The 5 Best Calming Treats For Dogs – With Buyer’s Guide

Updated: June 28th, 2023

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Similar to humans, dogs suffer from anxiety, stress, and hyperactivity. They may feel anxious when there are fireworks or when you leave them alone for too long. If your furry friend experiences stress for any reason, you need the best calming treats for dogs. But there are different types of treats to choose from, and there are some snacks your dog may not like.

To help you find the right calming treats, we’ve reviewed the top five products on the market. In each review, we’ve listed key features as well as pros and cons to consider before buying. Keep reading to find a treat that will help relieve your dog’s anxiety or stress.

Best Calming Treats For Dogs Reviews

1. PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chews

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If you’re looking for a safe dog anxiety treat, PetHonesty’s Calming Hemp Chews is the product to buy. It has no GMOs, wheat, soy, corn or harsh preservatives that could negatively affect your dog. The treats come in various sizes for small and large dogs. Additionally, they’re formulated for puppies, adult, and senior pups.

Key Features

• Natural herb ingredients
• 90 chews in a jar
• GMP compliant
• Takes effect in 30 to 45 minutes after eating

PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chews are made with natural ingredients such as organic hemp and chamomile. These ingredients help keep your dog calm during stressful situations such as crowds or trips to the vet. There are no sedatives in these calming treats so your dog won’t feel drowsy or become unresponsive.

Pros

• Easy to administer
• For dogs of all sizes and ages
• Comes in a resealable container

Cons

• Dosage may not be strong enough for some dogs
• Some dogs may not enjoy the flavor

These hemp chews come in a tight container to prevent the treats from spoiling or hardening. What’s more, the treats are soft so they’re ideal for pets with sensitive gums. Simply give your dog a treat if you notice signs of stress.

2. Zesty Paws Hemp Chews

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Zesty Paws make the best calming treats for dogs with separation anxiety. So before you leave the house, give your pup the recommended dosage and they should relax your pet within 30 minutes. These are stick treats that contain natural ingredients such as valerian root, hemp seed, and chamomile.

Key Features

• 12oz bag
• For dog between 25-75lbs
• Peppermint flavor
• Each stick contains Suntheanine

Keeping your pet calm isn’t the only benefit these treats provide. They also contain rosemary extract to promote periodontal health. The peppermint flavor may also help dogs that have bad breath.

These stick treats help dogs that are hyperactive. So if your dog never stops with the zoomies, you could administer one stick to help keep your pet relaxed.

Pros

• Contains natural ingredients
• Supports dental health
• Freshens your dog’s breath
• Contaminant-free

Cons

• Your dog may not like the peppermint flavor
• May not work for dogs over 75lbs

Zesty Paws Hemp Chews are easy to administer and they’re soft enough for puppies to chew. You’ll also be happy to know that the treats contain no grains, soy, or corn, which makes them safe to give to dogs who suffer from allergies.

3. NaturVet Quiet Moments Chews

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The NaturVet Quiet Moments Chews come in five sizes of 70, 180, 240, 140, and 360 per package. The 180-count container is a 90-day supply, so if you buy the bigger container it will last you longer. These are all natural calming dog chews with a blend of thiamine and L-Tryptophan to help reduce tension.

Key Features

• Includes chamomile
• Takes effect in 30 minutes
• 13.9oz
• For dogs of all sizes
• 90-day supply

NaturVet makes the best dog anxiety treats for canines over the age of 12 weeks. One of the main ingredients is ginger, which is helpful for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The chews can be administered to your dog 30 minutes before traveling to the vet. They also work to keep your dog calm during fireworks or thunderstorms.

Pros

• Comes in 5 different sizes
• Suitable for puppies
• Soft chews ideal for sensitive gums
• Promotes rest and relaxation

Cons

• Not ideal for pregnant dogs
• May not be used with other sedatives

The brand isn’t transparent about the flavor of the chews. If you have a picky eater, you may have some trouble administering doses. On the other hand, these calming chews are ideal for dogs of all sizes and ages above 12 weeks.

4. Zesty Paws Lil Zesties Calming Squares

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Zesty Paws makes the best anti-anxiety dog treats for canines of all sizes. The brand’s Lil Zesties Calming Squares have a natural chicken flavor your pet will enjoy. These chews are also soft so they’re ideal for dogs with sensitive gums.

Key Features

• 10oz bag
• For dogs 25lbs to 50lbs
• Grain-free

Lil Zesties chews have special ingredients such as chamomile, passionflower, and sensoril to help with tension, anxiety, and hyperactivity. They work to keep your pet calm during separation, fireworks, thunderstorms, or car rides. These chews are specially formulated for puppies.

Pros

• Soft chews for sensitive gums
• All natural ingredients
• No artificial colorants
• Easy to administer

Cons

• Not for pregnant dogs
• May not work for bigger dog breeds

The Zesty Paws treats are free from potentially harmful ingredients such as soy, corn, and preservatives. They come in small squares so they are easy to administer to puppies who have smaller mouths. And lastly, these chews are ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. 

5. PetHonesty Hemp Sticks

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PetHonesty makes the best anxiety chews for golden retrievers. These treats are in stick form and have a delicious natural peanut butter flavor your dog will love. What’s more, the treats contain active ingredients such as valerian root and hemp that help to support your dog’s mental well-being and to keep your pooch calm in stressful situations.

Key Features

• 30 sticks in a bag
• 16oz weight
• For dogs between 1-75lbs and above

For pet owners who struggle to get their dogs to take medicine, you’ll find that administering PetHonesty’s hemp sticks is easy. These chews come in small sticks that are soft, which makes them ideal for dogs with sensitive gums.

Pros

• Ideal for dogs of all sizes
• Contains no chemical preservatives
• Brushes off plaque to promote excellent oral health
• Contains natural ingredients

Cons

• Not all dogs will like the flavor
• May not work for all dog breeds

The PetHonesty hemp stick chews are easy to digest and should work within 30 minutes of administering the treat. These treats contain no chemicals or harmful preservatives so they’re safe for puppies and adult dogs alike.

Best Calming Treats For Dogs Buying Guide

Now that you have a choice of five quality calming treats for dogs, how do you choose the right product for your own furry friend? In this comprehensive guide, we’ve provided valuable information on how to choose the right dog chews for anxiety, stress, or hyperactivity.

Does Your Dog Have Anxiety?

Before you decide to buy calming treats for your dog, you should first determine if your pet has anxiety or stress. If your dog shows the following signs, he or she may suffer from anxiety:

• Panting or pacing even when it’s not hot
• Excessive chewing or licking 
• Cowering in the corner when there are loud noises
• Barking or howling when you leave the house
• Shivering even when it’s not cold
• An inability to settle down
• Not eating 

If you’re still not sure whether your pet has anxiety, you can visit your vet for a full diagnosis. Additionally, if you don’t want to use pet pharmaceuticals you can use the best anxiety chews for dogs on the market with natural ingredients. You want to feed your dog foods that won’t cause stomach or dental issues.

Types Of Dog Calming Treats

For most pet owners, administering medication can be difficult. The best way to get your dog to take medication is by offering it in the form of a treat. Here are the different types of dog calming treats you can get.

Hemp Or CBD Treats

Hemp and CBD are found in the cannabis and hemp plants. The CBD and hemp used in dog treats don’t have psychoactive compounds because they’ve been removed. During the extraction process, only the beneficial compounds are left behind These compounds keep your dog calm and relaxed. Hemp or CBD treats can calm your pet during thunderstorms, separation, fireworks, and car rides. Read more about the use of CBD for dogs with anxiety.

Bone Treats

There are bone treats infused with calming medication for your dog. These treats are ideal for dogs that chew when they get nervous. Some bone treats are simply shaped into bones using natural ingredients, which is safer for dogs. The bone treats are soft so they won’t cause mouth injuries.

Peanut Butter Treats

Some dogs love the taste of peanut butter. So brands such as PetHonesty have made calming pet treats with natural peanut butter flavoring, which is ideal for picky eaters. Peanut butter treats are soft biscuits that are easy for dogs to chew so they may be better for canines with sensitive gums.

Stick Treats

Stick treats can come in different flavors such as chicken or peanut butter. They are harder and denser than biscuits, which helps keep your dog’s teeth clean. Sticks can be made with various natural ingredients such as hemp, chamomile, or ginger. They work the same as any other calming dog treat but may be more suitable for bigger dogs such as German shepherds or golden retrievers.

The Benefits Of Calming Treats For Dogs

The reason pet owners choose to administer calming treats to their dogs is that they have natural ingredients with no added preservatives or harmful colorants. Some treats also promote teeth, coat, and gut health. Calming treats are also easier to administer and there are different ones for various issues such as:

• Hyperactivity
• Stress
• Depression
• Sleeplessness
• Separation anxiety

You can also use treats to train your dog to sit or do tricks. This is an ideal way to get them to accept their calming treat.

What To Consider When Buying Calming Treats

When buying calming treats for your dog there are factors to consider which include:

• Size of your dog: Find a calming treat specific to your dog’s weight. You may have to administer two or more treats to bigger dogs depending on the medicinal milligram content in each treat.
• Dog breed: Some calming treats may not work for certain dog breeds. You may need to consult your vet to see which treats would work best for yours.
• Flavors: If your dog is a picky eater, you’ll want to find a calming treat your pet will enjoy. Try different flavors such as beef, chicken, lamb, or turkey. If those don’t work, try a peanut butter-flavored treat.
• Ingredients: There are ingredients such as soy, wheat, and corn that can be harmful to dogs especially if they have an allergy. You want to buy a calming treat that’s packed full of beneficial nutrients and natural ingredients.

FAQs

Are calming treats safe for dogs?

Yes, calming treats are safe for dogs if you choose treats that have natural ingredients and don’t contain harmful chemicals or colorants.

Are calming treats safe for puppies?

Yes, there are calming treats that are specifically formulated for puppies. These treats have ingredients that have additional benefits such as promoting a healthy gut or oral care. Brands such as PetHonesty and Zesty Paws make calming treats for puppies.

Do calming treats for dogs really work?

Yes, calming treats for dogs do work, but you have to ensure you’re using the right product. Some dog treats don’t work for all breeds. So you may have to find a product that works for your dog. Additionally, some treats take 30 to 45 minutes to take effect so that’s something to consider.

Final Thoughts

Calming treats for dogs should be free from artificial flavoring and colorants. They should contain ingredients that keep your dog calm without making them drowsy or unresponsive. The best calming treats for dogs are easy to chew and have a flavor they’ll enjoy. Use this review and guide to find calming dog treats that will work for your pup.

If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with calming treats for dogs, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.