Last Updated: 30/09/2026
Do Calming Treats Work for Dogs?
Do calming dog treats work? Our vets break down the evidence, the picks they use and when a treat isn't enough.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read
Seeing your dog anxious before a road trip or during a thunderstorm can be stressful for any owner. There are plenty of calming treats out there, so do any of them actually help?
Calming dog treats can help take the edge off mild, every day or situational stress in some dogs, such as fireworks, car trips or vet visits. Calming treats work best as a helpful extra alongside behaviour training and your vet's advice, not as a replacement for either, and the research is stronger for some ingredients than others. If your dog's anxiety is severe or affects daily life, see your vet first.
In this article
Do calming treats for dogs actually work?
Yes they can and do, but mostly for mild stress. The research is small and mixed, and the efficacy depends on the active ingredient. We've covered alpha-casozepine and tryptophan here because they are the two most widely studied calming ingredients in treats and chews for dogs.
Alpha-casozepine is a small protein fragment from milk. It has the most research behind it of the three ingredients, but the studies are small and two were funded by the manufacturers1,3. In a 2007 trial of 38 dogs with anxiety, alpha-casozepine and the prescription drug selegiline both lowered anxiety scores over 56 days, but there was no placebo group1. Two studies of milk-protein diets (one also contained tryptophan)2,3, in 32 beagles and 28 pet dogs, found lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The most recent trial4 (2026, 20 dogs) found that a daily dose for six days before a vet visit led to calmer body language and lower vet stress scores. Overall it is promising for mild to moderate situational stress.
L-tryptophan is an amino acid the body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical linked to mood. That's the reasoning behind adding extra to treats and diets. But serotonin does many different jobs in the brain, through many different receptor types, so more tryptophan doesn't automatically mean a calmer dog.
The biggest trial5 gave 207 mildly anxious pet dogs a tryptophan-boosted diet or a placebo diet for eight weeks. Blood tryptophan levels rose by about 37%, but owners didn't report any behaviour changes that could be put down to the diet, and behaviour tests and saliva cortisol didn't change. An older study of 33 dogs6 found that adding tryptophan to high-protein diets, or switching to a low-protein diet, may reduce dominance aggression, and tryptophan in a low-protein diet may help territorial aggression. A third study3, on a diet that also contained alpha-casozepine, found a smaller rise in cortisol after a vet visit, but it can't tell us which ingredient did the work. The evidence for tryptophan on its own is thin, but it may still be a helpful extra alongside training.
What other ingredients are in calming treats, and do they work?
Most other ingredients used in calming treats have limited evidence in dogs so far, but a few show early promise in small studies, though many rely on manufacturer-funded research or human data.
L-theanine is an amino acid. In a 2015 open-label study of 18 storm-sensitive dogs7, anxiety scores and recovery time improved and 17 owners were satisfied, but there was no placebo group. A 2010 trial in 21 beagles8 found treated dogs approached people more than placebo dogs, but it was also manufacturer-funded and had just 5 dogs per group.
Ashwagandha is a herbal root extract. One small trial of 24 anxious dogs9 found a standardised extract lowered urine cortisol and owner-reported fear and anxiety scores over four weeks, but it ran at a single clinic.
Magnesium has only been tested alongside fish oil and zinc in a small open-label study10 (owners knew their dogs were getting it). The results supported the hypothesis that a combination of omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc may improve some of behavioural disorders, but the effect of magnesium on its own is unknown.
Chamomile and valerian are common in herbal calming treats. There are no studies looking at the effects of chamomile specifically in dogs. A 2019 study11 looked at whether a valerian-based product reduced dog anxiety over a 30-day period. While 43% of the owners felt their dogs' behaviour had improved, researchers found no actual proof of this in the data, with no significant decrease in how often the dogs displayed anxious behaviours.
Hemp-based products likewise carry little evidence for their effect on anxiety in dogs. A small pilot in 17 shelter dogs12, not yet peer reviewed, found no significant change in stress behaviours on video, although activity data hinted at more resting overnight. It also used a CBD-rich hemp extract, which isn't the same as the hemp seed in many treats. Our guide to hemp and cannabis oil for pets covers the difference.
What is the most effective calming treat for dogs?
There's no single best one, because no studies compare these products head to head, and every dog is different and will respond differently to each one. These are the three our vets pick most often.
PAW Complete Calm
Contains tryptophan plus B vitamins, given daily to help take the edge off.
Vetalogica Hemp Treats
Contains hemp seed powder and oil, L-tryptophan and chamomile, aimed at helping dogs to relax
When should I give calming treats, and how long do they take to work?
A little planning goes a long way. Most calming treats work best when you start them well (several days) before a known stressful event, and for longer-term anxiety it can take a few weeks to see a change.
For Zylkene, the usual advice is to start several days before a stressful event like a trip or fireworks. Daily chews like PAW Complete Calm are given every day, so the effect builds over time. Starting early gives them the best chance to help, as a treat given once a stressful event, like a thunderstorm, has started is unlikely to help.
Our guide to storm phobia in dogs has more on preparing ahead.
What do vets recommend to calm dogs?
Calming treats are definitely one part of a plan, and help particularly in combination with behavioural training. We recommend a full check-up to rule out pain or other health problems, as these can certainly contribute to behavioural changes and anxiety. For moderate to severe anxiety, we may also recommend a referral to a Veterinary Behaviourist, and, in some cases, prescription anti-anxiety medication.
See your vet if your dog is destructive, toileting inside, hurting themselves, refusing food, showing aggression, or not improving after a few weeks on a calming treat or supplement.
Our articles on calming an anxious pet and separation anxiety in dogs are good next reads.
Are calming dog treats safe?
For most healthy dogs they're generally considered safe when used as directed, but they're still supplements, so check with your vet first. Mild tummy upset is possible. Tell your vet if your dog is on any medication, especially for behaviour, because some ingredients may interact.
The good news is that calming treats can be a handy, low-fuss way to help some dogs feel more settled during things like fireworks, car trips and vet visits. Some ingredients, like alpha-casozepine, have encouraging research behind them, and new studies are still coming out. Pair them with training, a calm routine and your vet's advice, and you're giving your pooch the best chance to feel relaxed. Looking for tasty everyday rewards too? Our guide to the best dog treats is a great place to start.
FAQs
References
Beata, C. et al (2007). Effects of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) versus selegiline hydrochloride (Selgian, Anipryl) on anxiety disorders in dogs, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787807002031, accessed 30/09/2026
Palestrini, C. et al (2010) Efficacy of a diet containing caseinate hydrolysate on signs of stress in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 5 (6), pp. 309-317 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787810000778, accessed 30/09/2026
Kato, M. et al. (2012). Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviors in privately owned anxious dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 7 (1), pp. 21-26, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787811000955, accessed 30/09/2026
Puglisi I, Masucci M, Siracusa C (2026). Efficacy of alpha-casozepine in reducing dogs' anxiety during veterinary visits: a randomized, fully-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 84, 1 to 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2025.12.008, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787825001273, accessed 30/09/2026
Bosch, G., Beerda, B., Beynen, A.C., van der Borg, J.A.M, van der Poel, A.F.B. & Hendriks, W.H. (2009). Dietary tryptophan supplementation in privately owned mildly anxious dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 121(3–4). 197–205. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159109002834, accessed 30/09/2026
DeNapoli, J.S., Dodman, N.H., Shuster, L., Rand, W.M. & Gross, K.L. (2000). Effect of dietary protein content and tryptophan supplementation on dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactive in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 217(4). 504–508. https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/217/4/javma.2000.217.504.xml, accessed 30/09/2026
Pike AL, Horwitz DF, Lobprise H (2015). An open-label prospective study of the use of l-theanine (Anxitane) in storm-sensitive client-owned dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 10(4), 324 to 331. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787815000568, accessed 30/09/2026
Araujo JA, de Rivera C, Ethier JL, et al. (2010). ANXITANE® tablets reduce fear of human beings in a laboratory model of anxiety-related behavior. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 5(5), 268 to 275. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238511250_ANXITANE_R_tablets_reduce_fear_of_human_beings_in_a_Laboratory_model_of_anxiety-related_behavior, accessed 30/09/2026
Kaur J, Seshadri S, Golla KH, Sampara P (2022). Efficacy and safety of standardized ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on reducing stress and anxiety in domestic dogs: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 51, 8 to 15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787822000326, accessed 30/09/2026
Rahimi Niyyat M, Azizzadeh M, Khoshnegah J (2018). Effect of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc on canine behavioral disorders. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 33(4), 150 to 155. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1938973618300758, accessed 30/09/2026
Taylor S, Madden J. The Effect of Pet Remedy on the Behaviour of the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris). Animals (Basel). 2016 Oct 25;6(11):64. doi: 10.3390/ani6110064. PMID: 27792129; PMCID: PMC5126766. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5126766/, accessed 30/09/2026
Besegher A et al. (2026). Effects of CBD and CBDA rich hemp extract supplementation on stress-related behaviours and activity levels in shelter-housed dogs: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=7275650, accessed 30/09/2026
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 30 Sep 2026
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
