If you have a dog that suffers from anxiety, stress, or fear, you know how hard it can be to calm them down.
Whether it’s thunderstorms, fireworks, separation, or strangers, some dogs can get very nervous and agitated in certain situations. This can affect their health and happiness, as well as yours.
Fortunately, there are some natural ways to help your dog relax and cope with their emotions.
One of them is calming chews for dogs, which are chewable supplements that contain ingredients that promote calmness and relaxation in your furry friend.
But what are calming chews for dogs exactly? How do they work? And what are the best calming chews for dogs on the market?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will also give you our top 10 picks for the best calming chews for dogs that actually work.
What are Calming Chews for Dogs?
Calming chews for dogs are mood enhancers and chewable supplements for your dogs. Depending on your vet’s prescription and dog’s weight, dosage may vary.
Therefore, it is required to seek medical assistance before deciding to buy calming chews for your beloved dogs
Calming chews contain essential ingredients that help relax your dog in times of stress and anxiety. The main components include:
- Chamomile: This is a herb that has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia in dogs.
- Ginger: This is a spice that has anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory effects. It can help ease motion sickness, stomach upset, and digestive issues in dogs.
- L-tryptophan: This is an amino acid that is a precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. It can help boost serotonin levels in the brain and promote calmness and well-being in dogs.
- Valerian root: This is a plant that has sedative and anti-anxiety effects. It can help reduce nervousness, restlessness, and hyperactivity in dogs.
Other ingredients that may be found in calming chews for dogs include melatonin, hemp oil, passion flower, thiamine, colostrum, and more.
These ingredients work together to support your dog’s nervous system and help them cope with stressful situations.
How do Calming Chews for Dogs Work?
Calming chews for dogs work by affecting your dog’s brain chemistry and physiology. They help increase the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood regulation and relaxation.
They also help lower the levels of cortisol and other hormones that are associated with stress and anxiety.
By doing so, calming chews for dogs help balance your dog’s emotional state and reduce their negative reactions to triggers.
They also help improve your dog’s sleep quality and appetite, which can be affected by stress.
Calming chews for dogs are not meant to be a substitute for proper training, socialization, or veterinary care.
They are meant to be a supplement that can help your dog feel more comfortable and confident in challenging situations.
How to Choose the Best Calming Chews for Dogs?
When choosing the best calming chews for dogs, there are some factors that you should consider:
- Quality: You want to make sure that the calming chews you buy are made from high-quality ingredients that are safe and effective for your dog. You also want to avoid any artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or fillers that may harm your dog’s health.
- Dosage: You want to follow the dosage instructions on the label or consult with your vet before giving your dog any calming chews. You don’t want to give your dog too much or too little of the product, as this may cause adverse effects or reduce its effectiveness.
- Taste: You want to choose calming chews that your dog will enjoy eating and not spit out or refuse. You may have to try different flavors or brands until you find one that your dog likes.
- Effectiveness: You want to choose calming chews that actually work for your dog’s specific needs and issues. You may have to experiment with different products or combinations until you find one that suits your dog best.
10 Best Calming Chews for Dogs
Here are our top 10 picks for the best calming chews for dogs that actually work:
1. VetriScience Calming Chews for Dogs
These calming chews from VetriScience are our best overall choice because they are made from high-quality ingredients that are proven to reduce stress and anxiety in dogs.
They contain colostrum, L-theanine, and thiamine, which work together to support your dog’s cognitive function and emotional balance. They also have a chicken liver flavor that most dogs love.
These calming chews are suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages, and they can be given daily or as needed.
They are ideal for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, noise phobia, travel stress, or other behavioral issues.
They are also recommended by veterinarians and have positive reviews from many satisfied customers.
2. Zesty Paws Calming Soft Chews for Dogs
These calming soft chews from Zesty Paws are our best textured choice because they have a soft and chewy texture that is easy for dogs to eat and digest.
They contain suntheanine, a premium and pure form of L-theanine, as the calming agent. They also contain organic hemp, chamomile, valerian root, and passion flower, which help soothe your dog’s nerves and promote relaxation.
These calming soft chews have a turkey flavor that most dogs enjoy, and they are grain-free and gluten-free.
They are suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that experience anxiety, nervousness, hyperactivity, or aggression.
3. Only Natural Pet Calming Hemp Soft Chews
These calming hemp soft chews from Only Natural Pet are our most eco-friendly choice because they are made from organic hemp that is grown in the USA without pesticides or herbicides.
Hemp is a natural source of CBD, which is a compound that has anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects in dogs.
These chews also contain L-tryptophan, chamomile, ginger, and melatonin, which help calm your dog’s mind and body.
These calming hemp soft chews have a bacon flavor that most dogs love, and they are free of corn, soy, wheat, and artificial ingredients.
They are suitable for dogs of all ages and weights, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that suffer from stress, anxiety, fear, or pain.
4. Vetoquinol Zylkene Behavior Support Capsules
These behavior support capsules from Vetoquinol are our best pill choice because they are easy to administer to your dog.
You can either give them whole or open them and mix the powder with your dog’s food or water. They contain zylkene, which is a natural ingredient derived from milk protein that has calming and relaxing effects in dogs.
These behavior support capsules are suitable for dogs of all sizes and breeds, and they can be given daily or as needed.
They are ideal for dogs that face stressful situations such as moving, traveling, grooming, vet visits, or new people or pets. They are also non-drowsy and non-addictive.
5. ThunderEssence Calming Spray
This calming spray from ThunderEssence is our best spray choice because it is easy to use and effective. You can spray it on your dog’s bedding, crate, toys, or collar to create a soothing environment for your dog. You can also spray it directly on your dog’s coat or skin to help them relax. It contains lavender, chamomile, and Egyptian geranium essential oils, which have natural calming and soothing properties.
This calming spray is suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes, and it can be used daily or as needed. It is ideal for dogs that experience anxiety, fear, or stress due to thunderstorms, fireworks, travel, separation, or other triggers. It is also safe and non-toxic.
6. Honest Paws Calm Bites
These calm bites from Honest Paws are our best CBD choice because they contain full-spectrum CBD oil that is derived from organic hemp grown in Colorado.
CBD oil is a natural compound that has anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects in dogs.
These bites also contain organic barley, oats, peanut butter, and coconut oil, which provide additional health benefits for your dog.
These calm bites have a peanut butter flavor that most dogs adore, and they are free of soy, corn, and GMOs.
They are suitable for dogs of all sizes and breeds, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that suffer from anxiety, stress, fear, or pain.
7. Batch CBD Pet Treats
These CBD pet treats from Batch are our best organic choice because they are made from organic ingredients that are sourced from local farms in Wisconsin.
They contain broad-spectrum CBD oil that is extracted from organic hemp using a CO2 method that preserves its purity and potency.
They also contain organic oats, peanut butter, coconut oil, and turmeric, which help support your dog’s overall health and wellness.
These CBD pet treats have a peanut butter flavor that most dogs love, and they are vegan and gluten-free.
They are suitable for dogs of all weights and ages, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that experience anxiety, stress, inflammation, or pain.
8. PetHonesty Hemp Calming Treats for Dogs
These hemp calming treats from PetHonesty are our best value choice because they offer a high-quality product at an affordable price.
They contain organic hemp oil and powder, which are rich in CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids that help calm your dog’s nerves and mood.
They also contain organic chamomile, ginger root, valerian root, and L-tryptophan, which help relax your dog’s muscles and mind.
These hemp calming treats have a duck flavor that most dogs enjoy, and they are free of sugar, corn, wheat, and GMOs.
They are suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that suffer from anxiety, stress, fear, or aggression.
9. NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Soft Chews
These calming aid soft chews from NaturVet are our best melatonin choice because they contain melatonin as the main calming ingredient.
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and helps promote relaxation and sleep in dogs.
These chews also contain thiamine, L-tryptophan, ginger, chamomile, and passion flower, which help support your dog’s nervous system and emotional balance.
These calming aid soft chews have a tasty flavor that most dogs like, and they are wheat-free and NASC certified.
They are suitable for dogs over 12 weeks of age and of all sizes, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that experience anxiety, stress, insomnia, or restlessness.
10. Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Chews for Dogs
These calming chews from Pet Naturals of Vermont are our best budget choice because they offer a simple and effective solution at a low cost.
They contain colostrum calming complex biopeptide blend, L-theanine, and thiamine as the main calming ingredients.
These ingredients help modulate your dog’s stress response and promote calmness and relaxation.
These calming chews have a chicken liver flavor that most dogs love, and they are free of corn, wheat, and artificial ingredients.
They are suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes, and they can be given daily or as needed. They are ideal for dogs that face stressful situations such as travel, vet visits, thunderstorms, or fireworks.
Conclusion
There are many calming products for dogs available on the market, but not all of them are equally effective or safe.
That’s why we have reviewed the best calming products for dogs based on their ingredients, quality, effectiveness, safety, and customer reviews.
We hope that this guide will help you find the best calming product for your dog and make them feel more comfortable and happy.
Remember to always consult your veterinarian before giving any new product to your dog, and follow the dosage instructions carefully.
