My Favorites & How They Can Help

If you're here, chances are you're looking for ways to help your dog feel calmer, less anxious, or more comfortable in their daily life. First off—you're an amazing dog parent for even considering this. Helping our dogs navigate the world in a way that feels safe and manageable for them takes time, patience, and sometimes, a little extra support.

Training, enrichment, and lifestyle changes are always at the heart of behavior work, but supplements can play a helpful role in taking the edge off stress and setting our dogs up for success. I’ve personally seen these make a big difference for dogs dealing with anxiety, fear, and reactivity—but as always, check with your vet before adding anything new to your dog’s routine.

Let’s talk about some of my favorite calming supplements for dogs and what the research says about how they work!

Why Supplements? And When Are They Helpful?

Many behavior challenges—like reactivity, anxiety, and general nervousness—aren’t just “bad behaviors” (which, to be fair, is not a phrase we use here). They’re often signs of chronic stress, discomfort, or difficulty processing the world.

A well-chosen supplement can:

✔️ Take the edge off stress and anxiety, making training easier.
✔️ Help lower baseline stress, so triggers feel more manageable.
✔️ Support healthy brain and nervous system function.
✔️ Promote relaxation without sedation—because we still want our dogs to be engaged, just not overwhelmed.

Of course, there’s no magic pill for behavior. Supplements work best alongside a solid training plan that builds confidence, trust, and coping skills. But when used correctly, they can help make behavior modification more effective by giving your dog a better starting point.

Now, onto my top picks!

My Favorite Supplements for Calming & Behavior Support

Before we dive in, just a quick note: there are lots of supplements out there, and new ones are hitting the market all the time. These are simply the ones I come back to over and over again—the ones I've seen make a difference for my clients and their dogs consistently. Every dog is different, and what works best for one might not be the best fit for another, but these are solid starting points if you're feeling overwhelmed by options. I also receive a small commission on some of the links in here but that did not influence my decision to include them in this list.

1. ElleVet CBD + CBDA

ElleVet is a heavy hitter in the dog CBD world, and for good reason. Their formula includes CBD + CBDA, which interact with the endocannabinoid system—the part of the body that helps regulate stress, mood, and inflammation. ElleVet offers their product in oil, soft gels and chew form, so you can pick the option that works best for your dog’s preferences (or your pill-hiding skills).

CBD has been studied for its effects on pain, seizures, and anxiety in dogs, and some promising research suggests it can help reduce stress levels. (McGrath et al., 2019)

✅ Best for: General anxiety, stress reduction, dogs with discomfort or mobility issues.
❌ Keep in mind: CBD works best with daily use, not just in stressful moments. Research suggests that regular supplementation is more effective for long-term stress management than using CBD as-needed. (Gazit et al., 2021)

💸 ElleVet is on the pricier side compared to other CBD products—but for many pet parents, the quality and effectiveness are worth it. Just something to consider when budgeting for your dog’s care!

2. Solliquin

Solliquin is a non-CBD calming supplement with a blend of:

🌱 L-theanine (from green tea) → promotes relaxation.
🌿 Magnolia & phellodendron bark extracts → helps regulate stress.
🐄 Whey protein concentrate → supports serotonin production.

Think of Solliquin like a gentle, daily mood support—kind of like how some people take magnesium or chamomile tea for stress. It’s not meant for acute panic, but it can help dogs feel generally more at ease over time.

✅ Best for: Dogs who need daily stress support, mild anxiety cases, puppies adjusting to new experiences.
❌ Keep in mind: It takes a couple of weeks to build up effects—it’s not an instant “calm pill.”

3. ProGility Calming Aid

ProGility combines:
🧘 L-theanine & colostrum calming complex → helps dogs relax (Pike et al., 2015).
💊 Thiamine (Vitamin B1) → supports nervous system function (Pike et al., 2015).

What I love about this one is that it tackles stress from multiple angles—calming amino acids, stress-modulating proteins, and nervous system support all in one.

✅ Best for: Dogs who get hyper-aroused, struggle with impulse control, or have trouble settling.
❌ Keep in mind: Some dogs respond better to L-theanine than others—results can vary.

4. SunMed Dog CBD

Like ElleVet, SunMed has a pet-specific CBD brand that supports stress relief, joint health, and overall well-being.

If your dog struggles with fear-based behaviors, chronic stress, or anxiety, CBD can be a great tool to help lower their stress threshold over time. Some studies suggest CBD may help with stress regulation, but quality matters! (Wakshlag et al., 2020) Sunmed offers their CBD in tinctures and now chews!

✅ Best for:Long-term stress management, reactivity, noise sensitivity.
❌ Keep in mind:CBD quality varies—choose brands with third-party testing!

The Research Behind These Ingredients

Here’s a deeper look at the key ingredients found in many calming supplements for those who are science-y nerds like me:

CBD (Cannabidiol): CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, sleep, and stress. In dogs, research shows CBD may help with reducing signs of anxiety, especially when used regularly. One study found daily CBD supplementation reduced emotional reactivity and anxiety in stressed dogs (Gazit et al., 2021). Another trial showed improved activity levels and comfort in dogs with osteoarthritis receiving CBD (McGrath et al., 2019).

L-theanine: An amino acid found in green tea, L-theanine promotes relaxation by increasing GABA and serotonin levels in the brain. Studies suggest it may reduce fear-related behaviors and improve calmness in dogs, especially in response to environmental stressors like thunderstorms or separation (Kato et al., 2012).

Melatonin: Naturally produced in the body, melatonin helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and has calming effects. In dogs, melatonin has been used to help reduce night-time anxiety, noise phobias, and some compulsive behaviors. It’s generally considered safe when used appropriately under veterinary supervision (King et al., 2000).

Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Thiamine is essential for proper nervous system function and can be depleted by chronic stress. It is commonly included in calming aids to help dogs maintain better neurological and emotional balance, especially in high-arousal situations (Pike et al., 2015).

Colostrum calming complex: Derived from early mother’s milk, this ingredient contains bioactive compounds that may support stress regulation and cognitive function. Research is still growing, but it’s believed to enhance relaxation without causing drowsiness (Pike et al., 2015).

Final Thoughts (And Important Disclaimers!)

I’m a behavior consultant, not a vet. This is not medical advice. Always check with your veterinarian before starting any supplement—especially if your dog has medical conditions or takes other medications.

Also, supplements work best as part of a bigger plan. If your dog is struggling, the most important steps you can take are:

Understanding their triggers
Lowering baseline stress
Building confidence with positive reinforcement

If you need guidance, I’m here to help! Reach out for an Initial Behavior Assessment whenever you’re ready.

References

Gazit, V., et al. (2021). The effect of cannabidiol-enriched oil on emotional reactivity and short-term memory in stressed and non-stressed dogs. Scientific Reports, 11, 4203. (DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-82439-2)

McGrath, S., et al. (2019). Randomized blinded controlled trial assessing CBD for seizure frequency in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Wakshlag, J. J., et al. (2020). Cannabinoid, terpene, and heavy metal analysis of over-the-counter veterinary hemp supplements. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports.

Kato, M., et al. (2012). Effects of L-theanine on stress-associated symptoms in dogs: A pilot study. Canadian Veterinary Journal. (Link)

King, J. N., et al. (2000). Double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the use of melatonin for noise phobia in dogs. Veterinary Record. (Link)

Pike, A. L., Horwitz, D. F., & Lobprise, H. (2015). Use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements in canine behavior cases. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice. (Link)

Supplements for Dogs with Behavior Challenges