Dog Toys

Best Interactive Puzzle Dog Toys

March 2, 2023

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Best Interactive Puzzle Dog Toys

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Puzzles toys are something every dog should have. Sometimes, normal dog toys are not enough to occupy your dog. If you struggle to entertain your smart, active dog on a daily basis, puzzle toys are the best way to go.

When dogs get bored or lonely, they find other ways to occupy themselves, which means chewing and tearing up sofas, shoes, clothing, garbage and even walls. This will, as a result, make a huge mess and damage a lot of goods.

Compare Best Interactive Puzzle Dog Toys

OVERALL BEST
KONG Classic Dog Toy

1. KONG Classic Dog Toy

BEST AFFORDABLE
Omega Paw Trick Treat Ball

2. Omega Paw Trick Treat Ball

BEST FOR PUPPIES
Nina Ottosson's Interactive Dog Toy

3. Nina Ottosson's Interactive Dog Toy

BEST FOR SENIORS
Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone

4. Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone

Dimensions
4x 2.75x 2.75 inches
Dimensions
5 x 5x 5 inches
Dimensions
11x 1.6 x 11 inches
Dimensions
1.61x 10.04x 10.04 inches
Weight
5 lbs - 85+lbs
Weight
1.8 ounces
Weight
11.2 ounces
Weight
1.65 pounds
Lifestage
Adult
Lifestage
Adult
Lifestage
Adult
Lifestage
Adult
Breed Size
Large Breeds
Breed Size
Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
Breed Size
Small Breeds
Breed Size
Small Breeds
Toy Feature
Training
Toy Feature
Training
Toy Feature
Training
Toy Feature
Training
Material
Rubber
Material
N/A
Material
Polypropylene
Material
Wood

Dogs, much like humans, need jobs. They need activities that challenge them mentally and physically to get their heart pumping. Without anything to do, they often become destructive, and without exercise, can get sick easily.

In fact, as far back as their ancestors, wolves and coyotes spent most of each day out in a hunt for food. Most dog owners nowadays simply involve their dogs in activities that only provide physical stimulation. However, they forget about supplying mental stimulation.

We have to know that both a healthy life comes through an active lifestyle and continuous stimulation. Puzzle toys can effectively alleviate boredom and ameliorate separation anxiety.

Best Rated Puzzle Dog Toys Reviewed

OVERALL BEST
1.

KONG Classic Dog Toy

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
  • Enriches your dog’s mind
  • Keeps the dog occupied
  • Made from ultra-durable rubber
Cons
  • A few large dogs did not like it
  • Some large treats may not fit inside
This toy doubles as treat dispenser and chew toy. The puzzle helps to enrich the dog’s mind, while also satisfying its instinctual needs. Furthermore, it does a great job at satisfying the 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 AFFORDABLE
2.

Omega Paw Trick Treat Ball

Product Info

  • Dimensions: 5 x 5x 5 inches
  • Weight: 1.8 ounces
  • Lifestage: Adult
  • Breed Size: Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
  • Toy Feature: Training
  • Material: N/A
Pros
  • Easy to be fill
  • Soft texture surface made for easy gripping
  • Long Lasting
Cons
  • Treat balls drop out too easily
  • Not suitable for aggressive chewers
This toy is a creative interactive puzzle which will occupy your canine for long periods of time. The treats also come in a suitable size that fits in the openings of the holes. Furthermore, the treat balls are healthy as it is made from quinoa.
BEST FOR PUPPIES
3.

Nina Ottosson's Interactive Dog Toy

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 bond with your dog
  • Exercises the mind and body of the dog
Cons
  • There are a few owners that say their pet did not like this toy
  • Some dogs get demotivated easily
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. Furthermore, you can modify the difficult of this game according to your preference. Thus, if you feel like your pet could use a challenge or want to keep its intelligence high, it is perfectly customizable. As a result, this toy can definitely give your pet a challenge.
BEST FOR SENIORS
4.

Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone

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 sturdy wood
  • Eliminates boredom
  • Provides dogs with mental stimulation
Cons
  • A few people complained about the quality
  • Not suitable for dogs who chew
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.

The Importance of Dog Toys

Dog toys are more than just items meant to distract a dog when you are not home. For canines, dog toys do more than keep them occupied. Providing the right dog toy can be very fulfilling, and in fact, provide an array of benefits.

  • Exercise – Dog toys help to keep your dog physically fit. For instance, throwing a frisbee will cause a lot of dogs to run and fetch it. This back and forth motion in playing catch definitely is great for their heart and overall legs. Exercise is a crucial part of having a healthy dog because without adequate exercise a dog can become easily obese and weak. Obesity has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans. For example, it can damage internal organs and lead to bone issues.
  • Intellectual Stimulation – Physical exercise is not the only thing that a dog needs. To make sure they do not get Alzheimers or deteriorate in mental health, a good dog toy helps to stimulate their intellect. Dogs can easily bore. There is a saying that an exhausted dog is a good dog and this is particularly true for working breeds. Therefore, without adequate intellectual stimulation, dogs can become destructive, disobedient and impossible to handle.
  • Bonding – Dogs are pack animals by nature. It is important for them to feel a sense of belonging and bond with members of its family (whether that be you or another dog). If you don’t have time to help your dog meet other canine friends at the park, then it is important for you to engage in playing with it yourself. Spending hours with your dog is not a waste in anyhow as researchers have found a proven link between hours spent playing with a dog with the betterment of its health
  • Dental Health – Another great benefit of toys is that they provide good dental care. Dental health is much considered on the overall health of the dog. Simply taking a brush to clean your dog’s teeth is not easy. Some dogs hate their teeth being cleaned. As an alternative, toys help to flourish dental health. These toys help to clean your dog’s teeth by sweeping off the dirt and germs each time it chews.

Why Dog Puzzles?

One of the biggest points for dog puzzle toys is that they address anxiety. It helps to mitigate issues dogs may face when it comes to being away from their owners. Sometimes, dog balls and other toys like this are not enough. If your dog whimpers, paces, whines, and howls, introduce a puzzle feeder. This may distract them, and as a result, occupy their attention. Moreover, it often supplies them with many treats.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, dog puzzle toys provide the best interactive play to occupy your pet. Puzzle toys can help motivate a dog to think beyond what they are comfortable with. This helps to improve their mental health. Research studies show that dogs benefit the most from puzzle toys, especially when the dog owners play along. Puzzle toys play an important role in a canine’s life as they become a tool to provide mental stimulation.

Anne is a wellness writer with a lifelong love of animals large and small. As a former veterinary technician, she has a passion for your pet’s well-being. Anne rescues and rehabilitates animals in need. She shares her farm with lots of critters including horses, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens
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