A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 02, 2024
If your pooch suffers from separation anxiety or noise fears, relieve their stress with these expert-recommended calming treats for dogs.
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I’ve been writing about dog care and consulting on canine behavior for more than 25 years. During that time, I’ve had my share of upset dogs suffering from what we now call FAS: fear, anxiety and stress. Just as human emotions impact our health, negative emotions can lead to behavioral issues in pets, too. That’s where calming treats for dogs come in.
An anxious dog gets sick quicker, urinates out of fright or even bites. House-training products won’t help with that and a puppy can’t learn new things while stressed. The brain simply can’t multitask while fearful, so we must address these emotions. Thankfully, many products that help calm anxious dogs are available outside the vet’s office. If you have a nervous dog at home or want to share a gift for dog lovers, here are our recommended calming treats for dogs.
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My pet, Bravo-Dawg, never liked car rides and easily got carsick. When a cancer diagnosis required multiple chemo visits to the specialty clinic an hour away, we knew he needed some help. I reached out to my certified veterinary colleagues at Fear Free, and they told me about Zylkene Behavior Support Capsules.
Recommended and tested by vets, this calming treat for dogs doesn’t cause drowsiness. It remains lactose free while incorporating a natural protein in cow’s milk to relieve fearful or anxious behaviors. For dogs who hate car rides, it’s helpful to keep bottles on hand (in combination with a relaxing dog hammock).
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When looking for calming treats for dogs, I prefer companies that have been around for decades, like NaturVet. Quiet Moments Calming Aid dog supplement offers an economical option with a month’s supply priced at about $17. Though it contains similar ingredients to other calming treats, Quiet Moments also includes ginger, which is recommended as a natural remedy for car sickness. If you use a dog crate in the car, some of these car accessories may also help keep car rides stress-free.
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What dog doesn’t love peanut butter? And with Chill Peanut Butter Spread, you get the added calming benefit of chamomile and melatonin to help your dog relax. This treat contains no xylitol, an artificial sweetener highly toxic to dogs. Just as chewing naturally relaxes dogs, so does licking. Pair this calming treat for dogs with a licking mat like the Aquapaw Slow Treater. Just spread the Chill Peanut Butter Spread on the surface and let your pooch lick its stress away.
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Speaking of peanut butter, these Zesty Paws Calming Bites have a nutty flavor that dogs love, with no spreading required. A couple of chews are enough to promote relaxation and reduce hyperactivity in times of stress. Whether they’re anxious about storms and fireworks or a car ride to the vet, the ingredients relieve the jitters. Just adjust the number of chews for your dog’s weight. Try these other organic dog treats your dog won’t be able to resist. Bonus: If your dog has itchy skin, these salmon bites by Zesty Paws will help.
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We all know how active puppies can be. The Pupford Calming Puppy Supplement is formulated specifically for pups to help with training and socializing. Grown dogs can indulge in the treats, too. Best of all, it comes in a string cheese flavor with no artificial flavorings. Read up on these other tips on how to train a puppy.
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For dogs who object to the crate, Pet MD Calming Chews offer a way to tone down anxiety and increase acceptance. It also can help by turning the crate into your dog’s favorite bed. These treats, sold in a 120-count bottle, contain eight ingredients known to reduce anxious behavior, including hemp. The formula also features ginger for soothing upset tummies. These are suitable for dogs and puppies 12 weeks or older.
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For some plant-based nutrition, try the Open Farm Calming Supplement Chews. They don’t contain wheat, soy or corn, and instead rely on 100% traceable and vet-recommended ingredients. They’re soft and chewable for a relaxing treat before dog walks or car rides. For especially anxious pooches, check out these dog products for anxiety.
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Not every dog likes soft treats, and calming treats with crunch provide dental health benefits, too. This peppermint-flavored Calming OraStix product freshens dogs’ breath with peppermint oil, kelp and rosemary extract. Chewing actually calms dogs, sort of like a baby sucking its thumb, so offering this as a chew stick works in several ways. It contains lots of calming ingredients, including melatonin, magnesium citrate and chamomile.
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VetriScience, a company run by veterinarians, offers this highly rated calming treat for dogs. Composure treats come in chicken, bacon and peanut butter flavors and are available in 60- or 120-treat packages. They’ve been clinically proven to work within 30 minutes for up to four hours, so you can “treat” in advance of a known scary experience, like a fireworks show. The supplement includes ingredients that reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation for dogs suffering from canine separation behaviors.
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These treats offer your dog some serious chewing opportunities. The Calming Sticks also contain chamomile and lavender. The chicken flavor makes them appealing to dogs, and the 16-count package is economical. It’s a healthier alternative to rawhide, just don’t forget to clean their teeth after!
Since your pup can’t do the shopping for themselves, you’ll have to take one for the team. Here are a few factors to help you narrow your search and find the best calming treat for your furry friend.
I’m a certified Fear Free trainer, award-winning journalist, certified animal behavior consultant and an all-around pet expert. In addition to Reader’s Digest, my work has appeared in Martha Stewart Living, HuffPost, Dogster and more. I’ve written more than 35 pet-care books and covered everything from how to properly clean your dog’s teeth to the best dog shoes and best cooling vests for pups. As a dog owner myself, I’m always testing out products to incorporate first-hand knowledge in my reviews.
To find the best calming treats for dogs, I first consulted my colleagues at Fear Free for their recommendations. Then, I reviewed major retailer sites like Chewy and Amazon to identify the most popular picks. After analyzing star ratings and customer reviews, I narrowed down my list to treats with the best dog-approved ingredients, flavors and textures—all at owner-approved price points.
Most calming treats can be given to your dog daily, some even every few hours. Because these products contain different ingredients, it’s essential to follow dosage directions directly from the manufacturer or your vet. Additionally, like with any new treat, start your dog out slowly to make sure they don’t have any tummy issues or reactions to the new food.
While most calming dog treats are merely meant to help your dog de-stress, not necessarily fall asleep, some contain ingredients like melatonin that could make your pup drowsy.
Some calming treats for dogs are meant to be used before stressful situations, like riding in the car or being left home alone, and may kick in within 30 minutes. Others are designed to be used daily and may take weeks to feel the full effects.
Many calming treats are safe for dogs of all ages, but it’s important to double-check before purchasing. For new puppy owners, there are treats specifically formulated for young dogs that might be a better fit and save you the hassle of splitting treats in half.
