Best Toys for Keeping Your Dog Entertained

Dogs are social, active, and curious creatures that require both mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Providing the right toys not only keeps your dog entertained but also helps alleviate boredom, reduce destructive behaviors, and ensure they get the exercise they need.

Whether you’re trying to prevent your dog from chewing on furniture or simply looking to bond with them during playtime, choosing the right toys is essential.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the best toys for keeping your dog entertained, from chew toys and interactive puzzles to fetch toys and treat dispensers. These toys are designed to keep your dog mentally stimulated, physically active, and engaged for hours.

Best Toys for Keeping Your Dog Entertained

1. Chew Toys: Essential for Mental Stimulation

Chew toys are a must-have in any dog’s toy collection. They help satisfy your dog’s natural chewing instincts and keep them entertained while also promoting healthy teeth and gums. Chewing is an essential activity for dogs, especially for puppies who are teething or adult dogs who need to release pent-up energy.

Best Options:

• KONG Classic Dog Toy: This classic chew toy is known for its durability and versatility. It can be filled with treats or peanut butter, keeping your dog engaged for longer periods.
• Nylabone DuraChew: Made from durable nylon, this chew toy is perfect for heavy chewers. It comes in different flavors like bacon and chicken, making it irresistible to most dogs.
• Benebone Wishbone: The Benebone chew toy is designed to mimic the shape of a bone, making it easy for dogs to grip and chew. Its tough material stands up to strong chewers.

Benefits:

• Helps alleviate teething pain in puppies.
• Prevents destructive chewing by redirecting the behavior to appropriate toys.
• Promotes dental health by reducing tartar and plaque build-up.

2. Interactive Puzzle Toys: For Problem-Solving Fun

Interactive puzzle toys are great for keeping your dog mentally engaged. These toys require your dog to figure out how to get the treats or food inside, which helps with cognitive development and prevents boredom.

Best Options:

• Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy: This puzzle toy features a plush tree trunk with small squeaky squirrels hidden inside. Your dog has to figure out how to remove the squirrels, which is both fun and mentally stimulating.
• Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Dog Puzzle: Nina Ottosson puzzles come in varying difficulty levels, challenging your dog to open compartments to access hidden treats. This puzzle is ideal for dogs who enjoy a challenge.
• KONG Tug Toy: This toy combines a treat dispenser and a tug-of-war rope, keeping your dog engaged both mentally and physically.

Benefits:

• Encourages problem-solving and mental stimulation.
• Helps slow down fast eaters by turning mealtime into a game.
• Can help reduce anxiety by giving your dog something constructive to focus on.

3. Fetch Toys: Classic Entertainment

Best Options:

• Chuckit! Ultra Ball: Known for its durability and buoyancy, the Chuckit! Ultra Ball is perfect for fetch games. Its high-visibility color makes it easy to spot, even in low light.
• KONG Flyer: Made from flexible rubber, the KONG Flyer is a soft, durable frisbee that is gentle on your dog’s teeth while still being fun to chase.
• PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher: For dogs that love fetch but their owners are too busy to throw the ball repeatedly, this automatic ball launcher does the work for you. Simply place the ball into the machine, and it will launch it for your dog to fetch.

Benefits:

• Provides physical exercise and helps burn off excess energy.
• Improves your dog’s coordination and agility.
• Encourages bonding between you and your dog during playtime.

4. Treat Dispensing Toys: Rewarding Play

Treat dispensing toys are fantastic for keeping your dog entertained while providing them with a tasty reward for their efforts. These toys can help slow down your dog’s eating, providing a more engaging experience during mealtime.

Best Options:

• KONG Wobbler: This treat-dispensing toy wobbles around unpredictably, making it a fun challenge for your dog to get the treats out. It’s also easy to clean and durable.
• PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist ‘n Treat: This toy allows you to adjust the difficulty level by twisting the two halves to make it harder for your dog to get the treats inside. It’s a great way to keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated.
• Buster Cube: The Buster Cube is a highly interactive treat dispenser that requires your dog to roll the cube to release the treats. It’s a great way to extend mealtime and give your dog a mental workout.

Benefits:

• Promotes mental stimulation by encouraging problem-solving.
• Helps slow down fast eaters, preventing gulping and indigestion.
• Provides a fun and rewarding experience that keeps your dog engaged.

READ ALSO: How to Stop Your Cat from Chewing on Things They Shouldn’t

5. Tug Toys: Bonding and Exercise

Tug-of-war is not only a fun and active game, but it also helps with building trust and bonding between you and your dog. Tug toys come in various materials, from ropes to rubber, and can be used for a friendly tug-of-war session or as a solo chew toy.

Best Options:

• Mammoth Flossy Chews Cotton Blend Rope Tug: Made from cotton and polyester fibers, this rope toy is great for tug-of-war games. It’s also gentle on your dog’s teeth and gums.
• KONG Tug Toy: This is a durable tug-of-war toy that is perfect for playing with your dog. It’s made of tough rubber and is built to withstand rough play.
• Tuffy’s Ultimate Ring Tug Toy: This tough tug toy is designed for strong dogs and is made from multiple layers of fabric for extra durability.

Benefits:

• Provides both mental and physical stimulation.
• Helps strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
• Great for active dogs who enjoy physical challenges.

6. Squeaky Toys: Engaging and Fun

Squeaky toys are a favorite for many dogs. The high-pitched squeak triggers a dog’s natural hunting instincts, making it a fun and engaging way to play. These toys can be used for fetching, tug-of-war, or solo play.

Best Options:

• KONG SqueakAir Balls: These are classic tennis balls with a squeaker inside, combining the fun of fetch with the added excitement of squeaking.
• Tuffy’s Mega Squeaky Toy: A durable, squeaky toy that is perfect for dogs who love to chew and squeak at the same time.
• ZippyPaws Squeaky Toy: These plush toys are soft but durable, with multiple squeakers to keep your dog entertained.

Benefits:

1. Keeps your dog entertained for hours with the squeaking sound.
2. Helps satisfy your dog’s natural prey drive and hunting instincts.
3. Great for interactive play with your dog.

7. Plush Toys: Cuddly Companions

Plush toys are great for dogs who enjoy carrying something in their mouth or cuddling up with a soft toy. These toys are typically gentle on your dog’s teeth and are ideal for dogs who aren’t heavy chewers but still want something to snuggle with.

Best Options:

• KONG Cozie Marvin the Moose: This soft and cuddly plush toy has a squeaker inside, making it both fun to chew and cuddle.
• Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel: A plush tree trunk with squeaky squirrels inside, your dog will enjoy pulling out the squirrels and squeaking them.
• ZippyPaws Woodland Friends Burrow: This interactive plush toy allows your dog to “hunt” for squeaky animals hidden inside a plush burrow.

Benefits:

• Provides comfort and security, especially for dogs that like to carry or cuddle with toys.
• Soft texture is ideal for gentle chewers.
• The squeaker inside adds excitement during play.

8. Fetch and Float Toys: Water Play Fun

If your dog loves water, then toys designed for fetch in the water are a must-have. These toys float and are ideal for playing in lakes, ponds, or swimming pools.

Best Options:

• Chuckit! Fetch and Float: Designed for water play, this fetch ball floats and is highly visible, making it perfect for outdoor adventures.
• KONG Aqua: A floating rubber toy that is gentle on your dog’s mouth but tough enough for water play.
• Zogoflex Hurley: This durable and floatable toy is great for dogs who love to fetch in the water.

Benefits:

• Provides both mental and physical exercise in a fun water environment.
• Great for dogs that love swimming and water play.
• Durable and designed to withstand rough play.

9. Bouncing Toys: High-Energy Fun

Bouncing toys are designed to keep your dog’s attention and engage them in active play. These toys bounce unpredictably, keeping your dog on their toes as they chase after them.

Best Options:

• KONG Bouncez: This bouncy, flexible toy is perfect for games of fetch. Its erratic bounce keeps your dog guessing.
• Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Cone: Made from durable rubber, this toy bounces unpredictably and is perfect for energetic dogs who love to chase.
• PetSafe Bouncy Ball: A fun and durable bouncy ball that provides hours of entertainment.

Benefits:

• Keeps your dog active and entertained, improving coordination and agility.
• Encourages exercise and helps burn off excess energy.
• Perfect for high-energy dogs who enjoy chasing moving objects.

10. Automatic Toys: Self-Playing Fun

For those who may not have time to play with their dog constantly, automatic toys are a great option. These toys can keep your dog engaged when you’re not around by moving, making noises, or dispensing treats automatically.

Best Options:

• PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher: This launcher automatically shoots balls across the room for your dog to fetch, providing hours of independent entertainment.
• Wickedbone Smart Bone: An interactive, motorized dog bone that moves on its own, encouraging your dog to chase it.
• iFetch Too: A larger, more powerful automatic ball launcher designed for medium to large dogs, it allows dogs to play fetch on their own.

Benefits:

• Provides entertainment for dogs even when their owners are busy.
• Helps keep dogs engaged and mentally stimulated.
• Perfect for high-energy dogs who love fetch.

FAQs

How do I choose the right toy for my dog?

Consider your dog’s size, chewing habits, and play style when choosing a toy. Heavy chewers will need durable toys, while gentle chewers may prefer plush or squeaky toys. Active dogs will benefit from fetch toys, while more relaxed dogs may enjoy puzzle or treat-dispensing toys.

Are squeaky toys safe for my dog?

Squeaky toys are generally safe as long as they are used under supervision. Some dogs may become overly excited and try to destroy the toy, potentially ingesting parts. Always choose squeaky toys made from durable, non-toxic materials.

How long should I let my dog play with toys?

Playtime should be balanced to avoid overstimulation. Aim for around 20-30 minutes of active play a couple of times a day, but always monitor your dog’s energy levels and adjust play accordingly.

Can puzzle toys help with my dog’s behavior problems?

Yes! Puzzle toys are a great way to mentally stimulate your dog and prevent boredom-related behaviors like chewing or digging. They provide a constructive way to engage your dog’s brain and can help alleviate anxiety.