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9 Best Calming Treats for Dogs at PetSmart – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Patricia Dickson

By Patricia Dickson

dog-eating treat

As a pet owner, you’ve probably been to PetSmart several times and are pretty familiar with their well-stocked inventory. They carry everything from treats to medicines and from toys to flea treatments. If you’re going to be traveling or have a dog that suffers from anxiety, you might wonder what the best calming treats are to help settle your canine pal.

PetSmart has more than a few products in this category. Instead of having to run to PetSmart and browse the products, we’ll give you our reviews of the nine best calming dog treats at PetSmart in this year.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Only Natural Pet Hemp Calming Support Soft Dog Chews Only Natural Pet Hemp Calming Support Soft Dog Chews
  • Contains essential nutrients
  • Contains no fillers, artificial preservatives, or flavorings
  • Effective and safe for most dog breeds
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Tranquility Support Freeze-Dried Meal Topper Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Tranquility Support Freeze-Dried Meal Topper
  • All-life stages
  • Affordable
  • Natural ingredients
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Dog Supplement Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Dog Supplement
  • Contains a good amount of calming ingredients
  • Supports dental health
  • Perfect size for medium and small dogs
  • Best for Puppies
    Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Puppy Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Puppy
  • Ideal for young puppies
  • Easy to chew
  • Contains several calming ingredients
  • Dog MX Calming Chew Twists Dog MX Calming Chew Twists
  • Breaks apart quickly and easily
  • Distracts dogs in the middle of stressful events
  • Contains a few natural calming ingredients
  • The 9 Best Calming Treats for Dogs at PetSmart

     1. Only Natural Pet Hemp Calming Support Soft Dog Chews – Best Overall

    Only Natural Pet Hemp Calming Support Soft Dog Chews

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Soft chews
    Calming Ingredients: Hempseed oil, chamomile, I-theanine

    Our best overall choice for the calming treats for dogs at PetSmart in this year goes to Only Natural Pet Hemp Calming Support Soft Dog Chews for their quality nutrients and easy-to-chew treats. These are good for all sizes of dogs, and they contain a good variety of calming ingredients.

    They contain no fillers, artificial preservatives, or other artificial flavorings. They are safe and effective for most dog breeds, and if you have different breeds as pets, you should be able to use them for each. However, they could be too big for some smaller dogs and are not suitable for pregnant or nursing dogs, so you’ll need to find an alternative for them.

    Pros
    • Contains essential nutrients
    • Contains no fillers, artificial preservatives, or flavorings
    • Effective and safe for most dog breeds

    Cons
    • Too big for smaller dogs
    • Not suitable for pregnant or nursing pets


    2. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Tranquility Support Freeze-Dried Meal Topper – Best Value

     

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Soft chews
    Calming Ingredients: Valerian root, passionflower, L-tryptophan

    The best calming dog treat at PetSmart for the money, the Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Tranquility Support Freeze-Dried Meal Topper is a great option for dogs of all life stages. Although not a traditional treat, you can serve this meal topper to your dog as a treat on days that they need more calmness and tranquility, such as when you have company over or there is a thunderstorm.

    This turkey-flavored freeze-dried food is designed to be rehydrated to be soft and chewable for your dog. You’ll just have to add water to it before adding to your dog’s food. This meal topper contains natural ingredients such as valerian root and passionflower, but it may not be as potent as some calming chews and treats.

    Pros
    • Great for dogs of all life stages
    • Contains natural ingredients
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • May not be as potent as other treats

    3. Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Dog Supplement – Premium Choice

    Zesty Paws Hemp Elements

    Breed Size: Up to 25 pounds
    Form: Chewsticks
    Calming Ingredients: Chamomile, Melatonin, valerian root, hempseed powder

    Our premium choice goes to Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Dog Supplement for its substantial amount of natural calming ingredients. Not only will this supplement work to calm your dog, but it’s also good for their dental health and perfect for small and medium-sized dogs. If you’re looking for something to keep your dog calm during flights, thunderstorms, or even fireworks, this could be the right choice.

    This supplement might not be large enough for larger breeds, and some dogs refuse to eat it, but all in all, we feel it’s a good choice if you need to help your dog with a phobia or anxiety issue.

    Pros
    • Contains a good amount of calming ingredients
    • Supports dental health
    • Perfect size for medium and small dogs

    Cons
    • Too small for larger breeds
    • Some dogs refused to eat


    4. Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Puppy Turkey Flavor – Best for Puppies

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Freeze-dried meal topper
    Calming Ingredients: Suntheanine, Sensoril (Ashwagandha), organic chamomile, proprietary relaxation blend

    Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Puppy are our #4 choice, especially for those who have an anxious puppy on their hands. These 90-count soft chews come in a delicious turkey flavor that most puppies should enjoy and be able to eat easily. They are intended for puppies that are 8 weeks to 1 year old. The amount that you feed your puppy will depend on their weight,

    These treats are made up of several calming ingredients, including Suntheanine, a clinically studied form of L-theanine that helps with relaxation and mental alertness, and Sensoril, a clinically studied form of Ashwagandha that helps dogs cope with external stressors. They also contain organic chamomile and a proprietary relaxation blend containing valerian root and L-tryptophan. Both of these help to reduce hyperactivity.

    These treats are pricey, especially if you have a larger puppy, but we think they are the best calming treat option for puppies that is available at PetSmart.

    Pros
    • For puppies as young as 8 weeks
    • Soft, chewable form
    • Contains at least 5 calming ingredients
    Cons
    • Pricey

    5. Dog MX Calming Chew Twists

    Dog MX Calming Chew

    Breed Size: Adults over one year
    Form: Chew twist
    Calming Ingredients: Melatonin, passionflower, theanine, chamomile

    With calming agents such as melatonin, passionflower, theanine, and chamomile, you can’t go wrong with Dog MX Calming Chew Twists. This chew twist will keep your dog busy during thunderstorms, fireworks, or other stressful events, and the calming ingredients will help settle them down. This treat breaks apart easily and quickly, making it simple to serve to your furry friend.

    Sadly, this treat isn’t recommended for puppies, as the recommended age to feed them this twist is over one year.

    Pros
    • Breaks apart quickly and easily
    • Distracts dogs in the middle of stressful events
    • Contains a few natural calming ingredients

    Cons
    • Can’t be used for puppies


    6. Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Max Strength Soft Chews

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Chew
    Calming Ingredients: Hemp, melatonin, Ashwagandha, chamomile

    The Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Max Strength Soft Chews are a good choice for adult dogs of any breed. They are designed to be maximum potency for dogs that are really anxious and nervous, especially for car rides, vet visits, thunderstorms, and other changes to the daily routine.

    These duck-flavored treats contain four calming ingredients, and they are free from artificial preservatives, corn, wheat, and soy. What’s unique about these treats is that they contain melatonin, so they can help your dog sleep in addition to calming them. But they are pricey, and there are only 90 chews, which you can go through quickly if you have a large dog. You may want to reserve these treats only for occasions when your dog is really anxious.

    Pros
    • For all dog breeds
    • Contains melatonin to promote sleep
    • No corn, wheat, or soy
    Cons
    • Pricey, especially for large dogs

    7. ThunderWunders Hemp Calming Chews

    ThunderWunders Hemp

     

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Chew
    Calming Ingredients: Thiamine, hemp

    ThunderWunders Hemp Calming Chews lands at number seven on our list for containing ginger to soothe upset tummies. It has calming ingredients such as hemp and thiamine and is said to be safe for most dog breeds. We recommend this one because ginger can calm a nervous dog’s tummy on car rides.

    However, these calming chews aren’t safe for pregnant dogs or puppies under 12 weeks of age.

    Pros
    • Supports digestive health, skin and coat health, and joint health
    • Contains ginger to soothe tummies
    • Safe for most dog breeds

    Cons
    • Not safe for puppies under 12 weeks
    • Not safe for pregnant pets


    8. Petstages Dogwood Calming Chew

    Petstages Dogwood

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Chew toy
    Calming Ingredients: Hemp

    Petstages Dogwood Calming Chew contains hemp as a calming agent and is a chew toy instead of a treat. The chew promotes dental health and has a natural wood texture that dogs enjoy. It’s also an excellent option for overweight dogs that don’t need treats.

    Some pet parents reported the chews breaking into small pieces too easily, and they’re not recommended for dogs that don’t like to chew. If your dog isn’t a chewer, you’d be better off going with one of the other calming treats on our list.

    Pros
    • Has a natural wood texture
    • Promotes dental health
    • Great option for overweight dogs

    Cons
    • Not great for dogs that don’t like to chew
    • Breaks into small pieces too easily


    9. Under the Weather Hemp Calming Soft Chews Dog Supplement

    Under the Weather Hemp Calming Soft Chews Dog

    Breed Size: All
    Form: Chew
    Calming Ingredients: I-theanine, I-tryptophan, hemp

    Last but not least, the Under the Weather Hemp Calming Soft Chews Dog Supplement is number nine on our list. While containing hemp, this chew doesn’t have any THC and is said to be safe for all ages. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and contains no GMOs, pesticides, or solvents.

    This supplement hasn’t been tested on pregnant or nursing dogs, so you should refrain from giving the treats to them, and some pet owners reported their dogs not liking the taste of the supplement.

    Pros
    • Safe for all ages
    • Made with all-natural ingredients
    • Contains no GMOs, pesticides, or any solvents

    Cons
    • May not be safe for dogs who are pregnant or nursing
    • Some dogs don’t like the taste

    hepper-dog-paw-divider 3Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Calming Treats for Dogs at PetSmart

    As you’ve seen from the reviews above, calming treats come in different categories, forms, and even flavors. So how do you choose the one that’s best for your canine friend? There are a few factors you should consider when looking for calming treats.

    Type

    You should first consider the type of treat you’re purchasing for your pet. They usually come in chew sticks or chews. Sometimes you can find them in a spread or a powder that you can sprinkle on your pet’s food, but the chews and chew sticks give your pet something to distract them from the fear-inducing event.

    Chew sticks keep your pet occupied, but if your dog doesn’t like to chew, that can be a problem. Chews usually come in different flavors, but if your dog doesn’t enjoy those flavors, you might also run into a problem. The best thing to do is experiment until you find a brand your dog likes, or only buy calming treats in natural flavors you know your pet will eat.

    Calming Ingredients

    Next, you’ll want to determine the active ingredients in the calming treats you’re buying. Hemp and chamomile are some of the most common and tend to work well. Determine which ingredients work best for your pup, and rely on brands that include them.

    dog with pottted plants-pixabay6
    Image Credit: alereno, Pixabay

    Divider 8Conclusion

    We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide and reviews on the nine best calming treats for dogs at PetSmart in this year. Our overall choice for the best calming treats for dogs goes to Only Natural Pet Hemp Calming Support Soft Dog Chews for their quality nutrients and easy-to-chew treats. The best choice for the money goes to Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Tranquility Support Freeze-Dried Meal Topper for its affordability and natural calming ingredients. Our premium choice goes to Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Dog Supplement for its substantial amount of natural calming ingredients.

    Dogs can be afraid of many things, so it’s best to find a natural calming treat that will soothe them the natural way, and PetSmart has you covered with quality products you can depend on.


    Featured Image Credit: Omerlavon, Pixabay

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