When your dog is feeling scared or worried, they will let you know in a variety of ways. As a pet parent, it’s no fun at all seeing your baby cowering down, shivering, panting, pacing the room, or hiding away. In these situations, the best calming treats for dogs can be a real help in getting your dog to feel more relaxed and to reduce worrying symptoms of stress.
Table of Contents
- Do Calming Treats Really Work?
- Best Calming Treats for Dogs: Buyer’s Guide
- Top 9 Best Calming Treats for Dogs: Reviews
- Are Dog Calming Treats Safe?
- What Are the Benefits of Calming Treats?
- CBD/Hemp Dog Treats Dosage Guide
- Calming Dog Treats Frequently Asked Questions
Our Top 9 Calming Treats: Recommended by Owners
We have selected nine of the best calming treats around based on reviews. Further details, along with our thoughts on each of the products, are included below.
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Pick #1:
PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chews. With hemp powder, chamomile, ginger, and valerian root, these tasty chews made with fresh and natural ingredients are perfect for helping keep your pet calm.
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Pick #2:
Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Calming Orastix: Behavior. A great best-of-both-worlds snack that has excellent de-stressing properties while also helping to keep your pet’s teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
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Pick #3:
Chill Paws CBD Dog Treats. Chill Paws uses full-spectrum CBD, which has a multitude of health benefits. These specific treats combine the super supplement with fresh and tasty ingredients.
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Pick #4:
Canna-Biscuits for Dogs. So healthful and delicious that you’ll want to eat them yourself, Canna-Biscuits contain a powerful blend of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
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Pick #5:
Holistapet CBD Dog Treats: Stress and Anxiety Relief. Doubling up on the hemp with CBD and seed oil, these effective chews help with anxiety while supporting skin, hair, and joint health too.
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Pick #6:
King Kalm Crunch. Soft, tasty, and powerful, King Kalm’s range of products, including their naturally-flavored biscuits are always a popular choice.
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Pick #7:
Okoa Pet “Hush, Puppy” Calming Soft Chews. These handy treats combine ingredients such as tryptophan, choline chloride, phosphatidylcholine, chamomile, and CBD, all of which can help balance mood.
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Pick #8:
NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments Plus Hemp Seed Dog Soft Chews. Great long-term supplements that offer a whole host of benefits, including reduced anxiety, better sleep quality, and a healthier digestive system.
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Pick #9:
ThunderWunders Hemp Seed Calming Chews for Dogs. ThunderWunder’s calming choices are an excellent choice for happy, healthy dogs who get anxious at times or have issues with mobility.
Many things can contribute to making an otherwise perfectly happy dog feel anxious: strangers, new places, fireworks, trips to the vet… the list goes on. Some dogs may just be nervous by nature, others through experience – this may be especially the case if you take in a rescue.
It’s crucial for you to understand why your pup is behaving this way and do something if you can. Enter: calming treats for dogs.
Do Calming Treats Really Work?
It’s only natural that, when forking out money for a product, you want to know if it will actually work. However, that question can be a little tricky to answer in this case for a whole bunch of reasons.
Firstly, there are so many different kinds of calming treats available today, utilizing a wide variety of ingredients. Some of them are effective, while others are somewhat less so. Check out product reviews to get an understanding of how well the treats do overall to gain some insight into their effectiveness.
Secondly, even with the finest ingredients in the world, compounds contained within snacks interact differently with different dogs. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. The best you can do is check reviews for breeds similar to yours, then pick something out and start your dog at the lowest possible dose for a couple of weeks. If you don’t see any results after that, chances are it’s not going to help.
A lot depends on the specific situation that you are dealing with. Herbal remedies should be sufficient for everyday symptoms of stress and anxiety, especially with daily use. In particularly bad cases, your pup may need something a little stronger. For that, you should consult your vet.
Best Calming Treats for Dogs: Buyer’s Guide
Beyond checking product reviews to gauge whether the treats are likely to work for your pooch, there are a few other things to keep an eye out for when buying calming treats for your dog. Questions to ask include:
What are the active ingredients, and just how potent are they?
A little research goes a long way when it comes to selecting effective canine products. This is especially the case when it comes to foods and supplements. After all, you want to know that they are actually going to do what it is that you want them to do.
CBD and hemp seed are both excellent choices for treating stress and anxiety, although they work in very different ways.
The great thing about choosing treats over oils or capsules is that manufacturers often include multiple active ingredients that complement one another and collectively boost the effects of the product – especially with calming your pup, helping them to focus, and aiding sleep. Just make sure to review them all before picking something out.
Will your dog like the taste and want to eat them?
It doesn’t matter how good a product’s ingredients list is if you can’t actually get your dog to eat the treats in the first place. Some of you may be here because you’ve no hope of convincing your pet to swallow either liquid or capsules – you know, you’ve tried! As such, the best calming treats for dogs are the ones your dog will actually eat.
When selecting treats, consider the kinds of flavors that your dog enjoys. Maybe even try them out with similar flavored regular treats to get them accustomed to having them. That way, you won’t be out of pocket if they turn their nose up at the more expensive supplements.
Are they healthy, safe, and nutritious?
With treats, the same as with food, ingredients are important – and I’m not just talking about the active ones. Some manufacturers cut costs by using fillers that have little to no nutritional benefits for your dog. Even worse, some of them could actively harm them, triggering allergies or causing problems with digestion.
Treats with limited ingredients are likely to be better for your hound, and any ones containing CBD should be lab-tested and come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This tells you which compounds are in the product and in what quantities. Keep an eye out for the THC amount, which should be less than 0.3%.
What size are the treats, and how many are there?
When opting for chews and biscuits containing CBD, you will need to give your dog a specific amount based on the results you expect to see. For this reason, it’s a good idea to do the math to ensure that you have a sufficient quantity and won’t run out before the benefits can be seen.
Make sure you check out the size of the treats, too, to ensure that they are appropriate for the size of your dog. Trying to break up biscuits to allow for correct amounts of the active ingredients can be messy and lead to inexact doses being administered.
Top 9 Best Calming Treats for Dogs: Reviews
PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chews
Active Ingredients: hemp powder, chamomile, ginger, and valerian root
A combination of all-natural, tasty ingredients makes these chicken-flavored chews a real treat for your pup. Free from GMOs, wheat, corn, soy, and preservatives, they help keep canines relaxed even in stressful situations such as during a thunderstorm or for a trip to the vet without any of the drowsy side effects associated with other calming products.
Find the Best Deal:
These soft snacks come highly recommended by pet parents, one of who describes them as ‘lifesavers.’ Many have tried similar products without much success, but with these reviewers talk of their dogs acting just like their normal selves, just a whole lot calmer. A couple of people mention that they thought these treats were a little on the expensive side but definitely worth it.
Pros
These useful supplements are fast-acting, contain only natural and herbal ingredients, and dogs seem to enjoy the taste of them.
Cons
The product, unfortunately, doesn’t work for every dog. Although reviews are heavily weighted to positive.
Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Calming Nutrastix: Behavior
Active Ingredients: hemp seed, melatonin, and suntheanine
Three powerful calming remedies are combined in these excellent chews that also double up as dental sticks. Hemp seed is useful for treating anxiety, melatonin helps with restlessness, and suntheanine is great for helping your pup deal with situational stress such as unfamiliar people and environments. A big bonus is these peppermint-flavored snacks will leave your pooch with minty fresh breath.
Customers comment that these nutrastix are great for relieving mild symptoms of anxiety in their pets and helping them sleep better. Surprisingly many dogs also seem to really enjoy the unique flavor of the treats. Some users did comment, though, that the sticks didn’t seem to have much of an effect – but these mostly concerned canines with slightly more severe stress levels.
Pros
An excellently versatile 2-in-1 treat that most fur babies can’t get enough of.
Cons
Calming effects are not seen in every dog.
Chill Paws CBD Dog Treats: Peanut Butter Flavor
Active Ingredients: full-spectrum CBD 150mg
These fab peanut butter flavor treats are all-natural, corn-free, soy-free, and wheat-free and their soft texture makes them perfect for old and young dogs alike. The full spectrum CBD offers numerous health benefits for your pup as well as helping them to feel less stressed, anxious, and just generally happier and more relaxed. They are lab-tested for quality and safety reasons and contain absolutely no THC.
The overwhelming consensus from pet parent reviews is that dogs absolutely adore these chews. One of the best things about these best calming treats for dogs is they can help older dogs with joint pain, meaning a more restful night’s sleep. One complaint seems to be with the number of treats per bag, with some reviewers calling for larger quantities, but overall, user opinion is good.
Pros
CBD is a great supplement for a variety of ailments alongside anxiety, and peanut butter is an excellent choice for doggy treats.
Cons
As is the case with many CBD products, the price is a little high, but you certainly seem to get what you pay for.
Canna-Biscuits for Dogs
Active Ingredients: broad-spectrum CBD 91.2 mg, hemp, terpenes
Organic, vegan, and GMO-free, these high-quality biscuits are perfect for pups of all sizes. Their Canna-Pet Advanced formula means that they contain the most beneficial mix of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids to provide health and wellbeing advantages for your pet. These bite-sized snacks are baked in the USA and held to the same standards as human food.
At the time of writing, over 90% of reviewers gave the product five stars. People describe them as ‘awesome,’ ‘great,’ and talk about how they ‘really work.’ They help dogs to relax, relieve symptoms of arthritis, and even support pups who suffer from separation anxiety. Customers were also impressed with the healthy ingredients that dogs seem to really enjoy.
Pros
Safe, natural, healthy, yet potent ingredients are included in these tasty treats.
Cons
No complaints in sight with this product.
Holistapet CBD Dog Treats: Stress and Anxiety Relief
Active Ingredients: CBD 150 mg, hemp seed powder, chamomile, L-theanine
Enhanced with hemp seed, chamomile, and L-theanine for extra calming effect, these super CBD treats help dogs to keep their cool in potentially stressful situations such as thunderstorms or car travel, making for happier, all-round more peaceful pups. Other ingredients in these best calming treats for dogs are both healthful and tasty, which means administering these handy supplements is an absolute breeze.
Many of the reviewers mention that this product is great for super nervous dogs and even for rescues who had previously been abused. One goes so far as to say the snacks smell so good that they were almost tempted to give one a try! Others comment that they have had a noticeable effect on the mobility and overall demeanor of their more elderly pets.
Pros
A powerful combination of CBD and hemp seed offers dog parents the best of both worlds. These are excellent for anxiety.
Cons
The treats take a little while to kick in for more severe conditions.
King Kalm Crunch
Active Ingredients: broad-spectrum PCR CBD
Made with Phytocannabinoid Rich (PCR) CBD oil, meaning that it has more of the beneficial compounds than other types, King Kalm’s all-natural flavored chews contain healthful, organic ingredients. These snacks are rich in vitamins and crucial Omega-3, the latter of which has been linked to improved mobility as well as reduced anxiety.
According to owners who have given them a whirl, King Kalm cookies and treats are a firm favorite among canines, without even needing a meat-based flavor. They seem to do the trick both with taking the edge off during fireworks and parties and with reducing symptoms of pain and discomfort. One reviewer mentions they are a bit crumbly, but most dogs will be more than happy to lap up the mess.
Pros
King Kalm products use the finest quality ingredients and independently tested CBD oil extracted using CO2 methods.
Cons
The quality is reflected in the price, but the results more than make up for it.
Okoa Pet “Hush, Puppy” Calming Soft Chews
Active Ingredients: broad-spectrum CBD (3mg per chew), tryptophan, chamomile extract, and two types of choline
We absolutely love these CBD-infused treats that are perfect for reducing stress-related behaviors such as excessive barking, licking, pacing, and chewing. Formulated by a holistic veterinarian, multiple natural active ingredients work together to create a powerful calming effect even in the most stressful of circumstances.
Reviews for the product are a little limited since it’s a newer company, but all positive. Dogs simply gobble up the peanut butter-flavored supplements. Owners mention that they help with everything from keeping their pups calm when interacting with new people and dogs and during trips to the vet. They even seem to reduce separation anxiety and are also beneficial for particularly hyper pups who tend to get a little overexcited around others.
Pros
A nice long list of active ingredients makes the product more likely to be effective.
Cons
The lack of reviews means it’s more difficult to generalize the effectiveness of the treats.
NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments Plus Hemp Seed Dog Soft Chews
Active Ingredients: hemp seed, L-tryptophan, passionflower, chamomile, thiamine mononitrate, melatonin, and ginger
With expert-approved ingredients, NaturVet’s Quiet Moments chews are another great option in the lineup of best calming treats for dogs, for keeping your pup calm during difficult moments – especially if they involve travel. Ginger is kind to sensitive stomachs, while L-tryptophan works as a natural antidepressant, boosting and stabilizing mood. Finally, melatonin helps promote more restful sleep.
As with many of the other hemp seed-based snacks, reviews on the product’s effectiveness are a little mixed. Some owners describe them as a ‘miracle treat,’ exclaiming that they ‘work wonders’ especially for separation anxiety and travel sickness. However, for others, they didn’t seem to do anything at all. This could be down to user expectations that they would work in the same way as CBD treats.
Pros
A good range of healthful ingredients at a reasonable price.
Cons
With hemp seed products, you may need to wait a little longer before you start to see an impact.
ThunderWunders Hemp Seed Calming Chews for Dogs
Active Ingredients: hemp seed, thiamine, chamomile, passionflower, ginger, L-tryptophan and melatonin,
Designed for dealing with normal levels of canine stress, these hemp calming chews are great for everyday use to help your highly-strung pup live their very best life. They can soothe new pets who may be displaying symptoms of nervousness or aggression. The cumulative effect of the nutritious supplements can even help dogs deal with more anxiety-inducing events such as a trip to the vet or groomers.
Reviews are another mixed bag for these herbal supplements. Many owners use them simply to calm their more over-excited pets on a regular basis. They seem to do well with this and also with relieving symptoms of arthritis for a better night’s sleep. They are very reasonably priced and certainly worth a shot. Just don’t expect too much.
Pros
The ingredients are safe for regular use and contain beneficial ingredients that can help with chronic anxiety.
Cons
These treats might not be effective for very nervous dogs or for extremely stressful situations.
Are Dog Calming Treats Safe?
The vast majority of calming treats make use of all-natural ingredients meaning that they are perfectly safe for your dog. A select few contain medicines – but you will likely only be able to get hold of these through your vet. The ones included here are all over-the-counter options.
However, depending on the kind of calming treats you are using and the active ingredients they incorporate, you may need to limit your dog to a certain number per day. For details on dosage for CBD and hemp treats, see below.
What Are the Benefits of Calming Treats?
Many of the ingredients used to promote calm have a number of other health benefits for your dog – everything from enhancing their skin and coat to reducing aches and pains.
Beyond this, the best calming treats for dogs provide an effective way of administering supplements that you may otherwise find difficult to do in other forms. Simply find a flavor that your pup loves and you’re all set.
CBD/Hemp Dog Treats Dosage Guide
Every kind of snack will contain its own specific guidelines for how much to give your pet and how often. This information is usually based on their size. It takes into account the number of active ingredients and the potency of the formula.
As a general rule, when it comes to CBD, you should be aiming for around the amounts listed below. Although it’s always a good idea to start low at first (less than 3mg), and then if there are no adverse effects, increase the amount based on your pup’s weight.
- 10 pounds: 1 mg – 5 mg
- 20 pounds: 2 mg – 10 mg
- 30 pounds: 3 mg – 15 mg
- 40 pounds: 4 mg – 20 mg
- 50 pounds: 5 mg – 25 mg
- 60 pounds: 6 mg – 30 mg
- 70 pounds: 7 mg – 35 mg
- 80 pounds: 8 mg – 40 mg
- 90 pounds: 9 mg – 45 mg
Usually, you would be looking to give them this amount around twice a day, but again make sure you follow the manufacturer’s own advice on this.
Calming Dog Treats Frequently Asked Questions
This largely depends on a few key factors: what are the active ingredients, how much of the active ingredients the treats contain, the size of your dog, and whether you administer the treat with or without food. It can be anything from a couple of hours to all day long.
Again, understanding the active ingredients of the treat is key here. With CBD, dogs can overdose, and you should follow the information included with the product. Most other herbs used in these kinds of treats would be unlikely to harm your dog if they do have a little too much, but it’s always best to check. If in doubt, speak with your vet.
Depending on the type and extent of the anxiety, different products will be more or less effective. Calming chews are great for regular dogs who tend to get a little worried in certain situations or slightly hyperactive pups who get plenty of exercise but still jump around like crazy things. With anything more severe than this, CBD oil might be better.
See here for our article reviewing the different calming oils.
Yes, in theory, although you need to be very careful with the dosage with particularly young dogs. Just be aware that if your pup gets used to having these treats, they may always rely on them. It’s always better to get them used to the things that make them afraid through exposure and training wherever possible.
Keeping their pal both safe and happy is naturally a priority for most pet owners. However, there are always going to be situations where dogs may feel a little nervous or uncomfortable. The best calming treats for dogs can be used to help reduce any symptoms of stress or anxiety that your pet is experiencing on either a short or long-term basis. The ones included on this list all come well-recommended, but you may need to shop around a little to find the best fit for you, your dog, and their specific situation.
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The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have.
What would YOU say are the best calming treats for dogs? Let us know in the comments below.