Discover 7 Effective Calming Chews for Anxious Pets

I’m not sure who needs the calming aids more, my dog for the stress she’s about to feel in any given seemingly stressful scenario, or me for my anticipatory anxiety when I imagine the stress my uber-anxious pup will experience during those times. Separation, storms, fireworks, you name it. If you have a skittish pet, you know. More than anything we want our fur babies to feel safe. So it’s heartbreaking when they are decidedly not feeling safe (panting, pacing, whining…) and no amount of reassurance soothes them. Vet-prescribed meds were incapacitating and lingering. My niece, who has six fur babies, suggested calming chews. She has a fraidy cat and a fraidy dog and reported a good experience. I was skeptical, but have had similarly positive results with a variety of calming chews. Continue reading to discover seven calming chews for cats and dogs that get two thumbs up.

NaturVet Quiet Moments® Dog Calming Soft Chews

Quiet Moments® Dog Calming Soft Chews are melatonin, thiamine (vitamin B1), and L-tryptophan-based. The same melatonin that helps quiet human minds works for our pets, too! The folks at NaturVet suggest that these soft chews, which also contain ginger for sensitive tummies, are appropriate in any situation in which your pet may feel anxious or stressed. Customer reviews are excellent, though many mention using a lead time of 30 minutes to an hour for best results. Quiet Moments® Dog Calming Soft Chews are available from $15.99 (65 chews) to $35.99 (240 chews).

NutraMax Laboratories Solliquin Behavioral Health Supplement

NutraMax Labs has a complete line of supplements to support your pet’s health from urinary health and joint support to Solliquin, a calming aid for cats and dogs that contains a formula of L-theanine, Magnolia and Phellodendron extracts, and NMXSLQ05® whey protein concentrate. Intended for daily use, Solliquin calms your pet without sedating them. Solliquin is available in two strengths: for cats and dogs up to 30 pounds and dogs over 31 pounds. Get 75 soft chews for $19.99.

Fera Pets Calming Support for Dogs and Cats

Fera Pets, founded by a veterinarian, has supplements to keep your pet in tip-top shape. From cardiac support to probiotics, this company combines the best of Eastern and Western medicine. For calming support, Fera Pets ashwaghandha/L. paracasei powder is formulated to reduce stress and calm nerves. Ashwaghandha (also spelled ashwagandha) has been used for centuries in the East as a stress reliever, so it makes sense that it has a similar effect on your pets. Customers’ reviews rave about Fera Pets‘ powdered supplement, ($28.95/2.5 oz.) with several suggesting sprinkling it on your pet’s food as a “topper.”

Only Natural Pet Just Relax Herbal Calming Supplement

Just Relax Herbal Calming Supplement works. Ask me how I know. Yep, this is the brand we give our pets. My daughter refers to them as chill pills. From getting the big girl to relax in a storm to encouraging the little boy to calm down before bed, the results have been astounding. The combination of B vitamins and chamomile, passionflower, and valerian extracts has a soothing effect on our pups. Within 30-45 minutes of dispensing, the effectiveness is apparent. Only Natural Pet Just Relax Herbal Calming Supplement is $20.79/120 chews.

Vet Classics Stress Away Calming Aid

Vet Classics’ Stress Away calming aid relies on a recipe of melatonin, ginkgo biloba, chamomile, and passionflower. Familiar ingredients from our cupboards are designed to promote the same comfort in our pets. From extensive road trips to age-related maladies, customer appreciation is evident. Appropriate for cats and dogs, Vet Classics’ Stress Away is $15.99/65 soft chews.

Real Mushrooms Mushroom Relax Pet Chews

There are two camps where mushrooms are concerned. Folks either love ’em or hate ’em. I imagine the same could be true of our pets, though I suspect not knowing that they’re ingesting a fungus probably tips the scales in a favorable direction. Designed for travel, separation, and over-stimulation like strangers or fireworks, these chews combine Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushroom extracts with L-theanine, L-tryptophan, valerian root extract, and catnip in a chicken-flavored soft chew. The overwhelmingly positive reviews suggest that this mushroom-based supplement works and that dogs and cats tolerate mushrooms just fine. Real Mushrooms‘ calming pet chews are $34.99/60 soft chews.

Pet Releaf Edibites Stress Releaf

Pet Releaf’s Edibites contain certified USDA organic full-spectrum hemp extract (3 mg/chew), baobab, and chamomile. These peanut butter-flavored soft chews effectively alleviate the stress of daily triggers as well as stressful events like fireworks, holiday get-togethers and more. Page after page of customer testimonials (“Keeps my husky calm, cool, and collected. For a husky.”) attests to the efficacy of these CBD-based chews. Pet Releaf Edibites are available in three sizes: 10 chews/$10.50, 30 chews/$25.99, and 50 chews/$47.99 for dogs up to 25 pounds.