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
|
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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