According to veterinarians, these are the 10 best calming products for dogs traveling with.
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The Thundershirt compression vest was our top overall choice.
Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington
Anxiety can make traveling with your dog difficult. A dog’s travel anxiety can manifest as destructive behavior, fear, or aggression. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter answer to your dog’s travel anxiety, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve spoken to two licensed veterinarians, Dr. Steph Sheen, DVM at Fuzzy.com, and Dr. Gina Rendon, Medical Director at New York City’s Williamsburg Veterinary ClinicYou can find out which products are the most effective for anxiety-prone pets by reading our blog. Not only did they recommend the best products, they explained how they work (and don’t work), and shared tips on how to travel with your nervous, four-legged BFF. These non-prescription items work best when combined.
Our recommendations were based on product effectiveness, price, accessibility, drawbacks, and overall effectiveness. The wearable Thundershirt vest It was voted our top choice for its effectiveness and value. If that’s not your (or your dog’s) style, we’ve also got top picks for natural supplements, toys, carriers, CBD chews, high-tech brainwave technology, and more to keep your dog calm so the trip can carry on.
Thundershirt Dog Anxiety Treatment
Best Overall
We love it! It’s like a comforting hug for your dog.
Consider these things: Dogs can’t wear Thundershirts if they are traveling as cargo on a plane.
You are looking for something that will calm your dog during stressful travel situations? Thundershirts have a proven track record of success and are reliable in many situations. Dogs are just like people in times of distress and need to feel safe and comfortable. Thundershirts are compression vests that apply a gentle pressure to your dog. It is similar to a hug. Dr. Steph Sheen recommends that Thundershirts be used only for situations such as short car rides or flights. They work quickly and should not be worn more than a few hours.
Thundershirts are available in seven sizes, ranging from XXS-XXL. They can be adjusted to fit dogs with chests between nine and 50 inches. We’re also fans of packing a Thundershirt to have on your trip in case there is a storm, fireworks, or other temporary anxiety-inducing situation. However, note that if your dog is traveling as cargo on a plane, it likely won’t be allowed to wear a Thundershirt for safety reasons.
Price as of publication: Medium: $45
Zoni Pets Original Happy Hoodie for Dogs & Cats
Best Calming Cap
We love it! It’s a great value when you want something to block loud sounds.
Consider these things: For maximum effectiveness, it may be combined with another calming product.
Sensory reduction can play a big part in quelling your dog’s travel anxiety. The Happy Hoodie works by hugging your dog’s head and providing a sound barrier to reduce the loudness of noise. The Happy Hoodie was originally created to be used as a grooming tool to calm dogs and reduce noise from hair dryers. This calming cap can also be useful for travel situations, such as blocking out engine noises on planes and other noisy environments. We like this cap because it’s well-priced, can be washed for repeated use, is easy to slip onto your dog’s head, and is compact for packing purposes. Dr. Sheen notes that some dogs may be a bit “head shy” when it comes to wearing the cap and suggests positive reinforcement training to get them used to the feeling and experience. However, it may not be the best solution for every dog.
Price as of publication: $14
Nutramax Laboratories Nutramax Solliquin Calming Behavior Health Supplement for Small to Moderate Dogs and Cats
Best Calming Chews
We love it! These chews are made with natural herbs and extracts, which will calm your pet.
Consider these things: These supplements are meant to be used daily and not before stressful events.
Nutramax’s Solliquin is an all-natural supplement chew that helps relieve anxiety in dogs without relying on sedation. Dr. Sheen explains that Solliquin is a combination of calming amino acids and plant extracts to calm dogs naturally. Ingredients like L-Theanine, dried whey protein, and magnolia and phellodendron extracts work to help your pup’s brain create de-stressing alpha waves. Dosage depends on your dog’s weight. These chicken-flavored chews should be taken daily as an ongoing supplement. You will not see immediate results. It may take a few weeks for your dog’s overall anxiety to lower.
Price at the time of publication: $25 for 75-count
Vetoquinol Zylkene Calming Supplements for Small Dogs & Cats
Best Natural Calming Pills
We love it! It is non-sedative and calms down naturally.
Consider these things: For some dogs, it may not be strong enough.
Dr. Rendon recommends Zylkene, Behavioral Support Capsules for over-the-counter calming pills. Dr. Sheen also recommends them. Instead of herbs or drugs, these pills use a natural extract from cow’s milk called alpha-casozepine for their calming effect. Is your dog allergic to milk It’s good news! Zylkene has no lactose. It’s suggested to start giving your dog the pills at least two days before you travel, and you should dose out the capsules according to your pup’s weight. These natural pills have been praised by many dog owners. However, each dog is unique and may not be able to use them. Pills come in many strengths, so ensure you read the label before buying.
Price as of publication: $30 for 30-count
ElleVet Calm Comfort Chows
CBD is best
We love it! The CBD product has been tested by veterinarians.
Consider these things: It can take up to two hours for the system to kick in.
Just as CBD can be used to help reduce anxiety in humans, these ElleVet Calm and Comfort Chews have been developed to take the edge off your dog’s situational anxiety. These chews are made from hemp-derived CBD and can be used to lower anxiety on long car rides, road trips, plane flights, and other busy transport hubs. ElleVet is proud to have vets working as advisors. They also conducted research that proved the safety effectiveness of the product in various stressful situations. These chews can easily be cut and are safe for dogs up to five pounds. We wish they were a bit more fast-acting, but that’s always the catch with edibles isn’t it?
Price as of publication: $15 for 3-count
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sleepypod Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed (Strawberry Red)
Best Calming Carrier
We love it! It is also certified-safe for use in a car seat.
Consider these things: It conforms to some but not all airline requirements for pets carried on by airlines.
Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed is three-in-one. It can be used as a soft mattress, mobile dog carrier, or a bed. certified-safe car seat. According to Dr. Sheen, the benefit of using this carrier is that since it doubles as a cozy, safe bed, it’s already a designated comfort zone for your dog. The bed-carrier’s plush inner lining acts as a scent absorber, making it more familiar and less frightening. To transform the bed-carrier into a carrier, simply zip on the mesh topper and attach the strap. There’s also a D-ring to clip your dog in while in transit. It has been Rover certified and is approved by the Center for Pet Safety for dogs less than 15 pounds. The size is compliant with many airline underseat pet carrier requirements — but not all.
Price at the time of publication: $230
Assisi Animal Health Calmer Canine Anxiety Treatment Device
Best Calming Tech
We love it! It can help with anxiety in dogs and offers long-term benefits.
Consider these things: It’s pricey and feels a bit experimental.
If you’re looking toward tech for an anxiety solution, the Calmer Canine is a wearable device with a vest and “halo” component that uses a targeted electromagnetic pulse to restore balance in the area of the brain that produces anxiety. It’s FDA-approved for human use and the electromagnetic frequencies are not felt or heard by your dog. To achieve the desired results, you will need to do two 15-minute sessions each day for four to six weeks. Dr. Sheen says research has shown “good success” in reducing stress levels over time. The original purpose of this device was to treat separation anxiety in canines, but it is also useful for travelers.
Price at the time of publication: $189
WEST PAW Zogoflex Toppl Treatment Dog Toy Puzzle
Best Calming Distraction Toy
We love it! It’s mentally stimulating and easy to clean.
Consider these things: It’s not designed for small dogs.
Never underestimate the power and versatility of distraction. Dr. Sheen recommends West Paws Toppl’s treat puzzle chew toy. She notes that food-dispensing toys are great at giving anxious pets a outlet for their nervous energy. Toppl is a soft, flexible plastic toy that can withstand moderate to light chomps by your nervous Nelly. The treat puzzle aspect keeps your dog interested — and distracted — by dispensing a reward for his attention. During travel, we recommend putting this toy with your dog in its carrier where it can’t roll out of reach. It needs to be cleaned? Put it in the dishwasher. This product is not suitable for small dogs or puppies, but medium-large breeds.
Price as of publication: $20
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Adaptil Calming Pheromone Collar for Dog
Best Calming Collar
We love it! It delivers calming pheromones 24 hours a day and lasts 30 days.
Consider these things: For all dogs, it may not be able to work by itself.
Sprays and collars that mimic the pheromones released by dog mothers during breastfeeding can have a calming effect. Dr. Rendon recommends pheromones and considers them essential for travel. You can give your dog a sense of calm and relaxation by slipping one of these products on before you go. Adaptil collars come in three sizes making it easier to get the right fit for your lil’ puppy or adult dog. Please note that pheromones collars are not a perfect fit for every dog. They can also be used in conjunction with other calming products.
Price at the time of publication: $29
ThunderEase Dog Calming Pheromone Spray
Best Calming Spray
We love it! You can make any object or place more relaxing.
Consider these things: It must be resprayed every four to five hours.
Sprays with pheromones can be used to relax your dog in multiple places and areas, such as a carrier or hotel. We like that it works nearly instantly so you don’t need to plan too far in advance, just spray where and when you need it. Adaptil is the manufacturer of Thunderease for Dogs Calming. Keep in mind that the scent will fade after four to five hours, so it must be reapplied.
Price at the time of publication: $28
Tips on Buying Calming Products For Your Dog
Speak with a vet about your dog’s needs
These are all available over-the-counter calming products. However, you may want to talk with your veterinarian about any possible issues that might prevent you from using them. You should also consider your pet’s breed, size, medical history, and current medications.
Test drive the car before you leave your home.
Mid-trip is not the time to find out an anti-anxiety product doesn’t work for your dog or that your dog has an adverse reaction to a product. You should always give your dog a trial of any supplements or introduce a new carrier to get used to them. This will allow you to work out any issues or devise an alternative plan if necessary.
Frequently Asked Question
How do I determine if my dog feels stressed?
<p>A dog experiencing anxiety and stress can be identified by panting, widening eyes, panting and yawning. </p>
How can I calm a dog’s anxiety naturally?
<p>There’s no one catch-all solution for curbing a dog’s anxiety, but providing mental stimulation and distraction, herbal supplements, essential oils, pheromones, and tiring a dog out with exercise are some options. </p>
What are the rules regarding bringing your dog into the cabin?
<p>The rules will differ from one country to the next. Check all requirements on your airline’s website and know the rules for entering your destination with a dog (and for returning afterwards). You will need to consider the weight of your pet and the age of your carrier. </p>
What are the rules for dogs that travel as checked or cargo luggage?
<p>The airline may have restrictions regarding breed or carrier. Additionally, you may need to provide water and food as well as a proof of vaccination. You can check with your airline for more details. </p>
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Katherine Alex Beaven Writer covering culture, food, and drink. She relied on the expertise of two licensed veterinarians and research as well as personal experience with pets while traveling.
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