Understanding and Addressing Canine Anxiety: Calming Chews for Dogs

As I was setting up chairs in my backyard for the first-ever neighborhood dog meetup, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. My 3 dogs eagerly watched me arrange the space, sensing that something special was about to happen. Little did I know, this gathering would not only bring together dog lovers but also open up meaningful conversations about a topic close to my heart: canine anxiety and calming chews of dogs.

It was heartwarming to see so many passionate pet parents come together, eager to learn and share their experiences.

A Case of Canine Anxiety

One conversation stood out to me:

"I've noticed my dog gets really anxious when I'm not home," said Ada, a fellow dog enthusiast, as we both watched her French bulldog, Maxine, pace back and forth near my sliding glass door, wondering why I wasn't letting her inside my house.

"Max, nervous? I never would have guessed."

We laughed before I straightened into my serious face, "I totally understand," I replied. "I've been there with Bruno. Whenever I was away for more than a few hours, he would stress—and sometimes act out. Dogs do that when they're anxious." More than one pillow and at least one pair of hiking shoes had been destroyed just because he could sense I was about to leave the house without him or stayed away too long.

"What did you do?" she asked, as a circle of dog parents enjoying juicy all-beef hamburgers hot off the grill circled us.

"I started giving him calming chews for dogs, "I responded... intentionally a little enigmatic. I slathered some mustard on my second burger, waiting for someone to ask.

"Do you mean sedatives?"

I laughed a little, although drugging up our nervous pups really wasn't funny in retrospect. "No. I don't think we should be giving drugs to dogs if we don't have to. I'd much rather have a more natural solution."

"What's that?"

I was all too excited to answer.

What I Do to Relieve Dog Stress

Dogs have a natural instinct to relieve their own anxiety when we let them. Often, when dogs spend a lot of time feeling anxious, it's because they don't have the right outlet for their emotions.

They're bored and unsure what to do with themselves. If I had to sit around with nothing to do, I'd probably feel anxious, too. Fortunately, there's always fun and dog-friendly stuff to do in this neighborhood.

Bored and nervous dogs can become destructive, bark at everything, or shake like a chihuahua in a snowstorm. They can even become aggressive.

I went on to explain that the most natural thing a dog can do to soothe their nerves is to chew on a dog's bone. The gnawing action is built into their ancestral DNA. Dogs will chew on anything if we don't give them something good to chew on.

Can Dogs Have Bones?

I hear this all the time. Some think real dog bones are dangerous. But that depends on which bones you choose.

Dogs want to chew on the best chew bones for dogs. And for me, the safer, the better. I trust my dog bone vendor.

Dog bones are like a dog puzzle as they try to get the tasty marrow out of the bone. And they're like a security blanket, as using my calming chews for dogs (bones) helps them feel safe and content in their home.

Now, it's important not to give your dog a bone while you're away because you should always supervise. But I plan chew time around my departure. So, Bruno gets his bone for a good 15-20 minutes before I leave. After that, he's happy and content for hours, even though I'm nowhere to be seen. I can confirm that with my dog camera... and the fact that my sofa pillows are still intact.

The best chew bones for dogs are also great before trips to the vet, thunderstorm nights, and around the holidays when we have a lot of family in and out of the house.

How Dog Bones Help with Anxiety?

When I choose grass-fed marrow bones, I'm also ensuring that my dogs get proper nutrition. Marrow is around 30% protein. That is mostly collagen, which is a major structural protein that helps dog bodies—and human ones—build strong joints, bones, and skin.

Collagen is also a key nutrient used to strengthen the digestive tract lining. So, it can support healthy digestion and reduce inflammation. I don't know about you, but when my "tummy hurts", I feel anxious too!

But there's more. Bone marrow also has lots of B vitamins, including B12. These are important for energy production and mood support. Wow! When I called marrow bones "calming dog chews," I wasn't lying. They can not only target the immediate need to chew for instant relief. They can promote health, so maybe my dog feels less anxious in the first place.

Marrow bones, especially those that are from grass-fed cattle, also have healthy fats, primarily omega 3 and an omega 6 called conjugated linoleic acids (CLA).

Omega 3 is a well-established anti-inflammatory fat. It's great for brain health and heart health—both good for canine anxiety reduction.

CLA has been shown to support a healthy immune system, which helps us adapt to stressful situations.

Calming Nervous Pups: Dog Chews for Anxiety

Selecting the dog chews for anxiety is crucial. Some bones are more nutritious and safe than others. I already mentioned the importance of grass-fed. Grass-fed cattle produce more omega-3 and have less saturated fat than cows raised on grain diets.

Here are some other factors I would certainly consider:

• Choose for bones that can withstand aggressive chewing without splintering - Marrow bones for dogs are an excellent choice as they are durable yet not too hard to cause dental damage.
• Check the ingredients - Avoid products with preservatives, fillers, or artificial flavors to ensure your dog gets the healthiest option. Some dog treats contain added sugar, GMO ingredients, and other things I don't want in my dog's food. Rawhide is terrible. I share why in this post, which you can check out next.
• Ensure the bone is appropriately sized for your dog’s breed - A bone that's too small can pose a choking hazard, while one that's too large may be difficult for your dog to handle.
• Look for Made in the USA - It's always nice to support local jobs by choosing bones from cattle that are born and raised in the US. This is also a safety thing, as the FDA regulates pet food in the US. I don't know about other countries and their safety requirements.
• Consider the preparation method. Raw bones are gross because of pathogens. I don't want my dogs eating raw food and then running around my house and licking my face.
• Is it Refillable? - The best dog chew bones are refillable when the marrow's gone. Be sure to download my free marrow bone refill guide for recipes your pup will love.

Seeing Bruno and Pixie so relaxed and happy makes all the effort worth it. I hope these tips help other dog parents create a more peaceful and joyful environment for their furry friends.

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