There are a number of reasons a dog may benefit from some calming treats. There are some dogs who are innately anxious or nervous, or find particular situations stressful. Events like bonfire night and New Year can make a dog feel stressed. Other dogs may simply be over-excitable, and would find that a calming aid may help them settle down to a more balanced mindset.
These types of treats usually contain a combination of calming botanicals like valerian root and chamomile – it’s the equivalent of a human having a chamomile cuppa. They’re just a natural, non-medicinal way to soothe your dog without needed to visit the vet. Though the American Kennel Club recommend checking with your vet if your pooch has any underlying health conditions.
Being rescues, The Scamps can display some anxious behaviour on occasion, such as on walks or in new situations. We like to keep a packet of calming treats in the house just in case – and they really do love them. Just like we might have a bubble bath and a brew to unwind, these herbal treats can do the same for your four-legged friends.
Here are three of our favourite choices at the moment, all of which are under £3 a packet.
Lily’s Kitchen Organic Bedtime Biscuits
I love the idea behind the Lily’s Kitchen Bedtime Biscuits. They’re like your dogs supper, and quickly become a much loved part of their daily routine.
It seems silly to say, but bedtime does seem to be one of The Scamps’ favourite parts of the day – but I think that’s down to the routine. Wee, biscuit, bed, tucked in with a kiss and a cuddle.
The Lily’s Kitchen Bedtime Biscuits are an artisanal treat made with organic oats and rye flour, probiotic yoghurt, honey, passion and chamomile flowers. They remind me of a little shortbread, and are oven baked, wheat free and hypoallergenic. The botanicals used are associated with aiding sleep, and yoghurt is great for digestion, too.
They’re a super sweet way to say goodnight to your dog, and can be part of their nightly routine from 16 weeks old. Just be sure to keep a bowl of fresh water down, and just feed one treat per night.
Forthglade Grain Free Dog Treats – calming
These little heart shaped treats are adorable and I always like to have the Forthglade training treats in. These hand baked treats are made with calming herbs like chamomile and lemon balm to help reduce stress and anxiety, and skulcap, which is a soothing botanical to assist nervous dogs.
As the treats are scored down the centre, it makes them really easy to break in half to use as a training aid. Phoebe was previously quite a reactive dog, but soon learned through positive reinforcement on her walks that seeing another pooch would mean she got a treat. These Forthglade biscuits have been brilliant for those kinds of training sessions.
Frank has also associated Phoebe getting a biscuit on her walk with there being another dog nearby, and has started to spook. Bull breeds can be quite nervous, but we have found Frank starting to relax more with these.
Pooch and Mutt Calm and Relaxed
The peanut butter Pooch and Mutt treats are a clear favourite in our house, but we also love the Calm and Relaxed range. The little bone shaped treats are a great size and are made with chamomile and valerian root – both of which are natural relaxation aids.
Pooch and Mutt have recently rebranded and with the new design, have also reduced their plastic, ditching the plastic back inside the cardboard tube. Their study packaging makes a great pen pot once empty, too.
The Calm and Relaxed treats contain prebiotics to help good bacteria thrive in the gut, as well as B-vitamins in ingredients like sweet potato to reduce anxiety, as B-Vitamin deficiency has been associated with anxiety and depression. They also contain something called L-tryptophan, which boosts serotonin levels to help you pooch feel more content.
They’re the perfect size for stuffing kongs, so would work great for things like bonfire night or New Years’ Eve when your dog needs a distraction.
And don’t forget, you can get 10% off at Hounds with the code SCAMPS.
