Our 6 Favorite Calming Treats for Dogs

Created by the same experts who designed the ThunderShirt, ThunderWunders are soft chews with the power to promote relaxation in dogs. Their treats contain melatonin, chamomile, passionflower, and L-tryptophan, which have all been proven to calm anxiety in dogs. These flavored chews are great because you can use them as needed in times of stress, such as during thunderstorms, fireworks displays, car rides, vet visits, or hosting visitors. Your dog should start to feel the soothing effects of ThunderWunder within a short 30 minutes, but that means you'll have to do a bit of planning before the stressful event. ThunderWunders are safe for puppies and dogs over 3 months old.

Vet's Best understands that gut health and inflammation can play significant roles in dog anxiety, which is why they incorporate their signature OptiLife3 formula into their products. In addition to antioxidants and prebiotics, these tasty treats also include a blend of calming ingredients, such as tryptophan, valerian root, and thiamine. If you're heading out on a long car ride, the Comfort Calm chews are your best bet because they also contain ginger root to help with nausea. They're also a fan favorite with picky dogs who might not like other flavored chews. Vet's Best recommends giving this chew daily for the best results.

Nutramax is the No. 1 vet-recommended pet supplement brand, so it's no wonder their behavioral health supplement, Solliquin, is such a hit. Solliquin contains ingredients that most other calming products don't use, including L-theanine and a synergistic magnolia and phellodendron extract blend. The best results are seen after giving your dog these treats each day for 30 to 45 days, which might feel like a long time, but you'll be amazed at how much calmer your dog is with consistent use. As a bonus, these treats work for cats, too!

When you need a calming treat for your dog that's also fast-acting, look no further than the Composure calming treats. These yummy chews come in three tasty flavors (peanut butter, chicken, and bacon) and begin working within 30 minutes. You and your dog can both enjoy up to four hours of calm thanks to the unique biopeptide blend, L-theanine, and thiamine. Dose them as needed whenever you anticipate a stressful event.

Zesty Paws Calming Bites are a hyperactive dog's best friend. The "zesty" formula includes ingredients intended to aid with relaxation, such as chamomile, L-tryptophan, and L-theanine. The addition of ashwagandha also supports calmness in addition to clarity and focus. The Zesty Paws treats are ideal for daily use in dogs who experience generalized nervousness or separation anxiety, but they can also be given in stressful situations like storms or fireworks. Just make sure you dose it about an hour before the event.

Old-timers need special care, which is why we love the Senior Wellness Quiet Moments Calming Aid with senior dogs in mind. These soft chews use a combination of ingredients (thiamine, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and ginger) to help support an older dog's nervous system while being sensitive enough to avoid upsetting their bellies. You can give it 30 minutes before a stressful event, or daily to help reduce overall tension and stress. Of course, if your dog isn't a senior, you can get the regular NaturVet Quiet Moments formula instead, for a similar calming effect.