These Heated Plush Toys Are Designed to Soothe Anxious Pets

Pet owners know how difficult it can be to leave their animal home alone—especially when that pet suffers from separation anxiety. While there's no replacement for quality time spent with their human, a heated pet toy may be the next best thing.

The Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy gives dogs something warm and soft to cuddle with, whether they need help falling asleep at night or need to be soothed during the day. The plush comes with a disposable heat pack that stays warm for up to 24 hours, no microwaving electricity or required. There's also a "pulsing heart" inside that can run continuously for up to two weeks on two AAA batteries.

The toy comes with batteries and one warmer pack, and it's available on Amazon for $32.

While the Snuggle Puppy needs a new heat pack every time you want to heat it up, there are also microwaveable items for both dogs and cats that can be used over and over without any additional accessories.

Feline friends in particular will be drawn to products like the $7 plush cat above, or one of these circular heat pads. Since cats have higher body temperatures than humans, they prefer to snooze in warm spots (like near the radiator or inside a cardboard box). A warm bed buddy could also be a big comfort to older pets with stiff joints.

Cuddling up with something warm isn't just comforting for pets, though. People can also enjoy the therapeutic benefits of a microwaveable plush doll, like this cuddly sloth from Intelex.