Vets Say These Are the Most Effective Calming Treats for Dogs With Anxiety

Jessie Quinn
·10 min read


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Incorporating calming dog treats into your pup’s daily care can make a difference if they regularly experience stress and anxiety. Whether it’s a thunderstorm, firework show, trip to the vet, or a short car ride, some dogs are prone to feeling ultra-nervous and scared, and calming dog treats formulated with ingredients such as melatonin, hemp, L-theanine, and chamomile can give them a sense of ease so that they can better cope with the situation.

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We talked to two veterinary experts to learn more about why calming dog treats are good for dogs and which dogs benefit the most from these soothing daily snacks. See what they had to say, plus their recommendations for the best calming dog treats, ahead.

Best Calming Dog Treats, at a Glance

Best Overall: Ollie Calming Chews Dog Supplements, $24
Best for Puppies: Zesty Paws Puppy Turkey Calming Bites for Dogs, $22
Best With Melatonin: Native Pet Calming Chews for Dogs, $15
Best With Hemp: Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Soft Chews for Dogs, $40
Best Long-Lasting NaturVet Emotional Support Long Term Calming Aid Dog Soft Chew, $27
Best Chews: Zesty Paws Peppermint Hemp Elements Calming OraStix Chews for Dogs, $14
Best for All Ages: Pet Naturals Calming Supplements, $11
Best Busy Bone: Kradle All Day Calming Bone, $22

What Ingredients to Look for in Calming Dog Treats, According to Vets

“Calming treats contain naturally stress-relieving ingredients and can be a great option for pets who experience anxiety,” Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, the chief veterinarian at Petco tells us. When shopping for the best calming dog treats she says to look for ingredients such as chamomile, L-tryptophan, and passion flower, which “can provide a sense of relaxation to comfort dogs.” Additionally, some calming dog treats — such as the Native Pet Calming Chews for Dogs — might also utilize the benefits of melatonin, valerian root, and hemp to provide dogs with a calming sensation.

Do Calming Dog Treats Really Work?

According to Dr. Miller, calming treats can really work. However, each dog has their own individual needs and might respond uniquely to different kinds of calming ingredients and treats. “Not all pet parents will notice an appreciable difference with their pets with calming chews,” she explains. For dogs struggling with major stress and anxiety issues, she says it’s best to consult with a veterinarian.

The mere act of chewing on a treat or bone can also have some calming benefits of its own. “Self-soothing, or when a dog finds a way to manage their stress and anxiety without help from their pet parent or another human, is an essential skill for dogs,” says Dr. Miller. “It can look like choosing to go to a sage place like a crate or bed to rest, snuggling a favorite plush toy, or chewing on a toy or dog-safe chew,” she adds. If your dog prefers to relieve stress through bone chewing, Dr. Miller says to look for something safe enough for heavy chewing and recommends the Good Lovin’ Traditional Beef Bully Stick Dog Chew and Himalayan Dog Chew.

With that in mind, there are some less-desirable self-soothing behaviors, which Dr. Miller says include excessive licking or chewing on shoes or other off-limits items.

What Are the Best Calming Treats for Hyperactive Dogs?

“Calming treats and aids don’t necessarily work for naturally high-energy breeds who have a lot of energy that they need to burn off through exercise, training, mental stimulation, and play,” says Dr. Jacqueline Brister, a veterinary contributor for Embrace Pet Insurance. This means that while a calming treat can help address some anxiety or nervousness in hyperactive dogs, it won’t necessarily target their overall activity levels, as these dogs usually require further methods to help them get their energy out.

If your hyperactive dog also experiences anxiety, nervousness, or is a little fearful, Dr. Brister says calming treats can be helpful. However, it’s important to understand the source of the issue and rule out any possible medical concerns like cognitive dysfunction or hearing and sight limitations that can lead to anxiety and fear. “The key to using calming treats or supplements is to give them as one part of a larger, more comprehensive plan,” Dr. Brister says. “You really need a set of strategies for helping keep your dog comfortable during times of stress or fear.”

The Best Calming Dog Treats

BEST OVERALL

Ollie, Calming Chews for Dogs

Buy Now on petco $25

Buy Now On Amazon $24

Our top pick for the best calming dog treats is the Ollie Calming Chews Dog Supplements, which Dr. Miller says it also one of Petco’s most popular and beloved brands for high-quality dog supplements. These calming treats are formulated with a blend of ginkgo biloba leaf, chamomile flower, passion flower, L-Tryptophan, valerian root, and melatonin, which all work together to support your dog’s nervous system and provide a calming effect with regular use. Designed for adult dogs ages 12 months and older, the treats also feature a yummy peanut butter flavor that even picky eaters will love.

Type: Supplement
Flavor: Peanut butter
Ingredients: Ginkgo biloba leaf, chamomile flower, passion flower, L-Tryptophan, valerian root, and melatonin
Serving Size: Varies, depending on the size and weight of your dog. 
Size of package: 60

Pros:
They’re formulated with 1mg of melatonin for an added dose of calming vibes. 
They feature a delicious peanut butter flavor that your dog will love. 
They’re made with natural ingredients.

Cons:
You can’t give it to puppies.

BEST FOR PUPPIES

Zesty Paws, Puppy Turkey Calming Treats

Buy Now On Amazon $22

If your new puppy is feeling a bit anxious and you want to introduce calming dog treats into their daily regimen, consider the Zesty Paws Puppy Turkey Calming Bites. These calming dog treats come in two different sizes — 50 count and 90 count — and are formulated with sensoril ashwagandha, valerian root, L-Tryptophan, organic chamomile, organic passionflower, organic ginger root, and magnesium citrate, as well as suntheanine, which is a premium form of L-Theanine for added calming perks. The chews are available in turkey flavor but, as your puppy gets older and graduates to the adult version, you can treat them to some additional flavors like bison and peanut butter.

Type: Chews
Flavor: Turkey, bison, peanut butter
Ingredients: Suntheanine, sensoril ashwagandha, valerian root, L-Tryptophan, organic chamomile, organic passionflower, organic ginger root, and magnesium citrate.
Serving Size: Between 1-3 chews, depending on the size of your dog. 
Size of package: 50 and 90 count

Pros:
They’re specifically designed with puppies in mind. 
You can find them in two additional flavors (though the puppy formula only comes in turkey flavor). 
They’re available in two sizes.

Cons:
The puppy formula only comes in one flavor.

BEST WITH MELATONIN

Native Pet, Calming Chews for Dogs

Buy Now On Amazon $15

Buy Now on petco $15

The Native Pet Calming Chews for Dogs is an excellent choice for those looking for a calming treat with an extra boost of melatonin. Formulated with 5mg of melatonin — plus hemp seed powder and L-theanine — these chews are designed to help soothe anxious pups while also promoting improved brain function with every bite. The chick-flavored dog treats are also designed to help promote a calming effect during traveling, vet visits, and other environments that might trigger nervousness.

Type: Chews
Flavor: Chicken
Ingredients: Hemp seed powder, bovine, L-theanine, melatonin 
Serving Size: 1-4 chews, depending on dog size 
Size of package: 30, 120

Pros:
It has 5mg of melatonin 
It also enhances brain function 
It’s a great option for traveling

Cons:
It can get expensive if you have a larger dog.

BEST WITH HEMP

Pet Honesty, Calming Melatonin for Dogs

Buy Now On Amazon $40

For an option formulated with hemp, consider the Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Soft Chews for Dogs. Formulated with 75 mg of hemp seed oil plus 50mg of ashwagandha, this calming dog treat is designed to help dogs adapt to more stressful situations by providing a natural calming effect. In addition to its calming effect, these dog chews also support brain function.

Type: Soft chews
Flavor: Chicken 
Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, L-theanine, ashwagandha, L-tryptophan 
Serving Size: 1-4 chews, depending on dog size 
Size of package: 90

Pros:
They’re formulated for stressful situations, including fireworks. 
They feature 50mg of ashwagandha and 75 mg of hemp seed oil

Cons:
They’re a bit pricey

BEST LONG-LASTING

NaturVet Emotional Support Daily Calming Aid Dog Supplement

$27 $29 7% off

Buy Now On Amazon

According to Dr. Miller, the NaturVet Emotional Support Long Term Calming Aid Dog Soft Chew is “a great option for pets that need longer-lasting calming support.” These calling dog treats are formulated with a blend of magnesium, melatonin, passion flower, and chamomile for their calming benefits, plus B vitamins for behavioral support. They also include a blend of Chinese herbs — including ziziphus, dan shen, schizandra, polygala, and oyster shell — to promote emotional balance and well-being for anxious pups.

Type: Soft chews, powder
Flavor: Chicken
Ingredients: Magnesium, melatonin, passion flower, chamomile, B vitamins, and a calming blend of Chinese herbs 
Serving Size: 1-2, depending on dog size 
Size of package: 120 chews, 45 scoops

Pros:
They’re designed for all-day support
They come in soft chews and powder form 
They feature Chinese herbs for emotional balance

Cons:
We honestly can’t think of any!

BEST CHEWS

Zesty Paws, OraStix Omega Dental Sticks

Buy Now On Amazon $14

The Zesty Paws Peppermint Hemp Elements Calming OraStix Chews for Dogs is a great choice for dogs who prefer chews over treats. “This option includes hemp, a popular ingredient that helps naturally calm,” says Dr. Miller. In addition to hemp, the chew sticks also feature rosemary, peppermint, kelp, and DHA. The chews are a good, long-lasting option that allows dogs to noy only benefit from calming ingredients but also the soothing effect of healthy chewing.

Type: Chew sticks 
Flavor: Peppermint
Ingredients: Rosemary, hemp seed powder, peppermint, kelp, DHA
Serving Size: 1-3, depending on dog size 
Size of package: 12 ounces

Pros:
They’re formulated for oral health 
They last longer than traditional treats
They’re rich in omega-3

Cons:
They might be too hard for some teeth

BEST FOR ALL AGES

Pet Naturals, Calming Treats for Dogs

Buy Now On Amazon $11

If you want an option that works well for all ages — including puppies and senior dogs — Dr. Miller also recommends the Pet Naturals Calming Supplements, which feature Colostrum Calming Complex for its soothing benefits, in addition to vitamin B-1 for its mood and memory support and L-theanine for its mood-boosting abilities. The supplement also features a more budget-friendly price tag, and it can last up to four hours, so it’s a good short-term option, too.

Type: Supplement 
Flavor: Chicken liver
Ingredients: Vitamin B1, Colostrum Calming Complex, L-Theanine 
Serving Size: Up to three chews, depending on dog size 
Size of package: 30

Pros:
They’re formulated with Colostrum Calming Complex for its soothing benefits
They last up to four hours 
They’re more budget-friendly

Cons:
We can’t think of anything!

BEST BUSY BONE

Kradle, All Day Calming Bone

Buy Now On Amazon $22

In addition to Dr. Miller’s recommendations, we also love the Kradle All Day Calming Bone. An excellent choice for anxious pups, this durable bone is constructed from hard nylon and designed for heavy chewers. The bone features one large rectangular compartment for the brand’s corresponding calming chews, which are formulated with ashwagandha, chamomile, GABA, and L-Theanine, plus a smaller area where you can put additional treats to keep them busy. We love it because it’s a chew toy and calming dog treat in one, providing your dog with lots of variety.

Type: Busy bone
Flavor: Bacon
Ingredients: Ashwagandha, chamomile, GABA, L-Theanine
Serving Size: 1-4 depending on size 
Size of package: 1-4 refills

Pros:
It’s a calming treat and busy bone in one 
The bone is made from durable, hard nylon
Cons:
The bone might be too big for some small dogs

Experts in This Article

Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM: The chief veterinarian at Petco
Jacqueline Brister: Veterinarian and veterinary contributor for Embrace Pet Insurance

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