We’re all familiar with the cliche, “Dogs are man’s best friend”. But it’s true
Dogs will be there stick by your side through the ups and downs and will love you no matter what. But, when you have to leave your dog home alone all day, especially because you have to go to work, the time apart from you can be can stressful for your dog
If you know your dog’s mood can get down while you’re gone, don’t fret. There are plenty of essential snuggly dog products that can be used to entertain and stimulate dogs that are left home alone all day.
Keep reading to find out useful information about the 5 essential snuggly dog products you should consider purchasing. They’re guaranteed to help your furry friend through the day.
Dogs That Are Ok Being Left Home Alone
Not all dogs are the same. If you’re thinking of adding a new member to your family but know that they’ll have to be left alone, there are some things you should know.
Some breeds require more attention and maintenance than others and some breeds work well when paired with another dog. Nevertheless, there are specific breeds known to be independent and require little maintenance.
Here is a list of dogs that are ok being left home alone:
- Chihuahuas
- French Bulldogs
- Basset Hounds
- Maltese
- Greyhounds
- Boston Terrier
- Bullmastiffs
The list could go on, but these are the most popular breeds. If your preferred species isn’t on the list, make sure to talk with your vet for more info.
How Long Should I Leave My Dog Alone For?
Dogs are more resilient than you may think and you’ll find that dogs being left alone at home alone for long periods isn’t out of the ordinary. However, the time you should leave your dog alone will vary depending on your dog’s age.
In general, an adult dog of any breed can be left alone for about 8 to 9 hours before issues will arise. Letting your dog out to use the bathroom isn’t the only concern – your furry friend may become anxious which can lead to several broken things and more problems. However, dogs left home alone during the normal workday shouldn’t pose many issues.
But, it should be noted that dogs that are younger than 2 years or are on the older side need more care and attention. These are dogs that don’t have the bladder control and the same energy as average-aged, healthy dogs.
If you own a puppy, it’s recommended that you not leave it alone for more than two or three hours. If that’s not possible with your current work schedule, don’t sweat it. There are plenty of dogs aged 2 years and older that need loving homes as well!
How to Know if Your Dog is Lonely when
If you’re leaving your dog alone for most of the day while you’re away at work, it can be hard to know what to look for to tell if your dog is lonely. In some cases, you may never see direct signs.
There are obvious signs such as if your dog isn’t able to hold their urges to use the bathroom in. But, they may also be stressed and display psychological signs if they’re getting anxious or stressed out.
If you’ve noticed that your dog chews more things while you’re away or is leaving strange scratch marks around the house, this could be signs that they’re anxious while you’re gone.
Other signs can include damage to the carpet or other material on your floor as they may start scratching the ground with their paws if they’re stressed.
Look for all these signs and be sure to have a conversation with your vet if you believe that your dog is becoming stressed or anxious when you’re away.
RIOGOO Pet Heating Pad
The RIOGOO pet heating pad is great for keeping your precious pup warm and comfortable throughout the day. It’s also small enough that it can be used by cats as well, there may be competition if you own both.
The material is made from long-lasting oxford fabric that will hold up for several years as it becomes your dog’s second-best friend.
Temperatures can reach up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, but this may too hot for many smaller dogs. Look for a temperature somewhere in the high 90s to mimic the heat your body gives off – it’ll comfort your pet more.
As a bonus, it comes with built-in heat control to ensure it never overheats and damages the pad or your pet.
Pros
- Can replicate the heat your body produces to calm your bet
- Guaranteed to never overheat as a machine or become too hot for your dog
- Can reach temperatures up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
- It runs a bit small and may not be suitable for mid to large-sized dogs
Nylabone Souper Original Flavoured Dog Chew Toy
The Nylaabone Souper Original is a chew toy that’s designed to be long-lasting and preoccupy your dog for dozens of hours throughout its lifespan.
Made from nylon, this chew toy is built to last and can be the ideal toy if your dog is a fan of chewing and playing with chew toys. As a bonus, it’s also proven to help clean teeth and control plaque as it can act as a general toothbrush.
Because it’s flavored, it’ll keep your dog’s attention. Many other chew toys are simply made of rubber and smell/taste like it too. While your dog may give these a chew or two, they won’t become interested enough to occupy their time.
By being long-lasting and flavored, you can expect your dog to happily chew away at this toy throughout the day.
Pros
- Flavored to help occupy more of your dog’s time
- Made of durable nylon to ensure that it doesn’t break quickly
- Can help your dog’s teeth last longer
Cons
- You can’t expect your dog to chew on a single toy all day, so you’ll likely need additional products to help soothe them while you’re gone.
Pet Remedy Natural De-Stress and Calming Plug-In Diffuser
Scents are a big deal when it comes to a dog’s mood. If they’re constantly surrounded by smells that aren’t associated with you or are gross, they can become agitated.
This de-stressor diffuser is clinically proven to help pets stay calm and sedate them into a better mood. If you own other pets such as birds, rabbits, rodents, or cats, this is something that’ll benefit them as well. Plus, they won’t have to fight over their benefits.
Pros
- Easy to use
- A simple, yet effective, way to keep your pets calm and relaxed throughout the day
- Can be used when you’re around to keep your dog in a pleasant mood all the time
Cons
- Requires relatively constant maintenance as you’ll have to refill the blended supply of odors
Lick Mat Buddy
The Lick Mat Buddy is a dog product that you may not have heard of before. These products are designed to contain your pet’s favorite treats and food. You mash them into the squares, making them hard to bite, but easy to lick.
By doing this, you can keep your dog happy and excited throughout the day as they lick their favorite treats. Squares are small enough that you can do this without overfeeding them. Treats like gravy and yogurt also work great.
Pros
- Stimulates saliva to aid in the consumption of runny treats like gravy or peanut butter
- Simple and effective use
- Cleaning isn’t hard
Cons
- Ideal for small to medium-sized dogs but may not be large enough for a big dog
FREESOO Snuffle Mat Nosework Blanket Dog Feeding Mat Pet Training Play Mats Puzzle Toys for Stress Release
This feeding mat not only helps control how much your dog can eat, but it also engages them and helps them interact with objects better as well. If you want something that can engage your dog throughout the day, this is it.
The mat works by offering many ‘hidden’ places that you can store food. Your dog will then need to sniff it out and find where you’ve hidden its favorite treats.
Plus, it acts as a toy for the dog when they want something to chew on as well. It’s the most interactive dog product for dogs left home alone on the list!
Pros
- Engages your dog for longer than other dog products
- Helps dogs develop a keen sense of smell
- Is made to last through years of wear and tear
Cons
- Smarter dogs will have an easier time finding their foods and may not be engaged for as long
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you want your dog to feel his best. Dogs left home alone all day don’t have to be on the downs all day, these dog products are proven to help!
Specifically, lick mats and chew toys are ideal if your dog is obsessed with food. Other products tend to overfeed your pets. But these help limit the amount your dog consumes without taking away all the great tastes they love.
Other products on this list were all picked to cover all the needs your dog could have when left home alone. Even if your dog isn’t known for being independent, these products can help soothe them and turn them into a dog that’s comfortable with being