Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Dogster Team
Canines can show anxiety in many different forms. Pacing, howling, barking, or simply hiding are all signs that your dog is feeling the swirling dread of anxiousness. Fortunately, there are delicious, healthy, and effective treats for your pup that can calm and soothe them, helping to prevent the signs of anxiety and give your dog a bit of comfort when they genuinely need it.
CBD treats are all the rage at the moment, as the calming benefits of hemp and its derivatives (minus THC, the chemical that causes a “high”) are truly beginning to be known, including being excellent help for dogs suffering from anxiety.
We examined the CBD treats for dogs with anxiety that have the highest reviews in order to give you the best solution for your stressed-out pup, making vet visits, thunderstorms, or traveling more tolerable.
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We ranked the NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs as the best overall CBD treat for dogs with anxiety because of the fantastic mix of ingredients that have been proven to produce calming, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety effects in dogs (and in people).
This combination uses hemp oil and powder to get the best of both worlds from the hemp plant. Plus, an added dose of melatonin can calm your pup and help them drift off to sleep.
These soft chews are small and easy to eat, which is a big plus if you have a nauseated and nervous dog while traveling. The added ginger in the chew will also help with nausea, as ginger has long been known for its anti-emetic properties for humans and dogs.
We also liked that this brand offers three sizes to choose from, making it more cost-effective for those with larg or small dogs.
ThunderWunders Hemp Calming Dog Chews are perfect for those pets that get stressed during thunderstorms, fireworks, or any unavoidable triggers. These treats also use hemp seed oil and powder for the maximum calming benefit, combined with passionflower for its sedative effects and ginger as an anti-nausea element for those long car journeys.
Thiamine has been included in this mix, as there is anecdotal evidence of thiamine being responsible for the nervous responses in a dog’s body. It also contains melatonin for that sleepy, completely relaxed effect.
We think that this calming chew is the best CBD treat for dogs with anxiety for the money because of the number of quality ingredients found within the product for the price. In addition, the two options keep it wallet-friendly for those with large hounds.
The Vet Worthy Calming + Hemp Soft Chews Dog Supplement is the only CBD treat we could find in our research that contains full-spectrum hemp. Full-spectrum hemp contains small amounts of every chemical component of the hemp plant. While any undesirable effects some of these compounds may cause have been completely taken away, the big positives are all heightened by the whole spectrum of soothing, calming components.
In a nutshell, this is a premium product for your pup, as all the benefits of the entire hemp plant are thought to reduce anxiety in dogs, though current studies seem to show that it may not be as effective as once hoped.
The flavor is palatable and relatively inoffensive (a poultry flavoring), so if your pup is feeling nervous and nauseated, this chewy treat should be easy for them to eat.
With an unusual yet gentle smoked coconut flavor, the Green Gruff Relax Calming Smoked Coconut Flavor Soft Chew Dog Supplement is seemingly fantastic for puppies and young dogs. Being a puppy is stressful and nerve-wracking. With so many experiences, sights, and smells around, it’s no wonder your pup may get a little nervous now and again.
Green Gruff has organic ingredients and added valerian and ashwagandha. Valerian is a mild sedative, and ashwagandha has been scientifically proven in studies to reduce the stress hormone cortisol in canines. The treats will comfort your dog in the short term and improve overall health in the long term, even including a sustainable, high-quality protein source by using cricket flour.
While we think the mild flavoring of soaked coconut is a plus, there will be dogs that don’t like the taste. However, Green Gruff offers a 24-piece pack to try first before buying the 90-piece bag.
Nulo Calming Soft Chew Dog Supplement aims to provide all the relaxation your pup needs, without any sedating effects that may make them drowsy, so they can continue to be their bouncy selves without the sharp edge of anxiety.
If you need to be out and about with your dog, but they’re nervous in the car or busy places, these CBD treats can help clear their mind and reduce their stress before you depart.
Magnesium is included in this formulation to help your dog retain an optimum amount of magnesium in their bodies. When your dog is stressed or anxious, magnesium is used in more significant amounts. By including it in these treats, you can ensure your dog’s muscles and nervous system have all the magnesium they need to function correctly.
Packed with calming ingredients, Nutri-Vet Hemp Peanut Butter & Honey Flavor Calming Soft Chew Supplement for Adult Dogs uses a blend of hemp with comforting passionflower and valerian, along with ginger for its anti-nausea effects. Thhis may be the most alluring and mouthwatering product on this list!
Peanut butter and honey flavor will help assure you that there’ll be no fighting to get your pup to gobble down their CBD treat, even when they’re nervous. For large dogs, only three chews are needed daily, which makes them a good choice for those with dogs over 81 lbs.
The bioperine (derived from black pepper) included in the formulation helps the body to absorb the other soothing ingredients in the chews. The 100 mg of chamomile in each treat also helps dogs that may struggle with hyperactivity by tempering their energy levels. Combined with melatonin, Nutrivet can help calm them and ensure they get good sleep quality.
Zesty Paws Advanced Hemp Calming Mini Bites Turkey Flavored Soft Chew Composure Supplement for Small Dogs contains organic hemp seed and organic chamomile, and like other treats on this list, it has passionflower, magnesium, and organic ginger root.
The inclusion of both l-tryptophan and l-theanine, along with melatonin, helps keep your pup calm. The good thing about these treats is that they still contain all the common ingredients that can help your dog beat anxiety at effective levels, even if they are a small breed, making dosing much more manageable.
These soft chews are made explicitly for small breed dogs like Chihuahuas or Jack Russells. They are flavored with tasty turkey, making them amazingly palatable for your pup. Suntheanine, the patented brand of l-theanine included in this recipe, claims to be clinically proven to aid relaxation.
Sensoril, a clinically studied form of ashwagandha, is also included in these chewy treats. Since these treats are for small dogs, they shouldn’t be given to dogs over 30 lbs.
The Pet MD Calming Hemp Soft Chew Calming Supplement for Dogs is a little heart-shaped treat that packs a punch. It also contains hemp powder and hemp seed powder to help give the full benefits of CBD. In addition, it has passionflower, an antispasmodic, and ginger to help dogs that might feel nauseated when nervous, competing in competitions, or on long car journeys.
Veterinarians have recommended Pet MD Calming Hemp Chews, and like some others on this list, they also contain tryptophan and melatonin, which can help relax your dog and make sure they get some sleep if they’re anxious.
The company states that these chews are proudly made in the U.S.A. Still, there isn’t any information on exactly where it sources its ingredients. Also, the treats are best suited to smaller dogs, as dogs over 100 lbs. would need a whopping six treats for one dose.
Natural Rapport The Only Hemp Calming Soft Chews Dogs Need Calming Supplement for Dogs is puppy friendly and processed in a specific way to retain nutrients. It’s not cold pressed or pressed too harshly, and it’s not baked, meaning that every nutritious bite has the full range of calming ingredients that your pup will need if they are anxious.
These treats are perfect for dogs with long-term anxiety, as they can be given ( and are recommended to be given) consistently for 4 to 6 weeks, meaning that your dog gets a “loading dose” of the calming ingredients, enabling them to coast through anxiety-causing events with absolute ease.
There is only one size available, however. For large dogs, they’re not as good value for the money, since a dog over 75 lbs. needs four treats for a single dose.
When looking into what treats may be a good fit for your pup, there are a few points to consider, mainly because you want to alleviate your dog’s uncomfortable anxiety (and all the signs that come with it) and make sure they feel relaxed.
One of the most important factors to keep in mind when shopping for CBD treats is what your dog likes and dislikes. Consider whether they want a particular flavor (do they love peanut butter, or will they do better with a meaty flavor?) or a specific type of treat, such as soft chews versus biscuits.
Certain essential, calming ingredients are found in CBD treats for anxious dogs, mainly hemp and its derivatives. Hemp oil and hemp seed powder contain CBD (cannabidiol), which is the ingredient that induces the calming, soothing effects you’re looking for.
The quality of these ingredients is of the utmost importance, as locally sourced (U.S.) hemp is likely to be more quality controlled than hemp imported from elsewhere.
There are also tighter restrictions on the amounts of CBD and active ingredients allowed in treats in the U.S., which makes them effective and reduces the risk of any potential adverse side effects.
There have been many studies surrounding ingredients that are attributed to reducing anxiety in dogs (and people), such as valerian, passionflower, ashwagandha, and chamomile. Adding these ingredients and less common ones, like melatonin, will help enhance the comforting feeling that CBD gives your pup.
While it’s not always crucial that they’re included, it’s a good idea to look for a product that has balanced amounts of these ingredients, which can help boost the effectiveness of each treat.
Value for money is always an excellent point to consider when looking for the best of the best. We looked at pack size, dosages, and the amounts of ingredients in each treat when considering our selections for price. While more premium options will be more expensive, we want to see the quality reflected in the price. A high-quality product with a reasonable price tag is always preferred.
The bottom line with CBD treats is customer satisfaction, both from the dog’s and the owner’s points of view. Are the treats packaged well, are they easily given to dogs, does the dog like the taste, and (most importantly) are they effective? These are all questions we frame in our minds when looking at product reviews.
The last thing we consider when looking at the quality of CBD treats is the ease of dosing. If the treats are too large, they won’t be suitable for small dogs, since giving an accurate dose (particularly with an active ingredient like CBD) is tough when you must break apart tablets by cutting them into quarters or halves.
The same is true for large dogs that need to take multiple chews as a single dose, as it’s less likely that they’ll eat all the pieces at once. However, if they don’t particularly like the taste, it can be tricky to ensure they eat them all!
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog treats reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog treats available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog treats. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Our top picks for CBD treats for dogs with anxiety all have excellent reviews, with the Naturvet Help Quiet Moments coming in first due to the quality of the ingredients and the ease of dosing. The ThunderWunders treats came in at a close second; they are effective at relaxing your dog and easing their anxiety without breaking the bank.
Finally, for those who want to treat their pet to a luxury treat when they’re feeling nervous, the Vet Worthy Calming + chews are our choice, combining the soothing effects of L-theanine with the power of full-spectrum hemp, which truly is impressive and an excellent feature of the premium product.
CBD has many benefits for dogs with anxiety. Helping your dog prepare for an event that they might find stressful is one of the best uses for the natural ingredients there is.
Featured Image Credit: Ingrid Yeh, Writer
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Beth is a mom to two kids: one with four legs, one with two. Beth has years of practical experience as a veterinary care assistant , working in both the consult and in operating room, expanding her knowledge to gain certification in her favorite subject: feline behavior and welfare! When she’s not writing about her favorite topics (cats and creature comforts), she’s looking after her daughter and her mischievous Nebelung, Kiba. When she gets a moment to herself, Beth loves to delve into fiction books. Horror is her favorite genre, with fantasy and rich history being her second go-to’s.
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