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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kONG toy
We have an agressive chewer that’s only 10 months old and full of energy. So far toy is holding up to his use.
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A tried and true classic!
My 50 lb pittie loves her kongs! She is a strong chewer but this holds up well. I love smearing different things inside and freezing them for her to eat later.
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Kong dog/treat toy
For anyone with a dog, especially a puppy, I highly recommend this! Foxy, my Corgi girl puppy, is in training mode right now. She very active and tends to nip and bite when she gets bored. We’ve tried various things to settle her down, so we can take a break, and the Kong seems to be doing the trick! We put different treats in it and it’s keeping her busy and quiet for some time! Good investment!
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Keeps their attention
Have had others in the past and they all held up very well even when they’re sneaked out of the house.
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A great toy to keep dog entertained
I had the large version of this for my medium dog and realized if I had the medium it would work so much better. It is true. I put food in the ball and my dog plays with it until he works all the food out.
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Favorite Toy
This is the only ball my bulldog hasn’t chewed and destroyed. She plays with it for hours every day. I bought a second one in case the it ever gets lost. She loves this ball so much!
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Very durable
My furbsby loves this bone to chew on.It is very durable will last long time even for a aggressive chewer.
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HUSKY PROOF!
Pepper adores this! A pedigree dentastix cut in half fills both ends.......she was through 2 wubbas by now! She loooves her bone!!
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Must Have for All Pups
I don't know what I'd do without my Kong treats. When it's "bedtime" (crate time) for my pups, they love getting a little treat to chew. I have these and the regular Kongs that I fill with spray and freeze. They make a great treat to keep my pups from getting too bored during the night or while we're at work. Definitely worth the cost!
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Dog puzzle
Our dog loves it and looks forward to it when we are leaving the house he knows he gets to play it. He gets so excited.
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Nice toy!
This toy is nice in that you can gradually increase the difficulty over time as your dog gets the hang of it!
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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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This is a lifetime loved Toy!
We bought a new cream Snuggle puppy when we bought home our new puppy “Billy”, a little red Shihtzu ! His mother was more of a Cream color. At first he was a scared of her, but then because we had a blanket that had been rubbed on his mom, we decided to rub it on the snuggle pup! He recognized the smell, and became really attached to her! As he got older he would use her to “make biscuits “! That’s where they show that they are the boss of their puppy by hopping onto it, and use HUMPING movements! They actually use it to wear out their extra energy that is preventing them from sleeping. They will continue until they are so tired...
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SUPER PRODUCT!
This was so effective with our pup that I ordered one for two relatives when the got their puppies. One is two years old and dragged it around so much that the relative ordered another.
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Great Toy for Puppy
Love this toy! Have bought it for each of our puppies. It has made the transition a lot easier. I would highly recommend!
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Intelligence and memory booster.
My dog loves this puzzle dog feeder. He feeds on this in the middle of the night like a snack. I always keep it filled.
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Very cute!
My daughter’s kitty loved this food puzzle - she was quick to figure it out but was kept occupied for a little while.
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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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Ease of use
We use this to freeze food and treats. Our dog loves working on it to get at the blueberries and frozen yougurt.
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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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All the fancy places to search for treats
As I mentioned in the title, plus the crinkly sounding base, but I wish there was less felt and velcro areas, he likes to rip that off. We've had three of these in the last two years. It's his favorite puzzle of the many we have. (We'll need to start looking for harder ones soon)
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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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My dogs love these!!
These are my dogs favorite plush toys. My dogs are aggressive chewers so these dont last too long but they love them even after they remove the stuffing and squeakers. Maybe its the fluffiness in their mouths that they love but they carry them everwhere even when its time to sleep!
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Toy holds up!
This is one of my pup’s favorite toys! She’s on her second. I had to throw the first one away after washing it several times, it began to get rather gross. I purchased her a second one and she’s just in love with this toy. She carries it around by the ear!
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Good price.
Have only given her one so far and again, she has not managed to chew a hole in it yet.
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Sturdy
This toy is sturdy and lasts a long time. It gets pretty rough looking after our dog has had it awhile. This is one of the toys we purchase every so often for him. He is a large breed dog.
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Non destructible
My dogs will chew on these all the time and they hold up. Shape works for them to get a good grip to make the chewing easier.
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Great for aggressive chewers
These are the only thing in her toy box that she never loses sight of, she chews on them every day
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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