Investing in one of the best puppy toys is time and money well spent. Not only do they contribute to your puppy’s overall well being, they also enhance their quality of life and help to foster a happy and healthy relationship between you and your pooch, which is especially important as their emotional needs and security are developing.
Learning how to play with a dog is important not just to help you bond but also to assist in the development of their motor skills. Much like babies and adult humans, canines require both their bodies and minds to be stimulated, this prevents a myriad of negative and unwanted problems as well as creating harmony.
Boredom, stress, under stimulation, anxiety, illness, teething and pain are all issues toys can solve as well as helping sleep. Alternatively toys can also help as a second pair of hands if you are busy and can’t give them your puppy your full attention and they can also be used in other circumstances, such as when you are learning how to crate train a dog for example.
Below, you’ll find a wide range of toys to suit all puppies, with everything from floating toys for water lovers to teething aids and interactive toys to occupy the brainiest of our four-legged pals during the day. Plus, we spoke to expert vet Dr. Joanna Woodnutt to get her take on whether you should give your pup free access to toys and if there’s any toys you should steer clear of.
PetsRadar’s pick of the best puppy toys
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It takes a lot to beat the KONG Wild Knots Bear. Not only is it cute – just like your puppy itself – it’s made from durable materials to help make it last.
The KONG brand is well-known for producing tough toys and it's a favorite among many dog owners (and their dogs, of course). The internal design features a sturdy rope that makes up the “skeleton” of the bear, helping to give it a great shape. It's also a pleasurable texture for your puppy to chew.
The external plush material is reinforced so it should take even the strongest of puppies some effort to get through to the ropes and the squeakers inside. For those that do manage to break through the barrier, there’s a minimal amount of stuffing to help cut down on the mess that tends to get left behind.
There are various sizes available for your puppy, including extra small, small/medium, medium/large, and extra-large. We’d recommend matching the size of the toy to the size your dog will eventually be, as this is a toy that should last them beyond puppyhood (depending on how destructive your dog is).
One downside of this toy is its relatively high asking price compared with some other puppy toys on the market. But when you consider how well it has been made and how long it should last, it represents good value for money.
We know, you've never seen such a strange-looking toy in all your life, right? And yet, believe it or not, this rather simplistic green man named Gumby is proving to be an absolute hit with puppies around the world.
Measuring 9-inches and coming in at under $3, this toy is filled with a plush stuffing and comes with a squeaker for extra entertainment value. It's suitable for all breeds and is great for cuddling and play.
Because of the softness and coziness of Gumby, he's the perfect toy if you have a puppy who's suffering from separation anxiety, although he's not super tough or durable, so we don't recommend him for aggressive chewers.
Outward Hound's Puppy Hide N' Slide is a level 2 intermediate puzzle designed to challenge your young puppy's mind while offering plenty of incentives in the form of hidden treats.
The design of the puzzle encourages your puppy to figure out how combined actions result in a reward and it's a great way of stimulating their brain and tapping into their exploratory instincts. Puzzles are also ideal for banishing boredom, so if your puppy wants to play in a moment where you don't have time, giving them an activity that's both physically and mentally enriching is a great choice.
We love that this puzzle offers two different levels of challenge, so you can adjust to suit your puppy's age and developmental stage. For an easier game, you can swivel the flippers off the track and just leave the blocks for your puppy to push with their nose which will reveal the treat. Or, for more of a challenge, close the flippers as well so your puppy has to push both to find the treat.
Made with a non-slip base and a durable composite wood and plastic design, this puzzle is built to last and it's also BPA, PVC, and Phthalate-free and easy to clean with warm water and soap in between uses.
Most dogs like to chase balls, and if you’re lucky, some will even bring them back too. When you’re trying to train your puppy how to play fetch, larger balls designed for adult dogs can be a little overwhelming and hard to pick up. These small balls are perfect for puppies (and smaller dogs), while the ultra-loud squeaker inside can help train your dog how to play.
Made from a very durable rubber, ChuckIt balls are expensive but will easily outlast most other dog balls on the market. If you’ve got a puppy who generally destroys or chews up balls that it likes to chase, it’s worth giving a ChuckIt a go – several dog owners report them lasting for years.
Among the great features of the ChuckIt Ultra Balls are their ability to bounce high, which makes for a lot of fun if your dog likes to chase and jump after balls. They also float, so you can take them to the beach, river and so on and feel confident that you won’t lose the balls. They’re also easy to clean should your dog like to play in less than pristine conditions.
It’s worth noting that the squeakers inside the ChuckIt can be fairly easily destroyed if you have a particularly destructive dog, so it’s perhaps worth investing in a separate squeaker if you intend to use the sound as part of your training program. You can buy ChuckIt balls without a squeaker, too, if you prefer quieter toys.
Encourage positive chewing habits right from the start with this puppy chew toy from Nylabone. Ideal for easing pain during the teething stage, this non-edible bone comes flavored with beef to encourage your pup to latch on.
Measuring 3.75-inches long and 1.5-inches wide, it’s perfect for small mouths and the flexibility of the toy ensures your pup’s teeth get a good clean while they chew. It’s also made from a softer puppy-friendly nylon that prevents damage to your young dog’s mouth.
We love that this toy has been designed with an easy-to-hold shape and the four textured chewing ends gently massage the gums, helping to relieve the discomfort that comes with teething. It’s also a great comfort toy if your pup suffers from separation anxiety.
If you want to tick off lots of toys with one purchase, then this playmat could be a good option. It’s one product, but it features lots of different toys around the edges to give your puppy lots of different types of stimulation.
There’s chew toys, soft toys, toys with squeakers in and lots of different textures to give your dog a fun experience no matter which they go for. It’s all contained within one mat, so although it takes up quite a bit of space on your floor, it can be quickly picked up and put away, too. The bottom of the mat has a non-slip surface so if your house has hard floors it’ll be easy to use.
As well as being a suitable play mat, you could also use the toy as a sleep mat – which is another thing your puppy will definitely be fond of doing. Since puppies are not known for their cleanliness, another top feature of this playmate is that it’s easy to wash – you can simply chuck it in the washing machine too. Another potential use of the playmat is to help keep other surfaces in your home – such as sofas – free from fur and dirt.
This is another toy which isn’t super cheap, but, considering it’s basically six toys in one, you could argue that it offers good value. Some users have also reported that super destructive dogs can make light work of some of the attached toys – which is something to be wary of depending on what your dog is like.
Our top-rated pick for best teething toys for puppies, the KONG Natural Teething Rubber Puppy Toy is a great choice owing to its soft rubber formula that's specially formulated to help soothe a pup's baby teeth and gums.
Anyone familiar with the KONG brand will know one of the key selling points here is the ability to stuff it with your pet's favorite gooey treats making it just as fun for owner as it is for pup.
It's an ideal dog chew toy, perfect for distracting them from chewing through your entire household, but it's also a fantastic mental game keeping them entertained for hours.
Let your furkid dig out the contents to their heart's delight or play a round of fetch; the durability of the rubber will withstand even the roughest canine teeth, whilst being soft enough to soothe them.
Just be sure to clean it often as your canine's appreciation for his or her new toy, combined with an assortment of funky fillings, could lead to unwanted odors in the home.
Whether your pup's just joined the family or is having trouble with their crate training, the SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy is perfect for relieving anxiety in your four-legged friend.
Its snuggly design looks simply adorable in your pup's paws but it's more than just a plush toy. Simply open the belly pouch to pop in the heart-shaped heat pack to provide extra comfort.
The Snuggle Puppy looks to recreate the intimacy of a dog's mother with a 'real-feel' pulsing heartbeat, a nifty extra that could end up being a lifesaver for you too if your canine struggles to settle and cries through the night.
Sensitive dogs may find the sound alarming, but the ability to add and remove the heart is a useful feature that will be appreciated by pet owners looking to tailor their puppy toys to their dog's preferences.
When you've got a new family member in your household, you'll want to spoil them with plenty of affection. What better way to bond with your pup then a game of fetch? Alongside its core range of highly durable dog and puppy toys, Kong also have a Puppy Flyer Dog Toy designed especially for baby teeth.
While it's made from rubber to ensure it doesn't fall to pieces the minute your pet pooch catches it, it's created to be soft on their mouths. In fact, the Kong Puppy Flyer Dog Toy is the softest option within their rubber toy range, just perfect for teething puppies.
It's this clever design point, however, that makes it also unsuitable for particularly destructive breeds. If your pooch is prone to tearing their toys apart, take a look at our durable dog toys selections instead!
Otherwise, this handy toy is perfect for hanging out in the backyard or park alike, just be cautious if you decide to take it to the beach as this flying toy is liable to get lost in the waves, never seen again.
These fun balls have been designed for puppies and small dogs under 20lbs and, as well as being gentle on young mouths, they've also been created to be long-lasting.
As such, they're something of an investment, not only proving capable of withstanding some aggressive chewing but also seeing your pups through a crucial life stage.
Rubber rings around the ball are perfect for when your pooch is teething and they're sure to be attracted to have a chew by the balls' smell of bacon. As well as helping to keep those gnashers clean, they gently massage the gums. The balls also bounce which makes for some fun fetch sessions and, since they come in vivid colors, your pooch should have no problems locating them.
If your pup has already taken well to water, then you can use the toy for some “splashing” fun, too, since the balls are capable of floating. And because they squeak, they're going to encourage hyperactivity, ensuring your puppy will get a terrific workout. All in all, balls that will enthrall!
Should my puppy always have toys?
Your puppy needs toys to prevent them from becoming bored, but whether or not a puppy should have toys all of the time is another question entirely. In general, it's never a good idea to have too many toys out at once and to only bring out playthings when you feel a puppy will benefit from them. It will stop a pooch from becoming overwhelmed while keeping their interest high.
“It’s generally a good idea to give your puppy free access to at least one toy, especially when they’re going through a chewing phase,” says veterinarian Dr Joanne Woodnutt MRCVS. “However, keeping most toys hidden away and rotating them stops them from becoming boring.”
It's also a good idea to remove toys during mealtimes so that a puppy's focus is on food rather than play. Unless the toys are robust, you should also try and supervise play sessions rather than always leave puppies to their own devices.
After graduating as a veterinarian from the University of Nottingham, Dr Joanna Woodnutt went on to practice companion animal medicine in the Midlands. She quickly developed a love of consulting and helping clients with medical problems such as dermatology, behavior and nutrition - anything that involved helping clients understand their pets better. Jo now is a regular contributor for PetsRadar's article, sharing her expert advice with pet owners across the globe.
How to choose the best puppy toy
It can be tempting to just stock up on the cutest, brightest, and perhaps cheapest puppy toys when buying for your new dog but it pays to do some research before committing to buy.
Cheap toys probably won’t last very long and those which are non-durable toys can leave a lot of mess behind – even presenting a choking hazard for very young dogs. It's a good idea to invest a little more money and look out for toys which claim to be durable. Check the type of material used: rubber tends to be a good option for most puppies because of their sharp teeth.
It's a good idea to buy toys with little to no stuffing, especially for destructive puppies. Stuffing can be easily ripped out and spread around your home, while those which feature other materials, such as rope, tend to last a lot longer.
Toys with flavorings, such as vanilla, mint or meat flavorings can help keep your puppy’s attention for longer, giving them extra motivation to chew. And look for toys which feature squeakers if your dog likes sound stimulation – although be aware that many puppies will try their hardest to rip out and destroy squeakers.
What toys should you not give to a puppy?
All of the toys we have listed here are safe and can be freely given to a puppy to play with but you should be aware that not all toys are suitable. Shy away from cheaply-made squeaker toys because there's a chance they could break apart and end up being swallowed. Also avoid giving puppies toys with loose parts including batteries: you don't want to risk your dog swallowing such items.
Don't give puppies toys made for human children either – they're not robust enough to last enthusiastic chewing. Finally, if you are looking to give a puppy a food-related toy, avoid rawhide chews which can get lodged in a puppy's intestine.
“Avoid anything that isn’t made for puppies or seems to be poorly made.” says veterinarian Dr Joanne Woodnutt MRCVS. “Those teeth can get through many toys easily and you don’t want your pup to need surgery to remove a broken toy from his stomach!”
How many puppy toys should a dog have at once?
It can be tempting to open up the toy box and have many playthings available to your fur baby at any given time. But experts suggest rotating your puppy toys weekly so they have only access to four or five, each offering a variety of uses. These can include their favorite comfort toy, a rolling toy that will keep them busy, a chew toy to gnaw on and a puzzle toy to keep their mind active.
Should puppies have toys in their crate?
Adding toys into the crate can be a great way to associate that space with fun and interesting things for your pup to do. It’s worth making sure you rotate the toys so that they are still fresh and interesting to your dog, rather than leaving them in there for long periods of time.
What is the best toy for a puppy to chew on?
Dogs and puppies are usually very willing to give most toys a try, particularly where chewing is concerned. Toys made of harder rubbers tend to be good and safe contenders for chewing which also last. They are generally made in various shapes and sizes to cater to different mouths and teething stages. Thick knotted rope toys are another good option especially if they like tug-of-war games as well as chewing and gnawing. Balls are a further option to consider however the popular tennis ball is not a great one to offer, whilst it is good for fetch games they don’t hold up to chewing.
Check with your veterinarian if you are thinking about offering a rawhide chew product as these present a potential choking hazard plus many rawhides are by-products of the fur trade.
Do eight week old puppies need toys?
Toys should be classed as a necessity not a luxury for any dog and puppy due to their benefits. It is recommended that toys are offered to puppies between the ages of two and 10 months old as during this period they are experiencing rapid development. The toys given to your young furry friend need to be age appropriate but their breed and personal preference will also likely play a role in their favorite choices.
Should 4 week old puppies have toys?
Puppies begin to play with their litter buddies and their mother from around two to four weeks old, which is an important period for learning social skills. At around four to five weeks old they begin to play with objects, so four weeks old is a good age to begin introducing age appropriate toys that are safe for your puppy. If you are unsure which one to purchase, always check with your veterinarian or pet behaviorist for further advice.
