Best heartbeat toy for a puppy to help them settle

Snuggle Puppy has been producing heartbeat toys for puppies for over two decades, and claims to have helped over a million poor pooches. Their current toy could help yours with its friendly dog-shape, 'Real-Feel' pulsing heartbeat simulator, and heat pack. The simulator has two modes; 24/7 continuous, and eight hours with auto-off - ideal to soothe your dog through the night. The toy itself is made from certified safe materials and can go through the wash.

Customer review: "Brilliant. My sweet little cavapoo puppy absolutely loves this teddy. It has really helped him settle since I brought him home. He literally cannot sleep without it. Highly recommend for anyone worried about how their new puppy will cope on their first night in a new home. With this by their side they will be just fine."

While we get told to count sheep to help us fall asleep, your pup can lay with a lamb. This sweet snoozing toy offers a heart-shaped heartbeat simulator that beats like a real heart to comfort your baby dog. It's 38cm long, so suitable for all breeds and has a super-soft fleecy fur and soft cotton padding. The heartbeat simulator is powered by three AG13 batteries which are a very affordable option. With the simulator removed, this toy can go through the wash.

Customer review: "Our puppy absolutely loves his heart beating sheep! We took him home yesterday (he is just over eight weeks old) and this has been the perfect transition to help him separate from his mum."

This HuggiePup option uses the combination of warmth and a pulsing heartbeat to comfort your little pooch. The rectangular heartbeat simulator is powered by two AAA batteries and offers different modes. If you press the heart-shaped power button once it will stay on for four hours, or press and hold for three seconds and you'll get eight hours of soothing beats. We like this toy's heat pack - it's reusable and needs to be microwaved for just a minute to warm up. This toy is machine washable.

Customer review: "The HuggiePup has been a game-changer for crate training our new puppy. This cuddly behavioural aid toy is not just adorable but incredibly effective. The pulsing heartbeat feature is genius. It mimics the comforting sound of a mother's heartbeat, instantly calming our puppy during crate time. It's made a significant difference in reducing anxiety and helping our puppy adjust to his crate. The added heating pack is a nice touch. It provides a gentle warmth, creating a cosy environment that makes the crate feel like a safe haven, and our puppy took to it immediately."

A strong alternative to a heartbeat toy is a pillow-shaped option, especially if your puppy is already bonded to a particular plushie. This bone-shaped pillow can go in your dog's basket, bed, or crate to emit a steady stream of soothing beats. This pillow's heartbeat simulator is powered by two AA batteries with a simple on/off button. This lightweight cushion measures in at 30cm by 19cm.

Customer review: "Very sturdy (for a daschund) heartbeat a little loud but have put heart in a thick sock to help. Hunny loves it. Lets see how tonight goes."

We like WEOK's heartbeat dog toy for its generous dimensions. It measures 57cm long, so is suitable for larger dogs, or even to comfort a litter of smaller pups. This is a soft, fluffy, stuffed plush with a Velcro closure compartment for the heartbeat simulator to be hidden away in. This offers eight hours of operation with a press of the power button. It also has tap-to-activate functionality, so if your pup is particularly smart they can learn to turn it back on with a nudge or tap of their paw.

Customer review: "Spent the first few days at home without this for our eight week old puppy and she struggled settling in her crate. With this toy she no longer cries at all when she's in her crate and has resulted in less toilet accidents over night as well. Honestly has worked wonders, 100% recommend for a new puppy when crate training."

Beeztees 'Snoet' is a rabbit-shaped plushie toy with a friendly face and a fluffy belly. This is a more compact solution than other options we're highlighting, measuring in at 25cm long and slimline at 7.5cm. This makes this bunny a good choice for smaller breeds who might be nervous of larger toys. The Beeztees heartbeat simulator is sold separately and offers ten-minute bursts of heartbeat sounds from each press of the power button.

Another WEOK option, this is a substantial 'toy' that actually works well as a bed mat to go in your puppy's basket or crate, or if you allow such shenanigans, be placed on an armchair or sofa. Your puppy can lie on the soft, padded body of the elephant, rest up against the elephant's head and enjoy the soothing heartbeat sounds it will emit. This measures approximately 45cm long and has the added bonus of squeakers in the paws for some fun sonics.

Customer review: "From day one we had this plush in the car seat on the way home, it definitely helped to settle her. She had it on her first night too and she only cried to go for a wee! She takes this plush everywhere, out of all of her toys this one is her absolute favourite! The best puppy purchase I've made!"