If your dog gets stressed out when you’re apart, one way you can help them out is with separation anxiety dog toys. From soothing softies for snuggling to puzzles and games that keep their brain enagaged, dog toys for separation anxiety can help your pooch feel more relaxed while you’re away. To get you started, we’ve rounded up some of the best dog toys for separation anxiety as tried and tested by Chewy pet parents like you. These top-rated, best-selling toys for dogs with separation anxiety are specially designed to help anxious pups cope better with time away from their favorite humans.
Just remember, always consult with your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist as well—dog toys for separation anxiety are one tool to help with separation anxiety, but anxious dogs may need some medical help and dog training to work through their anxiety.
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Perfect Puppy Reward
I Love to fill them with loose kibble treats and then put a frozen treat at the top. My dog works at the frozen treat and then is rewarded with his Kibble.
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Perfect Frozen Treat for Crate Training
We put Kong spray and treats inside and then froze for our very active, big, strong chewer puppy. It worked great!
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Fun and durable
The Kong can take lots of abuse (chewing). Fill it with low calorie treats, and the pups are happily occupied.
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Starmark Ball Dog Toy
My dog has always loved this toy from the moment it arrived. He's an aggressive chewer and he hasn't tore it up yet so that makes me happy too.
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Durable
My border collie mix can be quite rough with toys but this one is still in great shape after a long time !
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BUY THIS RIGHT NOW
I literally never write reviews, but I will forever be keeping at least 3 in stock at all times. My dog loves to chew stuff/have something in her mouth all the time. Paper, tissues, tags, wrappers, toys, you name it and she does not stop. Toys don't last more than a week because she loves to rip the thread/tear them apart, she can go through a full bully stick in 15 minutes...girl is insane and determined. When I tell you she has been OBSESSED with this ball since I gave it to her and it HAS NOT ONE TEAR IN IT AFTER WEEKS AND WEEKS OF HER CARRYING IT AND PLAYING WITH IT. I think because of the flexible nature/design she can't grab too hard...
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Tough!
The only chew toys I buy for my Dane are the black Kong Extreme toys. The noise is awful lol but we manage to block it out since the toy lasts a while. He chews through everything else within a day.
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kong is the best.
kong is the best, by boy is a 120lbs lab pit mix that is and extreme chewer and his last one lasted 2 yrs..
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Great Purchase
KONG Extreme DEFINITELY stands up to it's saying "For Extreme Chewers". My Doberman chews on this bone A LOT and has yet to destroy it. Well made!
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Cat Loves it
I use this for my cat and it is her favorite puzzle. All the actual cat oriented puzzles I've gotten her don't take her very long to get through but because this one is oversized for her and she has to take the time to open each thing or move it out of the way it takes her longer.
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Sometimes it's OK to play with your Food
This puzzle game was the perfect way to get my pooch to s-l-o-w down at mealtime. She was quick to learn how to flip the tabs, but she still enjoys getting to her food this way!
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Fun game
This one kept him busy for a good amount. He learned to flip open the lid quickly. Getting the bone out the way is still puzzling to him.
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Great for all ages of dogs
Love this little snuggle puppy. We have bought them for over 15 years. We bought them when our puppies were young and kept buying them bc our dogs loved them.
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We buy these every 3-4 months
Our dog is in love with these puppies and always has one in his mouth. As they become bedraggled, I buy new ones. They look like him.
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calming
I use this anytime I put my puppy in his crate for sleep or quiet time. It works really well.
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Easy and fun
My dog really likes this game. She figured it out pretty quickly, pushing the sushi out of the way with her nose, but loves finding the small training treats I put in each spot. It's now our daily play time event. Easy to clean as well.
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Great toy
Saw this at a friend's house, his cat loved searching for treats. Bought it and my two cats love to find they're treats in it
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Good for treats
This puzzle is good for waking up bored cats with treats that they don’t eat all immediately. They do learn, however, to get the treats out faster over time. They could do with a graduated difficulty level. I saw such a toy on Chewy, but I can’t find it now. We still have fun with this one. The cats love it Actually, they love the treats But the activity cheers them up.
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Had to complete the set
Had the xl and he love it. Knowing I can combine the two to keep him more occupied was icing on the cake.
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Keeps my dog busy!
My dog LOVES getting treats out of it (I attach the small one) and keeps her stimulated. I bought a second one for my grand baby Labrador.
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Topppl convert!
We used to be Kong people but when its frozen its really hard to get stuff out of the little kong opening and my dog gives up. The Toppl's wider opening has fixed that and we use it for almost every meal!
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Great product
We have several different snuffle mats that we use - our dogs and cats all took to them quickly and the mats are great to feed their meals and/or treats on. We use snuffle mats a few times a week to help them release extra energy in a constructive way, and they all really seem to enjoy the hunting and seeking. This snuffle mat is a good size (60 lb dog shown), and has multiple different types of hiding spots, so you can choose how easy or difficult to make it. I have put it in the washing machine on a short gentle cycle and it came out intact and clean.
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Happy hound
Our little Bassett boy thinks this mat is the bees knees! He’s been pretty rough on it and all the components have held up. Some of the flaps show wear after being pulled pretty hard with the teeth, but it has not hindered the overall function. The various parts keep it fun for him and he can choose if he wants to dive right into a more difficult challenge or start with the easier finds and work to the harder ones.
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great snuffle mat
My two newfs loved it - they had to figure out how to get the treats out and yes they were rough on it (and I bought a second one as a back up just in case) but so far its holding its own so its all good and they sure love it.
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Adorable and Durable
This was my older dog's favourite toy until my puppy got hold of it, so I just bought him another one. It's not a puppy-proof toy but it's durable for ages 2+ when they settle down a bit.
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New favorite toy
Took several days to make a small hole so she could try to pull out the squeaker! After minor "surgery", no further tears. Great for dogs who are destroyers of stuffed toys.
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always a reliable product
my dog loves this, and it lasts a long time! I ordered a new one to give him something to chew on while recovering from surgery. It's a very effective distraction.
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All 5 dogs love it!
Our dogs generally don't like chew bones, but these must be yummy, because all five will chew on them! Great shape to hold onto, also.
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How long they last
My dog loves these chew bones and keep him busy for quite a while. He's an aggressive chewer even though only medium in size.
What are the signs of separation anxiety in dogs?
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs that you should be on the lookout for, according to Dr. Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA, a veterinarian and professional dog trainer:
- Potty accidents that only happen when you aren’t home
- Destructive behaviors like chewing on things or pawing at walls or doors
- Reports from neighbors that your dog is barking, whining, howling or making other noises while you’re away
- Treats or food that aren’t eaten while you’re gone—that your dog may then eat right away when you get home
- Excessive drooling when you’re gone
- Pacing or restlessness
If you’re concerned that your dog may have separation anxiety, Dr. Summerfield recommends using a dog camera to watch or record what your dog is doing while you’re gone. She says recording your dog’s actual behavior rather than relying on whatever circumstantial evidence you find when you get home can help distinguish between a pup with true separation anxiety and a dog who might just be bored and destructive.
How do toys help with separation anxiety in dogs?
Certain dog toys, like those you stuff with treats, can be helpful for many dogs with separation anxiety issues because they “help keep the dog happily occupied for a while, and also start teaching them that staying home alone isn’t such a bad deal since that’s when the really good stuff comes out,” Dr. Summerfield explains.
She often recommends some sort of extra-special, long-lasting treat like a stuffed KONG or Twist’nTreat filled with peanut butter, spray cheese or canned dog food whenever they leave the house. Freezing these types of toys after stuffing them helps them last longer.
Be aware, though, that many dogs will initially be too anxious to have any interest in toys or treats while they’re home alone. In these cases, Dr. Summerfield says anti-anxiety medication from your veterinarian can make a big difference, so she always recommends getting your dog’s veterinarian involved as part of the process.
Tips for Introducing a New Dog Toy for Separation Anxiety
You should always supervise your dog when giving them a new separation anxiety toy. Start by giving your dog their new toy while supervised, then take short trips away to get them used to the idea of you being gone.
Keep in mind that different types of separation anxiety toys will be better for certain pups—snuggle bugs who aren’t big chewers may love a soft plushy or easy lick mat while frisky pooches with lots of energy to burn may need a more challenging puzzle game or durable chew toy.
What are other ways to help separation anxiety in dogs?
1. Talk to your veterinarian about medication for separation anxiety.
According to Dr. Summerfield, medication is one way that you can really help your dog work through their separation anxiety. “Separation anxiety is one behavioral issue that’s really, really hard to make progress on without some anti-anxiety meds on board, since your dog is essentially having a panic attack every time you leave the house,” she says.
When your pup is super upset because of a stressful situation, they’re not able to learn new or better behaviors, so Dr. Summerfield says she often finds medication is a helpful part of the initial treatment plan to help make headway on changing their feelings. Pet parents can consult with their veterinarian or set up a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist to talk through the different options available, and help you decide if medication would be a good idea for your dog.
2. Keep comings and goings as calm and low-key as possible.
Don’t make a big production of saying goodbye to your dog or make a huge fuss over them as soon as you get home. According to Dr. Summerfield, “That just highlights the contrast between how fun and awesome it is when you’re home, and how quiet and lonely the house is when you’re gone.” Instead, keep calm when leaving or returning home to help your dog get used to the idea that this is a normal, everyday activity.
3. Don’t punish or scold your pup for potty accidents or destructive behavior.
“Dogs are very literal—they live in the moment and don’t understand the concept of being scolded for something that happened hours, or even minutes, ago,” says Dr. Summerfield. Additionally, if your dog learns that you’re upset with them when you get home, this can increase your pet’s anxiety and make them feel more concerned about the whole situation. Instead, practice rewarding calm behavior and set up a training schedule to help work through the events that trigger your dog’s anxiety—like the sound of your car keys or the sight of you putting on your jacket.
4. Create a safe zone for your dog to relax when you’re away.
Dr. Summerfield says that in her experience, most dogs with separation anxiety do better with less confinement. “If you can safely leave your dog loose in the house or even in a gated off portion of the house, this is often a better option than crating,” she says. Set up their safe space with a comfy bed, fresh water and their favorite calming dog toys. Start with short trial runs, with a camera set up so you can see what your dog is doing. If they start to become destructive or get into trouble, you can come back and help positively redirect their behavior. Practice short absences first and slowly build up to longer times away from your dog.
Looking for other ways to help you anxious pup in addition to the best separation anxiety dog toys? Check out our comprehensive guide on separation anxiety in dogs for more tips and pointers on how to help your dog stress less and relax more—even when you’re not at home.
Learn more about how your best bud can keep calm and tail wag on:
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