New toys are important for your dog’s development, providing both mental and physical stimulation.
The importance of giving your dog new toys caught my attention when ordered a Bark Box subscription for my dog, Cosmo. When the first box arrived, I couldn’t get over how excited Cosmo was about the toys. He wanted us to play with him more than usual and kept bringing us his new toys. The same thing happened when the second box arrived.
Turns out, new dog toys are about more than just fun and games. In fact, experts recommend giving your dog a new toy about once a month to keep his body and mind sharp. Keep reading to find out Why Toys Are Important for Your Dog’s Development and Why Buy Your Dog NEW Toys.
If you’re just looking for some new dog toys or puzzles, jump down to The Best, Most Highly Recommended Dog Toys. But I recommend you start with Things To Consider When Buying New Dog Toys. For other ways to make your fur baby feel special, here are ten fun ways to pamper your pet.
In This Post:
- Why Toys Are Important for Your Dog’s Development
- Why Buy Your Dog NEW Toys
- How To Make Old Dog Toys Feel New
- Things to Consider When Buying New Dog Toys
- Best, Most Highly Recommended Dog Toys & Puzzles
Why Toys Are Important for Your Dog’s Development
Studies show that new toys are important for your dog’s development; they provide both mental and physical stimulation. In an article on iHeartDogs.com, veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Primm writes,
“Find activities that are new and different. Devise games that make her think. Puzzle toys are great at stimulating the mind and rewarding thought and exercise. Your dog’s body follows the “use it or lose it” theory just like yours. Use her muscles and use her mind to help her stay sharp and fit. Physical and mental activity are critical to lasting health.”
- Playing with your pup keeps him stimulated and fulfills his physical, mental and emotional needs.
- Being with you, playing and feeling loved, eases their stress.
- Toys allow your dog to do appropriate chewing, which minimizes the risk of destructive, attention-seeking behaviors.
- Dogs chew because it comforts them, relieving stress, fear and boredom. Without the necessary outlets, your dog may choose to chew on your things.
Why Buy Your Dog New Toys
Dogs are similar to little kids, they like new things. That novelty, known as neophilia, was the subject of a study showing dogs preferred new toys in a line-up with familiar ones 75% of the time. So new toys do motivate your pooch.
- New toys entice your dog to play and playtime with you satisfies his physical and emotional needs.
- New and increasingly more difficult puzzle games get your pup thinking and tire him out faster than a 30-minute walk.
- Studies show that familiarity leads to boredom. The new smell, sound or taste of a new toy connects with their instinctive need to hunt.
- Old toys can become dangerous. Since dogs use their mouths to play and explore, toys can weaken and wear over time. When this happens, toys are more likely to break, come apart and become a choking hazard.
How To Make Old Dog Toys Feel New
It would get expensive and messy if we bought our dogs new toys every month in perpetuity. Experts suggest rotating your pet’s toys weekly so they don’t get bored. Have only four to six toys available at one time. Try to vary the toys by size, shape and texture.
Based on your dog’s interest and activity level, swap toys out every few days or every week. The exception to this is a favorite comfort toy, leave it out all the time and do not include it in the rotation. Rotating toys will keep your pet from becoming bored.
If there’s a toy your dog isn’t interested in, even after engaging him in play, try leaving the toy in your bed or laundry basket. Dogs are attracted to toys that smell like their owner. If he’s still not interested, your pup just might not like the size, shape or material of that toy. In the future, avoid buying similar toys again.
Things To Consider When Buying New Dog Toys
Size — If you’ve got a large dog, for instance, make sure a toy is too long and wide to fit entirely in his mouth so it doesn’t pose a choking hazard. With small dogs, avoid hard oversized toys, such as frisbees, that can cause them harm if thrown.
Durability – If you’ve got a super powerful chewer, look for tough toys designed for rough play.
Variety – Be sure your dog has a combination of interactive, independent and thinking toys. There are lots of variety packs available that come with several different toys in different shapes and textures, more on that below.
Washability – Please buy washable dog toys. Dog toys are a breeding ground for bacteria between your dog’s saliva, dirt from both inside and outside your home, and those filled with treats. Plush toys can usually be washed in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and dried on low heat. Most plastic and rubber toys can go on the top rack of the dishwasher. If you’re not sure, hand wash it.
Wear & Tear – It is so important to frequently check your dog’s toys for wear and tear, especially if you’ve got a power chewer. Throw away any toys with loose stuffing, broken squeakers or other damaged parts that, if swallowed, would put your dog at risk of choking or gastric obstruction.
The Best, Most Highly Recommended Dog Toys & Puzzles
It doesn’t take long to learn what types of toys your pup prefers. Some breeds gravitate toward toys that satisfy their natural instincts. For instance, hunting dogs prefer toys that squeak because they sound like prey. Retrievers enjoy balls and frisbees because, well, you know, they’re retrievers.
My dog Cosmo is a large Goldendoodle and prefers tug-of-war with a plush crinkly toy. He also likes to lick frozen peanut butter from a hollow bone, not a Kong. Cosmo is not interested in rubber or plastic toys or chewing on hard nylon bones. After writing this post, I ordered a couple of dog puzzles and a snuffle mat to up his game (wink) with thinking toys.
Whatever your pooch is into, there are sure to be two or three s/he will like on this list of toys and puzzles. They all came highly recommended by vets, industry experts and reviewers. I pared down my research in order to give the best of the lot.
Jump Down To What You’re Looking For:
- Interactive Dog Toys
- Plush Dog Toys ~ Interactive & Independent
- Independent Dog Toys
- Puzzles & Thinking Toys
- Dog Toy Variety Packs & Subscriptions
All of the toys and puzzles listed below are washable.
Interactive Dog Toys
Interactive toys are intended for playtime together, such as fetch or tug-of-war. You should have at least two games you can play with your pooch.
Most dogs love a good game of fetch and the ChuckIt! Ball Launchers are a great way to tire out your pup and not your arm. The launchers are available in different lengths for different breeds and there’s a wide variety of balls to choose from based on how big your dog is and what type of chewer.
When buying a frisbee, it’s important to choose a size, weight and material that won’t injure your dog when caught. And remember, a frisbee is not a chew toy. If your dog is a chewer, put the frisbee away when you’re not playing with your dog.
This lightweight Hyper Pet Frisbee is ideal for most breeds, including smaller dogs. It’s only 9 inches in diameter and the forgiving multi-layer nylon material is safe for your dog’s mouth and teeth.
For larger dogs, try the IMK9 Heavy Duty Frisbee, which is designed for more aggressive play. One reviewer wrote, “Our Pit Bull chews through most toys within the first week. We have had this frisbee for a month or more now and it looks like new still and he plays with it every day!”
If your dog loves a good game of tug-of-war but you need the jaws-of-life to get anything out of his mouth, try Groughnuts – Tug of War Toy for Aggressive Chewers. Designed by a rubber chemist, this super durable dog toy is nearly indestructible and comes with a lifetime warranty. No wonder it’s recommended on every list of toys for super chewers.
A soft alternative for tug-of-war is a cotton Dog Rope. My dog loves them. They’re easy to hold and pull, long enough not to get nipped on re-grab and they help clean his teeth.
Plush Dog Toys ~ Interactive & Independent
Plush toys can be for either interactive or independent play. Some dogs, like mine, prefer plush toys for interactive play. Others use them independently, treating a plush toy like a companion for comfort or anxiety, carrying the toy around or keeping it where they sleep.
For dogs who play interactively with plush toys, many enjoy playing fetch, tug-of-war and using their natural hunting instincts to shake and “kill” it like they would a prey. My dog does all of those things.
Best Pets’ Stuffless Plush Toys come highly recommended because they have no stuffing for dogs to choke on. There are over a dozen types of animals to choose from and each is available in three sizes with squeakers at the head and tail. The medium and large toys have a self-fastened bottom you can open and place an empty plastic water bottle inside that makes a crunchy-crinkly noise when your dog bites on it. My dog loves that sound.
For rambunctious dogs, Outward Hound Tough Seamz are made with a durable inner lining and double-stitched seams. They’re stuffing-free, plush, crinkly, and have a proprietary “invincible” squeakers that continue to squeak even if punctured. Available in four sizes and a variety of critters. Also, check out the Outward Hound store for a large variety of Xtreme Seamz Tough Plush Toys for dogs.
If you have a new puppy or an anxious dog, try a plush comfort toy like this Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy. It’s designed to calm and relieve anxiety with the sound of a heartbeat and heat. Snuggle Puppy comes with a battery-operated “Real-Feel” heartbeat and an easy to use heat pack, which reminds me of the hand warmers you use when skiing. Place the heart and heater in Snuggle Puppy’s belly and let the calm begin.
Snuggle Puppy comes in five different colors, should you want one to match your dog. The general consensus from over 54,000 Amazon reviewers is this plush toy is a “life saver” and many dogs continue to love it into adulthood. The countless cute photos people posted of their dogs with their Snuggle Puppy are beyond adorable.
Independent Dog Toys
Independent dog toys are intended as a distraction to keep your dog busy when you’re busy. Long-lasting chews or a Kong stuffed with some soft, healthy food, like organic pumpkin or mashed sweet potato, and frozen. This will keep your pup busy and teach him to relax on his own. Save these special treats for when you have something to do, so your dog has something to do too. While intended for independent time, never leave your dog home alone and unsupervised when consuming treats.
Note: If your veterinarian says your dog can eat peanut butter, make sure it is organic and not sweetened with xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Use an all-natural peanut butter like Ruff Ruff Raw Buddy Budder. It’s made with only peanuts and honey – no high fructose corn syrup, stabilizers, xylitol, artificial sugar, or salts. Other Buddy Budder flavors are pumpkin, banana, raspberry/blueberry, and blueberry/strawberry. Yum!
Every vet and dog trainer loves the classic Kong, as do reviewers. It’s a very versatile dog toy. You use it for fetch, let your puppy teethe on it, or fill it with dry kibble, Kong Easy Treat or peanut butter to keep your dog busy. Kong’s are available in every size from XS to XXL, a variety of shapes and different models designed specifically for puppies, seniors and extreme chewers.
Note – Always use soft, healthy food in the Kong that can be licked or small treats that will fall out, not a large biscuit your dog can’t get out.
My dog LOVES his Everlasting Treat Bento Ball. Cosmo gets so excited when I put a new treat in, he disappears with it to get to work. It keeps him busy trying to get the treat out and cleans his teeth in the process. The unique design allows it to roll erratically, enticing some dogs to play. The treats are available in several flavors and the balls come in three sizes, plus one for super chewers.
Tips – Wet the rim of the treat to make it easier to insert into the ball and let it dry before giving it to your pup so it creates a seal. If your dog is able to pop the treat out, try putting it in upside down.
The Benebone Zaggler for Aggressive Chewers smells and tastes like real bacon, chicken or peanut butter because there’s real food in the bone. The Zaggler rolls unpredictably due to its shape for fun independent play and can be chewed for soothing busy time. Benebone makes bones and chews in lots of different shapes, flavors and sizes, from puppy to giant.
Dog Puzzles & Thinking Toys
Dogs get bored, just like humans do. Puzzle toys that require your dog to think and problem-solve to get a treat are great for mental stimulation. Sniffing actually activates your pup’s pleasure center and foraging for food alleviates boredom. Furthermore, experts say puzzle games will tire your pup out more than a 30-minute walk!
When choosing a thinking toy, consider how your dog likes to play, the durability (if he’s a chewer), what size dog it’s designed for, and the interaction it requires. The first few times you give your dog a new puzzle toy, it’s important to show your dog how the puzzle works or he will just get frustrated and upset. Start with simple, easy-to-solve puzzles and introduce new, more difficult elements or new puzzles as your pup advances. With each new level of difficulty, be sure to demonstrate the new puzzle elements for your dog.
Never leave your dog home alone or unsupervised with puzzle toys or consuming treats, especially since many puzzles have loose pieces that dogs can chew on and choke.
One of the most recommended thinking games for dogs is a Snuffle Mat. It encourages your dog to use his natural foraging instincts, sniffing skills and problem-solving to find the treats hidden within the mat. I’m kind of obsessed with these…they just look like fun…so I ordered one for Cosmo and he LOVES it.
Snuffle mats range from simple grass-like mats to more sophisticated mats with flaps and pockets, like the large AWOOF Snuffle Mat shown here and the other mats below.
Experts and reviewers highly recommend the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball. Your dog can play independently by rolling the ball around with his nose or paws and get rewarded for it. Fill the ball with dry treats or kibble and set to a desired difficulty level using the ball’s adjustable interior disc. The IQ Treat Ball promotes active feeding and combines independent play with thinking and exercise.
The guru of dog puzzle toys and thinking games is Nina Ottosson. Her Dog Brick puzzle, shown here, is on every recommended list and has over 96,000 reviews on Amazon. We have this dog puzzle and I think it’s very versatile. While the Dog Brick is listed as a Level 2 Intermediate puzzle, it can be used for beginners by only putting treats under the sliders to start (that is, not using the white bone inserts or flap compartments). As your dog learns to solve the puzzle to find the treats, you can add an additional element, such as the bone inserts and then the compartments.
Dog puzzles range from simple balls, like the Level 1 Simple Slider below or the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball above, to expert level puzzles, such as the square Nina Ottosson Level 4 Multi-Puzzle below.
Dog Toy Variety Packs & Subscriptions
Variety Packs
A variety pack is great to discover what types of toys your pup prefers. For instance, my dog does not like hard plastic or rubbery toys, he prefers plush toys and cotton ropes. Variety packs are also a quick and easy way to build a collection of toys to rotate so your dog doesn’t get bored. Learn more about toy rotation in How To Make Old Toys Feel New.
I really like this variety pack of 18 toys from Pacific Pups because comes with a diverse selection of toys for dogs of all sizes. The toys are made from safe, non-toxic materials and passed the ASTM F-963 Children’s Toys Safety Standards testing.
Furthermore, the proceeds from Pacific Pups Products helps support Pacific Pups Rescue, a non-profit in Los Angeles. They feed, shelter and find forever homes for dogs they’ve rescued from high kill shelters.
Subscriptions
No time to shop? For a great mix of new toys and delicious treats to keep your dog’s tail wagging for weeks, I highly recommend Bark Box. Cosmo LOVES them!
Each uniquely themed Bark Box contains 2 innovative toys, 2 bags of all-natural treats, and a chew – all specifically selected for your dog based on the profile you create. AND you get EXTRA toys if you sign up for a six-month subscription, which I did (because more toys = more fun).
If your dog is a super chewer, Bark Box has boxes for pets who play hard. Bark Super Chewer comes with 2 extra durable toys, 2 bags of treats and 2 meaty chews for gnawing and, of course, eating.
I hope you found this post informative. Please periodically buy your dog new toys to provide him or her with the mental and physical stimulation s/he needs.
All items are in stock at time of publication.
I love all these ideas! And great points about the importance of buying new toys.
Thanks so much!
Great article and information about what types of dog toys to look for. Thanks!!
Thanks!
[…] Did you know that new toys are important for your dog’s development, providing both mental and physical stimulation? To learn more and discover some of the best dog toys and puzzles for your pup, check out my post Why It’s Important To Give Your Dog New Toys. […]
Excellent article! Very thorough.
Thanks, Tom.