Our pick for the best calming dog treats is Zesty Paws Calming Bites, with NaturVet Quiet Moments as the best budget option and Finn Calming Aid as the best choice for picky eaters. Calming treats usually contain ingredients like L-theanine, melatonin, chamomile, hemp, or valerian root, and they work best for mild, situational stress such as car rides or fireworks, ideally alongside training. Dogs with severe anxiety or aggression need a vet’s help rather than treats alone.
What are calming dog treats? And do they work?
Calming treats are a type of nutraceutical: nutritional supplements meant to help relieve mild symptoms of anxiety in dogs. Some of their ingredients are thought to work by supporting calming brain chemicals such as serotonin and GABA. The research behind most of them is limited, so results vary from dog to dog. They won’t sedate your dog, but many owners find they take the edge off stressful situations.
The effectiveness of the treats depends on the ingredients they contain. Common ingredients in the best calming treats include melatonin, hemp, and valerian root:
1Melatonin
Melatonin is the most common ingredient you’ll see in the best calming dog treats. There are limited studies on the effects of melatonin on dogs. However, there is anecdotal evidence that it can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. (1)
2Hemp oil
Hemp is another common ingredient in calming treats. It’s worth checking the label, though: hemp seed oil contains little to no CBD, while CBD is extracted from the flowers and leaves of the plant. CBD may help some dogs relax, but research in dogs is still limited, and CBD products aren’t regulated the way medications are, so talk to your vet before using them.
3Valerian root
You probably haven’t heard of valerian root, but it’s a common ingredient in herbal remedies for humans and dogs. Valerian root is thought to work by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation. (2)
When can you give your dog calming treats?
Calming treats are great for multiple occasions where your dog might be feeling anxious or stressed. Here are a few examples:
- Before grooming or going to the vet
- Before a long car ride
- During fireworks or thunderstorms
- When there are visitors in your home
- If your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety
Treats work best alongside training. If your dog won't let you out of his sight, or you want to know whether car rides tire dogs out, our guides cover the behavior side, and our roundup of the best sleep aids for dogs helps with restless nights.
What are the best calming dog treats?
Here are our top five picks for the best calming dog treats. We based our selections on the effectiveness of the ingredients, flavor, customer sentiment, and overall value.
At a glance
5 picks, each best at something different
1Zesty Paws Calming Bites
Zesty Paws calming bites are a popular choice for dog owners looking for an effective, all-natural way to reduce anxiety in their pets. The treats contain melatonin, L-theanine, and hemp seed which are known to promote relaxation.
Additionally, the treats include organic chamomile and ginger root, both of which have calming properties. Valerian root is also included in the formula, which we mentioned in the previous section is thought to work by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation.
Overall, these treats are filled with all the necessary ingredients that are known to calm dogs down, making them our top pick for the best calming dog treats.
What we like the most: Not only is it filled with all the best ingredients for calming dogs down, but it also has a very positive customer sentiment.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- Advanced calming complex
- Positive customer sentiment
- Great turkey flavor
Cons
- A bit more expensive than other treats
2NaturVet Quiet Moments Dog Treats
If you’re looking for an affordable option, then NaturVet Quiet Moments Dog Treats are a great choice. The treats contain melatonin, L-tryptophan, thiamine, and ginger, ingredients commonly used to support calm behavior in dogs.
What’s also great about these treats is that they’re very budget-friendly, so if you’re looking for an affordable option, then these are the treats for you. The only downside seems to be the flavor, as some customers have said that their dogs don’t seem to be too fond of the taste.
What we like the most: The fact that these treats are very budget-friendly and still contain all the necessary ingredients for calming dogs down.
Pros
- Tons of calming ingredients
- Budget-friendly
- All-natural ingredients
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Some dogs don't seem to like the flavor
3Premium Care Hemp Calming Chews
These treats claim to help with aggressive behavior, and while we can’t speak to that specifically, we can say that they’re filled with popular calming ingredients. Keep in mind that aggression should always be assessed by your vet or a qualified behaviorist, since pain and other medical problems can be the cause; treats can support a behavior plan but not replace one. The treats contain hemp oil, chamomile, ginger, L-tryptophan, and valerian root, which are all known to have calming properties.
Its duck flavor is also very popular with dogs, so if you’re looking for a treat that your dog will actually enjoy eating, then this is a great choice. The only downside is that they’re a bit on the expensive side, but considering the quality of the ingredients, we think they’re worth the price.
What we like the most: These treats come with all the calming features in a great flavor.
Pros
- Filled with calming ingredients
- All-natural ingredients
- Delicious duck flavor
Cons
- A bit on the expensive side
4Finn Calming Aid for Dogs
Is your dog a picky eater? Then these beef-flavored chews are perfect for them! Finn’s all-natural calming chews are formulated with real beef liver and natural cheese to tantalize your pup’s taste buds.
The calming ingredients in these chews are also effective, including chamomile, ginger, melatonin, l-theanine, and l-tryptophan. If your dog is stressed during travel, vet visits, fireworks, or any other time they may need calm and composure, these chews can help.
What we like the most: The flavor of these chews is irresistible to dogs, and the calming ingredients are effective.
Pros
- Great flavor for picky eaters
- All-natural ingredients
- Formulated with calming amino acids and herbs
Cons
- A bit more expensive
5Kinpur Pet Care Calming Chews
Last but certainly not the least, we have these treats from Kinpur. These treats are formulated with valerian root, passionflower, and hemp oil to help calm your dog during stressful situations. They’re also rich in omega 3 and 6, which are great for maintaining healthy fur and joints.
Plus, the duck flavor is sure to be a hit with your pup! All in all, another great choice for the best calming dog treats!
What we like the most: These treats come with 180 pcs which is a great value.
Pros
- Contains valerian root and passionflower
- Rich in omega 3 & 6
- Duck flavor
- 180 pcs per pack
Cons
- Does not include melatonin
Final thoughts – Best calming dog treats
All 5 of the best calming dog treats we’ve listed above are great choices for dogs that need a little help relaxing. Most of them contain the same ingredients, but the one that stands out the most to us is the Zesty Paws Calming Bites. Its advanced complex combines a wide range of calming ingredients, plus it has a turkey flavor that most dogs love.
However, if your dog is a known picky eater we recommend going with the Finn Calming Aid for Dogs as the flavor is irresistible to canines. And, if you’re looking for a great value, then Kinpur Pet Care Calming Chews are a great choice as they come with 180 pcs per pack.
We hope these treats will help your furry friend relax and feel more comfortable during stressful situations!
