Dog Toys

The 5 Best Interactive Dog Toys

April 20, 2024
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The 5 Best Interactive Dog Toys

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Best Interactive Dog Toys

Interactive toys are great for all dogs, regardless of their age or size. You can use them to stimulate your dog’s intelligence and it is a great way for your dog to entertain itself. If you don’t have time to play with it, or if you need the odd break, interactive toys may just do the trick.

Interactive toys for dogs come in myriad shapes and sizes. These toys often involve food but can also include puzzles to complete (a two-in-one feature). These toys may also have weird sounds for your pet to have interest in.

Compare Best Interactive Dog Toys

OVERALL BEST
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy

1. Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy

RUNNER UP
KONG Puppy Dog Toy

2. KONG Puppy Dog Toy

BEST INTERACTIVE TREAT DISPENSING DOG TOY
TRIXIE Pet Gambling Tower

3. TRIXIE Pet Gambling Tower

BEST INTERACTIVE DOG TOY FOR SMALL DOGS
AFP Interactive Food Maze Dog Toy

4. AFP Interactive Food Maze Dog Toy

BEST FOR BUDGET
Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Mazee Ball

5. Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Mazee Ball

Dimensions
13x 8x 7.5 inches
Dimensions
1.75x 1.75x 3 inches
Dimensions
9.75x 9.75x 10.5 inches
Dimensions
10.62 x 9.84 x 2.76 inches
Dimensions
5x 5x 5 inches
Weight
1.256 pounds
Weight
4.8 ounces
Weight
2.0 pounds
Weight
19 Ounces
Weight
10.08 ounces
Lifestage
Adult
Lifestage
Puppy
Lifestage
Adult
Lifestage
Adult
Lifestage
Adult
Breed Size
Large Breeds
Breed Size
Small Breeds
Breed Size
Medium Breeds
Breed Size
All Breed Sizes
Breed Size
Small Breeds
Toy Feature
Squeaky, Training, Exercise
Toy Feature
Teething
Toy Feature
Training
Toy Feature
Interactive Toy
Toy Feature
Tough Chewer, Outdoor, Training, Exercise
Material
Polyester
Material
Rubber
Material
Plastic
Material
Non-toxic, Food grade safety
Material
Plastic

These toys should let your dog have fun. These puzzles engage a dog mentally. Another benefit of interactive toys is that a busy dog is less likely to turn to destructive since these items will cure their boredom.

The brain is like a fifth leg for a dog and it requires regular exercise to maintain good physical health. Furthermore, you should remember that interactive toys also help to strengthen the bond between you and the dog.

This is because a lot of these items require you to be part of the fun. Fifteen minutes of mental exercise is the equivalent of running and a great way to calm hyperactivity.

Best Rated Interactive Dog Toys Reviewed

OVERALL BEST
1.

Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy

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
  • Stimulates the brain
  • It serves as a 2-in-1 toy
Cons
  • Not suitable for aggressive chewers
  • There are some breeds that just didn’t care for the toy
This toy is suitable for hyperactive dogs and it satisfies the natural need to hunt. The toy can hunt for the for the squeaky squirrels inside the plush trunk. This consequently gives the dog 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.
RUNNER UP
2.

KONG Puppy Dog Toy

Product Info

  • Dimensions: 1.75x 1.75x 3 inches
  • Weight: 4.8 ounces
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Breed Size: Small Breeds
  • Toy Feature: Teething
  • Material: Rubber
Pros
  • Flexible and durable
  • Made from natural rubber
  • Non-Toxic
Cons
  • Strong rubber scent
  • Not suitable for intense chewers
This toy is unique and has a high rating. It is from natural, biodegradable safe rubber material. Furthermore. it can withstand constant chewing, although it is not guaranteed for tough bites. It is also has vanilla extract to make the toy smell good. You can stuff the ridges between the ball with peanut butter and treats.
BEST INTERACTIVE TREAT DISPENSING DOG TOY
3.

TRIXIE Pet Gambling Tower

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
  • Enriches the dog’s mental health
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Heavy chewers may destroy toy
  • Supervision a must
  • Not suitable for larger breeds
This toy helps to stimulate dog’s brains and enhances its mental health. The gambling tower prevents boredom. Furthermore, it helps to occupy your dog’s attention through its design. The toy also keeps the dog distracted for long periods. One thing to remember, however, is that the toy is a bit fragile. So, many dog owners suggest that you should supervise your pet while it plays with it.
BEST INTERACTIVE DOG TOY FOR SMALL DOGS
4.

AFP Interactive Food Maze Dog Toy

Product Info

  • Dimensions: 10.62 x 9.84 x 2.76 inches
  • Weight: 19 Ounces
  • Lifestage: Adult
  • Breed Size: All Breed Sizes
  • Toy Feature: Interactive Toy
  • Material: Non-toxic, Food grade safety
Pros
  • Can clean easily
  • Helps to promote slow eating for quick eating dogs
  • Made from safe non-toxic materials
Cons
  • Slightly expensive
  • Some owners say that the package came late
This toy is an interactive food maze which is quite similar to dog puzzle. It acts like a go-slow bowl for dogs. The toy prevents them from binging their food quickly. As a result, your dog is less likely to throw up or have stomach issues. Furthermore, the toy allows you to leave small treats or kibble in the crevices of the maze. Therefore, this may serve as a better alternative than most treat-dispensing items.
BEST FOR BUDGET
5.

Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Mazee Ball

Product Info

  • Dimensions: 5x 5x 5 inches
  • Weight: 10.08 ounces
  • Lifestage: Adult
  • Breed Size: Small Breeds
  • Toy Feature: Tough Chewer, Outdoor, Training, Exercise
  • Material: Plastic
Pros
  • Non-toxic, BPA free
  • Recyclable
  • Can clean easily
Cons
  • Some treats may not fit inside
  • The rubber surface may collect dust and other dirt
This toy simulates your dog’s nose and sense of smell. There is an internal maze inside. Moreover, the toy rattles as little treats or kibble pieces roll around inside. It’s much more stimulating than a regular tennis ball. Furthermore, it will help to keep your pet occupied for hours, as it attempts to solve the puzzle. This toy also helps to improve mental stimulation.

Reasons Dog Need Interactive Toys

There are plenty of reasons why interactive dog toys need to be implemented in a dog’s daily life.

  • They’re great for sensitive tummies. Toys these days dispense treats. They can even feed whole meals, effectively slowing down your dog’s impatient, rushing eating habits. These toys are excellent as they can prevent side effects like vomiting and stomach upset.
  • They provide much-needed exercise. Depending on a dog’s age, size, and health, they should get anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise each day. This can be difficult to provide when you are busy with life. With an interactive toy that is more independent, this is possible.
  • They alleviate boredom. When you have to leave your house for a long period of time, an interactive toy keeps a dog motivated to solve the puzzle in the hope of getting a delicious treat. Thus, these toys will help your dog play for hours without getting bored.
  • They help prevent anxiety. Interactive toys are the perfect solution for helping with separation anxiety. These puzzle toys help to keep your dog occupied, making it less focused on its loneliness and lack of company.
  • They keep puppies out of trouble. When it comes to exploring and keeping themselves occupied, dogs tend to destroy things without knowing what they are doing. In this case, an interactive toy is best.

Choosing An Interactive Dog Toys

When going out into the market to choose an indestructible toy, it is important to consider some of the following factors:

  1. Safety: You must make sure that whatever the toy is, it is safe for the pet to chew on. Make sure that it is made for chewing and doesn’t have any weird protruding parts sticking out.
  1. Durability: A toy should not break immediately. You want it to last for a long time, so you don’t have to keep exchanging products. Therefore, make sure that the toy is strong and durable.
  1. Materials: This relates to safety, but make sure the toy is made of a material that is safe for your pet to chew on. It also should be strong enough for your dog not to digest it, in case it breaks.
  2. Stimulation: As an interactive toy, the item should stimulate your dog’s brain. An interactive game makes your dog think and try to figure out a puzzle.

Best Interactive Dog Toys

Interactive toys are supposed to help stimulate your dog’s attention and mental capacity. It should do more than just sit still, but have some sort of extra functionality to it. For example, toys that have a food maze inside or require your dog to go through a puzzle can be interactive toys.

Furthermore, these types of items should also be something you can play with. One of the main points of interactive toys is that you can join in on the fun with your dog. Therefore, some of the items we mention below fulfill these requirements.

Final Thoughts

Interactive toys are crucial for dogs, strengthening their bond with their owners. Choosing the best toy for both the dog and owner is essential, as it is the responsibility of the owner to provide fun for the entire family.

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Amy Towry is a Certified NAVC Pet Nutritionist and pet lover. She is the proud owner of two rescue cats and a rescue dog and her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care, nutrition, and product reviews.
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