Quick answer
Our top pick is AyurPet CoolCalm+, non-drowsy liquid drops built on ashwagandha and L-theanine, the calming ingredients with the most dog research, plus six Ayurvedic calming herbs. Good alternatives include PetLabCo. NeuraBlend, Zesty Paws Calming Bites and vet-led Purina Calming Care. All work best for mild to moderate stress alongside training; severe anxiety needs a vet.
Key takeaways
- Our top pick: CoolCalm+, AyurPet's non-sedative calming drops pairing ashwagandha and L-theanine with Brahmi, Jatamansi and other Ayurvedic herbs.
- Ashwagandha, a Rasayana (rejuvenating herb) of Ayurveda, has the strongest single dog trial of any calming herb: a 2022 randomised, placebo-controlled study in 24 dogs used 15 mg/kg of root extract daily and found lower cortisol and lower fear and anxiety scores.
- L-theanine, alpha-casozepine and BL999 show early promise in small or manufacturer-run studies. Tryptophan on its own did not change behaviour in a controlled trial.
- CBD did not reduce fireworks fear in a blinded dog study, and it is illegal in the UAE.
- Give daily calming supplements consistently for several weeks. For fireworks, start about two weeks before the date.
How we chose the best calming supplements for dogs
A calming supplement is only as good as the evidence behind its ingredients and the honesty of its label. We judged every option, including our own, on the same six questions.
- Does at least one key ingredient have published research in dogs? Human or rodent data alone is not enough.
- Are amounts listed per ingredient? A "proprietary blend" hides how much of each ingredient your dog actually gets.
- Can you dose it by body weight? A 12 kg dog and a 34 kg dog should not get the same amount.
- Is it non-sedating? The goal is a dog who can still learn and play, not a drowsy one.
- Is it safe alongside common medicines? Melatonin and some herbs interact with drugs.
- Can you actually buy it where you live? We checked UAE availability where we could.
Which calming ingredients actually work for dogs?
Only a handful of calming ingredients have been tested in dogs, and most studies are small. Ashwagandha has the best-designed trial, L-theanine and the probiotic BL999 show early promise, and chamomile has traditional use but no dog trials. Here is the evidence, ingredient by ingredient.
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Calming supplements for dogs
How strong is the evidence?
Nine popular calming ingredients, rated on research in dogs, not people or rodents.
● More bars = stronger evidence in dogs ● Gold = not supported or caution
Ashwagandha root extract
1 randomised, placebo-controlled trial: 24 dogs, 15 mg/kg a day. Lower cortisol and fear scores.
L-theanine green tea amino acid
Small, mostly manufacturer-funded studies. Early promise, not sedating.
BL999 probiotic B. longum
Industry crossover study in 24 anxious Labradors (abstract).
Alpha-casozepine milk protein
Preliminary studies show some promise.
Melatonin sleep hormone
Off-label use, limited trials. Vet dose only; check for xylitol.
Tryptophan alone amino acid
Randomised trial: no change in behaviour.
Chamomile, valerian calming herbs
Traditional use. No controlled dog trials found.
Pheromones Adaptil, not a supplement
Review of 8 trials: weak evidence, low risk.
CBD cannabidiol
Blinded study of 16 dogs: no effect on fireworks fear at 1.4 mg/kg. Illegal in the UAE.
Sources: Kaur et al. 2022; VCA (Lindell, Horwitz, Landsberg); McGowan et al. 2018; Bosch et al. 2009; Wong & Govendir 2021; Morris et al. 2020. Ratings are AyurPet's summary.
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Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
In Ayurveda, India's traditional system of medicine, ashwagandha is a Rasayana, a rejuvenating herb prized for over 3,000 years for meeting stress with steadiness. Its Sanskrit name means "smell of the horse", for the strength it is said to give. Classical texts describe it as bitter and astringent in taste (rasa) and warming in potency (virya), and use it to settle Vata, the dosha linked with restlessness, fear and poor sleep. It is traditionally given as a root powder.
What science is finding: in dogs, the key study is a 2022 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Twenty-four stressed or anxious dogs received either a placebo or 15 mg/kg of a standardised root extract once daily for four weeks. The ashwagandha group had a significantly lower urine cortisol to creatinine ratio and lower fear and anxiety scores on a validated owner questionnaire, with no adverse events reported.
It is one small, four-week study, and it is more than any other calming herb can show in dogs. Our full guide to ashwagandha for dogs covers safety in detail.
L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid from green tea. Board-certified veterinary behaviourists writing for VCA Animal Hospitals say initial studies suggest it may have a calming effect in dogs and cats. The dog studies so far are small and mostly funded by manufacturers, so the effect size is unclear. It is widely used because it is not sedating. Read more in our L-theanine for dogs guide.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is the amino acid the body uses to make serotonin. In an eight-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in mildly anxious pet dogs, a tryptophan-enriched diet raised blood tryptophan but did not change behaviour compared with the control diet. It appears in many blends, but on its own the evidence is weak.
Alpha-casozepine (milk protein)
Alpha-casozepine is a peptide made by breaking down a cow's milk protein (casein). VCA's behaviourists describe preliminary studies showing some promise in reducing fear and anxiety in dogs and cats, and it is used in some veterinary calming diets.
Bifidobacterium longum BL999 (a calming probiotic)
BL999 is the probiotic strain in Purina's veterinary Calming Care. A 2018 conference abstract from Purina researchers reported a crossover study in 24 anxious Labrador retrievers: on BL999 the dogs barked, jumped, spun and paced less and had lower salivary cortisol and heart rate. It is industry-run and has not been published as a full peer-reviewed paper, but it is a genuine controlled design and supports the idea of a gut-brain link in dogs.
Chamomile, valerian and passionflower
These herbs have long traditional use in people, but we found no controlled calming trials in dogs, so they should not be the main reason you pick a product. See our guide to chamomile for dogs.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a sleep hormone. VCA notes it is used off label in dogs for sleep and behaviour problems, takes effect in 1 to 2 hours and should wear off within 24 hours. It can interact with drugs such as amlodipine, benzodiazepines and warfarin, needs caution in breeding, pregnant or nursing dogs, and human products may contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs (VCA). Ask your vet for a dose rather than using a human tablet.
CBD (cannabidiol)
CBD is popular online, but the best dog trial was disappointing. In a blinded 2020 study of 16 dogs exposed to fireworks noise, CBD at about 1.4 mg/kg a day for seven days did not reduce fear behaviour or cortisol, while the prescription drug trazodone did lower cortisol. CBD is also illegal in the UAE and treated like cannabis (CMS legal guide), so do not order it into the country.
An aside: pheromones are not supplements
Adaptil releases a synthetic copy of the dog appeasing pheromone that nursing mothers produce. It is a diffuser, collar or spray, not something your dog eats. A 2021 Veterinary Evidence review of eight controlled trials concluded the evidence is weak and true clinical benefit is undetermined, but that it is unlikely to cause harm and can be part of a wider plan.
| Ingredient | Best dog evidence | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha root extract | 1 randomised placebo-controlled trial, 24 dogs, 15 mg/kg/day | Promising, best-studied herb |
| L-theanine | Small, mostly manufacturer-funded studies | Early but reasonable |
| B. longum BL999 | Industry crossover study, 24 dogs (abstract) | Early, vet-guided option |
| Alpha-casozepine | Preliminary studies | Early |
| Tryptophan alone | Randomised trial: no behaviour change | Weak |
| Melatonin | Off-label use, limited trials | Vet-dosed only |
| Chamomile, valerian, passionflower | No dog trials found | Traditional use only |
| CBD | Blinded study, 16 dogs: no effect at 1.4 mg/kg | Not supported; illegal in UAE |
| Pheromones (Adaptil) | Review of 8 trials: weak evidence | Optional add-on |
How much calming supplement can I give my dog?
Follow the label of the product you buy, and use published study doses as a yardstick for whether a product contains a meaningful amount. For ashwagandha, the only controlled dog trial used 15 mg/kg of standardised root extract once a day. For L-theanine, Virbac's Anxitane label doses by weight band, twice a day, ideally starting two weeks before a known stressful event (Virbac).
| Dog weight | Ashwagandha extract at the 2022 study dose (15 mg/kg/day) | Anxitane (L-theanine) label dose, twice daily |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 75 mg | Half an S tablet |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | 150 mg | Half an S tablet |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | 300 mg | Half an M/L tablet |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | 450 mg | One M/L tablet |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | 600 mg | One M/L tablet |
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Calming supplements for dogs
Ashwagandha: the study dose by weight
The 2022 dog trial used 15 mg per kg of standardised root extract, once a day, for four weeks.
5 kg 11 lb
75 mg
10 kg 22 lb
150 mg
20 kg 44 lb
300 mg
30 kg 66 lb
450 mg
40 kg 88 lb
600 mg
Use it as a yardstick: compare a product's milligrams with this dose. For AyurPet products, follow the pack.
Start low and agree it with your vet, especially if your dog takes medication, is pregnant or has a condition.
Source: Kaur et al., Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2022 (24 dogs, randomised, placebo-controlled). A reference point, not a prescription.
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Start low, and talk to your vet first, especially if your dog takes medication, is pregnant or has a health condition. These are study and label figures for reference, not a prescription. For any AyurPet product, follow the dosage on the pack.
The best calming supplements for dogs, compared
CoolCalm+ is our top pick. The others are good alternatives we could verify on each brand's own website, with amounts per serving as the brand lists them.
#1 Our top pick · Best overall
AyurPet CoolCalm+ calming drops
Why it leads
- Built on the evidence: ashwagandha, the calming herb with a randomised, placebo-controlled dog trial, plus L-theanine, widely used because it does not sedate.
- Ayurveda and modern actives together: Brahmi, Jatamansi, Shankhpushpi, Tagar, Tulsi and Gotu Kola, with L-tryptophan, magnesium glycinate and casein hydrolysate.
- Non-sedative: made for a calmer dog who can still learn, play and train.
- Liquid drops: nothing to break down first ("Liquid absorbs. Chews guess."), and easy to adjust in small steps for your dog's weight.
- Clean label: human-grade ingredients, lab tested and certified, no added chemicals, vet and pet approved.
In AyurPet's own 28-day study of 50+ dogs, 89% of owners reported calmer behaviour (internal, not peer-reviewed). The published trials are for its key ingredients, not the finished formula.
See CoolCalm+| Product | Format | Key actives (brand-listed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AyurPet CoolCalm+ #1 OUR TOP PICK |
Liquid drops | Ashwagandha, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, magnesium glycinate and casein hydrolysate, plus Ayurvedic herbs Brahmi, Jatamansi, Shankhpushpi, Tagar, Tulsi and Gotu Kola | Best overall: daily, non-drowsy Ayurvedic support with flexible dosing |
| Zesty Paws Calming Bites | Soft chew | Per 2 chews: 210 mg blend (valerian, Suntheanine L-theanine, L-tryptophan), chamomile 160 mg, hemp seed powder 100 mg, passionflower 90 mg, ginger 60 mg, ashwagandha 50 mg, magnesium citrate 30 mg | Treat-motivated dogs; easy to find in the UAE |
| PetLabCo. NeuraBlend Calming Chew | Soft chew | Medium chew: KSM-66 ashwagandha 100 mg, L-theanine 100 mg, chamomile 150 mg, valerian 100 mg, passion flower 100 mg, L-tryptophan 60 mg, GABA 35 mg, heat-treated B. longum and L. rhamnosus | Owners who want a transparent multi-ingredient chew |
| VetriScience Calm & Confident (formerly Composure) | Soft chew | Per chew: thiamine 134 mg, Colostrum Calming Complex 22 mg, L-theanine 21 mg | Event-based use, such as vet visits or car trips |
| NaturVet Quiet Moments | Soft chew | Per 2 chews: chamomile 150 mg, thiamine 100 mg, passion flower 100 mg, ginger 100 mg, L-tryptophan 30 mg, melatonin 120 mcg | Budget, low-melatonin situational use |
| Native Pet Advanced Calm Chews | Air-dried chicken chew | Per chew: hydrolysed casein (alpha-casozepine) 170 mg, L-tryptophan 100 mg, L-theanine 50 mg, valerian 50 mg, melatonin 10 mg | Short-term use with your vet's agreement, given the melatonin |
| Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care | Powder sachet | B. longum BL999, 1 billion CFU per sachet | Vet-guided, herb-free, gut-brain approach |
| Adaptil (not a supplement) | Diffuser or collar | Dog appeasing pheromone | A low-risk add-on at home |
The alternatives: pros and cons
Pros: tasty chew, NASC quality seal, and listed by Petzone UAE. Cons: valerian, L-theanine and tryptophan sit in a 210 mg proprietary blend, so you cannot see each amount, and ashwagandha is 50 mg per two chews, well below the 15 mg/kg study dose for most dogs (extracts differ, so this is a rough yardstick).
Pros: every amount listed, uses KSM-66 ashwagandha and L-theanine. Cons: launched in October 2026, so there is little real-world track record yet, and ashwagandha per chew (for example 100 mg for dogs of 25 to 75 lb) is below the trial dose for most dogs in that band.
Pros: the brand says it works within 30 minutes and lasts up to 4 hours, and it is not a sedative. Cons: the cited field trial (21 of 30 owners rating it "very effective") was not placebo-controlled, and the L-theanine dose is modest.
Pros: low melatonin, simple to give 30 minutes before a trigger. Cons: its main actives (chamomile, passion flower, ginger) lack dog trials.
Pros: includes alpha-casozepine and L-theanine. Cons: 10 mg melatonin per chew is a meaningful hormone dose, so check with your vet, especially for intact or breeding dogs or dogs on medication.
Pros: single, named probiotic strain with a controlled study behind it. Cons: the study is an unpublished industry abstract, Purina says results may take six weeks, and it is sold through vets.
Calming drops vs chews: which is better for dogs?
No study has compared calming drops with calming chews head to head, so neither format is proven to work better. The practical differences are dosing precision, ingredients you do not need, and how easily your dog takes it.
| Drops (liquid) | Soft chews | |
|---|---|---|
| Dosing | Measured by the drop or ml, so easy to adjust in small steps | Usually in weight bands, such as 1 chew up to 25 lb and 2 chews for 26 to 75 lb |
| Extra ingredients | Usually few; no binders or flavour base needed | Need a binder, flavourings and fats; adds calories |
| Ease of giving | Mix into food or water; some dogs notice herbal taste | Most dogs take them as a treat |
| Allergies | Easier to avoid common protein flavours | Often chicken, pork, turkey or peanut butter based |
We chose drops for CoolCalm+ because a liquid needs no breaking down and lets you match the amount to your dog closely. If your dog will only accept a chew, a well-dosed chew beats a liquid you cannot get into them.
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Calming supplements for dogs
Drops vs chews: what really differs
No study has compared the two formats head to head. These are the practical differences.
Drops
liquid
Soft chews
treat format
Dosing
Measured by drop or ml, adjustable in small steps
Weight bands, e.g. 1 chew up to 25 lb, 2 chews for 26 to 75 lb
Extras
Usually few; no binder needed
Binders, flavours and fats add calories
Giving it
Mix into food or water; some dogs notice herbal taste
Most dogs take them as a treat
Allergies
Easier to avoid common protein flavours
Often chicken, pork, turkey or peanut butter based
Our rule: the best format is the one your dog will take every day, at a dose that matches their weight.
Based on brand labels checked 20 October 2026. No head-to-head clinical comparison of drops and chews exists.
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What is the best calming supplement for separation anxiety?
For separation anxiety, choose a daily supplement you give consistently, such as CoolCalm+ (ashwagandha and L-theanine) or a vet-recommended probiotic like BL999, and pair it with a gradual departure-training plan. Supplements alone rarely fix separation anxiety.
Veterinary behaviourists at VCA recommend a predictable routine, exercise and a novel chew or food puzzle before you leave, graduated departures that start with a few seconds, and never punishing the dog for damage. They note that most dogs with true separation anxiety respond to prescription fluoxetine or clomipramine alongside retraining. In a survey of 13,715 Finnish dogs, separation-related behaviour affected about 5% of dogs (Salonen et al., 2020), so it is less common than noise fear, but often more severe. If you are in the UAE and travel or work long hours, our guide to separation anxiety in Dubai has a step-by-step plan.
Do calming supplements work for fireworks?
Calming supplements can take the edge off mild fireworks fear if you start early, ideally around two weeks before the date. For dogs who panic, shake, hide or try to escape, ask your vet about a prescription option well before the night.
Noise sensitivity is the most common anxiety trait in dogs, reported in 32% of the 13,715 dogs in the Finnish survey (Salonen et al., 2020). For situational products, brands advise giving them about 30 minutes before the trigger. Vets can prescribe dexmedetomidine gel (Sileo), which the US FDA has approved for noise aversion in dogs (FDA summary). In Dubai, New Year's Eve at Burj Khalifa and other big displays are loud and long, so plan ahead with our New Year fireworks guide for Dubai dogs.
What is the best calming supplement for dogs in the UAE?
In the UAE, the best calming supplement is one that is legal, shipped here and dosed for your dog's weight, which rules out CBD. AyurPet ships CoolCalm+ to the UAE from theayurpet.store, and Zesty Paws Calming Bites is listed by Petzone UAE. Check local stock for the other brands before you order.
Two UAE-specific tips. First, long summer days indoors mean less exercise, and less daily exercise has been linked with more noise sensitivity and separation anxiety in dogs (Tiira and Lohi, 2015), so early-morning walks and indoor enrichment matter as much as any supplement. Second, if you import products yourself, check they contain no CBD or other cannabis-derived ingredients.
AyurPet's take
We believe Ayurveda's centuries-old approach to a restless mind belongs in modern dog care, so CoolCalm+ pairs Ayurvedic herbs such as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) with ashwagandha and L-theanine, the ingredients with the most dog evidence. We would tell you not to rely on CoolCalm+, or any supplement, for a dog who is panicking, self-injuring or not eating: that dog needs a vet, and often medication, first. Whichever brand you choose, compare the milligrams per kilogram with the study doses.
When is a calming supplement not enough?
See your vet promptly if your dog:
- Injures themselves trying to escape, or damages doors, crates or windows
- Stops eating, or has diarrhoea or vomiting linked to stress
- Shows sudden new anxiety or aggression, especially if older (pain or illness can be the cause)
- Has not improved after four to six weeks of a consistent plan
Medication is not a failure. For many dogs it is what makes training possible. If you want the bigger picture beyond supplements, read our guide to natural treatments for dog anxiety, or book an AyurPet online vet consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective natural calming supplement for dogs?
Based on current evidence, standardised ashwagandha root extract has the best-designed dog trial: 15 mg/kg daily lowered cortisol and fear scores versus placebo in 24 dogs over four weeks. L-theanine and the probiotic BL999 are reasonable alternatives with earlier-stage evidence.
How long do calming supplements take to work in dogs?
Daily supplements usually need consistent use for several weeks; the ashwagandha trial ran for four weeks and Purina says its BL999 product may take six. Situational chews are typically given about 30 minutes before a stressful event.
Are calming supplements safe for dogs?
Most are well tolerated, and no adverse events were reported in the ashwagandha trial. Check with your vet first if your dog is pregnant, has a health condition or takes medication, and avoid products containing xylitol.
Will a calming supplement make my dog sleepy?
Ashwagandha, L-theanine and BL999 products are designed to be non-sedating. Products with melatonin can cause sleepiness, according to VCA.
Is CBD a good calming supplement for dogs?
The evidence is weak. In a blinded study of 16 dogs, CBD at about 1.4 mg/kg a day did not reduce fireworks fear. CBD is also illegal in the UAE.
Can I give my dog calming chews every day?
Many calming chews are labelled for daily use, but check the label, especially for melatonin content, and ask your vet about long-term use if your dog has a health condition or takes medication.
Do vets recommend calming supplements?
Veterinary behaviourists generally treat supplements as one part of a plan that also includes behaviour modification and, when needed, prescription medication, rather than a stand-alone fix.
Every anxious dog is different. Check with your vet before starting any supplement, and see them promptly if your dog's anxiety is severe or getting worse.
How we researched this: Written by the AyurPet research team from 13 sources listed below, including peer-reviewed studies, veterinary references and brand product pages checked on 20 October 2026. Last reviewed October 2026.
References
- Efficacy and safety of standardized Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on reducing stress and anxiety in domestic dogs: a randomized controlled trial (Kaur J, Seshadri S, Golla KH, Sampara P). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 51:8-15, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.03.002
- Behavior Counseling: Complementary Treatments (Lindell E, Horwitz D, Landsberg G). VCA Animal Hospitals, 2026. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/behavior-counseling---medication-complementary
- Dietary tryptophan supplementation in privately owned mildly anxious dogs (Bosch G et al.). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 121(3-4):197-205, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2009.10.003
- Tapping into those 'gut feelings': impact of BL999 (Bifidobacterium longum) on anxiety in dogs (McGowan RTS et al.). Veterinary Behavior Symposium abstract, 2018. https://www.fearfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ragen-McGowan-2018-VBS-Abstract.pdf
- Melatonin (Hamilton A, Gollakner R). VCA Animal Hospitals, 2026. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/melatonin
- The impact of feeding cannabidiol (CBD) containing treats on canine response to a noise-induced fear response test (Morris EM et al.). Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7:569565, 2020. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.569565/full
- Cannabis law and legislation in the United Arab Emirates. CMS Expert Guide to a Legal Roadmap to Cannabis, 2021. https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-a-legal-roadmap-to-cannabis/united-arab-emirates
- Can dog appeasing pheromone ameliorate stress behaviours associated with anxiety in mature domestic dogs? (Wong CF, Govendir M). Veterinary Evidence 6(4), 2021. https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/article/view/421
- Anxitane for dogs and cats: product information and dosing. Virbac UK, 2026. https://uk.virbac.com/anxitane
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs (Horwitz D, Landsberg G). VCA Animal Hospitals, 2026. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/separation-anxiety-in-dogs
- Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs (Salonen M et al.). Scientific Reports 10, 2020. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7058607/
- Freedom of Information Summary: Sileo (dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel) for noise aversion in dogs. US Food and Drug Administration, 2016. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/942
- Early life experiences and exercise associate with canine anxieties (Tiira K, Lohi H). PLoS One 10(11):e0141907, 2015. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4631323/