A heartbeat toy for puppies can quickly be their best friend (after you, of course.) Calmeroos are plush toys that resemble a real sleeping puppy or kitty. And they are game-changers.
Calmeroos make the ideal cuddle buddy for puppies recently separated from their pack. It’s a big adjustment when puppies first go home. They are leaving behind their entire world, routines, scents, and smells to start a new life with you.
Having a soft, plush cuddly toy to snuggle can help ease nervous puppies adjusting to their new life. It may help them sleep through the night, relieve anxiety and stress, and help ease their nerves.
But there’s so much more to Calmeroos than its cuddly feature.
Note: This post has been sponsored by Calmeroos to share my honest experience and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Fidose of Reality shares information we feel is relevant to our readers on products and services we use.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.
What Is The Calmeroos Heartbeat Toy For Puppies?
Calmeroos was created by Crystal McPherson, who has shared life with a four-legged baby to this very day. She felt a strong connection to protect and comfort her pets.
Since she couldn’t be with her dogs 24/7, she created the Calmeroos comfort companion with several important elements in mind.
Each Calmeroos comes with a removable realistic pulsing heartbeat insert and a heat pack. Puppies (or adult dogs) often take comfort in hearing their littermates’ hearts and feeling their warmth. It’s almost as if your new pup has their mom or a littermate right by their side.
We’ll tell you all about these unique heartbeat plushies, pros and cons, where to purchase, and a few other situations where a Calmeroos can help. Plus, we have a giveaway later in this post to win your very own Calmeroos!
If you are bringing home a new puppy from a breeder, ask them to rub the Calmeroos on the other pups in the litter and their mama. You’ll also have their scent on the Calmeroos when your puppy comes home.
What To Look for In a Heartbeat Toy For Pups
Plush Feel
You want your dog’s new cuddle buddy to feel like the real deal. Calmeroos appeal to your pup’s natural instincts with super soft, cozy plush. It contains no tiny plastic pieces that curious mouths might chew. You might find yourself running your fingers over it, too.
Heartbeat Feature
Each Calmeroos comes with its own SIZE realistic-sounding heartbeat that goes inside the plush puppy. It requires two AAA batteries, which come included with your purchase. The heartbeat has an on/off switch. It is not too loud, like some other brands. It is just enough to comfort your pup.
Warming Feature
Your Calmeroos will arrive with two odorless air-activated heat packs that last about 36 hours each. No microwaving is required. Place one heat pack inside the pouch with the heart. This will mimic the warmth and serenity pups and dogs feel with their littermates and mothers.
Size
Size matters when it comes to snugglability. Calmeroos measure 11 x 6 x 5 inches and weigh about 1-½ pounds.
Color and Species Options
Not all dogs are the same, so their Calmeroos should have color options, too. Choose from black and brown, brown and white, or kitty options. Cats love them, too!
Washability
Remove the heartbeat simulator and heat pack, and toss your Calmeroos in the washer as needed. Allow it to air dry, and it’s as good as new.
Supervision
Once your pup starts teething or if you have an adult dog, use supervision when the heat pack or stimulator is in use. It is probably best to remove them when your dog is unsupervised. They will still have all the feels of the plush Calmeroos to snuggle.
Refill Heat Packs and Heartbeat Available
Calmeroos sells refill heat packs and heartbeat simulators on Amazon.
Price Point
Look at the price point of Calmeroos, and you realize it’s a really good deal. It is nicely priced on Amazon for under $38. You can also purchase the Calmeroos with the heartbeat simulator only for under $29 on Amazon.
How Calmeroos Can Help Adult Dogs
I have a 20-month-old pup, and he loves his Calmeroos to snuggle with and to knead it with his paws. Yes, I have a Cocker Spaniel who loves to knead his Calmeroos.
Adult dogs can benefit from Calmeroos, too.
- Dogs recovering from surgery. In most cases, your dog has strict orders not run around or be overly active after a surgical procedure. Calmeroos is their stay-put best friend.
- Dogs on crate rest. Some dogs may injure a ligament, muscle, or their back. For example, one reviewer said her IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) dog was on strict crate rest. Fortunately, the Calmeroos made the dog more comfortable in her kennel.
- Easing anxiety in older dogs. If a dog has separation anxiety or recently lost a human, canine, or feline friend, a warm Calmeroos may benefit them.
- Helping with boredom and loneliness. Dogs should never be left alone for super long periods of time. Ease their loneliness with a Calmeroos.
- Rescue dogs who found their forever home may take comfort in having a realistic bestie by their side.
- Shy dogs may begin to warm up to the idea of a buddy with a Calmeroos. This must be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement training.
- Dogs who are scared or anxious during travel. Take a comforting Calmeroos along.
- Fearful dogs who do not like loud sounds. Spritz the Calmeroos with a calming pheromone spray and allow to dry. Our veterinarian uses a calming spray on a bandana and places one on each dog she sees.
Not all dogs react the same way to Calmeroos. Like people, each dog is a unique individual.
Putting Calmeroos To The Canine Test
My Cocker Spaniel is 20 months old. When I first introduced the Calmeroos, I just finished grooming him. I placed the plush pup beside him and he woke up.
He immediately placed his head on the toy and snuggled with it! That lasted about an hour. I didn’t have the heartbeat in it, but I did insert a warming pack into the pouch.
Later that night, Alvin decided the Calmeroos plushie was a chew toy. The instructions say to remove the toy for 30 minutes and reintroduce it later. I shared it with Alvin at bedtime. He didn’t try to rip into it.
For us, it’s a situational plush toy that Alvin will sleep, nap with, and snuggle by.
Alvin’s breeder, Lisa Gaertner of Pinecliff Cockers, put a Calmeroos to the test with her current litter of 5-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppies. Each puppy immediately snuggled with the Calmeroos.
“I think it [Calmeroos] can be a useful tool for puppies that have a hard time adjusting to being away from their siblings,” Lisa shared.
Puppies take comfort in Calmeroos to help their crying, separation anxiety, transition to their new home, adjust to crate training, and even during times of noise like thunderstorms or fireworks.
Here’s a look at one of the beautiful puppies snuggling with her Calmeroos:
How Do Calmeroos Differ From Other Heartbeat Toys?
I’ve tried a few different brands of heartbeat toys for puppies, and the Calmeroos heartbeat is not as loud or obtrusive.
The style and appearance of the Calmeroos is more endearing and softer.
Our Overall Verdict of Calmeroos
Overall, we loved our Calmeroos and highly recommend it in a variety of situations. It may help reduce negative behaviors (i.e. barking in the crate) or ease anxious pups.
We like the washability, portability, and incredibly plush feel. The option to remove the heartbeat and warming pack is ideal as puppies grow.
We plan to travel with the Calmeroos so Alvin has company in his car crate or next to him in the backseat. He will enjoy cuddling with it away from home in hotels, too.
I purchased a competitor for Alvin when he first came home and sent it back. The heartbeat was much too loud, and I wasn’t fond of the look of it.
Pros
- Heartbeat simulator and air-activated warming packs soothe puppies
- Soft and plush to fall asleep on or snuggle with
- Ideal for a variety of situations and ages
- Transitions with your puppy to adulthood
- Machine washable
- Affordably priced
- Makes a perfect gift for a new dog parent or rescue dog parent
Cons
- May not work for every puppy, kitten, dog, or cat
- Intense chewers may be able to access the pouch beneath the Velcro
- A few more color selections would be ideal
Reviews on Amazon
Calmeroos has 2,600 ratings on Amazon with a nearly 4.5 rating out of 5 stars, which is stellar. 72 percent of the reviews are 5 stars.
The overwhelming response about Calmeroos is that it works, helps puppies sleep through the night, and is a ‘must have.’
Lower stars indicate the pet was uninterested in it, or they ripped into the Velcro.
Where to Buy Calmeroos Heartbeat Toy
Purchase a Calmeroos heartbeat toy for puppies or adults on Amazon by following any of the buttons below:
For every Calmeroos plush sold, they donate two pounds of food to pets in need.
Enter to Win a Calmeroos Heartbeat Toy
We are giving one lucky Fidose of Reality follower the opportunity to win a Calmeroos of their own!
How to Enter
Reply below in comments and tell us who would use the Calmeroos if you win!
Must be 18 or older and reside in the USA. Read all rules and regulations. Randomly selected winner will be notified by email provided. Must respond in five business days or a backup winner will be drawn.
Giveaway closes October 4, 2023 at 11:59 am ET. Winner notified within 24 hours of giveaway closing.