Enrichment & Calm

Enrichment & Calm

Growing older doesn’t mean dogs stop needing fun, stimulation and companionship. Gentle mental activity and age-appropriate enrichment can help keep senior dogs engaged, while calming solutions can provide reassurance when they’re feeling unsettled or anxious.

At You Old Dog, we’ve brought together thoughtful enrichment and calming solutions designed for ageing dogs — from gentle interactive toys and puzzles to comfort products that encourage relaxation and a sense of security.

Explore our recommendations below to help keep your old dog’s mind active, spirits bright and days enjoyable.

Gentle Mental Stimulation

Puzzles, interactive toys and simple activities designed to keep ageing minds engaged without becoming overwhelming.

Relaxation & Settling

Soothing products and comforting aids designed to help older dogs relax, settle and feel more secure during quiet or stressful moments.

Slow Feeders & Lick Mats

Engaging feeding products that encourage slower eating while providing gentle mental stimulation and enjoyment.

Senior-Friendly Toys

Softer, easier-to-handle toys designed to provide older dogs with enjoyable play suited to their changing abilities.

Boredom & Anxiety Support

Practical products that can help reduce boredom, provide reassurance and support older dogs when they feel unsettled.

Bonding & Gentle Play

Simple toys and activities that encourage interaction, companionship and enjoyable time together with your old dog.

Our Gentle Mental Stimulation Picks

KONG Genius Treat-Release Puzzle Toy

KONG Genius Treat-Release Puzzle Toy

A good low-impact enrichment option for older dogs who still enjoy using their nose and brain but may not want vigorous physical play. The KONG Genius can be filled with suitable treats or kibble to encourage gentle problem-solving, licking and nudging, helping keep an ageing dog mentally engaged during quieter periods at home. Always supervise and choose an appropriate size for your dog.

From $17.56

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Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-A-Lot

Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-A-Lot

An interactive treat-dispensing toy that gives older dogs a gentle mental challenge without demanding vigorous physical play. Fill it with kibble or suitable treats and your dog uses their nose and paws to rock and move the toy, gradually releasing rewards as they work out how it responds. The adjustable openings let owners control how easily food is dispensed, making it useful for senior dogs who may benefit from a simpler or slower challenge while still keeping their mind active and engaged.

From $24.89

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Our Relaxation & Settling Picks

Zylkene Calming Chews

Zylkene Calming Chews

Particularly useful for older dogs who can become more unsettled or anxious with changes in routine, noise, travel or handling. Zylkene Calming Chews are designed to help dogs cope with short-term stressful situations such as storms, vet visits, grooming and travel. Made with a milk-derived protein ingredient that supports relaxation without intended sedation, they offer a gentle calming option for stressful moments.

From $35.35

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Adaptil Calm On-The-Go Collar

Adaptil Calm On-The-Go Collar

A useful non-medicated calming option for older dogs who can become more anxious or unsettled with noise, travel, boarding, moving house or changes in routine. Adaptil Calm On-The-Go continuously releases a canine appeasing pheromone analogue to help provide a sense of reassurance during stressful situations, without intended sedation. One collar provides up to four weeks of continuous support.

From $76.98

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Our Slow Feeder & Lick Mat Picks

KONG Licks Treat Dispenser Toy

KONG Licks Treat Dispenser Toy

A simple treat-dispensing enrichment toy designed to encourage slower licking and gentle mental engagement. Fill it with a suitable soft treat or food to give your old dog a calm, low-impact activity that can help occupy them without demanding lots of physical movement. A useful option for quieter days, rest periods or dogs who enjoy food-based enrichment.

From $6.69

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LickiMat Classic Soother XL Dog

LickiMat Classic Soother XL Dog

Australian-owned and especially suited to older dogs who enjoy gentle, low-impact enrichment without needing lots of physical movement. Spread a suitable soft food or treat across the textured surface to encourage slow licking, helping keep an ageing dog occupied, mentally engaged and settled during quieter periods at home. A practical option for boredom relief, calmer feeding and relaxed enrichment.

$31.72

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PetSafe Busy Buddy® Kibble Nibble™ Feeder Ball

PetSafe Busy Buddy® Kibble Nibble™ Feeder Ball

A treat-dispensing feeder ball that turns mealtime into a gentle puzzle, helping dogs eat more slowly while staying mentally engaged. Fill it with dry food or treats and your dog works to roll and move the ball to release the contents gradually. Available in two sizes, it is durable, top-rack dishwasher safe and a useful option for older dogs who benefit from slower feeding and simple enrichment.

From $25.49

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Our Senior-Friendly Toy Picks

KONG Senior Rubber Toy

KONG Senior Rubber Toy

A gentler KONG toy designed with older dogs in mind, offering a softer chewing experience while still providing mental stimulation and interactive play. It can be stuffed with suitable treats or food to encourage gentle problem-solving and help keep senior dogs engaged without relying on high-impact activity. Always supervise play and choose the correct size for your dog.

From $12.44

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Outward Hound Plush Hedgehogz

Outward Hound Plush Hedgehogz

A soft plush toy suited to older dogs who enjoy gentle play, carrying and cuddling without needing vigorous exercise. Its softer construction makes it a good fit for quieter indoor play and companionship, while the squeaker helps keep an ageing dog interested and engaged. Best suited to supervised play and dogs who are not heavy chewers.

From $9.96

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Our Boredom & Anxiety Support Picks

ThunderShirt Grey Dog

ThunderShirt Grey Dog

A useful non-medicated calming option for older dogs who become more anxious, unsettled or sensitive to noise and changes around them. ThunderShirt uses gentle, constant pressure around the body to help provide a sense of security during stressful situations such as storms, fireworks, travel, vet visits or unfamiliar environments. A practical option for senior dogs who may benefit from physical reassurance without relying solely on supplements.

From $62.17

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ZamiPet Relax & Calm Dog Chews

ZamiPet Relax & Calm Dog Chews

Australian-made and particularly useful for older dogs who become more anxious or unsettled with separation, storms, travel, vet visits or changes in routine. ZamiPet Relax & Calm is a non-drowsy chew developed by Australian vets to help support calmer behaviour during stressful situations, while allowing your old dog to remain alert and responsive.

From $24.73

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PetSafe Busy Buddy® Tug-a-Jug™

PetSafe Busy Buddy® Tug-a-Jug™

An interactive treat-dispensing toy designed to keep dogs mentally occupied while slowing down food or treat delivery. Dogs work the braided rope and jug to release kibble gradually, creating a rewarding puzzle that can help relieve boredom and provide purposeful activity at home. Available in multiple sizes and made from durable materials for longer-lasting play.

From $26.99

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Our Bonding & Gentle Play Picks

KONG Cozie Plush Squeaker Toy

KONG Cozie Plush Squeaker Toy

A soft, low-impact play option for senior dogs who still enjoy interaction and companionship but may no longer want rough or high-energy play. KONG Cozie toys combine a plush exterior with a built-in squeaker to encourage gentle indoor play, cuddling and one-on-one time with your old dog.

From $9.87

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KONG Wild Low Stuff Squeaker Toy

KONG Wild Low Stuff Squeaker Toy

A soft, low-impact toy for older dogs who still enjoy shared play and companionship without needing rough or energetic activity. Its plush, floppy design and built-in squeaker encourage gentle interaction and cuddling, while the low-stuffing construction helps keep things simpler and less messy. Best suited to light chewers and supervised play.

From $14.86

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Playology Senior Dri Tech Dental Rope Peanut Butter Scented Dog Toy

Playology Senior Dri Tech Dental Rope Peanut Butter Scented Dog Toy

A senior-specific scented rope toy designed to provide gentle, low-impact chewing and sensory enrichment. The peanut butter scent helps keep older dogs interested, while the softer rope construction offers an engaging play option for dogs that may no longer want highly physical toys.

From $6.99

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