No matter the size or breed of dog, all dogs need enriching toys to play with! Toys provide mental and physical stimulation, which helps to prevent boredom. Depending on your dog’s personality, they may like certain toys more than others. Fortunately, there are TONS of different types of toys available for your puppy. As dog mom’s we want only the best for our beloved pups. Keep reading to pick the best toys for dogs!
Types of Dog Toys
There are multiple types of dog toys available. Which one your dog likes best will depend on their personality and preferences. Allow your dog to have multiple types of toys available to provide mental stimulation.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys keep your dog mentally stimulated and engaged. These are toys that will make your dog think and work as part of play. Examples include puzzle toys that your dog has to work through to get a reward and treat-dispensing toys. These types of toys are great to keep your dog occupied while you’re busy or having people over and need your dog to have a distraction.
Chew Toys
Chew toys are great to fulfill your dog’s natural chewing instincts without destroying your furniture or shoes. They also promote good dental health. These come in a variety of forms including rubber, plastic, and other materials. Chew toys can keep your dog busy while providing mental enrichment while they chew.
Fetch Toys
Ahh, the great game of fetch! If you’ve ever had a dog obsessed with fetch, you may have a love-hate relationship with this game. All you need is a simple tennis ball to make your dog happy. However, you can get more advanced with an automatic ball launcher that allows you to take a step back while your dog learns the machine and has an endless amount of fun. If you’re not quite ready for that, they make throwing sticks so at least your hand doesn’t have to get slobbery with each throw.
Plush Toys
For the gentler dogs, plush and soft toys provide comfort and something easy to mouth on. Some dogs might enjoy simply holding these types of toys with light chewing, while others have one mission – to completely destroy until all the fluff is no longer in the toy and on your floor! Either way, these are a good toy option that are gentle on the teeth.
Durable Toys
For the most destructive of chewers, there are fortunately many options for “indestructible” toys. These toys are typically made of strong rubber or fabric and are supposed to withstand most chewers. While I have yet to find a totally indestructible toy, there are many that will last for a while without totally breaking the bank.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Toys for Dogs
With all the toy options and brands available, it can be daunting to decide where to spend your money.
- Consider things like the size of your dog, as it is important to select size-appropriate toys. Toys that are too small for your dog can become choking hazards, so it is typically recommended to size up if in between sizes.
- Consider your dog’s favorite types of play and choose toys more suited for that. If your dog is obsessed with fetch for example, look for different balls or fetching objects to mix up play.
- Consider your dog’s age as well, as certain toys like chew toys may have different levels of toughness depending on your dog’s age group. Look for puppy specific items as your puppy is growing and then advance to the adult chew toys.
- Always look for the safest materials for your dog. Be cautious of pieces of toys that can easily be chewed off, as these could be easily ingested.
- Look for reputable brands to help select the best toys for dogs.
Top 5 Best Toys for Dogs
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For the Fetcher
iDogmate Dog Ball Launcher: Allows your pup to fetch to their heart’s desire while giving your arm a break. This provides excellent physical exercise, but also mental stimulation, as your dog has to learn how to use the fetcher and then place the ball in each time in order to play.
Runner Up:
ChuckIt Ball with Launcher: Sturdy rubber ball allows for a fun game of fetch. With the launcher, your hand doesn’t need to get slobbery with every throw. Great for on-the-go fetching at the park!
For the Chewer
Benebone Dog Chews: Coming in multiple sizes and shapes, Benebones are a great sturdy option for aggressive chewers. These are long lasting and can even be filed down to extend the life of the bone. See our full review of Benebones here!
Runner Up:
Kong toys: Made of varying degrees of durable rubber, these are great for aggressive chewers and often have areas to stuff treats to provide even more enrichment.
For the Thinker
Zenly Paws Puzzle Feeder: A puzzle reward game, this will provide extensive mental stimulation. Your dog must figure out to open up and move the compartments in order to get the treat. Some dogs will learn quicker than others. The top of the toy is made of nail file material as an added bonus to help file down sharp nails as they press it to release treats.
Runner Up:
Snuffle mat: A cheap, easy toy that will provide mental stimulation for your pup. These are made of a variety of fabrics and textures for your dog to sniff and paw through in order to get treats.
For the Cuddler
BarkBox Soft Toys: Durable, yet not too tough, these toys tend to be soft and easy to play with for gentler pups. You can sign up for a monthly subscription or buy these individually in pet stores if you don’t want to commit to a subscription yet. (Read our BarkBox Subscription review if you’re considering subscribing!)
Runner Up:
Multipet Lamb Chop Plush Dog Toy: A staple plush toy for any dog! Great for gentle chewers and snugglers.
For the Shredder
Tuffy Dog Toys: Soft yet durable, these toys will satisfy the dog whole likes to shred their toys without being destroyed in seconds! They are made of tough materials that will take your dog time to be able to chew through. While a little pricier than other soft toys, these will last significantly longer than your basic plush dog toys.
Runner Up:
GoDog Bubble Plush Dragon Squeaky Toy: Made of “chew guard technology”, these plush toys will outlast other soft toys. With the added fun of a squeaker, these are sure to fulfill your dog’s playing needs. (We have 3 of these that haven’t been ripped up yet and our dogs love carrying them around!)
Keep Playtime Fun and Safe
Regardless of which toys you choose for your dog, make sure to keep playtime safe! Always supervise your dog with toys, especially new toys that you aren’t sure how they will react with. Some dogs will try to eat parts of the toys like stuffing and squeakers, so be sure to watch and throw these pieces away immediately. Make sure to toss out any dirty or mangled up toys. There will naturally be wear and tear with their toys, but if anything seems unsafe it is better to throw them out and get a new toy. Toys are a great way to help bond with your dog and will provide your pup with an enriching time!
Finding the best dog toys for dogs will ensure you pick the safest, most enriching options for your dog! Try mixing it up occasionally to give your dog some variation while still tailoring it to their preferences. Playtime is something your dog will look forward to everyday!
Have other favorite toys for your pup? Share in the comments below to help fellow dog moms find new toys to try!
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