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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Fun toy
I love throwing this Kong because of the shape, it bounces erratically, so my dog has to think fast to get it. Plus they has do a little chewing as well.
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Must have
This is a must-have for dog owners. Looking forward to researching more things to fill it with. Kong is a fantastic quality brand and I’ve started buying more products from them because of that.
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Great way to keep your dog enriched if they don't get frustrated by them!
I love Kongs, but my German Shepherd gets very frustrated with them! That being said, we donated our Kongs to a family friend and their Border Collie absolutely loves them! The classic isn't as durable as the extreme, so keep in mind there may be teeth marks leftover if your dog is a little tough on their toys. That being said, we haven't had any issues with damage or chunks coming off of it!
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Favorite Durable Entertaining Dog Toy
I bought one 8 years ago for my first dog. It looks about the same. Just bought another one for our new puppy so they each get their own. This toy lasts forever and it keeps them entertained as they try and figure out how to get the treats out. Also a gift I give to friends who have new puppies
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takes a long time for the german shepherd to break
at any given time we have about 6-7 of these that our furbaby has throughout the house and yard. Happy dog, happy life.
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Great design for snack and play
Size and design was perfect for our golden retriever. Design allows quiet bounce for play and cutout for hiding snacks. Water resistant and tough enough for strong chewers
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Tough chew
If your dog is an extreme chewer and goes through most extreme chew toys like my dog, this bone holds up! Don’t think about it, just get it. My dog loves it!
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It's tough enough for my pup not to destroy in 5 minutes
Our pup gets laser focused on chewing this Kong toys each night before we go for our evening walk. He lasts about 5 minutes doing this and then puts it in the corner till the next evening. These seem to last the longest
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Good for hard chewer
Dog loves when stuffed with cheese spread and will stay busy for 20-30 minutes. She does use unstuffed also.
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Great for slowing down a fast eater!
My dog caught on pretty quickly how to get food out of this. It's great because it gives her some stimulation and it slows down her eating. She is still fast but not as fast as using a bowl. I like this so much that I ordered 3 additional different ones in the advanced series.
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interactive game
My Cavalier is a very picky eater. She has enjoyed sniffing out and then, consuming her food! She quickly figured out how to open and move the little boxes.
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Winner chicken dinner
My aussie baby gets too bored with a standard bowl for her meals. When I put her kibble in this puzzle, she eats it all! Usually. I have to mix it up.
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Such a wonderful idea!
This is the first time we decided our dog would sleep in a crate instead of on the bed. From day 1, at 2 months old, our soon-to-be 1yo has slept with this puppy. From night 1,no whining or howling. He even lays in his crate (door open) during the day when we are busy around the house. After his bedtime walk, he gets in his crate without us saying a word and we turn his puppy on. We are soon getting him a playmate Pap and already have her snuggle puppy!
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Durability
My puppy honestly snuggled with it, played with it and carries it around the house. She is a little skiddish with the heartbeat so I do not turn it on.
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Adorable
Snuggle puppy is well made and very cute! Our new little puppy sleeps with it and will drag it out and play with it too.
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Smart cat!
I gave this to my mom for Christmas for her new kitten. It took just a few times showing the kitten how it worked, now it's one of her favorite toys.
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Cat must work for her food
Since I ain't running no charity ward here, I make Lucy work for her food by finding it hidden in this puzzle. It slows her down and makes her think. Also, when it's one kibble at a time, she actually chews it which is good for her teeth.
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Our pug loves it
My husband fills it occasionally when Dewey isn’t around so he checks it several times a day just in case. It’s definitely on the easy side as dog puzzles go, but not all dogs are Einsteins, okay?
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So many uses and the shape makes for added play element
Love nestling small treats in the flaps and “bones” through the side. My puppy loves swatting the toy around and chewing on it too.
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Toppl me over
I loaded up the big blue toppl with yogurt, fish oil, peanut butter, with a dental stick sticking out of the top, and blueberries at the bottom. My boy had a great time entertaining himself with that! Afterwards, he was down for a good nap!
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Great product
I have two of the large Toppl's. I fill them and freeze for a long lasting treat. Dogs love and it can take them a little while to finish.
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Super cute well made
Love the concept of it being a vending machine for treats suctioned it to my slider that the dogs go in & out of weeks ago & it’s still up
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Both of my old ladies love it!
My girls are both 11 years old and love this! It's a good size too considering the price. As you can see in the picture they're med/large dogs. It makes ruffley noises and has a few squeakers.
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Amazing value for the price!
Our Malanois loved the mat! This mat is much bigger than expected. Such a large variety of places to hide treats. Not to mention the variety of sensory stimuli with squeakers, crinkle, smooth and bumpy areas. The opportunities to increase the difficulty insures this mat will be used for a long time. The suction cups to prevent sliding were greatly appreciated.
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This is her BABY
Our Sutton loves stuffies!! She loves chewing them up, shaking them all around, etc. but this one is special. She naps with it, cuddles it, and walks around with it in her mouth like it’s her baby. She loves this little puppy! It’s also tough, so if she did try to destroy it, I think it would take her awhile!
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King Kong, the Blue Dog
It has been as long cold winter, particularly for pooches. We added this toy to our regular dog food order, and it has been a favorite ever since. And, we ran low on dog food before the appointed date, and were able to move it up a week with ease! Great toy and great service to boot!
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Dog's Favorite
My 2.5 yo dog is not a heavy chewer, but she likes to chew and bite on this. She likes to carry and shake it and to have it in her crate. It has survived a month.
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Chew Away!
My pup had been destroying everything in sight until she got this! Now she can chew away without destroying anything.
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MY DOGS LOVE!!!
It is very interesting to see how they have no interest in nylabone - but cannot get enough of benebone. Will be purchasing again.
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Item is fine but I changed to a medium size, or so I thought
My dog is 68 pounds and I changed to a larger size but was still sent a small. Not sure why the order did not go through. Dog loves these but double and triple check you get the right 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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