Dog calming chews won't cure anxiety, but they can be a helpful part of a bigger plan. They are daily supplements made with herbs, amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are traditionally used to support relaxation. They work best when you start them before a busy period and pair them with a calm space, a steady routine and some gentle training. Below, we go through what's in our new Pambros Calming Chews recipe, what each ingredient is used for, and where chews fit in.
What calming chews can and can't do
It helps to be realistic from the start. Research on individual calming ingredients in dogs is still limited and the results are mixed, so every dog responds differently.
Calming chews can:
- Support a calmer mood during predictable stressful periods, such as fireworks season, a house move or visitors
- Make it easier to stick to a daily routine, because most dogs take them like a treat
- Sit alongside training, so your dog has a better chance of learning to settle
Calming chews can't:
- Cure anxiety or fix a fear on their own
- Replace medication or a treatment plan your vet has prescribed
- Change behaviour such as aggression. If your dog growls, snaps or bites, speak to your vet or a qualified behaviourist
If you're wondering whether they're worth trying at all, our guide on whether calming chews for dogs really work looks at that question in more detail.
What's in Pambros Calming Chews?
Our Calming Chews have a new recipe. Here's what the active ingredients are, grouped by type, with what each one is traditionally used for.
To be clear about what's not in them: the recipe does not contain melatonin, hemp or CBD. It is a duck-flavoured chew and contains milk (casein and colostrum) and duck, so please check for allergies first.
Calming botanicals
- Lemon balm – a herb in the mint family, traditionally used to support relaxation
- Valerian – a root traditionally used to support relaxation and restful sleep
- Passion flower – traditionally used to support a settled, calm mood
- Chamomile – a gentle flower long used in calming blends to support relaxation
Amino acids
- L-theanine – an amino acid found in tea leaves, used to support a relaxed state without making dogs drowsy
- L-tryptophan – an essential amino acid the body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical linked to mood
Alpha-casozepine
- Casein hydrolysate (alpha-casozepine) – a milk protein (casein) that has been broken down. It is included to support calm behaviour in stressful situations. Because it comes from milk, it's one of the reasons the chews contain milk.
Adaptogen herbs
"Adaptogen" is a traditional term for herbs used to help the body cope with everyday stress.
- Ashwagandha – a root traditionally used to support the body's response to stress
- Rhodiola – a mountain herb traditionally used to support resilience to everyday stress; there is very little research on it in dogs
Check with your vet before giving chews containing ashwagandha or valerian if your dog is pregnant, on any medication or has a health condition.
Magnesium and vitamin B6
- Magnesium – a mineral that supports normal nerve and muscle function
- Vitamin B6 – supports normal nervous system function and helps the body use amino acids such as tryptophan
Gut support
Many owners notice that a stressed dog can also have an unsettled tummy, so the recipe includes some digestive support.
- Prebiotic FOS – a type of fibre that feeds friendly gut bacteria
- 6-strain probiotic – a blend of friendly bacteria to support a healthy gut balance
- Colostrum – the first milk, a natural source of proteins, included to support general gut wellbeing
- Ginger root – traditionally used to support comfortable digestion
How much to give
Give the chew once a day, based on your dog's weight:
| Dog's weight | Chews per day |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | ½ chew |
| 11–25 kg | 1 chew |
| 26–40 kg | 2 chews |
| Over 40 kg | 3 chews |
Don't give more than the daily amount, even on a stressful day. Keep the pouch out of reach, as a determined dog may help themselves.
When to start: think ahead
Most of the ingredients above are designed for regular, daily use rather than as a one-off before a scary event. So the best approach is to start daily chews a week or two before a busy period and carry on through it.
Good times to plan ahead include:
- Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve and other fireworks dates
- Moving house or having building work done
- A new baby, a new pet or house guests
- Starting a new routine, such as returning to the office
For a step-by-step plan for November, see our fireworks and dogs Bonfire Night plan.
Use chews alongside a calm den, routine and training
A chew is one tool, not the whole toolkit. The things that tend to make the biggest difference are free and simple:
- A calm den. Set up a covered crate or a quiet corner with familiar bedding where your dog can hide and is never disturbed.
- A steady routine. Keep walks, meals and bedtime at roughly the same times, and walk earlier on days you expect noise.
- Gentle training. Reward calm behaviour, practise short spells of time alone, and use sound desensitisation for noise fears. A qualified trainer or behaviourist can help.
- Your own calm. Stay relaxed and comfort your dog if they come to you. You won't "reward" their fear by being there for them.
Calming chews or calming treats?
Calming chews are made as a daily supplement with a set dose by weight. Calming treats are often more about the snack, with lower or unclear amounts of active ingredients. We compare the two in calming dog chews vs treats, and if you're shopping around, our guide to the best calming chews for dogs and what to avoid has a buying checklist.
When to see your vet
Talk to your vet before starting any calming supplement if your dog:
- Is pregnant, nursing or very young
- Takes any medication, especially for behaviour, epilepsy or anxiety
- Has a health condition, or has a milk or duck allergy
- Shows sudden changes in behaviour, which can sometimes have a medical cause
- Shows aggression, panics so badly they could hurt themselves, or is getting worse despite your efforts
Your vet can rule out pain or illness, and may refer you to a behaviourist or discuss other options.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pambros Calming Chews contain melatonin, hemp or CBD?
No. The new recipe does not contain melatonin, hemp or CBD.
Will calming chews make my dog sleepy?
They are designed to support relaxation rather than to sedate. If your dog seems unusually drowsy or unwell, stop giving them and speak to your vet.
How quickly do calming chews work?
It varies from dog to dog. Because the ingredients are meant for daily use, we suggest starting a week or two before a known busy period rather than on the day.
Are they suitable for dogs with allergies?
They contain milk (casein and colostrum) and duck, so they aren't suitable for dogs with allergies to either. Check with your vet if you're unsure.
Sources
- Flint and others, Treats containing CBD, L-tryptophan and alpha-casozepine have a mild stress-reducing effect in dogs, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025
- Calming effect of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) in dogs, BMC Veterinary Research, 2025
- Ashwagandha root extract in healthy older dogs, Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2024
- Supplementary tryptophan for anxious dogs: evidence review, Veterinary Evidence, 2024
