5 Mental Stimulation Toys For Your Dog

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Mental stimulation is critical to keeping your dog’s mind sharp. Offer stimulating activities. Like humans, our pets need variety in their daily routine, and without it, they become mentally sluggish and bored.

As dog owners, it is our responsibility to provide our pups with interesting new activities that promote mental well-being. In addition, mental exercise can help reduce bad behaviors associated with boredom or lack of activity.

In this article, we will show you different types of mentally stimulating dog toys for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages.

Compare 5 Mental Stimulation Toys For Your Dog

1. KONG Classic Dog Toy View on Chewy Read Review	2. Nina Ottosson's Interactive Dog Toy View on Chewy Read Review	3. Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy View on Chewy Read Review	4. TRIXIE Pet Gambling Tower View on Chewy Read Review	5. Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone View on Chewy Read Review
Dimensions 4x 2.75x 2.75 inches	Dimensions 11x 1.6 x 11 inches	Dimensions 13x 8x 7.5 inches	Dimensions 9.75x 9.75x 10.5 inches	Dimensions 1.61x 10.04x 10.04 inches
Weight 5 lbs - 85+lbs	Weight 11.2 ounces	Weight 1.256 pounds	Weight 2.0 pounds	Weight 1.65 pounds
Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult	Lifestage Adult
Breed Size Large Breeds	Breed Size Small Breeds	Breed Size Large Breeds	Breed Size Medium Breeds	Breed Size Small Breeds
Toy Feature Training	Toy Feature Training	Toy Feature Squeaky, Training, Exercise	Toy Feature Training	Toy Feature Training
Material Rubber	Material Polypropylene	Material Polyester	Material Plastic	Material Wood

Best Mental Stimulation Toys for Your Dog Reviewed

Best Overall

1.

KONG Classic Dog Toy

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Dimensions: 4x 2.75x 2.75 inches
• Weight: 5 lbs - 85+lbs
• Lifestage: Adult
• Breed Size: Large Breeds
• Toy Feature: Training
• Material: Rubber

Pros

• Stimulates your dog’s mind
• Keeps your dog occupied
• Made from ultra-durable rubber

Cons

• Some large dogs did not like it
• Some treats may not fit properly

This toy doubles as treat dispenser and chew toy. This toy helps to enrich the dog’s mind, while also satisfying its instinctual needs. It also does a good job at satisfying your dog’s natural desire to hunt and exercise their brain. The toy is popular among dog owners as they grow with its dog. This means that it is quite durable, lasting for a long time.

Best for All Ages

2.

Nina Ottosson's Interactive Dog Toy

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Dimensions: 11x 1.6 x 11 inches
• Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Lifestage: Adult
• Breed Size: Small Breeds
• Toy Feature: Training
• Material: Polypropylene

Pros

• Prevents boredom
• Strengthens your bond with your dog
• Exercises the mind and body of the dog

Cons

• Some dogs did not like this toy
• Not all dogs are motivated to use

This toy requires your dog to lift the bones to find their hidden treats. Your dog can use either his paws or nose to lift the bones up. Also, you can modify the difficulty of this toy for your pups preference. Therefore, if you feel like your dog could use a challenge or want to keep its intelligence high, it can be customized. As a result, this toy will keep your dog busy at different levels.

Best for Puppies

3.

Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Dimensions: 13x 8x 7.5 inches
• Weight: 1.256 pounds
• Lifestage: Adult
• Breed Size: Large Breeds
• Toy Feature: Squeaky, Training, Exercise
• Material: Polyester

Pros

• Eliminates boredom while stimulating
• Satisfies need to hunt
• It serves as a 2-in-1 toy
• Available in different styles and sizes

Cons

• Not suitable for aggressive chewers
• Some dogs just didn’t care for the toy
• Needs supervision

This toy is great for hyperactive dogs who need mental stimulation. It satisfies the natural need to hunt by finding the squeaky squirrels inside the plush trunk. This actually provides your pup with extra mental exercise. It is better than a regular plush that does not stimulate. You can also use the plushies inside the toy as a catch and fetch toy. In addition, the toy is available with different characters such as Hide-A-Bee and Hide-A-Bird.

Best Treat Dispenser

4.

TRIXIE Pet Gambling Tower

View on Chewy

Product Info

• Dimensions: 9.75x 9.75x 10.5 inches
• Weight: 2.0 pounds
• Lifestage: Adult
• Breed Size: Medium Breeds
• Toy Feature: Training
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Stimulates dog’s thinking abilities
• Dispenses treats when pups pull the right loops
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Heavy chewers may destroy toy
• Supervision a must
• Not suitable for larger breeds

This toy helps to stimulate your dog’s brain and enhances his mental health. The gambling tower prevents boredom and it helps to occupy your dog’s attention through its clear design. The toy also keeps your dog distracted for long periods by hiding treats in the tower or under the cones for extra fun.

Best for Senior Dogs

5.

Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Dimensions: 1.61x 10.04x 10.04 inches
• Weight: 1.65 pounds
• Lifestage: Adult
• Breed Size: Small Breeds
• Toy Feature: Training
• Material: Wood

Pros

• Made from thick wood materials
• Hides your dogs favorite treats inside
• Provides dogs with mental stimulation

Cons

• Some reviewers complained about the durability
• Not suitable for heavy chewers
• Smaller than expected

This toy offers the perfect opportunity to test your dog’s creativity. The treats are inside the compartments and the rest is for your dog to figure out. There are sliding compartments which can help your dog work at getting the treats. This consequently helps to stimulate its mental mind.

How to Choose the Best Mental Stimulation Toy for Your Dog

Many dog parents do not know what to look for before buying mentally stimulating dog toys. Here are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing one:

Durability: When shopping for dog toys, it’s important to make sure that the products you choose are suitable for your pup’s personality and breed to last. The most important thing to look for is something durable that can withstand your pet’s bites, chews, and scratches.

Price: Price is a key consideration when purchasing your dog’s toys. Make sure you research brands and read reviews to know if you are getting the most bang for your buck. A good deal may not be worth it if the product is of poor quality. Not all dog toys are created equal, so a little research can go a long way.

Safety: When selecting a toy for your dog, ensure that it is constructed with chew-safe materials. Examine the product carefully to confirm that there are no loose or dangerous materials that could potentially cause injury. Additionally, consider items specifically designed for the purpose of chewing to guarantee safety and maximize durability.

Difficulty: Consider the difficulty level of any dog puzzle toy before purchasing. If it’s too straightforward, your dog may not interact with it for long enough to benefit from the mental stimulation. Try to find a toy that challenges and keeps your pup’s attention for at least 10 minutes or more.

Maintenance: Dog toys should always be easy to clean to maintain sanitary conditions. Before buying one, check to make sure it is dishwasher-safe. If not, make sure it can be hand-washed for easy cleaning and upkeep.

Final Thoughts

Mentally stimulating dog toys, often referred to as enrichment toys or interactive dog toys, are gaining traction due to growing evidence of their efficacy in helping to maintain a calm state of mind for dogs. These types of toys often provide maximum enjoyment for canines and make great additions to your pup’s toy box.