{"id":742,"date":"2026-09-30T05:48:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T05:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/?p=742"},"modified":"2026-10-05T05:42:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T05:42:15","slug":"dog-toys-for-separation-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en_au\/dog-toys-for-separation-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Toys for Separation Anxiety: Which Help, and What an Untouched Toy Tells You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\nbody{margin:0;background:#fffdf8}\n@scope (#pp-dog-guide){\n:scope{--ink:#173d38;--text:#263b39;--muted:#526963;--paper:#fffefb;--wash:#eff6f2;--line:#cadbd3;--accent:#a83d1d;--blue:#164c65}*{box-sizing:border-box}:scope{scroll-behavior:smooth}:scope{margin:0;background:var(--paper);color:var(--text);font:18px\/1.65 system-ui,-apple-system,Segoe 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\";font-weight:700}#pp-dog-guide .stat-strip{grid-template-columns:1fr}#pp-dog-guide .author{grid-template-columns:56px 1fr!important;padding:12px 14px!important;row-gap:2px!important}#pp-dog-guide .author>div{display:contents}#pp-dog-guide .author img{width:56px!important;height:56px!important;grid-row:1\/3;grid-column:1}#pp-dog-guide .author h2{grid-column:2;align-self:end}#pp-dog-guide .author .credentials{grid-column:2;align-self:start}#pp-dog-guide .author p:not(.credentials){grid-column:1\/-1;margin-top:8px!important}}\n\n@media(min-width:641px){#pp-dog-guide .sequence ol{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}}\n@media(max-width:640px){#pp-dog-guide .kit.types td:nth-child(2):before{content:\"Clip shows: \"}#pp-dog-guide .kit.types td:nth-child(3):before{content:\"First move: \"}#pp-dog-guide .kit td:first-child{font-weight:700}}\n#pp-dog-guide .kit.toys td:first-child{font-weight:700}\n@media(max-width:640px){#pp-dog-guide .kit.toys td:nth-child(2):before{content:\"Job: \"}#pp-dog-guide .kit.toys td:nth-child(3):before{content:\"Best time: \"}#pp-dog-guide .kit.toys td:nth-child(4):before{content:\"Safe alone? \";font-weight:700}}\n#pp-dog-guide ol.routine-steps{padding-left:22px}\n#pp-dog-guide ol.routine-steps li{margin:8px 0;font-size:17px}\n#pp-dog-guide .pick{background:#fff;border:1px solid #cadbd3;border-left:4px solid #a83d1d;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:12px 16px;font-size:16px}\n#pp-dog-guide ul.ladder li{margin:6px 0;font-size:17px}\n\n#pp-dog-guide .author details{grid-column:1\/-1;width:100%;margin-top:12px;}#pp-dog-guide .author details summary{font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;padding:10px 0;cursor:pointer;}#pp-dog-guide .author details p{margin:10px 0!important;}\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"pp-dog-guide\"><a class=\"skip\" href=\"#main\">Skip to article<\/a><main id=\"main\"><article>\n<p class=\"eyebrow\">Separation anxiety \u00b7 Toys<\/p>\n<h1>Dog Toys for Separation Anxiety: Which Help, and What an Untouched Toy Tells You<\/h1>\n<p class=\"meta\">By <a href=\"#author\">Michael Northcutt, PhD<\/a> <span>\u00b7<\/span> Last updated <time datetime=\"2026-09-30\">September 30, 2026<\/time> <span>\u00b7<\/span> 12 min read<\/p>\n<div class=\"bluf\"><p>Quick answer: long-lasting food toys can make goodbyes easier for bored or mildly worried dogs. No toy treats separation anxiety.<\/p><p>If your dog ignores a favorite food toy once you leave, take that seriously. Film it and talk to your vet.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"badges\"><span>Sources listed below<\/span><span>Updated September 2026<\/span><span>120 low-star mat reviews read<\/span><\/div>\n<p class=\"disclose\">Heads up: we sell the Vet Prep Pack mentioned here.<\/p>\n\n<p>You stuffed the toy. You froze it overnight. You set it down, grabbed your keys and slipped out.<\/p>\n<p>Then you came home to the same toy, still full, sitting by the door. Maybe the door frame had new scratches.<\/p>\n<p>That untouched toy is not a failure. It is one of the most useful clues you will get about your dog.<\/p>\n<p>If you feel guilty, you are in good company. Most of us have to leave our dogs sometimes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"for-who\"><p><b>Who this is for:<\/b> owners shopping for calming toys because their dog struggles when left alone.<\/p><p>It helps most if you are not sure yet whether your dog is bored or truly distressed.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"pick\"><b>Our pick:<\/b> for the absence itself, a durable Kong-style treat-dispensing toy. For the goodbye and hello, a snuffle mat or lick mat, used with you there.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"stat-strip\">\n<div><b>8 in 10<\/b><span>dogs may find it hard to cope alone, research suggests. Half show no obvious signs.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspca.org.uk\/adviceandwelfare\/pets\/dogs\/behaviour\/separationrelatedbehaviour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RSPCA<\/a><\/div>\n<div><b>20 to 30 min<\/b><span>or more: how long a departure food toy should take to finish<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/pet-care\/dog-care\/common-dog-behavior-issues\/separation-anxiety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ASPCA<\/a><\/div>\n<div><b>4 hours<\/b><span>the most time alone the RSPCA recommends. Much less for puppies.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspca.org.uk\/adviceandwelfare\/pets\/dogs\/behaviour\/separationrelatedbehaviour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RSPCA<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"best\"><h2>What are the best toys for dogs with separation anxiety?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Food toys that take time: a Kong-style stuffed rubber toy, a lick mat, a snuffle mat or a long-lasting chew. Each gives your dog a job.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/pet-care\/dog-care\/common-dog-behavior-issues\/separation-anxiety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ASPCA<\/a> explains why. Puzzle toys and chew items encourage chewing and licking, which have been shown to have a calming effect on dogs.<\/p>\n<p>Many &#8220;calming toys&#8221; and &#8220;dog anxiety toys&#8221; for sale fit one of the types below. The catch is which ones are safe while you are out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-wrap kit toys\"><table>\n<caption>Toy types by job, timing and alone-time safety<\/caption>\n<thead><tr><th>Toy type<\/th><th>Its job<\/th><th>Best time<\/th><th>Safe alone?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Kong-style stuffed rubber toy<\/td><td>A treat-dispensing lick and chew. Stuff it with softened kibble and a little wet food, plain pumpkin or xylitol-free peanut butter.<\/td><td>As you leave, if your dog eats it happily when you&#8217;re home too.<\/td><td>The type the ASPCA and RSPCA suggest for departures. Pick one too big to swallow.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Lick mat<\/td><td>Slow, steady licking of a thin spread.<\/td><td>The last minutes before you go, or your first minutes back.<\/td><td>No. Silicone can be chewed and swallowed.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Snuffle mat<\/td><td>Sniffing out kibble hidden in fleece strips. Also a slow feeder.<\/td><td>Before you leave or when you get home.<\/td><td>No. Fleece strips can be pulled loose and swallowed.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Puzzle feeder<\/td><td>An interactive puzzle: your dog moves parts to reach kibble.<\/td><td>With you home, until your dog knows the puzzle well.<\/td><td>Safer with you home. Rover advises supervising puzzles with removable pieces.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Long-lasting chew<\/td><td>Chewing, which dogs can use to self-soothe.<\/td><td>Any calm moment. Watch the first few sessions.<\/td><td>Only once you know how your dog chews it. No chew is fully risk free.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Heartbeat plush toy<\/td><td>Warmth and a pulse that may soothe young puppies.<\/td><td>Rest time, with you nearby.<\/td><td>No. Anxious and young dogs may chew it. Stuffing and the heartbeat part can be swallowed.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Pet camera<\/td><td>Not a toy. It shows you what really happens while you&#8217;re out.<\/td><td>Any absence you want to check.<\/td><td>Yes, set out of reach. Use it to watch, not to talk.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<p>We read 120 one- and two-star reviews of best-selling snuffle mats and lick mats. Of the 60 fleece snuffle mat reviews, 29 were about chewing or tearing.<\/p>\n<p>So if your dog shreds toys, these mats may not suit them at all. A sturdy rubber toy is the safer start.<\/p>\n<p>Power chewers need the tougher versions. Rover notes the classic Kong suits moderate chewers. Aggressive chewers need the extra-durable version.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"work\"><h2>Do toys actually help separation anxiety?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">For mild cases, a food toy can help your dog link being alone with something good. For real panic, a toy is not enough.<\/p>\n<p>The ASPCA calls this counterconditioning. Every time you leave, your dog gets a special food toy that only appears when they are alone.<\/p>\n<p>Test it a few times with you home first, then save it for departures.<\/p>\n<p>Remove it as soon as you get home. That keeps it special, and tied to your absences.<\/p>\n<p>Keep that special alone-time toy separate from mats. Mats are an everyday job you share, not the departure toy.<\/p>\n<p>It only works for mild cases, the ASPCA says. Highly anxious dogs usually won&#8217;t eat when their guardians aren&#8217;t home.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/vcahospitals.com\/know-your-pet\/separation-anxiety-in-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VCA guide<\/a> agrees. It is by Debra Horwitz and Gary Landsberg, both board-certified veterinary behaviorists.<\/p>\n<p>They write that food is not likely to be useful in dogs that are too anxious. So a toy is a helper, not a treatment.<\/p>\n<p><b>Our rough guide to where your dog sits, with the ASPCA&#8217;s advice for each level:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ladder\">\n<li><b>Mild:<\/b> eats the toy, then settles. A special food toy at each departure may be enough.<\/li>\n<li><b>Moderate:<\/b> some distress even with the toy. See your vet, then gradual desensitization with a qualified professional.<\/li>\n<li><b>Severe:<\/b> won&#8217;t eat, panics or tries to escape. See your vet. Some dogs need medication before training can start.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"lead\" id=\"free-card\"><p class=\"eyebrow\">A useful next step<\/p><h3>Check the food before you fill the mat<\/h3><p>Our free food checker gives separate dog and cat answers, preparation cautions and source links. Results appear without an email address.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/tools\/pet-food-checker\/\">Open the food checker<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n<section id=\"test\"><h2>Is it boredom or separation anxiety?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">A bored dog usually doesn&#8217;t look anxious. A distressed dog shows distress soon after you leave, and may ignore food.<\/p>\n<p>That line on boredom comes from the ASPCA. Bored dogs are looking for something to do, so a good toy may help.<\/p>\n<p>Distress looks different. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspca.org.uk\/adviceandwelfare\/pets\/dogs\/behaviour\/separationrelatedbehaviour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RSPCA<\/a> lists these common signs of separation-related behaviour:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chewing or destroying things, often near doors or windows.<\/li>\n<li>Howling, barking or whining.<\/li>\n<li>Weeing or pooing indoors.<\/li>\n<li>Signs of anxiety before you leave, and excessive excitement when you return.<\/li>\n<li>Trembling, panting, drooling, pacing or vomiting.<\/li>\n<li>Not eating meals, treats or food toys while you are out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The RSPCA says these behaviours start before you leave or within a few to 30 minutes after.<\/p>\n<p><b>The toy test:<\/b> the RSPCA suggests a special toy for when you go out. First, check your dog enjoys it with you home.<\/p><p>If they ignore it once you are out, the RSPCA says this may be a sign your dog is worried.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"film\"><h2>How do you run the toy test?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Film one normal absence. VCA calls a video or audio clip of your dog alone perhaps the best way to check.<\/p>\n<p><b>No pet camera?<\/b> Prop up an old phone or laptop out of reach, plugged in, and start a video call to yourself. Mute your end so your dog hears nothing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sequence\"><ol>\n<li><b>Pick a normal trip<\/b><span>Film an errand you were making anyway, ideally 30 to 40 minutes. Never stay out longer just to see.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Try the toy at home first<\/b><span>Make sure your dog loves it with you there. Otherwise an ignored toy tells you nothing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Start recording early<\/b><span>Some dogs get anxious while you get ready. Hit record before you pick up your keys.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Hand it over calmly<\/b><span>Give the toy as you head out. Keep the goodbye short and quiet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Watch the first 40 minutes<\/b><span>Most anxious responses happen then, per the ASPCA. Note whether your dog eats, and when.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Come back if it looks unsafe<\/b><span>Frantic digging at the door or chewing exits means stop filming and go home.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<p>When you replay it, jot down three things. Did your dog eat? When did any barking or pacing start? How fast did they settle when you came back?<\/p>\n<p>Our view: ate the toy and settled? Enrichment and a calm routine may be enough. Ignored it and paced? Read the distress section below.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"routine\"><h2>How do you use mats in a goodbye routine?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Use them with your dog in the last few minutes before you leave, and again when you get home. Then put them away.<\/p>\n<p>Mats are a supervised job, not a babysitter. That is where they differ from a sturdy rubber departure toy.<\/p>\n<p>This is our routine:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"routine-steps\">\n<li><b>About 10 minutes out.<\/b> Set down a snuffle mat with a small handful of kibble, or a lick mat with a thin spread.<\/li>\n<li><b>Keep it easy at first.<\/b> Leave some kibble on top so a new dog wins quickly.<\/li>\n<li><b>Stay close and low-key.<\/b> Keep your dog in view while they work. Watch for chewing.<\/li>\n<li><b>Pick it up.<\/b> When the food is gone, put the mat away. Then head out calmly.<\/li>\n<li><b>First minutes back.<\/b> Keep it low-key, no fuss. Set down the other mat quietly and let it absorb the excitement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For the lick mat, plain canned pumpkin, plain yogurt or wet dog food all work. Peanut butter is fine only without xylitol.<\/p>\n<p>Press the lick mat onto smooth tile or glass. Suction cups won&#8217;t grip carpet.<\/p>\n<p>If enough is eaten, xylitol can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and liver failure, says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/poison\/xylitol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pet Poison Helpline<\/a>. Check any jar with our free <a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/tools\/xylitol-label-checker\/\">xylitol label checker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Count the food you use as part of your dog&#8217;s daily meals. The RSPCA gives the same tip for food toys, to avoid overfeeding.<\/p>\n<p><b>Why mats still matter for an anxious dog:<\/b> the minutes around the door are part of the problem. Mats cover the goodbye and the hello. A Kong-style toy covers the absence, if your dog eats alone.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"distress\"><h2>What if your dog won&#8217;t touch the toy while you&#8217;re gone?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Treat it as a sign of possible distress. Book your vet first, then ask about a qualified behavior professional.<\/p>\n<p>Health problems can cause or worsen separation-related behaviour, the RSPCA notes. So the vet visit comes first.<\/p>\n<p>For behavior help, the ASPCA suggests a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.<\/p>\n<p>If you can&#8217;t find one, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer may help. Check they have experience treating fear.<\/p>\n<p>Worried a specialist costs too much? Start with your regular vet. The RSPCA&#8217;s route is the same: your vet refers you to a clinical animal behaviourist.<\/p>\n<p>Moderate to severe cases need gradual desensitization and counterconditioning. The ASPCA says that work needs a trained, experienced professional&#8217;s guidance.<\/p>\n<p>Medication is a vet decision too. Always ask your vet or a veterinary behaviorist before giving anything.<\/p>\n<p>Ask about pheromone products as well. VCA says pheromone therapy can be useful for diminishing anxiety.<\/p>\n<p>Your clips and notes make that first appointment far more useful. Bring them.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<aside class=\"cta\" data-cta=\"paid\"><h3>Toy untouched when you&#8217;re gone? Walk into the vet with notes, not guesses.<\/h3><p>The Separation Distress Evidence and Vet Prep Pack is an 18-page PDF for dogs who struggle when alone.<\/p><p><b>Record:<\/b> fillable event, video-observation, departure-context and recovery records.<\/p><p><b>Compare:<\/b> a seven-day summary, without scoring or diagnosing.<\/p><p><b>Bring:<\/b> a one-page appointment brief and question organizer.<\/p><p>It does not diagnose separation anxiety, prescribe training, recommend medication or replace vet or behavior care.<\/p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/vet-prep-pack\/\">See the Vet Prep Pack, $19<\/a><p class=\"guarantee\">One 18-page PDF. Instant digital download.<\/p><\/aside>\n\n<section id=\"goodbye\"><h2>Should you say goodbye to your dog when you leave?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Keep it short and calm. A quick pat and a quiet goodbye is fine. A long, emotional farewell is not.<\/p>\n<p>The ASPCA says a pat on the head, goodbye, and leave. VCA suggests skipping the goodbye and handling departure cues, like keys, out of your dog&#8217;s sight.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"quick\"><h2>How can I quickly help my dog with separation anxiety?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Stop leaving your dog alone longer than they can cope. Most dogs with separation anxiety are fine as long as someone is with them, the ASPCA says.<\/p>\n<p>That someone doesn&#8217;t have to be you. Options the ASPCA lists include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Taking your dog to work, if your job allows it.<\/li>\n<li>A family member, friend or sitter who stays at your home.<\/li>\n<li>A sitter&#8217;s house or a doggy daycare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"alone\"><h2>Is it cruel to leave a dog alone all day?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">A full day is a lot to ask. The RSPCA recommends leaving a dog alone no more than four hours, and puppies much less.<\/p>\n<p>The same limit answers the overnight question. A whole night alone runs well past four hours.<\/p>\n<p>If your workday is long, a midday walker or sitter shortens the stretch. The RSPCA suggests this too, for company and a walk.<\/p>\n<p>No toy can stretch that limit. A frozen toy lasts minutes, and your absence lasts hours.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"dont\"><h2>What should you avoid?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"answer\">Don&#8217;t leave fabric or silicone toys with an unsupervised dog, don&#8217;t punish, and don&#8217;t expect any toy to cure distress.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"checklist avoid\">\n<li><b>Mats left alone with your dog.<\/b> Fleece and silicone are not chew toys.<\/li>\n<li><b>Scolding about the mess.<\/b> Anxious behaviors are distress responses, not spite, the ASPCA says. Punishment can make things much worse.<\/li>\n<li><b>Crying it out.<\/b> Dogs left to cry it out only learn that being alone is terrifying, the RSPCA warns.<\/li>\n<li><b>A crate by default.<\/b> For dogs with separation anxiety, crates can prompt intense escape attempts and serious injuries, VCA cautions. A toy in the crate does not change that.<\/li>\n<li><b>Talking through the camera.<\/b> Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rover.com\/blog\/dog-toys-for-separation-anxiety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rover<\/a> that hearing your voice without you there can unsettle an anxious dog further.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your dog swallows fabric strips or a piece of silicone, call your vet. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/my-pet-ate-something\/\">my pet ate something<\/a> page helps you gather the facts first.<\/p>\n<div class=\"note\"><b>Call your vet promptly<\/b> if your dog won&#8217;t eat when alone, or tries to escape. Also call about broken teeth, scraped paws, damaged nails or constant paw licking. Sudden new behavior in an older dog needs a checkup too.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"next-steps\" id=\"next-steps\"><h2>Next steps<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Pick one long-lasting food toy your dog already loves at home.<\/li>\n<li>Film one normal absence with that toy, starting before you pick up your keys.<\/li>\n<li>If your dog ate it and settled, build a calm goodbye routine. Mats fit the minutes before and after.<\/li>\n<li>If the toy sat untouched, book your vet. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/vet-prep-pack\/\">$19 evidence pack<\/a> keeps your notes in one place.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"faq\" id=\"faq\"><h2>Common questions<\/h2>\n<details><summary>Should I rotate my dog&#8217;s toys?<\/summary><p>Yes, it can help. Dr. Whittenburg told Rover she recommends switching toys often, so dogs don&#8217;t lose interest. Try a few and watch what your dog prefers.<\/p><\/details>\n<details><summary>Do heartbeat toys help dogs with separation anxiety?<\/summary><p>Mainly for young puppies. Dr. Whittenburg told Rover the heartbeat may soothe puppies away from their mother. She also warns anxious dogs may chew them, so supervise.<\/p><\/details>\n<details><summary>Should I leave the TV, radio or calming music on?<\/summary><p>It can help some dogs. The RSPCA suggests a radio to muffle outside sounds. VCA suggests music or TV as cues linked to relaxation.<\/p><\/details>\n<details><summary>Will a second dog stop separation anxiety?<\/summary><p>Rarely. A second pet can occasionally keep a dog occupied, VCA says. It is unlikely to help a dog who is too anxious.<\/p><\/details>\n<details><summary>My dog finishes a frozen toy in five minutes. What now?<\/summary><p>Pack it tighter and freeze it, as VCA and the ASPCA suggest. Softened kibble with a little wet food packs well.<\/p><\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"author\" id=\"author\" aria-label=\"About the author\"><img src=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/michael-northcutt-headshot-circle.jpg\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" alt=\"Michael Northcutt\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><div><h2>Michael Northcutt, PhD<\/h2><p class=\"credentials\">Certified Pet Therapy Specialist \u00b7 Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) \u00b7 <span class=\"nw\">AAPT Certification Board Member<\/span><\/p><details><summary>Read Michael\u2019s full biography<\/summary><p class=\"credentials\">Certified Pet Therapy Specialist \u00b7 Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) \u00b7 AAPT Certification Board Member<\/p><p>Michael brings 14 years of experience in animal-assisted care, companion-animal rehabilitation, and welfare-centered handling.<\/p><p>He writes for owners who want clearer decisions and more manageable daily routines. His focus is animal comfort, practical preparation, and honest product limits.<\/p><p><strong>Scope:<\/strong> Michael is not presented as a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist. This article is not an individual assessment.<\/p><p>Ask your veterinarian about pain, sudden behavior changes, injury, or serious distress. Seek qualified help when safety or handling is uncertain.<\/p><\/details><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"sources\" id=\"sources\"><h2>Sources<\/h2><ul>\n<li>ASPCA. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/pet-care\/dog-care\/common-dog-behavior-issues\/separation-anxiety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Separation Anxiety<\/a><\/li>\n<li>RSPCA. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspca.org.uk\/adviceandwelfare\/pets\/dogs\/behaviour\/separationrelatedbehaviour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recognising separation-related behaviour and anxiety in dogs<\/a><\/li>\n<li>VCA Animal Hospitals, Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB and Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB. <a href=\"https:\/\/vcahospitals.com\/know-your-pet\/separation-anxiety-in-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Separation Anxiety in Dogs<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Rover, Nia Martin, updated by Liz Coleman. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rover.com\/blog\/dog-toys-for-separation-anxiety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The 11 Best Calming Dog Toys for Anxiety, According to Experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Pet Poison Helpline. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/poison\/xylitol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Xylitol<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Paw Pampering sells the Separation Distress Evidence and Vet Prep Pack mentioned here. This guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian.<\/p><\/section>\n<section class=\"related\"><h2>Related<\/h2><ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/best-snuffle-mat-for-dogs\/\">How to pick the best snuffle mat for your dog<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/dog-lick-mat\/\">Dog lick mats: what to spread, and how often<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/dog-boredom-toys\/\">Dog boredom toys: signs of boredom and what to try<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/dog-enrichment-toys\/\">Dog enrichment toys: types and how to start<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pawpampering.com\/en\/vet-prep-pack\/\">The Separation Distress Evidence and Vet Prep Pack<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/section>\n<footer>PawPampering \u00b7 Thoughtful choices for life with your dog.<\/footer>\n<\/article><\/main><\/div>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What are the best toys for dogs with separation anxiety?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Food toys that take time: a Kong-style stuffed rubber toy, a lick mat, a snuffle mat or a long-lasting chew. 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