Is It Okay to Give My Dog Calming Treats Every Day?

Studies show that calming treats can help keep dogs calm and relaxed. But can your furry friend use them every single day?

Yes, it's generally safe to give dogs calming treats daily, especially CBD-based ones. Research shows full spectrum CBD oil is well-tolerated in dogs short and long-term. Dosage depends on your dog's size and weight - start small and adjust. Earth Buddy's Blueberry Hemp Dog Chews are formulated for daily use.

Key Takeaways

Calming Treats can be made of various ingredients, each with different dosages and usage guidelines.
One popular type of calming treat is CBD, which research shows can promote relaxation in dogs.
CBD is generally well-tolerated in dogs in the short- and long-term.
While the exact dosage will depend on your dog's size and weight, it's usually fine to give your dog one dose per day.
For example, we recommend giving small dogs one of our Blueberry Hemp Hearts daily.

See Related: How Important is L-Glutamine for Dogs?

All About Calming Treats

Dogs, just like humans, can get stressed sometimes. And just like humans, they sometimes need a little help dealing with that stress.

Perhaps your dog dislikes loud noises, like fireworks. They might struggle with out-of-the-ordinary situations, like taking a car ride. Or maybe they just hate it when you leave!

Fortunately for both us pet parents and our furry friends, there's a simple way to help promote relaxation: calming treats.

Calming treats are products designed to have a calming effect on the nerves, helping your dog stay calm and relaxed.

But how do they work? Which ones are the best? And how often can you give your pup these calming products?

How Calming Dog Treats Work

Different calming treats work in different ways. It all depends on the ingredients.

Many calming supplements rely on naturally occurring compounds like L-theanine, valerian root, and L-tryptophan. One increasingly popular solution is CBD.

In general, these treats work by influencing the balance of neurotransmitters and/or hormones to help promote relaxation.

CBD, for example, interacts with a complex system of receptors called the endocannabinoid system. This system is intricately connected with all kinds of crucial bodily functions, including those responsible for stress.¹

Why Dogs Get Stressed

For thousands of years, the hormones that cause stress were vital to keeping the ancestors of both dogs and humans alive.² But these hormones can be triggered by all kinds of stressful situations that aren't actually that dangerous.

Vet visits, for example, are a classic example of a situation that might stress your dog. Car rides, loud noises, unfamiliar people, the mailman, being left alone, other dogs... depending on your dog, the list of things that stress them out can sometimes stretch quite long.

In fact, studies show dogs can even sense their owner's stress.³ And that stress can make them stressed in turn.⁴

Of course, it's best to address the root cause of your dog's stress. If you think they are picking up on your own worries, for example, you might consider taking steps to address your own stress.

Safely exposing puppies and young dogs to unfamiliar situations, animals, and people can also help them deal with these things later in life.⁵

But many of the situations that stress our dogs are simply unavoidable. As much as our pups might hate the vet, you can't avoid it forever. That's where calming treats come in.

Calming Products For Dogs

Calming treats are just one example of a wide range of calming products for dogs.

Generally, calming products can be divided into two categories. The first are consumable calming supplements. That includes calming treats, CBD Oils or Extracts, and other supplements that can help promote relaxation.

The other category includes calming aids such as hoodies to reduce loud noises and weighted coats to help keep dogs relaxed.

Each type of calming product has its pros and cons, and some (like hoodies) are specifically designed for certain stressful situations. Calming treats, however, can be used to help maintain calmness in all kinds of situations, from car rides to vet visits.

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The Key Calming Ingredient in Calming Chews

Most calming treats use natural ingredients to achieve their effect. In Hemp-Based Treats for Dogs, the key ingredient is CBD.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is produced by the hemp plant. It's widely used by humans to promote relaxation. In fact, almost one-third of Americans use it regularly, and of those, about half use it specifically for stress.⁶

Fortunately for our furry friends, research shows CBD can help keep dogs calm and relaxed, too.

In one Cornell study, 83% of dogs given CBD chews before a stressful event showed a reduction in stress-related behaviors.⁷ In a different study from 2024, dogs given CBD showed a significant reduction in stress during a car journey.⁸ And a massive study of almost 50,000 dogs found that those being given CBD had lower levels of aggression, which is often related to underlying stress.⁹

Little wonder, then, that over 7% of all companion dogs in the US have been given CBD products at some point in their lives.¹⁰ That equates to something like five million dogs who've already tried CBD! ¹¹

Dosage For Calming Bites

We've established the potential benefits of calming treats. But, as with anything, there's a right way and a wrong way to use them.

Administering calming treats is usually easy. After all, few dogs will ignore a delicious treat. (If yours does, we’ll cover some tips below.)

In fact, the opposite is usually true. Many pet owners know the pain of resisting those adorable puppy dog eyes. But how many calming treats are too many?

This is actually a harder question than you might think. CBD's effects depend on a lot of variables, including your dog's weight, size, and tolerance. The amount of CBD that's appropriate for a tiny Chihuahua will likely be different than the amount required for a massive Great Dane.

Maximum Recommended Dosage

The manufacturer of your calming treats should provide recommended dosages. For example, we recommend giving 1 of our Pumpkin Hemp Hearts per 20lbs of body weight. But for our stronger Beef & Pumpkin Calming Chews, we recommend starting with 1 treat per 50lbs of body weight.

In general, it's best to start small. Monitor your dog's reaction and adjust your dosage accordingly, always staying within the recommended limits for your product.

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Can I Give My Dog Calming Treats Daily?

Yes, it's generally fine to give your dog a calming treat (or multiple treats, depending on the dosage) every day.

In fact, that's exactly what we recommend doing with our Blueberry Hemp Hearts. Small dogs should start with 1 per day, while dogs over 80lbs can have 4 per day. Lucky them!

You can incorporate calming treats into your pet’s everyday routine. With regular administration over time, CBD builds up in the body.¹²

Alternatively, you can use your calming treats on an as-needed basis.

What Scientific Studies Say

Most research into CBD has involved short-term use of CBD. But studies have found that long-term use of CBD in dogs is safe and well-tolerated.¹³ In one study, dogs tolerated up to 10mg/kg of CBD per day.¹⁴

Bonus: Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?

Can You Give Your Dog Calming Treats Every Day?

Yes! It's usually fine to incorporate calming treats into your dog's daily routine. Hemp treats also have plenty of other potential health benefits, too, from joint health to helping support the immune system.¹⁵

There are plenty of options, each with a different flavor profile and dosage. You could opt for Blueberry or Pumpkin, or go with Duck & Apple or Beef & Pumpkin

But what if your dog just doesn't like treats? Don't worry. There are other options, too.

Other Calming Aids You Could Use

As we mentioned, treats are just one type of calming supplement. Another great option is CBD Oil, which you can give to your dog directly from the dropper or drizzle into their food.

Conclusion

Giving your dog calming treats can be a great way to help keep them calm and relaxed, especially when they have to confront potentially stressful situations.

If you opt for CBD treats, research shows it's generally safe to give them to your dog daily. Just make sure to stick to the recommended dosage, keep a close eye on how your dog tolerates them, and remember to always consult with your vet for any advice or help you might need.

Keep Reading: The Differences Between Human and Dog CBD Products

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Can a Dog Have Calming Treats?

That depends on the dog and the treat. The dosage of treats is usually calculated based on your dog's size and weight, and different types of treats may have different dosage requirements.

For example, our Pumpkin Hemp Hearts each contain 4mg of CBD. We recommend giving your dog one of these chews per 20lb of body weight.

What Are the Side Effects of Calming Chews for Dogs?

Again, that depends on the type of calming treat.

In general, supplements designed to promote relaxation may make your dog a little drowsy. That's true for CBD, at least. Other possible side effects of CBD include dry mouth and loose stool.¹⁶

What Is the 3-3-3 Rule for Dog Anxiety?

The 3-3-3 rule refers to the gradual process of helping a rescue dog come out of its shell. It covers three periods of time.

First, the rule suggests that it will take three days for an adopted dog to get used to their new surroundings. Then it might take three weeks for the dog to go through training and bonding. Finally, it can take three months to continue socializing and bonding with your new furry friend.¹⁷

If you adopt a dog, expect them to be stressed. Studies have shown that shelters can be stressful places for pups, and moving to a new home can be stressful for anyone.¹⁸

Depending on the dog, calming treats might be a way to help keep your dog calm and relaxed throughout the training, bonding, and socialization process.

Do calming treats work better given daily or just as needed?

Both approaches work, but daily use tends to build a more consistent baseline of calm, especially with CBD. Research shows full spectrum CBD oil accumulates in the body over time, which may enhance its calming effect with regular use. For situational stress like vet visits or fireworks, giving an extra dose on top of a daily routine can provide added support.

Sources

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Is It Okay to Give My Dog Calming Treats Every Day?

Key Takeaways

All About Calming Treats