20 Best Dog Toys in 2022

One of the best ways of ensuring that you own a happy and healthy pooch is by having a whole range of dog toys at your disposal for a variety of games. However, this doesn’t mean that you should buy toys without a second thought. Here are a few of the most important factors to consider when shopping for quality pet toys.

• What Type of Toy Do You Need?

Dog toys come in all shapes and sizes, so you need to think about what your dog needs and likes most. Are you looking for a toy that provides mental stimulation, or one that offers simple outdoor fun? What rewards and benefits will your dog get from playing with the toy? We will go into more detail about the different types of dog toys available as well as their benefits later in the blog post, so scroll down the page for more information about this.

• Is the Toy Safe?

The safest dog toys are appropriately-sized and don’t contain parts that can easily break off and present a choking hazard. So, make sure that you buy a toy that is the right size for your furry friend, and also ensure that it comes from a reputable brand which is more likely to be manufactured to high standards. Always read the product descriptions beforehand to make sure that they are suitable for your pup (their age, breed and needs). Also, supervise your dog during playtime to ensure that they don’t cause themselves any harm or put their health at risk. If your dog quickly starts destroying the toy or tearing bits off, you should take it off them and choose a different, more durable option.

• What Size?

Dog toys come in all shapes and sizes, but you need to choose one which is specifically suitable for your pup. A large number of toys come labeled with what size dogs they are suitable for, so always check the product description before spending your money. Since dogs vary so much in size, something that is suitable for a little Pug could easily be swallowed by a big German Shepherd. And little dogs could end up hurting themselves by trying to play with a toy which is simply too big for them. If you are unsure and the description doesn’t give you any more information, check the product reviews to see if they give you anything to go on.

• What Type of Personality Does Your Dog Have?

Just like when you are buying a gift for a friend, you need to consider your dog’s individual personality, likes and dislikes. For example, if you have a hound who loves to chew and chomp, a soft plush toy could end up getting destroyed in a matter of minutes. And if you have a dog who is nervous and anxious, a loud squeaky toy is likely to startle them. Think about what sort of activities your dog enjoys and try to match your choice of toy with these. It is always worth experimenting with your dog to find out new games and activities which they may enjoy.

• How Old is Your Dog?

Age is another factor that should impact your decision of which toy to buy for your dog. So, if you have a puppy whose teeth are only just developing, you should avoid giving them very hard chew toys as these could negatively affect their pearly whites. Instead, softer items that are made from natural rubber may be the better option. On the other hand, older dogs are likely to need something more durable that will help to improve their dental hygiene by removing tartar and plaque. And while young dogs are full of energy and need plenty of toys to keep them occupied and entertained, older dogs tend to play less and don’t require as much exercise.

Take a look at our articles on the Best Chew & Teething Toys for Puppies, Best Dog Balls, and Best Toys for Blind Dogs.

• How Strong is the Toy?

Some dogs are particularly rough when playing, so you should look for toys that are going to stand the test of time. Check for features that point toward the toy’s durability credentials such as extra layers and tough materials. However, this is somewhat of a balancing act as you don’t want to buy a toy that will damage your pooch's teeth, especially if they are sensitive. Again, online reviews may give you a bit more information about how hard or soft each toy is. You could also look out for indestructible dog toys which are usually made of nylon or hard rubber. However, bear in mind that even indestructible dog toys can be potentially dangerous as they can develop sharp or rough edges over time, while rope toys can also unravel after use. If the toy shows excessive signs of wear and tear, it is time to replace it.

Dog toys come with numerous benefits, including:

• Reducing Canine Boredom

Just as humans get bored when they don’t have anything to do, the same goes for dogs as well. The best toys provide plenty of mental stimulation and offer endless entertainment for your furry friend. The negative side of canine boredom is that it can lead your dog to find their own forms of entertainment, which often take the form of destructive and general bad behavior. It's best to have several different types of dog toys available so you can always have something to hand and ready to entertain your four-legged friend when it seems like they are becoming bored. This way, your home, and possessions are less likely to get destroyed, and your dog won’t bark and cause a nuisance!

• Providing Health Benefits

There are all sorts of health benefits that different toys can provide. For example, balls and frisbees will get your pooch running outdoors for the physical exercise they need. On the other hand, chew toys will satisfy your dog’s innate desire to chew on something. In turn, this helps to strengthen their teeth, as well as removing plaque and tartar. Some interactive toys contain treats and your dog needs to work to get them. These can be used to control portions and stop your pooch from overeating and becoming overweight.

Check out our guide on Dog Chews.

• Alleviating Separation Anxiety

As you will already be well aware, dogs are social creatures who love to be close to their owners as much as possible. However, most people have a whole host of other responsibilities so staying at home is simply not a possibility for the majority of pet owners. But good dog toys can work to relieve separation anxiety, which, if not controlled, can lead to destructive behavior and excessive barking. Many of the animal chew toys which we have discussed offer some much-needed companionship to your furry friend while they wait for you to get home again!

• Creates Stronger Owner-Pet Bond

One of the great joys of owning a dog is forming a strong bond with them. While most pups tend to love their owners regardless, you can help improve your relationship by playing with them on a regular basis. And if you have a range of great toys, the games that you can play become endless. After all, who doesn’t want their dog to love them just a little bit more?

• Useful in Crate Training

Sometimes, it is necessary to get your dog in a crate to take them on a trip to the vet. However, this is never going to be their favorite activity in the world, and it can present a major challenge. But if you put a beloved toy in with your pup in the crate, they often feel more secure and comfortable while inside. And if you can reduce your dog’s feelings of stress and anxiety, this is something which is always worth doing. Find out more about the best dog crates.

When you buy a dog toy, you obviously want it to last as long as possible. As well as being more expensive to continually replace toys, your dog may also form an emotional attachment to one and can become sad when it is no longer usable. With this in mind, here are a few tips to help dog toys last longer.

• Supervise Your Dog

Not only is supervising your dog important from a safety point of view, but it will also help to stop them from causing damage to their favorite toy. If you think that your dog is getting overly excitable and aggressive when chewing a plush toy, you can take it away from them and keep it out of reach until they have calmed down. This is especially important if your dog is a tough and determined chewer, as they are much more likely to bite through soft and even plastic toys.

• Don’t Give Your Dog Continual Access to Toys

If you have several dog toys, it is easier to rotate them to distribute the wear and tear evenly. As well as helping to protect the toys physically, this also aids in stopping them from becoming boring to your pup. Once you get an older toy back out again, your dog is likely to react like it is brand new - if they haven't seen their plush toy duck in a few days, they are likely to be extremely excited when it reappears again!

• Play Different Games

Rather than just playing fetch all the time, why not try out some different games with your dog? Interactive play improves the quality of your dog’s life, their behavior, and forges a strong pet-owner bond. By varying the type of games, you play with your hound, you help the toys to last longer rather than allowing them to become boring and stale.

• Choose the Toys Wisely

Some toys are naturally bound to last longer than others as they are made with higher-quality materials and better manufacturing standards. So, before you choose one, you should look closely at the product description, the reliability of the brand, and the product reviews. These three factors combined give you a clearer picture of whether or not a toy is likely to last for a long time to come.

As you will already know, there are several different types of dog toys on the market. Here is an overview of some of the main options available.

• Chew Toys

As it says in the name, chew toys are designed for your dog to bite and gnaw on. Often they come in the form of flavored bones and can be made of rubber or plastic. They are designed to satisfy your canine companion’s natural desire to chew. As a bonus, many are also great at massaging the gums and removing soft plaque, so they're good for your pup's oral health.

• Interactive Toys

Interactive toys have developed significantly over the past few years. They come in different forms, but all are designed to fulfill the main purpose of keeping your dog mentally engaged and stimulated, as well as fighting off boredom. Often, they come in a treat-dispensing format to encourage your dog to keep coming back to them time and time again. In fact, there are many toys that can become more interactive by introducing your dog to games such as hide-and-seek with them.

• Comfort Toys

There is some crossover with chew toys, but comfort toys usually come in the form of plush, soft animals that your dog can form a bond with. They're a great choice for anxious dogs, as well as puppies, although any pupper - old or young - can benefit from a plush companion.

• Exercise Toys

Finally, there are toys that are primarily designed to encourage physical exercise in your four-legged friend. These are the classic fetch toys such as balls and frisbees which your dog can run after. There are also the ‘tug-of-war’ toys such as ropes which are an excellent way of tiring your dog out; and, as a nice little bonus, they will probably give you a good workout as well! 

Head over to our reviews of the Best Herding Balls for Dogs and Best Dog Toy Boxes.

At the top of our list of must-have dog toys is Kong, the classic dog toy. Durable and bouncy, your dog will love chasing after it, and you can rest assured that it will survive their chewing habits. It also has the natural advantages of helping to clean your pooch's teeth and soothe their gums. Fill it up with their favorite treats and they will be even more interested in playing!

We talked earlier about how important it is that you choose a toy that is the appropriate size for your dog, and this one comes in several different sizes to suit your four-legged friend. While it is a seemingly simple design, it is one that thousands of dog owners have tried, tested, and loved. Vets and trainers the world also recommend it, and we think it’s simply fantastic too!