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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Great enrichment for the shelter dogs
I fill 70 of these at a time and freeze them for the shelter dogs! Best summer day interactive treat. The shelter pups love them.
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Perfect for our Jack Russell
Jack Russell's can be tough on toys. I know because we have had 5 of them over the years using Kong's and they can't wear them out quickly. I insert small Milk Bone or a Chewy and it works great. One of our dogs knows the word Kong and helps me to find it!
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Classic Kong is just right
Our new dog had been chewing things he shouldn't, so we decided to get him several toys to see which would keep him happy. The classic Kong toys was just the right fit.
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Nearly indestructible, great food time toy
My dog is a medium-high chewer, destroys all plushy animals within seconds, destroys harts dura play balls within minutes if we let him. This ball is undestructible and a great enrichment activity for dinner time. Medium is the right size for 35 lb wheaten.
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Favorite toy!
This puzzle, kibble dispensing ball is one of my Labs favorite! He’ll bring it to me, put it in my hand and give me the “it’s snack time!” look.
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Sumo loves his Chewy box!!
Similar when this chewy box comes each month. That’s because he normally gets his food and several treats. This time he actually got one of his favorite green treat ball.
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Great!
My pup just turned one; he’s an American XL Bully mixed w staffy, and he’s a chewer! But this has lasted him well, it’s great quality and large enough for him.
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Thumbs Up
My new rescue is a 30 pound toy destroyer. The extreme goodie bone has survived a few weeks so far.
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Entertaining for more than an hour.
We give this Kong, stuffed with 1/4 hotdog, to our dog when we are leaving the house for more than 30 minutes. She loves it!
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My Australian Shepherd, Skye, loves to work her puzzle box. She will sit and stare at it on the kitchen counter if we haven't worked with it that day yet. She gets overly excited sometimes and just grabs the little lids to pull them off to get at the treats. We work it every day and she's getting better at it.
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Keeps her busy
Lexi loves this toy. It is not too difficult and she usually lays down and naps after accomplishing all the tasks
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Super cute!
My dog has levels up to this puzzle and it is great for his enrichment and indoor days when it’s too rainy. Super cute, easy to hand wash, great fun for him. Highly recommend!!
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Our 7 year old Pitt bull mix has had some anxiety issues since we had to put down his 14 year old Lab buddy 2 months ago. This puppy has helped some with his anxiety.
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Snuggle Puppy
She really likes it and goes right to sleep even after going out to use the bathroom around 3:00.
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Great for puppy’s first days
This calming puppy toy is great for puppies first days in their new home. This is the 3rd one we have purchased for each new pup we get. It truly helps to ease their fear and calm them down in their new environment. Highly recommend!
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Sweetie loves this puzzle!
Our beloved girl Sweetie enjoys this new puzzle so much! As soon as we fill it with treats she works on finding each morsel in the puzzle! Thank you Chewy!
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puzzle game
The cats (3) all work at the same time to get the treats. They love it but it sure doesn't last long.
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Great cat toy.
Our cat loves this toy. I love it because it forces her to eat her treats slower. When I ask her if she’s ready for her sushi she runs right to it.
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TOPPLS
Stella ‘n Blanche (50# dogs) love their Toppls - hold a variety of food we solidly freeze first, 45 minutes +/- of delicious cleaning out, then having more fun playing with around the house. Absolutely recommend.
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I love this toy. I fill it with some canned dog food, put it in ziplock bag, put it in the freezer and wa-laaaa it’s a pupsickle!!!!!! Providing a great source of entertainment when I need to leave.
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MY DOGS' FAVOURITE FORAGING TOY!
My boys love these stuffable toys. We're raw/fresh food feeders so these toys add another layer of enrichment to the variety they get. After a year of use, one was starting to get some wear around the top edge so it was time to get another one. I had been wanting the Ruby for a while and was glad Chewy had it (it can be hard to find)
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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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Very large!
Several pockets and places to hide treats. Two sqeakers in the mat was a nice surprise. My Golden loves this.
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Go-To Toy
Would be favorite but Kong Moosie is a tossup. My previous dog always had to grab Moosie before going for a ride. Don’t know what he would have done if we’d known about blue dog.
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It holds up
If you knew my pup and toys. Well, they don't last long. But I talked him into not killing them right away now and to be easy with them and this one holds up.
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Happy doggies
Stacy was wonderful and when I got the box I opened and my one 18 month old puppy and my 7 year old puppy jumps up and each took a toy and ran!
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Wishbone Chew
My pup loves this toy---chews away for a long time! She is an active pup so keeps her occupied and gives me a break!
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Bacon Benebone
I bought 4 of these in the 80lb dog size for my 60 lb. and 17 lb dogs. The smaller dog wants them all for herself. lol Got the big size because they are both powerful chewers. Gave one to my grandpup as well who's around 60. lbs. and also a powerful chewer.
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Benebone
My poodle loves benebones. She’s loved to chew and these satisfy. She especially loves the fish and bacon flavors.
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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