Toys for Dogs with Anxiety

Your dog’s toys bring more than just fun and excitement. There are actually toys for dogs with anxiety that are a great help in managing the stress and insecurity they are faced with. Toys for dogs with anxiety are a great way to help your dog relax in stressful situations.

All dogs are different and how they deal with anxiety is not all the same. The kind of toys for dogs with anxiety that will work best can also differ. Some dogs may be comforted with cuddly toys or antler chews. Some dogs may prefer toys that are mentally stimulating and physically engaging.

In this article, we'll share about the signs of anxiety in dogs, the different types of toys for dogs with anxiety, and some additional ways to help your dog deal with stress and anxiety.

What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?

The Merck Veterinary Manual stated that dog anxiety can have an assortment of causes and reasons. Some of the most commonly diagnosed causes are the following:

• Fear Anxiety: Anxieties that are caused by fear are often caused by new people, animals, or social settings, loud noises, specific visual stimuli like balls, umbrellas, strange environments, and a lot more.
• Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety affects a large number of dogs. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety feel anxious whenever they are left alone or are separated from their pet parents. “How do I know if my dog has separation anxiety?”, you ask. Separation anxiety often comes with undesirable, destructive behaviors like excessive chewing, excessive barking, and accidents all over the house.
• Aging: Anxiety caused by aging is often associated with illnesses such as cognitive dysfunction syndrome. This includes the decline or drop of a dog’s learning, perception, memory, and awareness.

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

Anxiety is a natural response to stress and is useful somehow as this feeling alerts your dog for dangers and helps them pay more attention to their surroundings and prepare. However, when your dog’s anxiousness takes over their day-to-day activities, it can be a problem. Anxiety in dogs is exhibited in many ways. Here are some important signs of anxiety in dogs to look out for:

• Aggression
• Peeing or pooping in inappropriate places in the house
• Excessive shedding
• Excessive drooling, panting
• Pacing, shaking
• Destructive behaviors
• Depression
• Changes in body posture
• Excessive barking
• Restlessness
• Changes in bodily functions
• Compulsive behaviors
• Hiding or escape behaviors

Some of these dog anxiety symptoms occur as a result of anxiety-causing triggers. If they become recurrent, it can lead to more severe issues. This is why dog anxiety management plays a very important role in a pet parent’s life.

Snuffle Mats for Dogs

Toys for dogs with anxiety help to keep your furbaby engaged and involved. Interactive dog toys are made with different textures and enticing scents that will keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Snuffle mats, like the Forager® Mat or Forager® Bowl make excellent anxiety toys for dogs. The reason these are one of the best dog toys for separation anxiety is that they provide mental enrichment, helping to tire your dog out, while providing a distraction.

You can fill your dog’s snuffle mat or snuffle bowl with their food, some treats, and even their daily Calming SoftSupps® when you are leaving the house to help with separation anxiety. This gives a positive experience when you are leaving and distracts them. Plus, snuffling expels energy, so your dog will be tired and relaxed after. These can be used for other forms of anxiety as well to distract your dog and turn a negative experience into a positive one.

Anxiety Toys for Dogs with Your Scent

Toys for dogs with anxiety that remind your furbaby of you can help manage their anxiety. Examples of these toys may include a stuffed toy dressed in one of your used t-shirts as the stuffed toy will smell just like you.

If your dog is prone to tearing apart stuffed toys, you can use Pet Parents® Pawtect® Blankets. These blankets are made up of specifically created faux fur fabric and our proprietary Sherpup® multi-layer material. You can hold this blanket to keep your scent on it and allow your dog to cuddle up in it when they are experiencing anxiety of any kind. Sherpup® is not only super cozy, but it is also exceptional as it creates an impenetrable barrier between both exterior fabrics so that no moisture can seep through either side of the blanket. Plus, the LockJaw® edges prevent fraying even if your dog is a nervous chewer.

Antler Dog Chews for Anxiety

Most dogs find chewing very comforting when going through anxiety. Just make sure that you are able to provide your furbaby with durable and safe chew toys, like Gnawtlers®.

Gnawtlers® are naturally-shed, premium deer and elk antlers for dogs. These antler chews are the perfect chews for dogs with anxiety as they do not easily break or splinter and are extremely great for anxious dogs that like to chew to soothe themselves. Gnawtlers® are not the average antler chews in dogs. Unlike other processed and dyed options, Gnawtlers® have no odor and no mess! They are available in multiple sizes for split elk antlers, whole elk antlers, and whole deer antlers for different chewing levels. Plus, these make a delicious treat with a marrow that is jam-packed with calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.

Why Toys for Dogs with Anxiety Are Important

Toys for dogs with anxiety are extremely important. Aside from helping manage your dog’s uncontrollable emotions, it also helps your furbaby in the following ways:

It’s fun! Who doesn’t love toys? Toys are fun and exciting for dogs! The best dog toys for separation anxiety or any form of anxiety will turn their nervousness into positive emotions.

It helps them learn. Enrichment dog toys can improve your furbaby's capability to learn, understand, and comprehend—aiding them to acquire new skills. It also encourages their innate behavior such as exploring and playing.

It relaxes them. Toys can help your furbaby feel relaxed and happier as they consider playing as a reward. Toys help your dog counteract the effects of stress and help keep their stress levels at bay.

Keep in ming that dogs have different preferences for dog anxiety toys. Just because your anxious Siberian Husky love balls to keep anxiety away does not mean your anxious Pug does, too. All dogs have their own unique way of dealing with anxiety and some feel secure when cuddling up next to soft and squishy toys. Others may prefer snuffling for treats or chewing. You may want to offer a few different dog anxiety toys at different times to see which your dog likes best.

Toys for dogs with anxiety are helpful in many ways you can imagine. Aside from helping manage your dog’s anxiety they also keep the fun and excitement alive. Dog toys for anxiety can even help build a cheerful connection between you and your dog. What's not to love about that?