One of the first things we learn as pet owners is that dogs love a routine, and a best-loved part of our daily rituals is Phoebe and Frank’s non-negotiable bedtime biscuit. Every night they go out for their last toilet trip of the day and race back inside to be first at the treat tin. They even have a separate one solely for night time nibbles.
Not only does this little token of our love for the Scamps signal that it’s time for bed, but they’ve been specially selected for their calming properties and targeted ingredients designed to create an atmosphere of relaxation and peace. But they’re not just a great bedtime treat, either, we also dip into the tin when visitors come, when we head to a dog-friendly pub, or any occasion which could see the dogs show some signs of stress, particularly around seasonal events like bonfire night and Halloween. This is because the ingredients can also help settle nerves, making them a great choice for anxious dogs, too.
Our tin is usually filled with a combination of these brands, depending on what we can get on offer or what was available when we popped into our nearest store. From bedtime biscuits to soothing soft bites, these are our top five calming treats for dogs:
Lily’s Kitchen Bedtime Biscuits
Lily’s Kitchen Bedtime Biscuits are an adorable way to bid your pup goodnight. Oven-baked with organic ingredients, the crunchy ovals almost resemble a shortbread biscuit and look good enough to eat yourself, not to mention the fact they smell incredible.
They contain honey to help support the immune system as well as yoghurt to provide a source of good bacteria for gut health, alongside chamomile, known for its calming properties, to help soothe your pooch ready for some sweet dreams.These treats cost £3.50 a pack and are suitable for dogs from four months old, meaning you can really start that evening routine early on in their lives.
Read more: Creating a treat routine with Lily’s Kitchen biscuits
Forthglade Calming Soft Bites
For something a little gentler, Forthglade’s Calming Soft Bites are a great way to create a quieter moment, coming in at £2.25 per pack. Starring a blend of turkey, chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm, these semi-moist treats are packed with soothing ingredients that sound more like a spa product than a pet treat.
Suitable for dogs over the age of two months, it means you can feed these from the moment your pooch joins your family, plus as they’re grain-free and free from artificial colours and preservatives they’ll be easy on the digestive system, too.
What’s even better is that these leaf shaped treats can be easily broken into smaller treats for puppy training, multi-dog households or enhanced portion control, too.
Read more: Three Forthglade treats perfect for morning, noon and night
Pooch and Mutt Calming Probiotic Meaty Treats
Specifically designed for anxious dogs, Pooch and Mutt’s Calming Probiotic Meaty Treats are grain-free and formulated with turkey and hemp. Free from artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives, these treats aim to help even the most laid-back dogs unwind.
These calming flower-shaped semi-moist treats are a great way to help our dogs relax, using hemp to naturally maintain low stress levels. Another great ingredient we love is valerian root, which is particularly effective in dogs who have noise phobias, like thunderstorms or fireworks.
These are the most expensive at £3.99 per pack, but Pooch and Mutt regularly have discount codes sent to your inbox if you sign up to the newsletter, and they often throw in extra freebies at the checkout, making these one of our most-ordered.
Read more: Pooch and Mutt probiotic meaty treats with functional health benefits
Scrumbles Nibbles
A cheaper option, though are Scrumbles Nibbles, which have undergone a makeover since we first reviewed them back in 2021. The biscuits are no longer a flat button style treat, but are more of a biscuit with, bordering on shortbread, with an intricate pattern on the front.
Crafted with natural chamomile and lemon balm, as well as tasty turkey, Scrumbles Nibbles are perfect for dogs prone to anxiety from loud noises, car journeys, or separation. Hand-baked in the UK, these treats are not only calming but also grain-free with added prebiotics for a healthy gut.
You may have noticed that three of the five treats on this list contain turkey, and it’s for good reason. Turkey contains an amino acid called L-tryptophan which promotes sleep and a good mood – no wonder we always feel so sleepy after our Christmas dinners. These come in at £2.75 per pack, with scrumbles recommending owners feed 4-5 calming dog treats a day as a bedtime biscuit, or tasty treat.
Read more: Three eco-friendly Scrumbles treats to add to your dogs shopping list
Betty Miller Dozy Dog Treats
Betty Miller’s Dozy Dog Treats are soft-baked, grain-free treats containing a blend of herbs such as chamomile, valerian root, lemon balm, and lavender. Specifically formulated to settle your dog at night and during times of increased anxiety, these treats are made with all-natural ingredients and contain no added sugar.
At £2.39, they’re the cheapest option on the list and therefore a great option if you’re on a budget. The mini bone treats go such a long way and are a great size for snuffle mats and treat dispensers that will allow you to mentally stimulate your dog, therefore tiring them mentally while soothing them with treats.
Does your dog get a little treat before bed? If so, is it a specific nighttime treat or will you be making the switch to one of these calming options next time?
Read more: From Bedtime to Brunch – there’s a Betty Miller treat for every occasion
