Dogs
Cats
Brand Reviews
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Copy Link
Best Dog Toys Summary
- Best Overall Dog Toy: Goughnuts Virtually Indestructible Dog Toy Stick
Made with smooth natural rubber that is safe for dog teeth and has no weak points. - Best Adult Dog Toy: KONG Classic Dog Toy
Interactive and treat-dispensing dogs puzzle toy that helps with boredom and anxiety. - Best Plush Dog Toy: Jalousie 5 Pack Dog Toys Dog Plush Toys Assortment
This pack of plushie dog toys helps relieve boredom and comes in many cute varieties. - Best Dog Toys for Chewing: KIPRITII Puppies Teething Chew Toys
A large bundle of dog toys and treats perfect for teething puppies with sore gums. - Best Comforting Dog Toy: SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy
A warm and lifelike companion for dogs with anxiety or trouble sleeping at night. - Best Budget-Friendly Dog Toy: Multipet Plush Lambchop Dog Toy
This cute squeaker toy comes in many different sizes and is perfect for dogs of all ages. - Best Bone Chew Toy for Dogs: Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy
A long-lasting and tasty dog bone suitable for large and aggressive chewers. - Best Toy for Aggressive Chewers: Sugelary Squeaky Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewer
This durable, pineapple-shaped squeaky toy will keep any medium to large dog satisfied. - Best Puppy Toys: 6 Pack Dog Toys Crinkle Dog Toys
These stuffing-free toys will eliminate choking hazards for small dogs and puppies. - Best Fetch Toy for Dogs: Chuckit! Classic Ball Launcher
A fun tennis ball launcher that is perfect for travel and will launch long distances. - Best Toy for Gentle Chewers: West Paw Zogoflex Zisc Dog Frisbee
This soft frisbee toy is great for older dogs with sensitive teeth or small dogs.
- Enjoy a fun game of fetch with your pup knowing that your ball is safe and durable
- Grooves on the ball improve air flow for safety, and tough construction reduces the risk of your dog ingesting the toy
- Interactive chew toy designed to be extremely durable, but also with just the right amount of give to be enjoyable for your dog
Do Dogs Need Toys?
Yes, toys are very important to the overall health and well-being of a dog. They should be treated as a necessity rather than a luxury.
According to the Humane Society, toys have many benefits for dogs, including helping them fight boredom, providing them comfort when nervous, and preventing them from developing behavior problems.
Dog toys can also prevent dogs from playing with and chewing on items in the household. They are also helpful for dogs with issues like separation anxiety.
How Many Toys Should a Dog Have?
A dog can never have too many toys, but they may get bored if they constantly play with the same two or three toys.
It is recommended to have a collection of toys. Pet owners can leave out a couple each day and swap them out often. This way, the dog will never get bored.
Puppies should have more toys on display than adult dogs. This is because puppies are more energetic and have shorter attention spans, meaning they get bored more easily.
What Dog Toys do Dogs Like the Most?
There are many different types of toys for dogs. Here is a more detailed review of some of the most popular types of dog toys:
- Dog Puzzle Toys. Dog puzzle toys for dogs have various benefits as they exercise the mind and body and relieve boredom in restless dogs. Puzzle toys are also good for fast eaters. Pet owners can put dog treats in puzzle toys or even dog food and kibble. They can keep a dog busy for hours, strengthening both their problem-solving skills, and may act as a vent for the excess energy.
- Interactive Dog Toys. As puzzle toys are a type of interactive play toy, they have many of the same benefits. Interactive dog toys can be puzzles, robotic games, ball launchers, treat dispensers, tug-of-war toys, hide and seek toys, etc. Interactive dog toys help with diet management, relieve boredom, prevent bad behavior, and help with anxiety.
- Dog Chew Toys. Dog chew toys support dental health, provide anxiety relief, and are an excellent tool for teething puppies. The act of chewing helps scrape plaque buildup and tartar. Chewing can help dogs cope with anxiety, loud noises, and other stress triggers. A dog that has a high-quality chew toy is less likely to chew on the furniture.
The Best Dog Toys Reviewed
It can be overwhelming for a pet parent to checkout dog toys online. We’ve gathered a list of vet and pet owner recommended best sellers readily available on Amazon.
Toy Type: Chew Toy
Pet: Medium & Large-Breed Dogs
Lifestage: Mid to Senior Dogs
Recommended Uses: Give this to your dog when they exhibit signs of boredom or tension. If your dog begins chewing on this toy, close supervision is advised.
Material: Rubber
Summary: Your search for a toy that can withstand your dog’s rough play is over! Goughnuts Virtually Indestructible Dog Toy Stick is highly durable, keeps your dog occupied, and saves you the money you would otherwise spend on toy replacement. This heavy-duty dog toy stick is made with smooth natural rubber that is safe for dog teeth and has no weak points that they could bite through. Created by a rubber chemist with 30 years of experience in the dog chew toy industry, this indestructible dog toy stick is your wise choice!
- Engineered for maximum safety and durability
- Specially designed for aggressive chewers
- Perfect for medium and large-breed dogs
- Provides a wholesome level of play and interaction to your dogs
- Has a higher price compared to other dog toy sticks
Review: Garnering thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, pet owners are well-pleased with this dog toy stick because of its durability. To quote one happy fur parent, “our aggressive chewer has finally met his match. Have had this for a couple months and not even a puncture in it. We got the black one for aggressive chewers and it was a great choice. We recommend this chewy.”
Toy Type: Puzzle Toy, Chew Toy
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, and Senior
Summary: This red rubber toy helps satisfy dogs’ needs while providing stimulation. It dispenses treats while helping to solve chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight management, crate training, digging, and barking. The toy comes in various sizes like x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large. Instead of treats, the toy can be filled with peanut butter.
- Versatile
- Made for all ages of dogs
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Recommended by vets
- Extremely durable
- Good price
- Runs out of stock quickly
Review: Overall, the reviews for this product are extremely positive as pet owners say the Kong Classic Chew Toy is extremely addicting to their dogs. They don’t make a mess on carpets and effectively eliminate boredom in dogs.
Toy Type: Plush Squeaky Toy
Life Stage: Small, Medium, and Large Breeds
Summary: This five-pack plush bundle creates chewing satisfaction for a dog’s natural instincts. Contains a durable liner and reinforced seams to create longer playtime and a tougher toy. This toy also helps to relieve boredom, encourages curiosity, as well as promotes exercise and fulfilling playtime.
- Large quantity for the price
- Suitable for all breeds and sizes of dogs
- Good variety
- Not the most durable chew toy
Review: Many reviews state that this product is good for smaller dogs, but tends to be destroyed quickly by larger breeds. They also state it’s a great value and their dogs love to play and even sleep with them.
Toy Type: Chew Toys, Rope Dog Toys, Puzzle Toys, Interactive Toys
Life Stage: Puppies and Small Dogs
Summary: This 18 variety pack bundle contains toys for puppies and small dogs. They are great for relieving teething, boredom, loneliness, and stress/anxiety. These toys will also help keep puppies from chewing shoes or furniture in the house. The pack includes 9 rope toys, 2 IQ treat balls, a rubber dog toothbrush stick, a banana dog toy, a rubber bone, and 3 poop bag rolls.
- Huge variety of toys
- Cleans and freshens breath
- Good for training new dogs
- Creates good habits in puppies
- Made only for puppies and small dogs
- Price is higher than others
Review: Mostly positive reviews saying this product is perfect for puppies who are chewers. They also warn to keep track of some smaller pieces and say it’s not a great product for aggressive chewers.
Toy Type: Plush
Life Stage: Puppies, Adults, Elder
Summary: This plush is designed to comfort dogs who struggle with anxiety and stress. It also helps with crate and kennel training by reducing barking, whining, and anxiety. The SmartPet Snuggle Puppy recreates maternal intimacy with physical warmth and an advanced battery-operated heartbeat with two modes (8-hour and 24-hour settings).
- Machine washable and easy to clean
- Reduces separation anxiety and negative behaviors due to anxiety
- Variety of styles
- Good for dogs of all ages and sizes
- High price
- Requires batteries
Review: Most reviews say this product works very well for their dogs. It specifically helps well with crate training and calming dogs so they can sleep through the night.
Toy Type: Squeaky Plush Toy
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Elder
Summary: This toy has an extra soft plush exterior that is perfect for cuddling. The squeaker inside makes for great playtime as well. It comes in four sizes, including mini, regular, standing, and jumbo, perfect for any size dog or puppy.
- Good for all sizes and ages of dogs
- Extremely low price
- Very soft exterior
- Not the most durable
Review: Most reviews state that their dogs love the lamb, and it helps relieve boredom. They also say the lamb’s face gets chewed off pretty easily, but the squeakers usually stay intact pretty well.
Toy Type: Chew Toy
Life Stage: Puppies, Adult
Summary: This durable and long-lasting wishbone comes in bacon, chicken, and peanut flavors, as well as many different sizes for different-sized dogs. This treat has a curved, paw-friendly shape that makes it easy for dogs to grab onto. This product is not edible and should be replaced after about a month.
- Very durable
- Good for a variety of dogs
- Excellent variety of flavors
- Easy for dogs to hold
- Could be too tough for dogs with weaker teeth
- Possible choking hazard
Review: The reviews seem mixed, as most say the Benebone Wishbone is great for their aggressive chewers. However, some reviews state that their dogs have broken teeth and that the tiny shards that break off are choking hazards for smaller dogs.
Toy Type: Squeaky Chew Toy
Life Stage: Medium and Large Adult Dogs
Summary: This pineapple-shaped squeaky toy is perfect for aggressive chewers and is made of non-toxic natural rubbers. It encourages healthy play while satisfying instinctual needs for chewing. This toy helps to solve chewing, separation anxiety, boredom, training, and barking.
Review: Most reviews are positive, saying their dogs are kept very entertained by this pineapple toy. A few say the squeaker is a little obnoxious.
Toy Type: Plush
Life Stage: Puppies and Small Dogs
Summary: This six-pack of crinkle dog toys has two squeakers in each toy and a storage bag. They are floppy, lightweight, and easy for small dogs to play with and carry around. They are stuffing-free, which eliminates the possibility of a choking hazard.
- Made from non-toxic materials
- Good for teeth chewing and cleaning
- Machine washable
- Only good for small dogs
- Not the most durable
Review: The reviews for the crinkle toys are very positive, with most saying their puppies and small dogs love them. Some say the squeakers do not last very long.
Toy Type: Ball Launcher, Fetch Toy
Life Stage: Small, Medium, Large Breeds, and Dogs of all Ages
Summary: This tennis ball dog toy comes in many different sizes, making it perfect for any dog. The shorter handles are great for storage and travel, while the longer handles are good for launching speed and distance. This toy will make fetch time more enjoyable for both dog and owner.
- Releases stress
- Helps with excess energy
- Good variety of sizes
- Excellent accessibility
- Shouldn’t be used indoors
Review: Most reviews are positive and applaud the toy’s easy travel design. However, some state that the handle is a little flimsy.
Toy Type: Fetch Toy
Life Stage: Small and Large Dogs, Puppies, and Senior Dogs
Summary: This frisbee toy comes in two sizes, small and large, and three different colors: aqua blue, granny smith, and tangerine. It is built for gentle chewers as its soft texture is easy on the dog’s teeth. It is also foldable and easy for pet owners to carry, floatable, and can even double as a food or water bowl.
- Gentle for soft chewers
- Easy to travel with
- Versatile
- Dishwasher safe
- Not great for aggressive chewers
Review: Reviews are good, saying that the disc is durable and great for playtime.
What is the Best Toy for Your Dog?
The best toy for a dog depends on what the specific toy offers and what the dog needs. As mentioned above, some toys are better for aggressive chewers while others are for pooches with anxiety.
It is also important to note the dog’s age and size when getting a toy, as an elder dog would not do great with a hard bone. Similarly, a healthy adult dog would rip a small plushie apart in minutes.
Once again, the KONG Classic Dog Toy is a great choice that we recommend for dogs of all ages and sizes. Its durability levels are perfect for puppies, adults, and elders. Plus, it helps eliminate boredom, anxiety, and chewing problems in dogs.
What Should I Look for in a Dog Toy?
Here is a list of 6 things to consider when looking for a dog toy:
- Type of Toy. If a dog or puppy is high energy or prone to separation anxiety, interactive and active toys will make the best option. On the other hand, if a dog likes to chew, it will benefit more from a chewing toy.
- Size of the Toy. Whether the toy is for a small puppy or a large adult dog, pet owners will want to make sure the toy is the appropriate size. Toys that are too small pose a choking hazard for a large dog, while big toys are not interesting for small dogs.
- Gentle Vs. Tough. Some dogs, such as seniors and pups, have a much gentler bite than a large adult dog. Pet owners will want to keep this in mind and get softer toys for gentle biters and tough toys for aggressive chewers.
- Maintenance. Finally, you need to pay attention to the toy’s cleaning protocol. Keeping the dog toys clean is of paramount importance, considering they will be spending time in the dog’s mouth. Some toys should be rinsed, and others are machine washable.
What Makes a Safe Dog Toy?
According to PetMD, plastics and certain materials in dog toys may pose hidden dangers for dogs.
It is important for dog owners to check the labels when purchasing new toys to ensure the ingredients are non-toxic to dogs. In general, labels such as BPA-free and phthalate-free indicate the toys are safe.
What Toys Should I Not Give My Dog?
Some of the most dangerous toys for dogs are the ones that pose choking hazards or intestinal blocking. American Kennel Club recommends keeping these items away from dogs:
- Items and toys with small, sharp, and easily detachable metal parts such as pins, springs, or batteries
- Long strips or fibers, such as strings or thin ribbons
- Cooked bones of any kind can break into tiny and highly abrasive fragments that may damage the digestive tract
- Sheets of plastic film (e.g., garbage bags) and other sticky materials pose a serious choking hazard
- Rawhide chewies can cause intestinal obstructions if swallowed
- Children’s toys with squeakers made of non-chew-proof materials
When Should You Throw Away a Dog Toy?
Dog toys should be thrown away if they become damaged in a way that poses a danger to the dog. For example, if the squeaker comes off the rubber toy or the plush toy is ripped and the stuffing is getting out. They should also be disposed of if too dirty and impossible to clean.
