If you’re wondering how in the world to navigate through the sea of options to find the right calming chews for your dog (without CBD), don’t worry. I got you.
In this blog we’re going to cover everything from narrowing down your dog’s specific anxiety triggers to understanding how to find the best calming chews for anxious dogs.
There’s a LOT of options for calming dog chews out there, but are they all the same? Does it really matter which dog chew you choose? And how can you feel confident that they will really make a difference?
Well, let’s save you the worry by breaking down the answers to those questions.
I know you’re busy, so let’s get to it. Here we go.
Identify your dog’s anxiety triggers
The world is full of possible things that can trigger anxiety in your dog. Understanding where their fears lie is the starting point to helping them manage those strong emotions.
Before we dive into the specifics of calming chews and what they can do for your dog, it’s important we know what is causing your dog’s anxiety.
I highly encourage you to keep a log book or journal as you begin tackling your pup’s triggers. Write your questions and any negative behaviors you notice before you begin addressing their anxiety with calming chews.
Being able to look back and see how far you’ve come is not only encouraging, but will give you the information you’ll need when sharing with your vet or trainer. It can also help you understand how to make the right choices moving forward.
Possible causes of anxiety in your dog
Does your pup run in fear at the sound of a vacuum or knock at the door? Are they immediately thrown into fight or flight mode when someone bends down to pet them? Or do they lose their composure the minute you walk out of the home?
These questions will give you a starting point and help you build an understanding of what life is like from your dog’s perspective, so you can begin helping them where they need it the most.
Below are some common triggers that can cause your dog’s anxiety. Have a look and see if any of them resonate with you, and let’s move onto finding the best dog chews to help your pup.
Calming dog chews can help your dog with anxiety from -
- Separation from you - Your dog freaks out when you leave the house or car.
- Loud noises - You can’t use the vacuum or hair dryer without them hiding under the couch or bed. (And forget about fireworks.)
- Car rides - You can’t take your dog anywhere without them vomiting or shaking with fear by the time you arrive.
- Vet trips - Your dog is scared to death of visiting the vet (for anything).
- Large objects or people - Every time you bend over your dog they cower and tuck their tail. You can’t have friends and family over and it needs to change.
- Phantom anxiety - You honestly have no idea why your dog is so scared all the time, but you want to help them relax.
Choosing the right calming chew for your dog
Your dog’s story is unique. They’re trusting you to help them face and overcome their anxiety challenges.
It’s important to consider your dog’s anxiety triggers, because it will help you to understand why (or if) a calming chew is the best fit for their needs.
Some dogs simply need a light boost to help them chill, while others need a more robust level of support. Talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements and ask if they recommend diet changes or adjustments in activity levels as well.
Here are some key factors to consider when shopping for your dog’s chews.
Ingredients and why they matter
Just as with the foods you eat, you need to be sure what you’re giving your dog is made from healthy, wholesome ingredients that come from high-quality sources. It’s so vital that you guard against the sneaky additives and extras that many companies hide in their products.
Giving your dog a supplement that is composed of good ingredients from sustainable sources will help them to get the full benefits by allowing their body to absorb nutrients meant to support them in the area they need most.
Be sure to choose a product that will offer natural ingredients at the right levels and have a standard of quality that gives you confidence you’re choosing the best for your fur ball.
What ingredients to watch out for in calming chews
- BHAs and BHTs (These additives “preserve” freshness at the cost of disrupting hormone levels and risking allergic reactions.)
- Animal “by-products” or “meal” (This can include body parts like beaks, feathers or fur that have no nutritional value and can carry disease.)
- Ethoxyquin (This synthetic additive keeps color from fading and extends the shelf life. It can cause DNA damage, immune dysfunction, and even promote cancer cells forming.)
These are a few of the biggest offenders. Unfortunately, we can’t cover every bad ingredient out there or we’d be here all day, but I CAN tell you that the best way to avoid them is to read your labels and only choose products that have ingredients you can pronounce.
Simple language shows a company has nothing to hide.
How calming dog chews actually work (and why)
Your dog deserves to live their best life. Give them that chance by providing the best supplements to fit their specific needs.
If you’re like me, you don’t need a long sentence with five-dollar words to explain how calming dog supplement chews work. You just want plain talk (LOL). So, here it is.
Natural calming dog chews contain ingredients that stimulate the part of your dog’s brain to produce the chemicals that help them feel relaxed and happy without drowsiness.
Serotonin and dopamine are buzzwords you’ve probably heard. For good reason. They are the substances our bodies create to give us good feelings. It’s the same for your four-legged family member.
As I said above, this is for non-CBD options, so your dog’s reaction won’t be lethargic or “drugged” from these ingredients. The great thing about giving your dog Petibles natural calming chews is that it allows them to be alert and calm at the same time.
We’re gonna look at the different kinds of ingredients in calming chews and why they work.
The importance of quality ingredients
We’ve seen the term lab-tested in so many ads throughout the years. But what does it really refer to?
As much as I’d love to tell you it’s a group of Labrador Retrievers standing around testing the product, it’s not nearly as fun as all that. (However, enjoy the picture in your mind 🙂)
Lab-tested simply means each ingredient is thoroughly vetted and screened for quality to make sure it’s ok to use in a product. The calming dog chews you give your dog should be backed by scientific research and come with clear guarantees for meeting a strict quality standard.
Active ingredients in calming dog chews and what they do for your dog
- L-Theanine is an amino acid that helps to modulate the brain chemicals that send messages throughout your dog’s body for a quick boost in calm.
- Ashwagandha is the root of an African plant known for its calming and healing properties that works in the long-term to build up a healthy immune system and balance cortisol levels.
- Passion Flower is an exotic flower that promotes relaxation while keeping chemical levels even and increasing GABA (the part that lets your dog’s mind wind down).
- Nutritional Yeast is an ingredient that helps steady (not diminish) your dog’s energy level with B vitamins and protein. It also supports liver and immune health to give your dog a boost in getting those toxins out.
What quality calming dog chews don't do:
- Put your dog in a “coma-like” state
- Reduce your dog’s ability to think clearly or move normally
- Cause hallucinations or excessive drooling
- Interrupt your dog’s natural energy patterns or rhythms
- Interfere with your dog’s coordination and balance
As you can see, quality natural calming dog chews are crafted to help your dog, not override their system to make it subdued. Be sure you thoroughly look into any company making claims for fast results.
Quality wins over quantity everytime.
Do your own research on calming dog chews
No matter how convincing an article is (even this one), it’s always best to do your own research to make sure you’re giving your pup the best.
I really can’t stress enough how important it is for you to do your own research on calming dog chews.
You can find and study nearly anything online these days, so taking an afternoon or even just a few hours to learn about your dog’s anxiety needs and how you can help them overcome their specific challenges will be well worth the effort.
Keep in mind that your dog has only you to rely on when it comes to finding an answer to their problem. As you launch into your search for the best calming dog chews for your dog, remember your pup is worth every second of the time you spend to find answers.
It actually may be easier than you think.
Always talk to your vet before making changes
This should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Always involve your vet in the decision to start giving your dog calming chews.
Not only can your vet give you specific recommendations on dosage and frequency, but they will have hands-on, in-depth knowledge of your dog’s medical history and will be able to advise you on any allergies or ingredients to avoid.
You’ll also want to make sure to bring the options you’re considering to your vet’s attention for any feedback or professional suggestions. Sometimes calming dog chews can be combined with increased exercise or a more whole-foods diet to get maximum benefits for your pooch.
The Petibles Standard
- Science-backed research for every supplement
- Hand-selected ingredients for every batch
- NO preservatives or dyes
- NO artificial ingredients
- NO Nitrates/Nitrites
- NO animal by-products
- NO Ethoxyquin
At Petibles, we take the standard of quality to the next level. We don’t mass produce our products and add nasty chemicals to make them shelf stable. We craft small batches and hand select our ingredients to be tested and examined for the highest quality.
If a company is worth their salt, that should simply be par for the course.
Commit to giving your dog a new lifestyle (not a quick fix)
Your dog has only you to rely on. Do your best to give them their best life and enjoy the deepened bond and lasting trust that comes from it.
As much as I wish I could tell you one or two calming chews will cure all your dog’s anxiety issues, it’s just simply not true.
Behavioral and emotional patterns aren’t created overnight, so they can’t be fixed overnight. No matter how big a promise any company gives you. Your dog’s body is its own ecosystem that’s intricately designed for all its parts to work in unison. It takes time to make a permanent change for the better.
This is why it’s SO important to commit to helping your dog change from the inside out by consistently giving them calming chews that can help reduce their anxiety long-term. The natural ingredients need a chance to build a support system that will kick into action when your dog needs it and help change the way they face their everyday life.
Be patient. Change will come. And when it does, you’ll find it’s more powerful than if you took a shortcut to see fast results.
How long before my dog will see results?
With Petibles Chill Chews, most dogs will begin to see lasting change in the reduction of their anxiety levels within a three-month period.
The reason for this is because it takes time for the ingredients to build up in their system to the point they gradually release and start to take regular effect. Gentle ingredients take more time, but have shown to be more effective than other, more aggressive chemical ingredients that some companies add to their calming chews.
Avoiding anything unnatural will always pay greater dividends in the end.
Other factors come into play as well such as metabolism, age, activity level and diet. Your dog is unique and they will react in their own way. Stay consistent and you’ll reap the rewards in due time.
What to expect in the next three months
Even though it may take calming chews a few months to build up a good support system in your dog’s body, there are still some good benefits you’ll most likely see right away.
- Increased mobility
- Improved overall mood
- Better digestion
- Less joint pain
- More cognitively alert
Not bad for some quick benefits, eh? And it will only get better from here.
You made it to the end of the blog!
Your dog will wear a smile on their face everyday knowing you’ve given them the best chance to be their happiest, healthiest self.
Hey, you should be proud! You’ve had a lot to chew on 😏
Making calming dog chews a part of your routine could mean an entirely different life for you and your pooch. Imagine not having to hide your dog in another room when company comes over or being able to take a happy drive together to your local coffee shop for a pup cup. All without the worry your dog will have a panic attack or get sick from fear. How much better would your daily life look for both you and your dog just by giving calming dog chews a try?
Only you know the answer to that.
One day you’ll look down as you see your dog lying peacefully on the floor and realize you made the right choice to include calming dog chews as a part of their daily routine. And it’s because of you they are able to be their best, most relaxed self.
No matter what life throws their way.
Have questions about Petibles Chill Chews or want to read stories of other dogs who’ve succeeded from our natural dog supplement?
Check out our testimonials here to see what pup parents are saying about Petibles natural dog chews (Plus, there’s a coupon you can use for 10% off your first subscription order.)
To your dog’s health and happiness! May you ever be connected on this crazy adventure called life.
Writer at Petibles
My Bio: Hi, pup parent! I’m Allison, a dog copywriter, but most importantly, a dog mom (just like you!) My love for dogs started when I was very young, and I’ve had the privilege of working with many four-legged fur babies throughout all different walks of life.
I decided to share my love for (and experience with) dogs to help other pup parents who may need a shoulder to lean on or a friend to confide in, so I put myself through specialized training for writing and working with man’s best friend in the effort to create helpful content for dog moms and dads all over the world.
I currently live in Indiana with my husband Joshua, two cats, and our squishy, little wrinkle-faced Pug, Piper Jean, who almost made it to the show ring, but retired early to live a life of absolute leisure 😌🐶