Calming treats — it has a nice ring to it, but do they work? Calming your dog with something as simple as a treat sounds too good to be true. However, reviews of CBD calming treats for dogs are raving about the calming qualities the treats offer.
We want to be clear that calming treats are not FDA-approved to treat or cure any health condition.
Although current research suggests calming benefits from the cannabinoids found in these treats, more research is still needed, and they should not be viewed as a one-stop plan for your dog’s health or behavior.
Do Calming Treats Work for Dogs?
Do calming treats work for dogs? Most pet owners find that calming treats do work for their dogs. More research is needed on CBD’s effect on dogs, but there is limited research and a vast amount of personal anecdotes that suggest its efficacy for several common experiences for dogs.
What Do Calming Treats Work For?
Sleep
Calming treats often contain a blend of natural ingredients associated with sleep-promoting effects, like chamomile, melatonin, and CBD. These compounds support relaxation and balance the body’s natural sleep rhythms.
Anxiousness
Your dog’s anxiety may be quite noticeable — shaking before a vet visit, barking intensely toward strangers, or hiding during thunderstorms. As pet owners, we know our dogs experience anxiety, and you’re not alone in wishing there was something you could do to combat those anxious feelings.
A recent study in 2023 found that a single dose of CBD was able to reduce anxious symptoms significantly during two events that commonly cause anxiety in dogs— owner separation and car rides [1]. More studies like this one are needed, but we also have personal testimonies from dog owners that shine a positive light on the influence of CBD on anxiety in dogs.
Nerves
As CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it also has effects on the central nervous system. While we have much more research on CBD’s potential impact on the human body’s central nervous system, we still have some research that has overviewed the potential effects CBD may have on the dog body’s central nervous system [2].
Types of Dogs Calming Treats Work For
Large Dogs
An important thing to remember when giving your large dog CBD is that they may require a higher dose than a smaller dog may. Weight plays a role in determining appropriate dosages for dogs or humans.
However, this does not mean that you should blindly give a high dose of CBD to your larger dog. Following a dosage guide is crucial to determine the appropriate dose for your dog’s size.
Some brands even divide their CBD options into small-dog and large-dog options. However, it’s quite easy to prepare an appropriate dose for your dog regardless of whether you buy a size-specific CBD product.
Small Dogs
When it comes to small dogs, dosage is key. As they weigh less and have smaller bodies, they will require a smaller dose than a bigger breed would most likely need.
However, you shouldn’t be nervous to give your small dog CBD. There are products sold specifically for small dogs, or you can even break a treat or chew in half to reduce the dose.
Puppies
As puppies are much smaller than adult dogs, they should only be given minimal CBD dosages. As there is no set age limit to CBD, it’s safe to give to puppies and may be helpful in supporting a puppy.
The 9 Best CBD Calming Treats:
- Best CBD Calming Treats: Neurogan CBN Calming Treats
- Best Calming Dog Chews: Honest Paws Calm Soft Chews
- Best Calming Gummies: Bailey’s Calming CBD Yummies
- Best Hemp Calming Chews: Zesty Paws Calming Bites
- Best Overall Treats: Neurogan CBD Dog Treats
- Strongest Calming: Holistapet CBD Calming Chews for Dogs
- Most Effective Calming: Medterra Pet CBD Calming Chews
- Healthy Calming: Kradle Calming CBD Chews
- Best Broad Spectrum Chews: CBDfx Calming Chews
Neurogan CBN Calming Treats
We think dog-calming treats need a few things: premium ingredients, premium hemp extract, and premium flavor. With ingredients like almond butter, apple sauce, coconut, premium broad-spectrum CBN extract, and a natural vegan bacon flavor, we've hit all the marks for an effective and delicious calming treat.
CBN, another cannabinoid, is often associated with its ultra-relaxing effects. This makes it a popular choice for those seeking support for their dogs’ sleep, anxiety, and stress. Our CBN Calming Dog Treats include ingredients that dogs love, but both owners and dogs benefit from.
- Cost: $45
- Treat Count: 30
- Total CBD Content: 750 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 25 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Bacon-flavored
Honest Paws Calm Soft Chews
Honest Paws carries a line of CBD dog treats worth checking out, but its Calming Soft Chews stand out in its formulation. These calming chews live up to their name with full spectrum CBD oil extract and additional natural calming ingredients, like L-Theanine and L-Tryptophan.
Thse come in two size options: mini and standard.
Each option costs the same but includes different treat counts and different amounts of CBD. If you own a smaller dog, the mini option may be a great option.
- Cost: $28.47
- Treat Count: 94 | 30
- Total CBD Content: 150 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 1.6 mg CBD | 5 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Peanut Butter flavored
Bailey’s Calming CBD Yummies
Bailey’s Calming CBD Yummies are peanut butter and banana flavor. Need we say more? While the flavor will win your anxious dog over, the full spectrum hemp extract and additional natural ingredients, such as valerian root, passion flower, and chamomile will allow you to feel peace of mind. Unlike typical CBD gummies, which can be sticky and difficult for dogs to chew and swallow, these CBD gummies are specifically designed to be easy for dogs to eat and enjoy.
- Cost: $19.99 | $29.99
- Treat Count: 30
- Total CBD Content: 90 mg CBD | 180 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 3 mg CBD | 6 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Peanut Butter + Banana flavored
Zesty Paws Calming Bites
We obviously have a love for CBD, but we also want to give you a recommendation for dog calming treats that don’t contain CBD. Zesty Paws Advanced Calming Bites is a great alternative to CBD dog treats.
They contain organic hemp seed powder, melatonin, and chamomile— all ingredients known for their calming effects. Plus, they are a soft chew, which could be a plus for dogs with sensitive teeth.
- Cost: $33.97
- Treat Count: 90
- Flavoring: Turkey flavor
Neurogan CBD Dog Treats
Our popular Full Spectrum Hemp Dog Chews offer a crunchy biscuit with premium hemp extract and plant-based ingredients. While you won’t find “calming” as part of the name of this CBD product, with 25 mg of CBD per treat, your dog will be able to benefit from the calming effects associated with this dosage of CBD.
These are great to give your dog before anticipating separation anxiety or as a daily treat to support general wellness.
- Cost: $30 | $45 | $180
- Treat Count: 30 | 60 | 300
- Total CBD Content: 750 mg CBD | 1500 mg CBD | 7500 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 25 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Green Apple + Peanut Butter flavored
Holistapet CBD Calming Chews for Dogs
Thunderstorms, vet visits, or strangers can trigger dog anxiety. Sometimes, these events can cause dogs to display destructive behavior or aggressive responses. While CBD chews or any calming treats are not a cure for your dog’s anxiety, they can be part of a support plan.
If you’re anticipating an event or anxiety trigger, a more potent dose of CBD may be preferable. Holistapet’s CBD Calming Chews for Dogs contains 20 mg of CBD per chew.
Higher dosages are typically meant for larger dogs, so it’s crucial to check a dosage guide to ensure a safe dosage for your dog based on weight and size.
- Cost: $34.95 | $42.95 | $59.95
- Treat Count: 30
- Total CBD Content: 150 mg CBD | 300 mg CBD | 600 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 5 mg CBD | 10 mg CBD | 20 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Peanut Butter flavored
Medterra Pet CBD Calming Chews
Medterra’s Pet CBD Calming Chews contain 10 mg of CBD per chew and are bacon-flavored, helping your dog look forward to treat time with potential health benefits.
With 10 mg of CBD isolate per chew, this moderate dose would be appropriate for dogs of many sizes.
However, with ingredients such as L-Tryptophan and Valerian Root, CBD is not the only calming ingredient in this formula, so you may not need to reach higher CBD doses..
- Cost: $29.99
- Treat Count: 30
- Total CBD Content: 300 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 10 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Bacon flavor
Kradle Calming CBD Chews
These chicken-flavored Kradle Calming CBD Chews are a bit on the luxurious side of calming dog treats but may be worth the cost for some pet owners.
The treats include Kradle's unique BotaniTek blend formula, which has S-Adenosyl methionine, GABA, Shoden Ashwagandha root extract, and L-theanine. Each treat also contains broad spectrum CBD hemp extract.
These come in small, portable tubes, which make them easy to bring on the go, which could be helpful for car rides or dog park visits. However, these are more expensive than the rest.
- Cost: $49.99 | $54.99 | $59.99
- Treat Count: 35
- Total CBD Content: NA mg CBD | 350 mg CBD | 525 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: NA mg CBD| 10 mg CBD | 15 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Chicken flavor
CBDfx Calming Chews
CBDfx’s Calming Chews formula blends 20 mg of broad spectrum CBD with various natural calming ingredients, such as melatonin, chamomile, passion flower, and tryptophan. If 20 mg per chew is too strong for your pup, you can always halve the chew to reduce the CBD dose.
With the option to choose between soft and hard chews, you can personalize these calming treats a bit. This can be a nice option for pet parents with dogs who don't love trying unfamiliar foods and treats.
- Cost: $39.99
- Treat Count: 30
- Total CBD Content: 600 mg CBD
- MG of CBD per Treat: 20 mg CBD
- Flavoring: Natural Hickory flavor
The Takeaway: The Best Calming Treats of 2024
Before grabbing a random bag of CBD treats from the shelves or ordering the first option that comes up on Amazon, it’s important to know that there are quality differences between brands that may affect the safety and efficacy of the calming treats or chews.
We all want our dogs to be the best and healthiest version of themselves, and supporting them with dog calming treats is a convenient and natural way to do that.
While your dog's high-energy personality may be great when going on walks, it may translate into unwanted behaviors during other times.
Talking to your dog's veterinarian is an important step when implementing CBD or hemp products into your dog's routine. Calming treats should be seen as just one aspect of your dog's wellness plan. A veterinarian can guide you with a multifaceted, individual plan for your dog.
References:
- Hunt, A. B., Flint, H. E., Logan, D. W., & King, T. (2023). A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1112604.
- Landa, L., Trojan, V., Demlova, R., Jurica, J., & Hrib, R. (2022). Cannabidiol and the possibilities of its use in veterinary medicine of dogs and horses: A brief review. Veterinární medicína, 67(9), 455.
