- Good for all dogs.
- Non-GMO.
- No artificial flavors.
- No preservatives.
- No wheat, corn or soy.
- 100% traceable ingredients.
- Active Ingredients Include:
- Hemp Seed Oil.
- Passion Flower.
- Chamomile.
- Valerian Root.
- Ginger Root.
- L-Theanine.
- L-Tryptophan.
- Magnesium.
- National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal.*
- Made in the USA with domestic and globally sourced ingredients.
ThunderPup Premium Hemp Soft Dog Chews
- Meaty Bacon flavored.
- Non-GMO.
- GMP compliant .**
- 2 mg hemp per chew.
- Made in the USA.
PetHonesty Calming Hemp + Max Strength
- Soft chew.
- Duck flavor.
- GMP compliant. **
- No wheat, corn or sugar.
- No chemicals.
- Non-GMO.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Hemp Seed Powder.
- Valerian Root.
- Hemp Seed Oil.
- Organic Chamomile.
- L-Tryptophan.
- Organic Ginger Root.
- Suntheanine.
- Magnesium Citrate.
- Melatonin.
- Made in the USA with domestic and globally sourced ingredients.
Furaland Hemp Calming Chews
- Soft chews.
- Bacon flavor.
- Non-GMO.
- No soy, corn, hormones, dairy, or sugar.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Valerian Extract.
- Hemp Seed Meal.
- Hemp Oil.
- Chamomile Extract.
- Passion Flower.
- Made in the USA.
Zesty Paws Calming Bites
- Soft chews.
- Peanut Butter flavor.
- No artificial flavors.
- No artificial preservatives.
- No synthetic colors.
- Active Ingredients include:
- Organic Hemp Seed Powder.
- Organic Chamomile.
- Valerian Root.
- Organic Passion Flower.
- Suntheanine (L-Theanine).
- Organic Ginger Root.
- Sensoril Ashwagandha
- L-Tryptophan.
- Magnesium Citrate.
- National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal.*
- Made in the USA with domestic and globally sourced ingredients.
*The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal means the product is from a responsible supplier and has undergone third party testing to be sure the product meets the NASC’s rigorous requirements.
**GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Compliant. “Ensures products are consistently produced according to quality standards.” This minimizes risks of contamination and bad or ineffective products.
Calming treats for dogs can help to relieve stress and anxiety in your dog. They may help make a thunderstorm, fireworks or even a car trip to the vet a little more bearable for your pup.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.