Bye-bye, boring days, and hello, good toys for dogs. While finding quality toys can be a challenge, research always goes a long way.
We tested the most popular toys on the market, and the results are worth reading. It’s time to pamper your fluffy pal with toys that stimulate the mind and the body. Let’s get started.
KONG Classic Dog Toy
Rubber dogs’ toys are designed to spark natural chewing instincts. Available in four sizes with a hole for goodies. You can also put it in the washing machine.
The KONG Classic dog toy is the company’s most cherished and well-known product. Its distinctive form and unparalleled resilience to vigorous chewing make it an excellent physical and cerebral stimulation.
Natural rubber is KONG’s strongest material to date, and professionals have been recommending it for more than four decades. Also, the toy has a distinctive red shape that bounces erratically. These are good and safe toys for dogs to chew on, with a hole for goodies at the bottom. You can even put it in the washing machine. The toy comes in four sizes and packs of one, two, or three.
Product Specifics:
- Made in the US
- S–XL
- Natural rubber
- Treat dispenser
- Machine washable
Pros:
- KONG’s strongest rubber
- Recommended by experts
- Bounces uncontrollably
Cons:
- Kibbles may fall out
- Doesn’t float
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Why we choose this product: KONG’s natural rubber is the strongest one yet. Professionals and dog owners cherish its durability alike. The toy bounces each time differently and has a place for treats.
MewaJump Cactus Chew Toy
4.3 x 7.6 x 1-inch cactus chew toy in vibrant green. These are good teething toys for dogs, specifically for those with dental problems. They’re made from natural rubber that’s infused with milky flavor.
MewaJump features a cactus-shaped chew toy in vibrant green that attracts any dog. It’s made from 100% natural rubber and has a milky flavor upon chewing.
Apart from reducing boredom and destructive chewing, MewaJump has good chewing toys for dogs that suffer from sensitive gums or plague. Its cactus measures 4.3 x 7.6 x 1 inch. Plus, it’s more flexible and resistant to chewing. The toy is fantastic for interactive play or training sessions.
Product Specifics:
- Green cactus chew toy
- 100% natural rubber
- Milky flavor
- 4.3 x 7.6 x 1 inches
Pros:
- Reduces boredom
- Chew-resistant
- Relieves sensitive gums
- Cleans plague
Cons:
- The scent may be too strong.
- Not suitable for aggressive chewers
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Why we choose this product: MewaJump’s cactus is made from 100% natural and non-toxic material. Plus, it’s chew-proof and has a milky taste.
Sedioso Stuffed Dog Toys
Stuffed toys from natural cotton and soft plush surface. They’re excellent plush dog toys for interactive play and tug of war. The toys provide decent dental care and are easy to wash.
Sedioso’s plush toys are designed to increase dogs’ IQ and interactive training skills. They’re available in two cute designs — a lion and a donkey. Also, they’re made of natural plush with elevated surfaces for better dental control.
These stuffed toys have a built-in squeaker and an additional waterproof cloth to keep drool out of the filled cotton. The legs are made of durable rope, making them good dog toys for bored dogs that like tug of war. Sedioso’s stuffed toys require periodic cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher.
Product Specifics:
- Lion & donkey options
- Natural cotton
- Plush surface
- Built-in squeaker
Pros:
- Extra waterproof fabric
- Durable rope legs
- Dental control
Cons:
- Not suitable for heavy chewers
- Squeaker may be a choking hazard
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Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper Frisbee
Lightweight dog frisbees made of multilayered nylon in a range of vivid colors. They’re good toys for dogs to fetch in water and are gentle on dogs’ teeth.
Hyper Pet has an established track record on the toy market dating back over two decades. Its 9” dog frisbee comes in red, pink, blue, or green. It’s a fantastic toy for entertaining and training fluff pals. The frisbee is composed of multilayer nylon that’s gentle on dogs’ teeth.
It’s lightweight (2.24 oz) and floats on water, making it an excellent toy for pool games. You can get these popular dog toys in a pack of one, two, or five.
Product Specifics:
- Four colors
- 2.24 oz
- Multilayer nylon
Pros:
- Floats on water
- Gentle on dogs’ teeth
- Lightweight
Cons:
- You can’t pick the color.
- Heavy chewers will destroy it
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Why we choose this product: Hyper Pet’s frisbees are pure entertainment, but most importantly, they’re safe. You can take these toys everywhere. Plus, since they float on water, they’re ideal for pool activities.
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle
Dog puzzle game of a stuffed plush textile tree trunk with squeaky squirrels hidden in its holes. They’re soft and gentle dog squeaky toys in four sizes.
Outward Hound’s Hide-A-Squirrel is a dog puzzle that stimulates mental play with squeaky finds. The tree trunk filled with stuffed squeaky squirrels keeps furry pals occupied and eliminates boredom. Triggered by their instinct to hunt, dogs will try to take the squirrels out of the holes.
The toy comes in four sizes for different dog breeds. It’s made from stuffed plush textile that’s gentle on the teeth and gums. Also, Outward Hound gives you an option to purchase additional squeaky dog toys if the first squirrels get damaged.
Product Specifics:
- Stuffed plush tree trunk
- Squeaky plush squirrels
- Four sizes
- Option to buy extra squirrels
Pros:
- Gentle on dogs’ teeth
- Stimulates mental exercise
- Excess energy spent on a puzzle
Cons:
- Squirrels may be a choking hazard
- Low-quality stitching
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Why we choose this product: Hide-A-Squirrel is a mentally enriching game that challenges a dog’s problem-solving skills. Most importantly, it prevents boredom with fun.
Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Ball
Red motion-activated dog balls in small, medium, and large sizes. Made from ABS material. These cool dog toys can play 18 different sounds, flash upon movement, and turn off automatically.
Pet Qwerks has been making pets happy since 2003, and this toy is Amazon’s top pick for the brand. The Blinky Babble Ball is composed of a tough ABS material that can withstand even the most powerful jaws. It’s red and comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
The Blinky Babble Ball flashes when touched or breathed on due to the motion-activated flashing light. Also, the ball can make up to 18 sounds. When your dog stops playing with them, these dog ball toys will turn off automatically.
Product Specifics:
- Red motion-activated ball
- Flashes & makes sounds
- Four sizes
- ABS material
Pros:
- 18 distinct sounds
- Turns off automatically
- Withstands heavy chewers
Cons:
- Some get irritated by the sounds
- Incredibly sensitive to movement
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Why we choose this product: It’s the perfect toy for solo play. The ball talks and flashes upon motion and automatically turns off. Also, the ABS material is ideal for heavy chewers.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Puzzle Game
Treat puzzle toys with four levels of difficulty. They’re good toys for apartment dogs that like challenging and rewarding activities that trigger their instincts. Made from PVC, BPA, and phthalate-free plastic.
Nina Ottosson is the brains behind these puzzle games. She’s been developing interactive dog toys for over 25 years and received the Pet Age Icon Award in 2017. The toys have several degrees of complexity, ranging from beginner to expert.
The game is inspired by dogs’ innate instincts and senses. Its material is PVC, BPA, and phthalate-free plastic. The first level is a one-step process, but the intermediate level of these top dog toys has more hurdles to get the reward. Also, the advanced level adds to the complexity, while the expert one needs a complete and exact order of actions to reach the final prize.
Product Specifics:
- Treat puzzle toy
- Four levels of difficulty
- PVC, BPA, phthalate-free
Pros:
- Award-winning toy creator
- Engages dog’s minds & instincts
- Reduces undesired behaviors
Cons:
- Low-quality plastic
- Some parts may be a choking hazard
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Why we choose this product: Mental stimulation is essential for a dog’s well-being, and this treat puzzle toy provides just that. Also, you can use it to distract dogs from loud noises, like fireworks or thunderstorms.
Bones & Chews Cotton Rope with Bones
Dog toys for tug of war made of cotton and polyester with attached beef bones. Sourced in the US and free from fillers, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Bones & Chews created a tug toy with a delicious play snack. It’s a cotton and polyester rope with attached beef bones. Also, the rope is dyed in vivid hues and is free of chemicals, bleach, and formaldehyde.
The scrumptious beef bones come from reliable US suppliers and are a natural source of protein. You’ll find no fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this product. These are good rope toys for dogs that like tug of war. The added benefit is cleaning their teeth along the way.
Product Specifics:
- Cotton & polyester rope
- US-sourced beef bones
- No chemicals, bleach, or formaldehyde
- No fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Pros:
- Natural source of protein
- Reliable US suppliers
- Cleans teeth & gums
Cons:
- Not suitable for aggressive chewers
- The bones can hit the dog when shaking the rope
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Why we choose this product: Bones & Chews tug rope offers a tasty playtime while also keeping the gums and teeth healthy and clean. The beef bones are high in protein and flavor. Plus, they’re proudly made in the US.
AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs
Good toys for energetic dogs in the form of interactive sniffing mats where you can hide treats. Also, you can fold them into a bowl, olfactory pad, or storage bag. The bottom is slip-resistant, while the cloth is eco-friendly and machine washable.
AWOOF believes that sniffing is beneficial to pets’ mental and physical health as it relieves stress and releases excess energy. Its snuffle mat is a treat game of hiding goodies into the cloth for your dog to find.
These are good toys for blind dogs that help improve dogs’ sense of smell while also providing a tasty treat. You can fold the mat into a bowl or an olfactory pad. It has a slip-resistant bottom. Plus, you can compress it into a small storage bag for travel. The material is eco-friendly, but it must be hand-washed at least once a week.
Product Specifics:
- Sniffing mat for hiding treats
- Eco-friendly
- Slip-resistant
Pros:
- Foldable
- Storage-friendly
- Improves digestion
Cons:
- Thin material
- Tags may be a choking hazard
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Why we choose this product: AWOOF’s snuffle mat encourages dogs’ natural foraging skills and relieves stress. Also, the concealed delicacies will slow down the eating process, helping the dog’s digestion.
ChuckIt! Amphibious Bumper Floating Fetch Toy
Floating fetch toy in small and medium-size. It’s made of rubber and EVA foam, with a non-slip rope handle. These cool dog toys don’t collect dirt or saliva, so you can just wipe them clean.
ChuckIt! crafted a floating toy made of rubber and EVA foam. It’s ideal for dogs that love fetch, especially in the pool, lake, or beach. The rope handle is knotted and non-slip for better and bigger throws.
These toys’ vibrant bright orange or green make them easy to detect in water or on grass. They’re good outdoor toys for dogs as they don’t collect dirt or slobber and are incredibly easy to keep clean. They’re available in small and medium size.
Product Specifics:
- Floating fetch toy
- Small & Medium size
- Rope handle
- Rubber and EVA foam
Pros:
- Low maintenance
- Non-slip
- Vibrant colors
Cons:
- Not for tugging
- May fall apart upon chewing
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Why we choose this product: The ChuckIt! fetch toy is made of durable rubber, yet soft and comfortable when gripped. It doesn’t collect dirt or slobber and has non-slip rope for fun fetch games.
Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster
Tennis ball blaster in blue and orange with three size options. They’re good toys for dogs that like to play fetch. With it, you can throw balls up to 50 feet. Easy to use and with an adjustable length.
Nerf Dog offers a high-powered ball blaster that can propel tennis balls up to 50 feet. You won’t have to toss slobbery tennis balls anymore.
The ball blaster is simple to use, and you can adjust the shooting distance. The toy is put through its paces in efficiency and safety. The brand chose tennis balls as they offered endless entertainment to all dogs. The blue and orange ball blaster safe dog toys come in three sizes — 12”, 16”, and 20”.
Product Specifics:
- 12”, 16” & 20” ball blaster
- Adjustable shooting length
- Throws balls as far as 50ft
- Suitable for 2.5” tennis balls
Pros:
- Powerful shooting mechanism
- Tested for efficiency & safety
- No more touching slobbery balls
Cons:
- The launcher may stop working
- Too big & bulky for some
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Why we choose this product: Nerf Dog’s ball blaster uses a powerful mechanism that tosses balls up to 50 feet. Plus, you can finally play fetch without picking up tennis balls full of dirt and saliva.
Smart Pet Love Behavioral Aid Dog Toy
Plush snuggle puppy with a pulsing heartbeat that radiates warmth. Designed for puppies, but it can also help anxious adult dogs suffering from separation anxiety. Runs on replaceable batteries and comes in four colors.
Smart Pet Love aimed to solve the stressful times of a dog’s loneliness. So the company designed a soothing toy that awakens the intimacy and warmth of a real mother. Thanks to the disposable warming mechanism, the plush animal has a pulsating heartbeat and radiates heat.
The toy runs on batteries included in the package. You can switch off the heartbeat anytime. These stuffed dog toys are easy to clean and machine washable. But remember to remove the heart. You can choose between four colors — brown, light brown, brown & white, or golden.
Product Specifics:
- Plush snuggle puppy
- Radiates warmth and has a heartbeat
- Runs on batteries
- Four color options
- Machine-washable
Pros:
- Mimics the warmth of a real mother
- Relieves stress in anxious dogs
- Removable heart
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Not for heavy chewers
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Why we choose this product: The plush snuggle puppy offers a natural solution for relieving separation anxiety stress. These are good toys for dogs who are home alone as they have a pulsing heartbeat and provide warmth.
Furbo Dog Camera
Furbo offers good toys for dogs who are home alone. The camera has 1080p night vision, throws treats, talks, and sends notifications when your dog barks. Comes with a 90-day free premium subscription. You can cancel it at any time.
Furbo boasts the best-selling pet camera, with 5,000 veterinarians and expert dog trainers recommending it. The camera monitors, speaks, throws goodies, and activates a barking alarm.
Furbo’s 1080p dog camera follows your dogs with a 160-degree wide-angle view. You’ll get a notice on your phone whenever it detects barking. Furbo’s cameras are good toys for apartment dogs, as you can throw treats with the free app. Plus, the purchase includes a 90-day free premium membership with features like smart notifications, cloud recording, and doggie journals. You can cancel your membership at any moment.
Product Specifics:
- 1080p dog camera
- 160-degree angle view
- Tosses treats
- Notifies of barking
- Speaks
Pros:
- 90-day free premium features
- Night vision camera
- Recommended by 5,000 experts
Cons:
- App freezes
- Can’t differentiate barking from other sounds
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Why we choose this product: When it comes to leaving pets at home, Furbo offers the ultimate peace of mind. It keeps an eye on everything with a 1080p night vision camera, notifies of barking, tosses treats, and talks.
A Guide for Buying the Finest Toy
Buying good toys for dogs based on their looks is as easy as pie, but it gets a bit challenging if you aim for quality. Buckle up because we have the perfect guide for you.
What to Look For
You should consider several factors to find toys for your pet that are entertaining, alluring, and of high endurance. Let’s check them out.
Toy Material & Safety
Most owners of heavy chewers recommend rubber and nylon toys, as they’re safe and soft enough not to cause harm during playtime. Tugging with rope toys is fun, but ingesting excessive fiber amounts might be hazardous. Although plush or fleece toys aren’t indestructible, they’re effective in reducing tension.
Dog Size
If you’re in search of good toys for small dogs, go for lighter ones. Ensure the toys aren’t too small to cause choking hazards. The best option for bigger dogs is indestructible dog toys as they’re heavier, bigger, and can withstand strong jaws.
Durability
The most durable materials are nylon and rubber. Right after them come tug ropes. Aim for toys that reflect the dog’s personality and strength. No plush toy can’t withstand the jaws of Pitbulls, Dobermans, or Bulldogs.
Shape & Design
Heavy-duty balls and frisbees are ideal for fetch, especially when tossed in the lake or a swimming pool for dogs. Ropes are made for tugging, while plush animals are cute dog toys for reducing anxiety and loneliness. Finally, interactive toys stimulate dogs physically and mentally, so they’re perfect for furballs that get bored easily.
Cleaning
Even though good toys for dogs are pretty easy to maintain, they gather bacteria, dirt, and saliva. You can clean most toys with water but look for safe ones for the dishwasher or the washing machine to ensure everything is 100% sanitized.
Types of Toys for Doggos
Some toys are the best choice for training and physical exercise, others for entertainment or stimulating dogs’ cognition. Let’s check them out:
- Chew toys are very resistant and keep dogs entertained for hours. They usually have grooves to clean dogs’ teeth when biting.
- Stuffed/Plush toys have a polyester fiber filling. They’re made from durable fabric and double-stitched to prevent dogs from tearing them apart.
- Rope toys are thick, resistant, and ideal for tugging. Thanks to their durable material that prevents choking hazards, these are good toys for big dogs.
- Interactive toys stimulate dogs’ senses and intelligence. Some of the most popular choices include the “smart food dish” with obstacles and challenges or snuffle mats with hidden goodies for your dog to find out.
- Frisbees offer fun playtime for both the dog and its guardian. Rubber frisbees are the safest option as plastic can harm the dog’s teeth.
- Ball toys are made from soft materials to avoid hurting the teeth when playing fetch. They can be rubber, cloth, silicone, or a classic tennis ball.
- Treat-dispensing toys have an objective that requires the dog to think and strategize to retrieve a snack.
- Calming toys are usually made of scented rubber that soothes dogs upon biting. They can also be plush toys that spread warmth and heartbeat sounds.
Benefits Of Using Good Quality Toys for Dogs
Toys help your dog relax and enjoy playtime, and they also increase its natural senses of foraging, exploring, and sniffing. Some toys can be so intellectually and physically demanding that, after playing with them, dogs don’t have any energy to cause mischief.
What’s more, toys help dogs cope with stress and discourage unpleasant habits like excessive barking and chewing. They keep dogs engaged when they’re alone, showing them that having fun is possible even when you’re not there.
Glancing Through the Reviews
KONG Classic Dog Toy: Best overall
MewaJump Cactus Chew Toy: Dental care toy
Sedioso Stuffed Dog Toys: Squeaker toy
Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper Frisbee: Pet-friendly frisbee
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle: Interactive plush puzzle
Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Ball: Entertainment ball
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Puzzle Game: Puzzle game for IQ boost
Bones & Chews Cotton Rope with Bones: Chewable dog toys
AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs: Mat with hidden treats
ChuckIt! Amphibious Bumper Floating Fetch Toy: Fetch toy for water activities
Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster: Ball blaster for fetch games
Smart Pet Love Behavioral Aid Dog Toy: Stress-relief plush toy
Furbo Dog Camera: Treat dispensing camera for dogs
Safety Tips
Accidents happen, so keep an eye on your pet while they’re playing with a new toy. While some toys are long-lasting and of high quality, their materials might injure your dog.
Rinsing off the toys after playtime is a necessity. Pick those you can put in the dishwasher. Always give your dog clean and disinfected toys.
Check whether your fun dog toys aren’t missing components during or after use. Torn parts might pose a choking danger. Keep in mind that some toys are so powerful that they might damage your dog’s teeth. All in all, always check your pet during playtime.
Rawhide Toy Considerations
Popular dog toys with rawhide have a few drawbacks you should know about. Let’s see what they are:
- Ingredients: Rawhide chews come from leather industry scraps that are soaked in high-salt brines. But the salt can’t keep the chews from decaying, which is a problem if they’re made in far-off countries and take months to arrive.
- Bacteria: Harmful bacteria, like Salmonella or E. coli, may appear in rawhide chews. It’s a hazard for humans, too.
- Digestibility: Rawhide is difficult to digest, so swallowing big pieces poses a significant danger of blockage. It can cause an esophageal or intestinal blockage and stay in your dog’s stomach for months, resulting in gastrointestinal problems.
Final Thoughts: There Are Quality Dog Toys for Each Taste, Including Ours
From balls and frisbees to stuffed animals and tech treat dispensers — good toys can make a pooch’s tail wiggle into infinity.
Despite the vast spectrum of toys to choose from, not every toy fits all dog needs. While we don’t know what dog you have, there’s one toy to rule them all — the KONG classic toy.
If you’re searching for good toys for dogs that destroy toys, that’s the one for you. Professionals and dog owners have praised its quality and longevity for more than four decades. The natural rubber is KONG’s most durable rubber to date. It bounces in new ways every time, and there’s a spot for goodies.
Choosing new toys over and over again can get boring. And the best dog subscription box can do the job for you. Each month you’ll receive a package full of new treats, toys, and accessories right at your doorstep. It’s a safe way to end boredom once and for all.
FAQs
Are treat-dispensing toys good for dogs?
Mental stimulation is as vital as exercise. And treat-dispensing toys provide just that — they trigger dogs’ brains to find the hidden treat. It’s a guaranteed fun time, especially when your dog is alone and bored.
Are nylon dog toys good or bad?
Nylon toys are famous as the toughest chewing toys. So if your pooch chews toys until they’re fully destroyed, nylon may be the right choice for you. But always supervise your dog, as the nylon can be too tough and may break your pet’s teeth.
What are good chew toys for dogs?
The KONG Classic is made of a top-quality rubber that’s almost impossible to destroy. Other good toys for dogs include the MewaJump chew toy and the Bones & Chews rope with added bones for ultimate chewing satisfaction.