It’s never been a better time to be a dog. The humanization of the pet industry has brought a wealth of new toys, foods, and treats. Research has been done to understand our canine companions better and develop new products to improve their quality of life. With that said, domestication has created issues that their wild counterparts probably never experienced—one of which is anxiety.

Sadly, some canines develop mental health issues, just like us, such as separation anxiety and noise sensitivity. However, the pet industry has responded by creating calming treats. Still, there’s much you must know before giving your dog any of these products. Our guide will help you navigate the choices available, with reviews of some treats to help you choose the best one for your pooch.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Calming Treats for Dogs

1. VetIQ Calming Soft Chew Calming Supplement for Dogs – Best Overall

There are several reasons why the VetIQ Calming Soft Chews are our pick for the best overall calming treat for dogs. First, these are specifically formulated to help your dog maintain calmness during stressful situations, and that is all thanks to the ingredients including chamomile powder, thiamine mononitrate, L-tryptophan, theanine, and lavender extract. These chews are made in the US with globally sourced ingredients, plus they are vet-recommended. These are suitable for all dogs over 8 weeks old and all breeds. However, there have been several reviews stating that some dogs refused to eat them because they didn’t like the taste.

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2. Isle of Dogs Everyday Essentials Dog Treats – Best Value

Isle of Dogs Everyday Essentials Dog Treats sound tasty if you read the ingredient list. They include lavender, which has shown some promise for calming effects in humans, although it is known to be toxic in large amounts. They are relatively aromatic, which may turn off some pets. They come in a cute, heart-shaped design, which we liked. They are also affordably priced, making them the best calming treats for dogs for the money.

The treats are 22 calories each. The manufacturer labels them as appropriate for all breeds. However, just one treat will meet your pup’s treat allowance for the day for a small dog.

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3. Zesty Paws Advanced Hemp Melatonin Calming Bites for Dogs – Premium Choice

While this option might be a bit more expensive, the Zesty Paws Advanced Hemp Melatonin Calming Bites are popular for a reason. They contain melatonin, magnesium, chamomile, ashwagandha, and hemp seed to promote relaxation, calmness, and composure. Better yet, there are no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. However, while many dogs love the turkey flavor, the treats smell quite smokey, and some dogs may not eat them because of this.

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4. Marly & Dan Salmon Dog Treats – Best for Puppies

Marly & Dan Salmon Dog Treats are sure to make an impression on your dog. Your pup won’t fail to notice them when you open the bag. The calming effects come from valerian and chamomile. They also have the amino acid tryptophan, which anecdotally, some associate with being sleepy after eating your Thanksgiving turkey, which is high in this nutrient.

The per-piece price is relatively expensive. It’s something we’ve noticed in many of these products. However, each treat is low in calories.

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5. YoPup Chill Out Biscuits Dog Treats

YoPup Chill Out Biscuits Dog Treats are appropriately named. Your pet is sure to enjoy these tasty morsels. The chicken flavor makes them irresistible. Interestingly, the product includes probiotics with 20 million microorganisms per biscuit. GI distress is one sign of anxiety in pets, making it proactive in its health benefits. The treats don’t contain calming ingredients as we’d expect, but rather hope to promote the overall health of a dog through probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids. The manufacturer may also produce them with the idea of keeping your pet occupied.

The probiotics come from a yogurt coating on the biscuits. However, each one contains 40 calories, making it necessary to break them up to give to small pets.

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6. Get Naked Calming Health Dental Sticks

Get Naked Calming Health Dental Sticks promote dental health while calming your pup with chamomile and lavender. They take some time to chew, so they keep your dog entertained and settle them down when needed. The product is USA-made, which we always appreciate. The calorie count is kind of high, making them something that is better served as an occasional treat.

The value differs with the size of the items. The small one for little dogs gives you more chews for the price. Nevertheless, the product delivers on its promise.

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7. PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chicken Flavored Soft Chews Supplement for Dogs

These PetHonesty Calming Hemp Chicken Flavored Soft Chews may be a bit pricey, but they do come with 90 tasty chicken-flavored chews. They also contain hemp, chamomile, and herbs to help your dog stay calm. However, they seem to be pretty hit or miss, according to the reviews. You also need to be careful with dosing, as some reports state that while they did nothing for one dog, the other appeared to be drugged. But regardless, many people appear to have had success with these chews, and they are formulated without GMOs, corn, soy, wheat, or harsh preservatives.

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8. Phelps Wellness Collection Keep Calm & Canine On! Dog Treats

Phelps Wellness Collection Keep Calm & Canine On! Dog Treats relaxes your pup with chamomile. The chicken flavor makes them highly palatable. That’s good and bad since small pets should only get one because of the relatively high calorie count. The manufacturer is transparent, providing amounts of the calming ingredients if you have concerns. We also liked that the treats are pea-free.

The chews last a while to distract your pet. The flavor will capture their attention as they gnaw on the treat. They are also USA-made.

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9. Lord Jameson Everyday Calm Dog Treats

The ingredient list of the Lord Jameson Everyday Calm Dog Treats makes them sound like something we would enjoy eating. The honey, peanut butter, and coconut got our attention. Chamomile provides calming effects. They have a high calorie count per treat, so they’re something you shouldn’t overfeed your pet.

The treats are USA-made, which is a plus in our book. The same ingredients that make them tasty also make the treats messy if your dog licks them instead of gobbling them.

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10. Mount Ara Chill Peanut Butter Spread Dog Treats

Mount Ara Chill Peanut Butter Spread Dog Treats calm your pet with melatonin and chamomile in a tasty spread. It’s convenient to use, although it can be messy. The calming ingredients get the job done, which adds to the product’s value. It also smells pleasant and has a high protein content, even if it has a relatively high caloric content.

The spread is versatile so that you can use it in many ways. We can see keeping a tube in the car to have handy when you go to the vet or doggie park.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Calming Treats for Your Dog

The breadth of treat choices has expanded tremendously in the last few decades. No longer is your choice limited to a dog biscuit; you’ll find products for specific dietary needs, different flavors, and various health features, including calming your anxious pup.

It’s worth noting that what works for humans isn’t a guarantee that it will deliver the same benefits for your pet. That makes being educated critical for choosing the right product.

Food Form

The form of the treat speaks to the convenience of using one product over another. Many options exist, including sticks, wafers, and chews. This trait can affect how long the treats last. That makes proper storage essential for getting a good value from your purchase. We suggest checking the packaging to determine if you need to put the treats in another container to extend their freshness and usability.

We prefer shelf-stable products that don’t require refrigeration for optimal convenience. Otherwise, you must consider safety, which can negate the calming benefits you’re seeking in a product.

Flavor

Animal-based proteins are popular flavor choices that tap into your dog’s natural favorites. They make the treats more palatable to ensure they eat them. You’ll find products with common sources, such as poultry, chicken, beef, and seafood. However, you’ll also see exotic meats, like venison, elk, lamb, and duck. They offer excellent options for pets with food allergies.

Choosing a different flavor than your dog’s daily diet might make them more enticing for your pet. Many manufacturers offer various flavors so you can experiment to see which one your pup prefers.

Ingredients

A calming product often contains herbal supplements and other ingredients that may interact with other medications your pet is taking. Therefore, consulting your vet is imperative before adding any treat with purported health benefits to your dog’s diet. Some may not play nice with the prescriptions your pup is taking, or your dog could have a reaction to certain ingredients. If your dog experiences any digestive issues or other signs while taking a supplement, be sure to discontinue use and talk to your veterinarian.

Lavender

Just a quick note on lavender. You’ve likely noticed that many of these calming treats contained lavender in some form or another. You may also have seen that lavender is toxic to dogs in large amounts due to the presence of small amounts of the compound linalool. Keep in mind that dogs would need to eat large amounts of lavender to see signs such as vomiting and diarrhea. The amounts of lavender in the proper dose of these treats shouldn’t come anywhere near toxic levels.

Knowing this, however, it’s imperative to keep these treats out of reach of your pup so that they don’t help themselves to more than they should get.

CBD

None of the products on our round-up contain CBD. There just isn’t enough information out there to know if it is safe for our pets or not. Until recently, CBD has been illegal for scientists to conduct experiments on safety and toxicity. That raises ethical questions. There is also the legal side of the matter. Some states and municipalities don’t permit the sale of these products.

Despite anecdotal claims, there is no evidence to back the health claims. The FDA has warned several companies purporting benefits, including those marketed for dogs. However, you will notice that many of the calming aids on the market contain hemp seeds in its place.

Conclusion

After completing our reviews, the VetIQ Calming Soft Chew Calming Supplement for Dogs came out on top. The chamomile calms your pup as they gnaw on their treat. Meanwhile, the Isle of Dogs Everyday Essentials Dog Treats add lavender to the mix to settle down your pup, and since they are so affordable, they are definitely the best option for the money. However, there are many other options on the list, so closely look at each one to determine which might be right for your pet. And remember to get it cleared by your vet before offering them!

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Featured Image Credit: RealPeopleStudio, Shutterstock