What Is The Best Dog Calming Treats? Reviews & Buyer’s 2022 Guide
Pets, especially dogs, easily get anxieties. Something like a change of homes can be a scary experience to a pup while others freak out at the sound of a thunderstorm. Basically, most situations that are out of the ordinary will trigger symptoms of anxiety in your dog.
In such moments, many people think a regular treat will get the dog feeling better while others rush to get medication. But calming treats present a better and more effective option.
In this review, we will look at the best dog treats in the market that carry ingredients proven to have a calming effect on dogs. This calming chews resemble treats and contain natural products.
You will not need to go for manufactured dog anxiety medications or supplements made with chemicals and other synthetic products. Another advantage is that these supplements and treats have a better flavor than most dog anxiety medication.
We already did all the research for you. If you’re in a hurry and just want to see the best calming treats that can resolve dog anxiety, here are our top choices.
PRODUCT / PRODUCT DETAILS
PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
- It is vet-recommended for pets
- Features natural ingredients
- Supports a healthy digestive system
- Suitable for dogs with food insensitivities
- Can be used daily without having any negative effects
- A hemp CBD product that uses 100% natural ingredients, which is good for pups with sensitive stomachs
- High in fiber
- Provides pain relief
- Keeps the teeth clean
- Ingredients include vitamins, which provide the dog with good nutrition
- It is veterinarian formulated for pets
- Does not contain sedatives
- Does not contain wheat, corn, and herbal products
- Contains thiamin
- Calms the dog without causing drowsiness
Top 5 Best Dog Calming Treats
1. TruDog Calm Me, Calming Support Soft Chews
This is one veterinarian-recommended calming formula that is made with organic ingredients. It is a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs and will not affect your dog even when used daily.
This anxiety solution comes with soft chews with natural ingredients like bacon and pork liver flavors. The chews resemble treats and are a great alternative for dog anxiety medication. The treats also come in small sizes that are easy to feed to your pup.
Every chew features a powerful blend of three substances, L-Tryptophan, chamomile, and ginger. It also contains a mix of other ingredients such as calcium propionate, canola oil, caramel color, cheese powder, hydrolyzed poultry liver, bacon flavor, and others.
If your pup experiences motion sickness, separation anxiety, and engages in destructive behavior that results from stressful situations, these soft chews will naturally calm him down. This is one of the best brands that is made in the USA and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Each container has 60 chews.
PROS
- Every bit of this supplement contains natural ingredients
- It is recommended by vets
- It is easy for your pet to digest
- Suitable for every life stage and any breed
CONS
- Contains cheese which may not be suitable for dogs with weight problems
2. Dope Dog CBD Calming Crunchies, Sweet Potato Recipe
This is one of the best calming CBD products in the market, and also a great option for people seeking dog anxiety medication with CBD. A positive fact about the CBD (cannabidiol) in this brand is that it is purely derived from an organic hemp plant, which is an excellent choice.
Its quality and safety are top-notch, having been lab-tested by a third party. It can provide relief in moments when you have an anxiety problem with your dog, like traveling or moving to new places. You can also choose to use it daily as a wellness supplement. It also offers relief from the agony that comes with things like cancer and arthritis.
Besides the CBD isolate from hemp, the mix of ingredients in each delicious chew include rye flour, oats, organic sweet potato, carrots, chicken liver, powdered egg, coconut oil, and rosemary extract.
An ingredient like oats is rich in melatonin which is known to help with alleviating insomnia in dogs. This supplement provides nutrients like vitamin B6 and vitamin C. The fiber will improve gut health in your pet.
This CBD anxiety formula comes in crunchy chew treats that promote oral health by preventing a buildup of plaque. The Dope Dog brand uses human grade and eco-conscious ingredients. The brand also gives back through the partnerships it has with dog rescues across the USA.
Each 7oz pack comes with around 36 bite-sized treats. They provide a way to easily fit the treats in the mouth of a small dog.
PROS
- Provides pain relief
- Comes in bite sizes that help improve oral health
- Its high fiber content promotes gut health
- Contains CBD from hemp
CONS
- Small bite-sized treats may not be ideal for larger dogs
3. Pet Naturals Of Vermont Calming Chews
These dog calming treats come as chews with a bone shape and a bite-size. They are NASC-approved, which gives a safety assurance to pet owners. You can administer these treats with ease and are suitable for medium to large dogs.
Instead of using dog anxiety medication, this supplement provides a means to calm your pet within 30 minutes in a situation that causes him anxiety, such as during unexpected noise, car rides, vet visits, storms, and thunderstorms. True to this, some of the reviews by customers say that they saw results in their dogs in less than 20 minutes of giving them the treat.
The active ingredients in each chew treat include a blend of L-Theanine, Calming Colostrum, and Thiamine. Other ingredients include brewers yeast, calcium sulfate, canola oil, citric acid, glycerin, maltodextrin, mixed tocopherols, propionic acid, rosemary extract, and others.
The treats are soft and come in delicious chicken flavor. You get a 100% satisfaction guarantee that provides an assurance that you are not losing your money. The product is manufactured in the US. Each package comes with 30 chews at an affordable price.
PROS
- Unlike other dog anxiety medication, it does not have sedatives that cause drowsiness
- Comes at a fair price
- Free from wheat, corn, herbal products, and artificial ingredients
- Contains thiamine
CONS
- Contains soy lecithin which can trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs
4. Vet’s Best Comfort Calm Soft Chews
This dog calming food comes as moist, soft chews that are a great choice for your dog. The chews are veterinarian-recommended, which makes them excellent options for pet owners who do not want to use dog anxiety medication.
A daily dose will help keep your dog relaxed in a stressful environment. It can be administered to pups that are 12 weeks and over. And according to customer reviews, it is effective in reducing anxiety and stress in dogs.
Each bit of this calming dog anxiety product features a blend of active ingredients like L-Tryptophan, ocean kelp, thiamine, valerian root, ginger root, and chamomile. Other products in the list of ingredients include cane molasses, canola oil, dried chicken liver, glycerine, lactic acid, lecithin, mixed tocopherols, potato flour, potato starch, and sorbic acid.
This is another one of the best options of anxiety treats and supplements in the market that will help restore a state of mental alertness and reduce dog anxiety without making the canine drowsy. This brand is made in the US and approved by NASC, which is an assurance of its safety. Each package comes in 30 chews.
PROS
- Formulated by a veterinarian
- Features ocean kelp that provides antioxidants and prebiotics for a healthy gut and strong immune system
- Does not contain animal by-products, and common animal allergens
- Contains vitamin B1
CONS
- The cane molasses provide a high amount of sugars that can cause a weight issue
- Reviews from customers indicate that some dogs do not enjoy the taste of this product
5. Premium Care Stress & Anxiety Calming Chews, Duck-Flavored
This dog anxiety formula comes in the form of calming treats with a duck flavor. Every chew provides a means to help calm hyperactive behavior, relieve fear and anxiety, reduce aggression, and lower stress levels in dogs.
Each chew features a powerful blend of organic ingredients, which makes it a great option for dogs that cannot tolerate other types of dog anxiety medication. It features organic chamomile, organic hemp seed oil and hemp seed powder, L-Tryptophan, organic passionflower, and valerian root.
Other ingredients include oat flour, palm fruit oil, rice bran, rice flour, flaxseed meal, sunflower lecithin, coconut glycerin, powdered cellulose, sorbic acid, rosemary extract, and mixed tocopherols.
This brand is made in the USA in a GMP-certified facility. Each bottle comes with 120 calming treats that your pup will love. These bites offer a solution to a lot of dog anxiety issues, the packaging says it can help resolve 99% of anxiety problems.
PROS
- Contains passionflower
- Features omega-3 fatty acids
- Uses natural ingredients and has an excellent flavor
- Does not contain wheat, corn, sugar, or preservatives
CONS
- Rice flour and rice bran may cause an allergic reaction in some dogs
Symptoms Of Dog Anxiety
Pet owners can detect an anxious dog by looking for one or more of the following list of symptoms:
- Signs of aggression, direct or indirect from the pup
- Hyperactivity, you may notice pacing and restlessness in your pet
- Depression, some dogs facing anxiety will show signs of depression and will seek solitude and hide due to fear or show nervousness
- Drooling
- Urinating and pooping in the house, which is one of the signs in dogs undergoing separation anxiety
- Panting
- Repetitive behaviors
- Excessive barking or howling
- Destructive behavior that is also one of the signs in dogs with separation anxiety
Important Features To Consider
The best calming food for dogs should provide the results desired without having any side effects on the dog. As a pet parent, you should pay attention to the following features when choosing anxiety supplements and treats for your pup:
Ingredients
There are a variety of products that have been scientifically proven to help with reducing dog anxiety. The most recommendable supplements and calming treats for dogs will come with an organic variety of these quality ingredients.
1. Amino Acids
L-theanine and L-tryptophan are two amino acids that are known to reduce stress and promote relaxation in dogs. [1] L-theanine is an anxiolytic that will help alleviate environmentally induced stress or anxiety in dogs without having a sedative effect.
L-tryptophan, on the other hand, is an amino acid found in many proteins. It is involved in the production of serotonin, a hormone that reduces aggression and stress in pets.
2. Organic Chamomile And Valerian
These two herbs are naturally relaxing. Like in humans, the chamomile flower has mild anti-anxiety effects. It relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and secondarily reducing dog anxiety. It also soothes the digestive system, facilitates fast healing of wounds, and removes worms from your dog’s system.
Because the chamomile flower is mild, the best dog treats and calming supplements will use it in combination with a stronger relaxing herb to aid in bringing your dog’s mind to a state of alertness.
Valerian root is used for medicinal purposes and is a mild sedative. It alleviates stress and anxiety in both animals and humans and has anti-convulsive properties. Note that some dogs may respond well to this herb while some will have negative effects. But some may not react to it at all. Since it is a warming herb, it is not ideal for dogs that easily run hot or are prone to itchy skin.
3. Organic Ginger Root
Ginger root has proven to help influence the level of serotonin in your dog. It may reduce anxiety in your dog successfully. Ginger can also aid in soothing an upset stomach and nausea caused by anxiety, motion sickness, and food intolerance.
Ginger features many health benefits to both people and animals. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It can help prevent early symptoms of cancer and joint disease like arthritis that becomes common in pets as they age. For this reason, the best calming treats for dogs will contain organic ginger in the mix of ingredients.
4. Hemp Oil
Hemp oil contains a chemical known as CBD, which relieves anxiety in dogs while having few to none side effects. CBD from hemp may cause a bit of drowsiness in pets, but only when used in high doses.
Hemp oil is also one ingredient that carries anti-inflammatory properties and will also help with reducing nausea in your pet. Due to these benefits and many others, the best dog anxiety treats will have organic hemp oil, or hemp oil that does not contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents.
5. Passion Flower
A fact about the passion flower is that it is a natural calming sedative that can help fight sleeplessness while providing many other benefits.
It keeps the mind, body, and tummy relaxed during stressful events like separation and thunders. It is also effective in increasing the levels of GABA in the brain, which reduces seizures and reduces brain activity, making it easier to relax and sleep better.
Going for treats that contain passion flower in the ingredients will aid in preventing the destructive behavior and moodiness that often accompanies stress and anxiety in dogs. If your pet has a negative reaction to calming treats that have valerian, passion flower makes an excellent substitute.
In addition to these quality ingredients, there are other things that dog owners can use to calm down dogs facing panic attacks and other forms of anxiety. Examples are lemon balm and green tea without caffeine. Pet parents can also go for brands of dog anxiety supplements containing thiamine mononitrate and suntheanine.
Instead of using a spray or plug-in diffuser containing synthetic varieties of calming canine pheromones, go for essential oils like lavender. They will work perfectly as alternatives to anxiety medications for dogs. Research studies have also found reasons to believe that turkey can reduce anxiety and improve moods.
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Formula
While anxiety medication for dogs mostly comes in pills, supplements come in a variety of forms, such as calming dog treats. They can also come as a liquid that can be administered directly or added to a dog’s food. The best medicine for dogs with anxiety will come in a formula that makes it easy for pet owners to administer without making the dog anxious or making him feel worse.
Size
Different anxiety formulas come in different sizes in terms of the number of chews and treats included or quantity of liquid. The amount you require will depend on the dosage, especially in a situation where the dose depends on the weight of your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dog calming treats work?
The treat used on the dog may help calm him down for approximately four to eight hours from the time administered. It is best to administer the calming treat 30 minutes before getting into situations that cause dog anxiety, such as trips, making changes to the household, hosting visitors, moving to new areas, or when you are anticipating loud noises.
Calming treats are a short term solution, it is best that you come up with a long term solution to resolve your dog’s anxiety issues.
How can I reduce my dog’s anxiety?
You can reduce your dog’s anxiety by first identifying the type of anxiety your dog has and the possible triggers. A veterinarian could rule out possible medical conditions that could be causing the anxiety, such as a brain or thyroid condition. You can then use natural dog relaxants to alleviate the anxiety or use calming treats.
If it does not show any effectiveness, get a prescription of medicine for dogs anxiety from a vet. In the meantime, use training strategies known to alleviate anxiety in dogs in the long term.
What dog breeds are prone to anxiety?
The dog breeds that have a history of anxiety are the German and Australian Shepherd, Bichon Frise, Labrador Retriever, Vizsla, Border Collie, Greyhounds, Shorthair pointer, Cocker Spaniel, Havanese, King Charles Spaniel, and toy breeds. You can get the right information about the dog from the breeder.
Rescue dogs also show symptoms of anxiety especially when they first move to a new home. You can use calming treats or bites and regular exercise in order to keep the dog feeling calm. If they do not work, get help from a vet. They will guide you on dog anxiety medications that can calm him.
Conclusion
This review has provided you with the best options of calming supplements in the market that will alleviate anxiety symptoms in your dog, without the need to purchase dog anxiety medication. But if the situation does not improve, feel free to consult a vet for prescription medicine for dogs for anxiety that will calm him down.
In the event that the dog has issues with taking calming supplements or anxiety medications, pet owners are advised to coat the bites or tablets with something enticing like peanut butter.
Be keen on ingredients used in the formula or treat. The best calming supplements will have quality active ingredients that will help calm your adult dog or puppy. An example is organic herbs like chamomile, organic valerian root, and products from hemp oil that can provide stress relief to pets.
The best supplements and chewing treats will come with a taste your canine companion will love, such as that of the TruDog Calm Me, Calming Support Soft Chews.
As you provide anxiety treatments to your pet, ensure that you are giving the right dosing as indicated in the packaging. Check that the contents do not include a lot of sugar that can cause weight issues in your dog. If the only way to calm your anxious dog is through anxiety medication treatment, look at the list of ingredients in the packaging of the drugs.
You also need to take proper care of your pet and ensure that he is getting adequate nutrition which is especially essential as he ages. Allow him plenty of time for exercise, and everything necessary to keep him comfortable and feeling calm.
Editor's Choice
TruDog Calm Me, Calming Support Soft Chews
- It is vet-recommended for pets
- Features natural ingredients
- Supports a healthy digestive system
- Suitable for dogs with food insensitivities
- Can be used daily without having any negative effects
