Interactive dog toys are frequently suggested by dog behavior experts because they are designed to keep your dog entertained when you are not present. We have an affection for these puzzle toys, and we are confident that your dog will also enjoy them.
Although puzzle toys provide essential mental stimulation for your dog, engaging in interactive play with your pup, such as tug-of-war or fetch, is irreplaceable. However, puzzle toys serve as a great substitute when you are unable to participate. This collection of puzzle games and treat toys caters to small dogs, large dogs, and all sizes in between.
19 Best Puzzle Toys that Actually Help Bored Dogs
1. Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel
There is a new game called hide and squeak by Outward Hound, which is replacing move over, hide and seek. This plush puzzle game involves stuffing cute squeaky squirrels into a soft tree trunk and watching your dog pull them out individually. You can then repeat the process by stuffing them back in. This interactive toy provides a fun experience for dogs on a diet as it does not involve food.
The activity is not as intense in terms of cardiovascular exercise as the typical pursuit of squirrels, however it still manages to keep dogs entertained even if they are simply gnawing on the squirrels. It is available in three different sizes.
2. KONG Classic
For over 30 years, KONG toys have been beloved by furry companions. These rubber toys, which bounce, can be filled with various treats, such as dog-safe peanut butter, and many other options.
No matter if your dog is tossing it around the house or delicately licking out every last treat, it will surely provide entertainment for him throughout the entire day. It is offered in various sizes and also has special options for puppies, seniors, and dogs that chew excessively.
3. Hide-and-Slide Puzzle
Caution! If you allow your dog to spend too much time with this clever puzzle, he will soon surpass your intelligence. The toy necessitates your dog to manipulate the levers in order to uncover the dog treats.
Created by the esteemed Swedish brand Nina Ottosson, these puzzle toys for dogs provide an excellent opportunity for mental stimulation, ensuring your beloved pet remains inquisitive.
4. Bob-A-Lot Treat Dispenser
This treat-dispensing toy by Starmark resembles the blow-up bop bags from your childhood but is smaller and contains tasty treats. It is designed as a dog puzzle that requires the use of the dog’s face and feet, resulting in exuberant playtime with potential noise.
First, fill the toy with your dog’s preferred treat or his entire meal. Next, adjust the opening of the toy to control the number of calories your dog should receive. As your dog engages with the toy, it will sway and tilt due to its anti-slip, weighted base. This interactive experience provides entertainment while your dog enjoys its meal.
5. IQ Treat Ball
Similar to the Bob-a-Lot, the IQ Treat Ball can be filled with treats and then the level of difficulty can be adjusted by choosing an appropriate opening. If you want to keep your dog entertained throughout the day, simply tighten the opening. If you prefer an easier challenge, open it up. This dog puzzle toy is designed to be suitable for all dogs.
6. Tug-A-Jug
The Tug-A-Jug is comparable to fast food for dogs as it not only fills up to an entire meal’s worth of kibble but also provides extended entertainment for your dog.
Specifically designed for larger breeds, the distinctive design consists of a textured rubber wrap that effectively cleans teeth, a sturdy rope for tugging, and a jug filled with delectable snacks. Essentially, this product epitomizes the ultimate canine fantasy.
7. Treat-Dispensing Ball Toy
This dog treat dispenser toy, which comes in various sizes and includes extra treat packs, is straightforward and uncomplicated. It is designed as a familiar ball shape with hidden treats. There are no tricks or gimmicks involved. You just need to fill it with treats and observe as your dog rolls it around the house, determined to access its beloved snack. This toy has consistently been one of our readers’ preferred treat-dispensing toys.
8. Dog Activity Flip Board
This puzzle from Trixie Pet Products is truly challenging as it requires using tongues, paws, or any means to operate every knob, flap, and cone in order to obtain the treat.
Due to not having opposable thumbs, dogs need a game with a non-slip rubber rim to ensure it stays in place for as long as necessary.
9. Dog Twister
Have you ever played the human Twister game? Well, why not try the Dog Twister? In this game, there is a wheel with different sections where you can hide treats. These treats are only discovered by the dog after it goes one step at a time in a circular motion.
To increase the challenge, additional blocks can be locked using a bone-shaped peg once dogs grasp the concept of the game.
10. Snuffle Mat
The snuffle mat, a low-tech favorite, encourages dogs to rely on their sense of smell to locate delicious treats. This mat is made of durable yet gentle materials, and can be easily cleaned in a washing machine if it becomes slobber-soaked. With its portability, simplicity, and adaptability, the snuffle mat is a valuable addition to any collection of puzzle toys for dogs.
11. Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Puzzle Toy
The Nina Ottosson 67335 Dog Twister Dog Puzzle Toy is designed to mentally stimulate dogs. It presents an advanced Level 3 puzzle for the dog to solve, helping them learn how to problem-solve sequentially. The toy has nine compartments with sliding lids and nine locking handles, allowing for treats to be hidden inside. In terms of cleaning, it can easily be wiped down with a damp cloth.
Our pets were engaged with the Dog Twister puzzle toy for a few minutes, and the main drawback we encountered was the challenge for dogs to open the locking white handles, resulting in them being chewed and appearing worn out rapidly.
12. Vitscan Dog Treat Dispensing Toy
Our top choice for the best value is the Vitscan Dog Treat Dispensing Toy. This versatile toy combines three different toys into one, making it the ultimate option for mental stimulation at an affordable price. Each of the three unique balls offers a distinct way to engage your pet’s mind. The first ball, crafted from durable plastic, emits a whistle sound while it rolls and dispenses treats. The second ball features soft rubber teeth that securely hold and effectively clean your pet’s teeth when they retrieve the treats. Lastly, the third ball is made of soft material with stretchy spikes, which further aid in cleaning your pet’s teeth.
Upon conducting our observation, we discovered that every one of our pets enjoyed playing with at least one ball and engaged in the activity for a considerable period of time. However, it should be noted that these balls are specifically designed for smaller dogs, and it is improbable for them to withstand the play of a larger dog for an extended duration.
13. VolacoPets Interactive Dog Toys
The VolacoPets 5 Different Functions Interactive Dog Toys is our top-tier option for mental stimulation dog toys. It is ideal for those who are willing to spend a little more for the best toy. The VolacoPets brand offers five balls that serve various purposes to engage your pet. These include a squeaky ball and treat dropping ball for combating loneliness and boredom. Additionally, there is a natural rubber ball and a rope ball for outdoor play. The final ball is specifically designed to clean your pet’s teeth while they play. These balls are durable and expected to have a long lifespan.
The main drawback of this brand is its lack of suitability for bigger dogs or dogs that chew excessively. Although these balls are likely to stimulate your pet, they do not provide much challenge. If they did, we would have given this brand a higher ranking.
14. Totoo Dog Treat Dispenser Toy
The Totoo Dog Treat Dispenser Ball Toy has a design that keeps it upright at all times. With this dog toy, you can adjust the speed at which food is dispensed, providing entertainment to your dog as they strive to get a treat. Additionally, this toy is effortless to clean and can aid in slowing down your dog’s eating pace if they tend to eat too quickly.
During our use of it, we discovered that the toy can be dismantled, rendering it ineffective for play as it can be easily picked up and carried by bigger dogs.
15. West Paw Tux Interactive Dog Chew Toy
The West Paw 566 Zogoflex Tux Interactive Dog Chew Toy is a dog toy that is very tough and durable. It is made to withstand the strongest chewers and is made from safe, non-toxic, BPA free rubber. It can float, which makes it a great toy for playing in water. It can also be cleaned in the dishwasher, making it easy to clean after filling it with treats.
We discovered that the West Paw makes an excellent fetch toy as it is effortless to throw and travels a satisfactory distance. However, it falls short when it comes to interactive treat stuffing. The toy does not have enough space for stuffing treats, and even if something does fit, it tends to fall out too quickly. Moreover, it lacks any puzzle or element to engage and sustain your pet’s interest beyond simply chewing or returning it after being thrown.
16. Outward Hound Puzzle Brick Dog Toy
The Outward Hound 67333 Puzzle Brick Dog Toy is a toy that serves both entertainment and training purposes for your dog. With red boxes and white bones, your dog has to open and remove them respectively. The red boxes can also be slid to uncover hidden treats underneath. This combination of features creates a stimulating puzzle for your pet to solve. Additionally, there are 20 compartments where treats can be hidden, ensuring that the puzzles are always different and offering countless possible combinations. Moreover, this toy is lightweight and can be easily wiped clean after use.
However, one disadvantage is that you must constantly monitor your dog. The game includes small fragments, with the white bones being extracted by your pet in order to access the treats underneath. These fragments do not fit securely and can pose difficulty for your dog to grasp. Additionally, these bones are susceptible to being misplaced or chewed up. It is also possible for certain dogs to overturn the gameboard, which can spoil the challenge as they attempt to reach the treats.
17. StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy
The StarMark SMBAL Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy is equipped with a sizeable food compartment, capable of accommodating up to 3 cups of food or treats. This spacious compartment enables you to employ it as a dinner dispenser, which will engage your pet’s cognitive abilities and hinder fast eating habits. It is particularly suitable for pets suffering from rapid eating disorders. The adjustable openings aid in controlling the food flow, and it boasts a sturdy plastic housing. Furthermore, the toy features a weighted anti-slip base, causing it to wobble in an unpredictable manner, ensuring ample amusement for your pet and entertainment for yourself.
As we examined this toy, we observed that despite its high food capacity, it is not suitable for larger dogs as they tend to carry it rather than engage in play. The process of filling this toy with food is sluggish and time-consuming. You are required to insert the food through a small opening that can only accommodate a few pieces at a time, resulting in a filling time of over five minutes. Cleaning this toy is also challenging since it is impossible to access the food compartment for wiping. Although the housing is sturdy, if your dog is prone to chewing, this toy might not endure for long.
18 . SPOT Flip ‘N Slide Treat Dispenser Toy
The SPOT 5779 Seek-a-Treat Flip ‘N Slide Treat Dispenser Toy is an entertaining toy for your pet that dispenses treats. It has a highly resilient design that can withstand even larger dogs playing rough. It includes several compartments for hiding treats and offers two types of puzzles, sliding pieces and lifting pieces.
Even though our pets found this toy enjoyable, it lacked the element of challenge. Prior introduction was not necessary for three of our dogs to access the treats. If your pet tends to push the game board, be aware that the rubber feet may come off, potentially leading your pet to confuse them for treats.
19. Corspet Hachi Dog Toy Treat Dispenser
The final dog toy on our list for mental stimulation is the Corspet Hachi Dog Toy Treat Dispenser. While it may not be as excellent as the first three toys, there are still a few features that might catch your attention. The Hachi toy has a distinct design that integrates movable rubber discs or gears. These discs have rubber spikes and nodules that securely hold treats and also provide a gentle teeth-cleaning and gum-massaging action as your pet chews and removes them.
A limitation of this toy is its suitability for small dogs and puppies exclusively. Any dog that enjoys chewing or exceeds 20 pounds in weight will promptly ruin this toy. In the event of it being chewed apart, there are small components inside that your pet could potentially ingest. Moreover, it does not effectively retain treats, leading to most of them falling out while we were still adding them.
