In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not just humans who experience stress and anxiety. Our furry friends can also feel overwhelmed and anxious, especially in certain situations. Whether it’s thunderstorms, fireworks, groomers, separation anxiety, or travel, dogs can benefit from a little extra support to help them stay calm and relaxed. That’s where our list of the best calming chews for dogs comes in. These tasty treats are specially formulated with natural ingredients that have been proven to have a calming effect on dogs, making them an excellent solution for pet owners looking to ease their dog’s anxiety. These calming treats are not only a convenient and easy way to administer anxiety relief to dogs, but they are also a safe alternative to stronger medications. With various flavors and textures available, pet owners can find the perfect calming chew that their furry friend will love.
Of course, there are other natural remedies you can try to ease your dog’s anxiety, specifically if your pup gets stressed on car rides. You’re not alone either; it turns out two in three dog owners say their furry friends get stressed out while traveling. Luckily, Sam Sutton, senior lecturer of music at the University of West London, has compiled the perfect playlist to soothe your dog’s nerves in the car. Topping the playlist was the ’70s hit by the Bee Gees, “How Deep is Your Love.” Also making the list are Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I’ll Do It for You,” and Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Seeing as a recent study showed reggae and soft rock to be our canine friends’ genres of choice; this playlist is just the ticket to help ease your dog’s worries.
However, it’s also helpful to keep in mind that your dog’s anxiety may be stemming from your own, with a new study revealing that dogs can sniff out stress in us humans. To do this test study, study authors collected sweat and breath samples from 36 people before and after they completed a difficult math problem. The participants also self-reported their stress levels both before and after the task. The researchers only used samples where the person’s blood pressure and heart rate had increased. Four dogs, Treo, Fingal, Soot, and Winnie, then had to sniff out the stress samples. They examined one person’s relaxed and stressed sample, and after a quick investigation, each dog was able to pick out the stressed-out smell. So, if you are stressed, your pup may pick up on it.
If all else fails to soothe your pup, you can always land back on calming chews for those rougher moments! As always, we at StudyFinds have researched across multiple expert sources to bring you today’s ranking of the top seven best calming chews for dogs. Before trying any, be sure to check with your vet to make sure they are a good choice for your pet. Don’t agree with our list or feel we missed out on a good recommendation? We would love to hear from you in the comments below. Now, onto the list!Â
The List: Best Calming Chews for Dogs, Per Canine Experts
1. Zesty Paws Calming Bites
Zesty Paws Calming Bites are a natural solution for dogs who struggle with anxiety, stress, or nervousness. These delicious soft chews are specially formulated with a blend of organic ingredients that promote relaxation and help soothe your furry friend’s nerves. “These calming chews from Zesty Paws come in a fun orange container. But though the package is bright and cheery, the formula is soothing. Chamomile and L-theanine are among the main ingredients,” says Better Pet.
“Advanced ingredients in peanut butter-flavored Zesty Paws Calming Bites help support relaxation, calmness, focus, and clarity in dogs. They also taste great and are perfect to pack for a road trip or to have at home for separation anxiety,” writes Retrievist.
“Zesty Paws is known for an array of popular multivitamins and supplements. These calming bites have nine organic ingredients that are believed to have calming properties, including chamomile, melatonin, hemp seed powder, and forms of L-theanine and ashwagandha. The soft (and apparently delicious) treats come in three flavors: turkey, peanut butter, and bison,” adds The Spruce Pets.
2. VetriScience Composure Calming Treats
VetriScience Composure Calming Treats are a natural and effective solution for managing stress and anxiety in dogs. Whether your dog experiences anxiety during thunderstorms, car rides, or separation from you, these treats can provide the relief they need. “Clinically proven to work within 30 minutes and last up to four hours. These treats also come in four different flavors, so you can choose whichever one your pup will be most obsessed with,” notes The Dodo.
“Recently, we tried VetriScience Composure Calming Treats on our anxious dog during a thunderstorm, and we were pleasantly surprised by the soothing effect it had on them. The formula contains colostrum, l-theanine, and thiamine, natural ingredients known for their calming properties,” states Rogue Pet Science.
“This sedative-free, veterinarian-formulated supplement has an appealing chicken flavor and claims to help keep dogs calm for up to four hours. Some reviewers had great success with these for their dog’s separation anxiety, and some reviewers felt these worked best for milder situations like car rides. When they do work, however, they work fast—VetriScience says that the calming effects should kick in within 30 minutes,” comments Rover.
3. NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming AidÂ
 NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid is a natural supplement designed to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety in dogs. With a blend of carefully selected ingredients, this calming aid aims to provide a sense of tranquility and ease for pets experiencing stress or nervousness. “These delicious treats start working within one hour and include melatonin, a powerhouse hormone supplement that works to ease anxiety, restlessness, and stress. And since you get 70 treats for a great price, it’s perfect for dog parents on a budget,” explains The Dodo.
“NaturVet has been making veterinary-formulated dog supplements since 1994, and these calming treats are a great option if your dog gets anxious while traveling. While they contain calming ingredients like melatonin, thiamine, and L-tryptophan, they are also formulated with ginger to reduce motion sickness. If you plan to use them for traveling, just give your dog the recommended dose 30 minutes prior to departing,” describes VetStreet.
“Specially formulated, these soft chews taste like a treat and are said to help promote normal nervous system function and facilitate a calm, restful state. NaturVet recommends daily use for the best results, and the lower price point of these treats makes them a more palatable option for many pet parents. Chewy reviewers have had success with pups who won’t settle before bedtime and anxious rescue dogs. But some reviewers found the anxiety relief was short-term or recommended pairing these calming treats with a pressure wrap,” reports Rover.
4. Finn Calming Chews
Finn Calming Chews are a revolutionary solution to help alleviate stress and anxiety in pets. Designed with the well-being of our furry friends in mind, these chews are made with all-natural ingredients that promote relaxation and a sense of calm. “Finn’s Calming Chews are liver-flavored soft chews that calm your dog’s nerves through the use of organic hemp powder as well as other calming ingredients like chamomile, passion flower, and L-Tryptophan,” says K9 Of Mine.
“Finn Calming Aid for Dogs is a natural supplement in the form of soft chews that aim to support dogs in times of stress, separation, and sleep issues. The chews contain calming herbs such as chamomile, ginger, and melatonin, along with amino acids to promote relaxation. The product is made in the USA with high-quality ingredients and is certified by the National Animal Supplement Council,” writes iHeartDogs.
“As a dog owner, you want to make sure your pet feels their best, and these calming treats can help with stress management. Finn Calming Aid is made with natural ingredients such as chamomile and L-tryptophan, which have calming and relaxing properties. These treats are perfect for when your furry friend needs a little extra support during a stressful event, such as a thunderstorm or fireworks. With Finn Calming Aid, you can help your dog feel their best and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are happy and healthy,” adds News Direct.
5. PetHonesty Hemp Calming Max Strength
Introducing PetHonesty Hemp Calming Max Strength – the ultimate solution to help your furry friend find calm and relaxation. This powerful formula combines the benefits of hemp extract with a blend of carefully selected ingredients to promote a sense of tranquility and reduce anxiety. “If you want calming dog treats that actually work, you won’t find any extremely inexpensive options, but these cost a little less than others on the market, and the dosage is lower than some (especially for large dogs), so you get good value for money,” notes Retrievist.
“PetHonesty’s maximum strength Hemp Calming soft chews are formulated with an all-natural blend of 13 herbs and other clinically proven calming ingredients to help ease anxiety in dogs within 30-45 minutes after feeding. We love that PetHonesty uses a unique no-heat cooking method for its soft chews, which maximizes the health benefits and nutritional value of every ingredient. They’re also committed to the highest safety and quality standards,” raves Canine Journal.
“Many pet parents turn to hemp treats for dogs for anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, pain, arthritis, and even seizures. Though results vary and each dog is different, hemp-based treats remain a viable option for some dogs. PetHonesty’s CalmingHemp+ claims to reduce stress for situations such as car rides, vet visits, thunderstorms, and hyperactivity. No need to hide this in food or sneak it into a treat, as these maximum strength soft chews seem like treats to your dog,” comments VetStreet.
6. Purina ProPlan Calming CareÂ
Purina ProPlan Calming Care is a revolutionary new formula designed to help dogs manage their stress and anxiety. With its unique blend of ingredients, this specially formulated supplement aims to support a dog’s overall emotional well-being and promote a sense of calmness. “Unlike other calming products on this list, Purina ProPlan Calming Care uses a single ingredient to promote calm behavior. This supplement uses a probiotic strain BL999, which has shown to support dogs with anxious behaviors, including jumping, pacing, excessive barking or whining, and spinning,” reports Discover Magazine.
“The Calming Care supplement from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements is designed to support a dog’s digestive system with probiotics that also neutralize stress hormones for a calming effect. Giving your dog a daily dose can help keep its digestive system functioning smoothly while reducing the level of stress it experiences from separation, trips to the vet, thunderstorms, and more. The supplements come in packets of 30 or 45, and one packet can be given daily, or as needed, to a healthy dog by sprinkling over or mixing into their food,” recommends The Spruce Pets.
“With increasing evidence that good digestive health is tied to good mental health, this probiotic targets anxiety through the gut. Unlike most calming dog treats, probiotics require consistent use to be most effective, and they take time to see results—as much as six to eight weeks. We tried it ourselves and saw good results in an older dog who was suffering from the blues, and we spoke with a vet technician who sang its praises for transforming an anxious rescue dog,” adds Rover.
7. GKD Hemp Calming Chews
GKD Hemp Calming Chews are a natural and effective solution for pets experiencing anxiety or stress. Made with high-quality hemp extract and other calming ingredients, these chews provide a safe and gentle way to help your furry friend find relaxation and peace. “This product contains a unique, 100% golden ratio of natural ingredients that help calm your dog’s nerves, support brain function, and maintain a balanced mood during stressful situations such as separation, barking, thunderstorms, or loud noises,” explains Dog Time.
“We were impressed with the quality of the ingredients in these calming chews. The golden ratio of organic hemp seed powder and hemp oil, along with other active plants, helped to calm our dog down without any negative side effects,” raves Alpha Paw.
“We recently tried GKD Hemp Calming Chews for Dogs to address our furry friends’ anxiety and stress-related behaviors. To our delight, these calming treats helped soothe their excessive barking and anxious reactions during thunderstorms and other loud noises. The organic hemp seed powder and hemp oil blend in the chews seemed to promote relaxation and anxiety relief effectively,” concludes Rogue Pet Science.
You might be interested in:
- Best Dog Bones
- Best Dog Toothpaste
- Best Dental Dog Chews
- Best Ice Cream for Dogs
- Best Dog Life JacketsÂ
Sources:
- The Spruce Pets
- Retrievist
- Better Pet
- Rogue Pet Science
- The Dodo
- Rover
- VetStreet
- iHeartDogs
- K9 Of Mine
- News Direct
- Canine Journal
- Discover Magazine
- Alpha Paw
- Dog Time
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
