- Home
- Best Products
- Dog Toys
- Best Dog Toys for Separation Anxiety 2025
Best Dog Toys for Separation Anxiety 2025
Written by Adam Lee-Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 09/25/2024, edited: 03/03/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Whining, barking, tearing up upholstery — dogs with separation anxiety can be seriously destructive and disruptive. But how do you keep your canine calm when you're coming and going? Aside from exercise and training, toys are the best way to soothe your four-legged friends' separation anxiety.
Toys are mentally stimulating, distracting, and comforting, helping take your dog's mind off where their favorite human has gone. From puzzles to plushies to near-indestructible chew toys, we've rounded up the best dog toys for separation anxiety to make leaving your mutt alone a little less stressful.
Overview
Snuggle Puppy
Best heartbeat dog toy for separation anxiety
The Snuggle Puppy is perfect for puppies with separation anxiety, providing comfort when they're home alone. With a "real feel" electronic heartbeat and heat pack, this plushie imitates your pooch's littermates, helping reduce anxiety and loneliness.
One of the downsides of the Snuggle Puppy is you'll need to replace its batteries and heat pack, and strong chewers could rip it apart. That said, if your dog isn't much of a chewer, the Snuggle Puppy is easily one of the best toys for settling your pup's nerves.
- Available colors: Brown, Brown & White, Golden, Light Brown
Snuggle Puppy
Why Wag! loves Snuggle Puppy
- Features a vibrating heartbeat and heat pack to imitate your dog's littermates
- Electronic heartbeat has two settings — intermittent and continuous
- Batteries last for up to two weeks of constant use
- Machine washable
Considerations & concerns
- Requires batteries
- Heat packs are disposable and need to be replaced after 24 hours
- Best suited to small breeds
What parents say about Snuggle Puppy
"We got this for our puppy Charlie 2 years ago as he was the first to leave his litter, it made the transition so much easier and to this day (2 yrs later) he still carries it round only now it's his nite nite bear."
"Snuggle puppy was a hit until my puppy found the Velcro where the battery heart was. She is 4 months old and managed to chew her way [through] the Velcro I took it away. Tried to repair it but then I noticed that she also had started in on an area under one of the arms. I never gave it back. The company sent a replacement and this one has lasted!!!!!!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Snuggle Puppy.
Pet Life Snuffle Mat
Best snuffle mat for separation anxiety
Keeping your pup entertained while alone is one of the best methods of lowering their stress levels. If your four-legged friend is food-motivated (whose pup isn't?), then a snuffle mat is a wonderful distraction. Simply hide a few treats in the snuffle mat and let your dog sniff out their tasty snacks.
The Pet Life Snuffle Mat is unique because it features several different puzzles for your pup to solve—perfect if your barking bud is a bit of a brainiac. Another useful feature is its anti-skid backing, which ensures the mat won't slide around while your pup hunts for treats.
- Available colors: Gray/Red/Blue, Blue/Pink/Orange
Pet Life Snuffle Mat
Why Wag! loves Pet Life Snuffle Mat
- Features different holes, flaps, and folds where you can hide treats
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Provides mental stimulation
- Anti-skid backing prevents the mat from sliding
- Machine washable
Considerations & concerns
- On the pricey side
- Made of felt - strong chewers could rip holes
What parents say about Pet Life Snuffle Mat
"Our [retriever] loves puzzles and they help to slow down her bad habit of gulping down her food. We have several different mats like this but this is my current favorite because it is so big and has so many different options. Sometimes after she has finished eating from it she will lay down with it like a blanket - so cute!"
"This snuffle mat is exactly what I was looking for. It's made of good quality fabric and is machine washable. Most importantly it slows down my dog when she's inhaling her kibble."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Pet Life.
Maxbone Bonnie Bunny Plush Toy
Best squeaking dog toy for separation anxiety
Check out Maxbone's Bonnie Bunny Plush Toy if you're looking for a durable, high-quality comfort toy for your pupper. Made from soft, silky fabric with solid stitching and detailed embroidery, it works as a cuddle buddy and a chew toy.
If your pup loves noisy toys, you're in luck — Bonnie Bunny includes a robust squeaker to encourage play. The only real drawback of the Bonnie Bunny Plush Toy is it's on the small side, making it better suited to pint-sized pooches.
Bonnie Bunny Plush Toy
Why Wag! loves Bonnie Bunny Plush Toy
- High-quality cuddly toy — can withstand heavy chewing
- Built-in squeaker encourages play
- Plush signature Maxbone fabric encourages pups to snuggle
Considerations & concerns
- Only 8 inches long - better suited to smaller dogs
- Remove all tags before giving it to your pooch
What parents say about Bonnie Bunny Plush Toy
"Perfect size for my Miniature Schnauzer. It is very well made and durable."
"This toy was purchased for my French bulldog, and the toy is absolutely adorable, soft , and constructed very well. My Frenchie loves Bonnie Bunny!"
Read more reviews on Maxbone.
Image sourced from Maxbone. Copyright Maxbone.
Kong Classic
Best slow-feeding toy for separation anxiety
Kongs are classic for a reason — they're one of the most durable dog toys and can be filled with various tasty treats to keep your canine busy. You can even freeze Kongs with treats inside, providing a long-lasting treat for your mutt.
Wag! 's Head of Partnerships & CSR, Kaitie Edel, highly recommends Kong toys to your couch pup-tato:
"We love using Kong toys to stuff treats into, slather in natural (xylitol-free) peanut butter, and even freeze in a bowl of water/low-sodium broth mix as stimulation or as a high-value reward! They're basically indestructible so great for outdoors, too!"
- Available sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large
Kong Classic
Why Wag! loves Kong Classic
- Can be filled with a variety of treats to keep your dog busy
- Inexpensive and incredibly durable
- Available in several sizes
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents commented that their dog was able to chew pieces off their new Kong
What parents say about Kong Classic
"We have used various Kongs for all our dogs. For the more aggressive chewers, freezing a filled King keeps them entertained longer. This is also good for teething puppies. Always [check] you are using the right size and type."
"Great Kong! I got this one for my pup when he was younger - it works just as well for him as the light blue puppy ones and he is now 7 months old. He is a gentle chewer (golden retriever). We highly recommend the classic kong!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Kong Company.
Nina Ottosson Dog Worker Puzzle Toy
Best dog puzzle toy for separation anxiety
Nina Ottosson is the undisputed queen of puzzle toys, and her Dog Worker Puzzle Toy is ideal for keeping your pooch busy while they're on their lonesome. The puzzle is simple yet deceptively tricky — your pup must slide blocks, turn flippers, and spin the lily pad wheel in the correct order to reach their reward.
Able to hold a quarter cup of treats, the Dog Worker Puzzle Toy can keep your canine companion busy for hours. It's an advanced puzzle, so it'll take your doggo some time to figure out how to get their treats.
Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toy
Why Wag! loves Nina Ottosson Dog Worker Puzzle Toy
- Advanced puzzle with removable parts to adjust difficulty
- Mentally stimulating
- Good for digestion by slowing down eating
- Made from eco-friendly and food-safe materials
Considerations & concerns
- Might be too challenging for some pups
What parents say about Nina Ottosson Dog Worker Puzzle Toy
"My mini schnauzer, Harmony, enjoys this! It's a little too hard for her, but that kept her busy. The good thing is that you can remove the lily pad to make it easier. Harmony also enjoys the easier version of the puzzle."
"I ordered this not reading that this was a level 3 puzzle. With that being said our 6 month old puppy loves this puzzle and was able to figure it out very quick! Would be a great puzzle for quick learners."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Outward Hound.
Nylabone Power Chew Dog Toy
Best chew toy for separation anxiety
Chewing alleviates stress, so it's wise to provide your pup with a strong chew toy if they have separation anxiety. The Nylabone Power Chew Dog Toy is designed for aggressive chewers, so you can leave it with your pooch unsupervised, safe in the knowledge they're less likely to chew bits off their toy.
One of the best features of the Nylabone Power Chew Dog Toy is its two different textures with ridges and nubs to clean your dog's teeth. Plus, it's beef flavored, to encourage your dog to chomp down on this chew toy.
- Available sizes: Small, Large
Nylabone Power Chew Dog Toy
Why Wag! loves Nylabone Power Chew Dog Toy
- Strong chew toy for heavy chewers
- Ideal for teething and dental health
- Beef flavored to encourage chewing
Considerations & concerns
- Toy is smaller than you might expect
What parents say about Nylabone Power Chew Dog Toy
"My puppy is an [aggressive] chewer. The first day I received NYLABONE she went to town chewing it. I think it's going to outlast her! She's now taking a nap after chewing for a few minutes!"
"Strider took to this immediately. She enjoys how it bounces when you throw it. Her favorite thing about this is the jack like appearance with the different textures. This is by far her favorite nylabone toy. All of the power chew toys have held up well with her and she is the most aggressive chewer I have had."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Nylabone.
FAQ
What toys help with separation anxiety in dogs?
Should you crate a dog with separation anxiety?
Do dogs grow out of separation anxiety?