Dog toys for anxious dogs
The toys that genuinely help an anxious dog are not the exciting, squeaky kind but ones built for slow, repetitive, self-soothing activity: things to lick, sniff, or work at gradually rather than chase and pounce on. The aim is giving a nervous dog something calming to focus on, not more stimulation.
Why the type of toy matters here
A dog that is anxious is already in a state of heightened alertness, so a toy designed to excite, like a squeaky ball meant for a game of fetch, can add to that rather than settle it. Toys built around licking or slow foraging work differently, tapping into a calming, repetitive behaviour rather than a high-energy one.
This is the same idea behind why some dogs settle with a long-lasting chew during fireworks or a thunderstorm: the repetitive chewing motion itself has a soothing effect, separate from whatever is actually on the chew.
Lick mats and slow feeders
A lick mat spread with something a dog enjoys, then frozen, turns a few minutes of eating into a much longer, slower activity that keeps a nervous dog occupied and focused on one calm task. Freezing it stretches the time out further, which is particularly useful around a specific stressful event like visitors arriving or a trip to the vet.
Slow feeder bowls work on a similar principle at mealtimes, forcing a dog to work a bit for each mouthful rather than eating in a rush, which can take the edge off general background anxiety around food and routine.
Snuffle mats and foraging toys
A snuffle mat, where treats or kibble are hidden in fabric strips for a dog to sniff out, uses a dog's nose in a way that is naturally calming and mentally tiring in a good way. It is a useful option for a dog that paces or struggles to settle, giving it a job to focus on instead.
Start with treats or kibble easy to find so your dog learns what the mat is for, then hide them a little deeper as your dog gets the idea. A short session before a known stressful event, such as guests arriving, can take the edge off the initial excitement or nerves.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Dog Calming Ear Muffs For Fireworks & Thunder
A soft stretchy snood that wraps snugly over your dog's head and ears to muffle fireworks, thunder and loud noises. Helps nervous dogs feel calmer during storms, travel and grooming.
£11.99
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Dog Anxiety Calming Vest
A snug, wrap-around calming vest that applies gentle, even pressure to soothe anxious dogs during thunderstorms, fireworks or travel. Stretchy fabric and a hook-and-loop fastener give an adjustable, comfortable fit.
From£9.99
Remote-Controlled Jumping Ball Dog Toy
A self-rolling, light-up ball that jumps and rolls to keep dogs entertained. A paw-shaped remote sets three activity gears, so both small and large dogs can chase and play. Rechargeable and tough against chewing.
From£19.99
Calming Ear-Cover Head Wrap for Dogs
A soft padded head wrap that gently covers the ears to muffle noise and ease anxiety from fireworks, thunder and travel. The snug, reassuring fit helps nervous dogs of small to large breeds stay calm.
£8.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs
A large inflatable ball too big for a dog to pick up, with a bite-resistant double-layer shell that slow-deflates if punctured, for high-drive chasing and nudging.
£23.99
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Calming Ear-Cover Snood for Dogs
An adjustable ear-cover snood in thickened fabric that helps calm dogs through thunder and fireworks.
£12.99
Calming Anxiety Vest with Hood for Dogs
A stretchy calming vest with an attached hood that covers the ears, applying gentle pressure to settle anxious dogs during fireworks, thunderstorms, travel and vet visits.
From£13.99
Durables Toy Crocodile
The crocodile from Red Dingo's Durables line: solid hardware, hard-wearing materials and a five-year manufacturer guarantee, which is rare enough to be the reason to buy.
£20.49
Common questions
- Do calming toys actually work for anxious dogs?
- They can genuinely help by giving a dog a repetitive, low-arousal activity to focus on, which is a real and useful tool for mild everyday anxiety. They are not a substitute for addressing an underlying cause of severe anxiety, which is worth discussing with a vet.
- What toy helps a dog with separation anxiety?
- A long-lasting lick mat or a stuffed, frozen chew toy given just before you leave can help some dogs cope with the first stretch of being alone by giving them something absorbing to do. For more persistent separation anxiety, a vet or a qualified behaviourist can help identify the wider approach needed.
- Are chew toys good for anxious dogs?
- Yes, for many dogs the repetitive motion of chewing is genuinely calming, similar to how licking is. Choose a size and firmness appropriate for your dog to avoid it being swallowed or causing dental damage, and supervise a new chew the first few times.
- Can the wrong toy make a dog more anxious?
- A toy that is overly exciting, noisy, or that a dog cannot figure out how to use successfully can add frustration rather than calm. If a toy seems to wind your dog up rather than settle them, it is probably the wrong kind for that moment, even if it is a perfectly good toy in other contexts.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.