“Calming & Enrichment Essentials for Indoor Pets: 10 Products to Reduce Anxiety and Boredom in 2025”

“Calming & Enrichment Essentials for Indoor Pets: 10 Products to Reduce Anxiety and Boredom in 2025”

Calming & Enrichment Essentials for Indoor Pets: 10 Products to Reduce Anxiety and Boredom in 2025

More pets than ever are living fully indoors—and their humans are treating their emotional health as seriously as their physical health.
The global market for pet calming products alone is worth over USD 18 billion in 2025 and is projected to keep growing strongly, driven by concern for stress, anxiety and behaviour issues.
At the same time, enrichment and educational toys are one of the fastest-growing segments in the pet industry, as owners look for ways to keep animals mentally stimulated at home.

For an indoor pet, a flat or house can either feel like a comfortable playground… or a boring box. The difference often comes down to the tools you provide for calming and enrichment.

Below are 10 product categories that help reduce anxiety and boredom for indoor dogs, cats, and small pets—while fitting perfectly into a modern 2025 pet shop.

1. Calming Beds & Hideaway Spaces

Every species needs a place where they can retreat and feel safe.

What to offer

  • Donut-style calming beds for dogs and cats

  • Cave or hooded beds for cats and small dogs

  • Covered hideouts for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small mammals

Why it helps
Soft, enclosed spaces can help lower arousal, encourage rest, and give nervous pets a sense of control over their environment.

2. Pheromone Diffusers & Sprays (Dogs & Cats)

Synthetic pheromone products for dogs and cats are now mainstream in North America and widely used to help with mild stress, rehoming, and environmental changes.

What to offer

  • Plug-in diffusers for constant background support

  • Sprays for carriers, bedding, and travel

  • Collars for dogs in multi-pet households

Safety note
Always advise customers to read labels carefully and consult their veterinarian if their pet has medical issues or severe anxiety. These are support tools, not replacements for professional care.

3. Puzzle Feeders & Treat-Dispensing Toys

Feeding time is one of the easiest opportunities for mental stimulation. Many veterinary and behaviour resources now list puzzle toys and food-dispensing games as standard enrichment for indoor pets.

Good options

  • Puzzle bowls for dogs and cats

  • Treat balls and wobblers

  • “Work-for-food” toys for rabbits and other small animals

These slow down fast eaters, reduce gulping, and keep the brain busy.

4. Snuffle Mats & Scent-Based Enrichment

For most animals, the nose is the primary way they explore the world. Scent-based enrichment has become a core recommendation for indoor pets, especially in colder or hotter seasons when outdoor time is limited.

Product ideas

  • Snuffle mats for kibble or treats

  • Nose-work bags or boxes

  • Small, pet-safe herb sachets (e.g., catnip for cats, certain herbs for dogs if approved)

Encourage owners to rotate how and where they hide treats to keep the game interesting.

5. Interactive & Smart Toys

The interactive enrichment toy segment is projected to grow rapidly through 2033, thanks to demand for automatic and “smart” play solutions.

Examples

  • Motion-activated toys for cats (feather teasers, moving mice)

  • Automatic ball launchers or tug toys for dogs

  • Electronic toys with variable movement patterns

These are ideal for busy owners who still want their pets to burn mental and physical energy safely indoors.

6. Slow Feeders & Lick Mats

Licking and gentle chewing can have a naturally calming effect on many dogs and some cats.

What to stock

  • Slow-feeder bowls

  • Silicone lick mats with suction backs

  • Textured plates that can be spread with wet food or pet-safe purees

By turning mealtime or snack time into a longer activity, these products help reduce boredom, frustration, and over-excitement.

7. Vertical Spaces: Cat Trees, Shelves & Window Perches

For indoor cats, vertical territory is not a luxury—it’s core enrichment. Elevated spaces allow cats to observe safely and escape from other pets if needed.

Key products

  • Stable cat trees with multiple levels and hideouts

  • Wall-mounted shelves and steps

  • Padded window perches for bird-watching

Highlight combinations that work well in apartments, such as tall but narrow trees and window solutions that don’t require drilling.

8. Tunnels, Digging Boxes & Small Pet Enrichment

Small animals are often the most underserved in enrichment, even though they need it just as much.

Great additions

  • Fabric or crinkle tunnels for cats, rabbits, and ferrets

  • Digging boxes for rabbits and some rodents (with safe substrate)

  • Multi-level cages and add-on ramps

These encourage natural behaviours like hiding, running, digging, and exploring, which are strongly linked to lower stress.

9. Calming Wraps & Anxiety Vests

Gentle, consistent pressure can help some dogs—and occasionally cats—feel more secure during stressful events such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or guests.

Product features

  • Adjustable, snug but not restrictive fit

  • Soft, breathable fabric

  • Clear sizing guidance for different breeds

Again, position these as support tools to be used alongside training and behaviour management, not as a standalone cure.

10. Rotating Enrichment Kits & Bundles

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is leaving all toys out all the time. Behaviour experts recommend rotating toys and activities to keep pets engaged and reduce boredom.

As a shop, you can turn this into a product advantage:

  • Monthly “indoor enrichment box” bundles

  • Species-specific kits (e.g., “Indoor Dog Calm & Play Kit”, “Apartment Cat Enrichment Set”)

  • Multi-pet bundles for homes with both dogs and cats

This helps customers build a structured enrichment routine and increases your average order value at the same time.

Helping Indoor Pets Thrive in 2025

The 2025 pet market is clear about one thing: mental health and enrichment are no longer optional extras. Pet parents are actively seeking products that make indoor life calmer, richer, and more fun for their animals.

By curating a focused range of:

  • Calming products (beds, pheromone aids, wraps)

  • Enrichment tools (puzzles, snuffle mats, interactive toys)

  • Smart bundles tailored to real indoor lifestyles

your store can become a go-to resource for people who want more than just basic pet supplies—they want their pets to truly thrive.

If you position each product as part of a daily or weekly “calm + play” routine, you’re not just selling items.
You’re helping your customers build happier, more balanced lives for the animals they love—and that’s exactly where long-term loyalty (and profit) comes from.

Back to blog