Like all animals, dogs can have a fight or flight reaction in response to fear or discomfort. Anxiety can be a serious issue in some dogs, and is often in anticipation of a perceived threat, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, other dogs or even visitors. To help owners support the dog and help ease his anxiety, there are various tools. Some dogs do well with a calming dog bed, or may benefit from having one of the best dog crates as a safe space. For others, the best puzzle toys or snuffle mats can help distract them.
The best dog calming treats can ward off anxiety, too, especially when you know a certain trigger is inevitable (such as fireworks or the owner leaving the house). Training and management should always be the main part of the toolkit. However, used in conjunction with other tools to manage anxiety, taking a look at the dog’s diet can be helpful, including trying one of the best calming supplements. But if you just want a one-off calmer, a tasty calming treat is certainly worth a try.
There is a wide variety of ingredients that are used in calming dog treats, which can be marketed as “calming” without a great deal of evidence. Ingredients that have been proven to make a difference include casein, tryptophan, melatonin and L-Theanine. However, there are also herbal remedies that have anecdotal backing. You should also bear in mind that the supplement and treats market is not regulated to the same standard as veterinary medicines.
If your dog shows any form of aggression in his anxious state, seek help from a professional, such as a vet or behaviourist.
Best dog calming treats
Adaptil Chew
Quantity: 30 chews
RRP: £25
Adaptil is the world’s leading dog behaviour calming range and is scientifically proven to help support dogs during stressful situations. This product is a fast-working, calming and tasty chew for dogs. The manufacturer says that dogs “love them and will eat them like a treat directly from your hand”.
Made from an enhanced calming formulation – which is non-additive and non-drowsy – to help dogs during stressful situations such as thunderstorms, fireworks, travel or vet visits. The calming ingredients include L-tryptophan, colostrum, green tea extract and thiamine.
Can be used daily or as needed, alongside the dog’s normal food.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or zooplus.co.uk
Nutripaw Calming Treats
Flavour: Pork
Quantity: 120 chews
RRP: £34.99
This is branded as the “UK’s most loved calming chew”, and “trusted by 100,000+ customers”. It is packed with nine powerful natural ingredients in the guise of tasty pork treats, to help reduce your dog’s anxiety, stress, hyperactivity, barking and fear.
The non-drowsy, non-sedative ingredients include organic passion flower, L-tryptophan, L-theanine , hemp oil, ginger root, valerian root and organic chamomile.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk
SettleMe Chews
Flavour: Smokey bacon
Quantity: 30 or 60 chews
RRP: From £12.99
These smokey bacon-flavoured chews contain a blend of ingredients – including L-tryptophan and L-theanine – believed to be helpful in supporting calm behaviour and in reducing anxiety, stress-related behaviours and over-activity. They are designed to help your pet cope better during stressful events such as vet visits, noise phobias, visitors, travelling and separation anxiety. The chews are seen as a treat and are easy to give, with or without food.
In the UK? View at viovet.co.uk
Pooch & Mutt Calm & Relaxed Natural Dog Treats
Flavour: Lamb/chicken
Quantity: 6 tubes of 150 treats
RRP: £17.99
These natural wheat-free minibone dog treats are designed to help anxious dogs remain calm. They contain chamomile and valerian root, known for their relaxation properties, as well as L-tryptophan, which helps form serotonin, the “feel-good” transmitter.
They are the ideal treat for dogs before stressful situations such as vet visits, travel, fireworks, competitions, separation or “just as a nice bedtime treat”.
Suitable for all breeds and ages from 16 weeks old.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk, poochandmutt.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Zylkene Calming Chews
Quantity: 14 chews
RRP: From £12.35
This is a calming supplement in the form of chews to help dogs cope with challenging situations inside and outside the home.
It is a tasty soft palatable chew, which is easy to give on the go. It contains a natural milk protein, casein, which has clinically proven calming effects, delivering a calming message to the brain via the body’s natural messenger system.
Ideal for helping dogs cope when travelling, holidays, days out and pet boarding, as well as loud noises. This is available in sizes for different dogs: small, medium and large.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or zooplus.co.uk
VetIQ Healthy Calming Treats
Flavour: Chicken
Quantity: 17 treats
RRP: £2
These natural dog treats are designed for puppies from the age of eight weeks old to calm naturally and soothe with chamomile, lemon balm and L-tryptophan. They are also made with real chicken, and contain natural Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, plus antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
Formulated to help reduce anxiety during stressful situations, they can be used to ease the stress at bedtime, during puppy training or as a treat before grooming or a trip to the vet.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk
How we chose the best dog calming treats
Anecdotal evidence is the best barometer for the efficacy of calming dog treats, and what works for one dog may not work for another. While there are many ingredients that are marketed as “calming”, those that have been proven to make a difference include casein, L-tryptophan, melatonin or L-theanine. And so we have selected products which contain at least one of these ingredients. Natural ingredients have also been shown to have a positive calming effect on some dogs, hence the inclusion of products with herbal ingredients such as chamomile, lemon balm and valerian.
A treat should also be tasty by its nature, so that the dog enjoys eating them. Flavour such as chicken, lamb, smokey bacon and pork should entice your dog to eat these nibbles without blowing the sugar levels – which will hopefully have the required effect on their anxiety or excitability.
Is it OK to give my dog calming treats every day?
Always check the package for the safe dosage, but as a general rule, calming treats that are not under prescription are safe to feed your dog on a daily basis. However, if your dog does not need a calming aid, consider saving them for when your dog really needs them, not as an everyday treat.
It’s more likely that your dog will benefit from a calming treat to soothe his anxiety or excitability in stressful situations, such as during fireworks night, for visiting the vet or meeting other dogs when out and about.
Note that while most of the ingredients used in calming treats are safe, the herbal supplement valerian should not be given to pregnant or nursing bitches, puppies or dogs with certain underlying health conditions, so consult your vet before giving it to your dog.
What are the active ingredients in calming treats?
- Casein: a natural ingredient derived from a milk protein which has clinically proven calming properties.
- L-tryptophan: an essential amino acid found in many foods, which boosts serotonin production to help reduce feelings of stress.
- Melatonin: a naturally occurring hormone with sedative properties known to help with sleep disorders, mild anxiety and mood issues.
- L-theanine: an amino acid (found in tea leaves and some mushrooms) which can help dogs feel calm, reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality. It can also help lower a dog’s blood pressure.
- Ginger root: an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that provides cognitive support to help steady a dog’s anxiety levels.
- Chamomile: has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties for relaxation.
- Green tea: helps soothe stress due to pain, which can in turn help a dog stay calm.
- Valerian root: a herbal supplement used to treat anxiety and improve sleep quality.
- Lemon balm: a herb used for almost any ailment, but specifically for treating carsickness, anxiety and nervousness.
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