Calming toys for anxious dogs

13 cited sources4 picks, never ranked by commission

The short answer

Everyday pickLickiMat Classic Soother Slow Feeder Dog Lick Mat
For baths, nail trims, and vet visitsRinse Ace Suction Grooming Lick Pad
For sniffersPAW5 Wooly Snuffle Dog Feeding Mat

Toys can help a mildly worried dog, but they don't treat anxiety. Strong fears, phobias, or separation anxiety need your vet, and often a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.^[6],[7],[8]

Thunder rolls in, the neighbors start on the fireworks, or you pick up your keys, and your dog starts to pace. You can't make the noise stop. You can give them something calm to do.

This guide covers why licking, sniffing, and chewing can help a worried dog settle, how to fit lick mats, snuffle mats, and frozen stuffed toys into a plan for storms, alone time, and vet visits, how to use them safely, and the signs that toys aren't enough.

Picks follow how we pick. We may earn a commission from links (disclosure).

Why licking, sniffing, and chewing help

These are things dogs love to do anyway. Food toys let them sniff, lick, chew, and crunch, which are all enjoyable behaviors for dogs.^[4]

Licking. VCA vets say studies have shown that licking releases endorphins in a dog's brain, which helps them feel calm, relaxed, and secure. For dogs who love to lick, a lick mat is one way to satisfy the urge.^[1]
Sniffing. The ASPCA says sniffing can be both stimulating and calming, and it lets your dog learn about the world around them.^[2]
Chewing. Chewing combats boredom and can relieve mild anxiety or frustration.^[3]

Keep your expectations modest. One vet notes there isn't much evidence that lick mats reduce anxiety in themselves. Their main job is keeping a dog busy and happy through a stressful moment.^[5]

A help, not a treatment

Who can help. The ASPCA suggests a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB). If neither is near you, look for a certified trainer with real experience treating fear.^[7]
Check the title. A veterinary behaviorist is a vet with specialist training who can check for a medical cause and recommend medication if it's needed. Trainers and others can call themselves behaviorists with no required education, so ask about credentials.^[8]
Medication is an option. Anti-anxiety medication can help some dogs cope, and it can make training work faster. That's a conversation for your vet.^[7],[6]
Never punish. Anxious behavior isn't disobedience or spite. Scolding won't help.^[7]

A plan for storms and fireworks

Pick a safe spot. An inside room with less noise and fewer flashes of light is a good start. If your dog likes to hide under the bed or in a closet, let them.^[9]
Add some sound. White noise, music, or the TV in the background can help mask the booms.^[10],[9]
Offer something to do. Games, or a food puzzle or stuffed toy filled with a favorite treat, can give your dog something better to focus on.^[9]
Stay calm yourself. Dogs pick up on your mood. Gentle petting or letting your dog lean on you is fine.^[9],[6]
Plan ahead. Vets use gradual training to help storm-shy dogs, and medication can help if your dog isn't ready before the season starts. If your dog's fear is moderate to severe, work with your vet or a veterinary behaviorist.^[10],[9]

Alone time and vet visits

For a dog who is only a little uneasy when you leave, the ASPCA suggests a food-stuffed puzzle toy that takes 20 to 30 minutes to finish, given every time you go. Put it away when you get home so it only shows up while you're out.^[7]

Watch the signs. Dogs who chew because of separation anxiety usually chew only when left alone, or chew hardest then, and may also whine or pace. If you see that pattern, call your vet.^[3],[7]
Crates aren't for everyone. Some dogs love a crate, but for others it adds stress. Skip it if your dog shows distress inside.^[7],[10]
Bring a lick mat to the vet. Cornell suggests packing a frozen stuffed rubber toy or a lick mat spread with your dog's favorite snack for extra distraction at the clinic.^[11]
Practice at home. Touch your dog's paws, ears, mouth, and body for a few seconds at a time, and reward with treats.^[12]
If they won't eat, stop and rethink. A dog who refuses treats is often too stressed. Ask your vet whether anti-anxiety medication before the next visit would help.^[11]

Keeping calm time safe

Supervise lick mats. Lick mats are not chew toys. A vet reports dogs and cats swallowing chewed pieces, one needing surgery for a blockage, and advises never leaving a dog alone with one.^[5]
Watch every new toy. Supervise your dog with any toy, at least at first, and pick a size that can't be swallowed.^[4]
Count it as food. Whatever goes in the toy is part of the day's food. Keep track so your dog still gets a full, balanced daily ration.^[4],[3]
Check the peanut butter. Some sugar-free peanut butters contain xylitol, which can make a dog's blood sugar drop and can damage the liver. Read the label.^[13]
Wash after use. Clean mats and toys well after each use, especially if you use raw food.^[5]

Our picks

Each pick below gives a worried dog something to lick, sniff, or chew, and has an honest drawback. Use them with you nearby. We don't rank by commission.

How does your dog see these toys?

Photo at Chewy

1 · Everyday pick: a lick mat

LickiMat Classic Soother Slow Feeder Dog Lick Mat

Why we picked it. LickiMat is the brand Cornell names for vet visits. Spread on wet food or plain yogurt, freeze it if you like, and it gives a nervous dog something steady to do during a storm.

Safety note

It's not a chew toy. Stay with your dog, pick it up when the food's gone, and use part of their daily food.

Honest drawback. Reviewers say dogs left alone can chew it up, it's too small for a full meal, and it can curl after washing.

View at Chewy

Photo at Chewy

2 · For baths, nail trims, and vet visits: a lick pad that sticks

Rinse Ace Suction Grooming Lick Pad

Why we picked it. It sticks to a tub or tiled wall, so your hands are free and your dog's attention stays on the treat while you handle paws, ears, or a bath. A handy way to practice handling at home.

Safety note

The maker says never leave it with your dog unattended. Take it down as soon as the treat is gone.

Honest drawback. Small and thin. Reviewers say the suction doesn't hold on every surface, it's fiddly to clean between the nubs, and the maker says not to freeze it.

View at Chewy

Photo at Chewy

3 · For sniffers: a snuffle mat

PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Dog Feeding Mat

Why we picked it. Scatter a portion of kibble in the woolly strips and your dog noses it out. A quiet sniffing job for a noisy evening, and it goes in the washing machine.

Safety note

The maker says to supervise so your dog doesn't chew or swallow the fibers. Put it away after each use.

Honest drawback. One size only (about 18 by 12 inches). Reviewers say it can slide on some floors and the strips flatten over time.

View at Chewy

Photo at Chewy

4 · For chewers and alone time: a stuff-and-freeze chew toy

West Paw Zogoflex Tux Treat Dispensing Dog Chew Toy

Why we picked it. A tough, bouncy Zogoflex treat toy you can fill with wet food and freeze for a longer chew. Comes in small and large, and it's top-rack dishwasher safe.

Safety note

Supervise, especially at first, and replace it if it's damaged. The filling counts toward the daily ration.

Honest drawback. Reviewers say the opening is small and the cavity shallower than KONG-style toys, so it's slower to fill, and very strong chewers can eventually break it.

View at Chewy