If you're welcoming a new pup into your home, ensuring you have a bundle of the best puppy toys to keep your little pooch entertained is just as vital as making sure you've got plenty of dog food and a comfy bed. Playtime is important for a puppy’s physical and mental development, so you’ll want to make sure you have a variety of dog toys to challenge them and get their brain working, but also ones that will allow them to burn off lots of energy and engage in exercise. Aside from all the puppy cuddles and kisses, one of the best things about having a puppy is playing with them and discovering what toys spark joy inside them.
If you find a good toy for your pup, you’ll certainly know about it because it’ll be the one they reach for every time they’re in the mood to play. Depending on the type of toy, they’ll probably try and take it everywhere with them, too. However, puppies soon get bored so you may go through a few toys in the first year of their life as, just like children, what keeps them engaged and entertained changes as they grow up. The best puppy toys are the perfect gift for any new pup, whether you've welcomed a new bundle of joy into your own home or you know friends or family members who have, but what type of puppy toy should you buy?
The best puppy toys at a glance:
• Best overall puppy toy: KONG Small Puppy Toy – View on Amazon UK
• Best puppy toy for teething pups: Nylabone Gentle Puppy Dog Teething Chew Toy Keys – View on Amazon UK
• Best rope toy for puppies: Wainwright's Just for Puppy Rope Hedgehog Toy – View on Pets at Home
If you’re after a toy that will engage your pup’s mind, help them learn problem-solving skills and develop cognitive abilities, interactive toys and puzzle toys for puppies are the way to go. Little hounds will need to use their brain to figure out how to activate certain elements and release treats, such as food and other toys from inside. To save furniture and clothing from being gnawed at while they are teething, having a selection of puppy chew toys available is always a good idea as they will soothe their painful teeth and gums, and promote good chewing habits. Of course, there are plenty of rope, throwing and chasing toys out there that will make sure your pup gets a good run around during playtime. These types of toys are great for you to enjoy some bonding one-on-one time with your newest furry family member.
As there are so many different types of puppy toys available, it can be hard to whittle down which ones are worth buying for your pup. Luckily, we’ve done all the research for you and searched the web to bring you all the best puppy toys that will aid their development. Some are much-loved by many real-life puppy owners and others have been tried and tested by some of our team's pups to ensure we're recommending you the best of the best so you know exactly what should go at the top of your puppy's toy wish list.
Best puppy toys
Best overall puppy toy
KONG/AmazonWe just had to kickstart our list with the KONG Puppy Toy. The KONG is a super versatile toy so that's why it's taking our top spot for the best puppy toy.
It's made from soft rubber so it's sturdy and reviewers have commented on the material saying they feel it'll last well. The rubber material means that it's perfect for your pup to gnaw on to satisfy those chewing cravings. It's a little bouncy so you can throw it for fetching games or you can stuff it with treats to provide some mental stimulation. Some customer reviews question whether this toy is value for money but we think it's worth it as it's a good all-rounder toy.
Our review by Rosie Floyd and Bella the Cockapoo: "The very first toy we bought Bella when we first bought her home was a puppy KONG. We were recommended it by her breeder to use as a boredom buster when we were crate training her. We filled it with tasty treats and natural yoghurt and froze it so it would take Bella a while to get through it. She liked chewing the soft rubber as it helped with her teething and when we didn't stuff it with treats, she was just as happy to chase after it."
Pros
- Versatile toy - can be used for lots of different types of play
- Made for small mouths, thanks to the size and material used
Cons
- You don't get a choice of the colour you'll receive - it'll either be blue or pink
Best puppy toy for teething pups
CREDIT: ROSIE FLOYD/TAKE A BREAK PETSThe Nylabone Gentle Puppy Dog Teething Chew Toy Keys are specifically designed for teething puppies who have not formed any adult teeth. They're made from soft materials yet customers on Amazon remarked on how durable they are, making them a good option for teething pups.
They keep puppies busy, satisfying their natural urge to chew, while the tiny raised bits on the end of the keys act like a mini toothbrush to keep their teeth clean. Customers on Amazon do mention the keys were bigger than expected so we'd suggest giving them to older puppies to play with. These keys were also flavoured to taste like bacon so your pup won't be able to resist it. While we weren't so keen on the scent, Bella, our cockapoo toy tester, certainly loved the flavour as she went straight for a good sniffing as soon as the box arrived at our door.
Our review by Rosie Floyd & Bella the Cockapoo: "Bella could sniff these keys through the box they arrived in so I just knew she would be all over them once I took them out of the packaging. She loves taking these off to her favourite spot under the coffee table for a good chewing. Some flavoured toys have a really synthetic scent to them but I was surprised that these keys actually smelt like a realistic bacon scent."
Pros
- Great for teeth health as they help with cleaning and teething through chewing
- They're scented like bacon to entice your pup to play
Cons
- The size is quite big for a puppy toy so this may not be ideal for little puppies
Best soft toy for puppies
Little Petface/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
With a cord fleece texture on the outside for their mouth to explore, pups will love playtime with the Little Petface Freddi Cord Puppy Dog Toy. It's ideal for squishy cuddles, with customers loving the softness of it. Also, there's a squeaker inside for when your pup is in the mood for a more active playtime.
The size of this toy is larger than some of the other toys on our list, but reviewers have found it's just about the right size for little mouths to pick up and take with them wherever they go. As any experienced puppy owner knows, all toys will eventually become susceptible to chew damage but many customers felt it was quite durable against their pup's razor-sharp teeth.
Pros
- Nice and soft so good for pups who love a cuddle with their toys
- A good size for pups to carry it around in their mouths
Cons
- Will eventually become susceptible to 'chew' damage but customers did feel it was durable
Best puppy toy for anxious pups
All For Paws/AmazonSeparation anxiety can be one of the hardest things for your pup to deal with when they first come home to you, but luckily there are toys such as the All For Paws Little Buddy Heart Beat Puppy Toy that can help. Customers have found it to be very soothing for their little bundles of fluff.
This plush toy contains a heartbeat simulator inside which is designed to mimic the heartbeat of their mother to provide comfort as they get used to new surroundings. It's made from a soft, skin-friendly fabric and is machine washable with the heart removed. Something to be mindful of is that customers have reported that it uses a lot of battery power so be sure to test it regularly so it doesn't run out while your precious little angel is relying on it.
Pros
- Customers have found it to be a great companion to soothe and settle your pup into their new home
- The soft fabric will be nice for your pup to cuddle up to
Cons
- Customers have reported the battery life could be better
Best puppy toy bundle
Labeol/AmazonAs pups learn the power of their own chewing, they may go through a few puppy toys. That's why this Labeol Puppy Chew Toys multipack is handy as there are 10 toys included. That way, you'll always have a new one to hand if (more like when) they manage to destroy the toy they're currently playing with.
We are impressed with the variety of toys included and so are customers. This pack includes rope toys, balls, rubber rings and a plush toy so there's plenty to keep them entertained. Customers have rated this product highly for its great value for money and fun selection of toys but felt the durability and quality could be better.
Pros
- Includes 10 toys of different varieties to keep pups engaged
- As there are 10 toys included, it's great value for money
Cons
- Customers felt the durability could be better but as there are 10 toys included, they'll still last a while
Best chew toy for puppies
Best chew toy for puppies
Nylabone/AmazonThis chicken-flavoured puppy start kit from Nylabone is perfect for pups looking for something to chew. They're a popular choice with customers on Amazon as they have over 14,900 reviews, with them raving about the size, quality and value.
It includes a soft, flexible bone for when they're in the early stages of teething, a blue bone that will help to clean their teeth as they're starting to cut through and a tough white bone that is designed for them to get their teeth around when their adult teeth are completely grown so you've got a bone for each stage of puppyhood. Reviews are mixed about the texture with some customers saying they were too hard and others saying they were too soft but this could all depend on the breed of your pup and the power of their jaw.
Pros
- Three bones for three stages
- Great for dental hygiene
Cons
- May not be long-lasting for every pup
Best puppy toy for physical and mental stimulation
IFOYO/AmazonGive your puppy's brain a workout at the same time as providing something to help them burn off some energy with this IFOYO Pet Snuffle Mat. After you've hidden food in between the layers, your pup will have to use their nose and their head to figure out where they are.
Research shows that sniffing for 10 minutes is equal to an hour of running for your pup and it also aids with relieving stress and helping your pup to relax. Customers agree that this mat kept their pup busy for ages. Some wished there was a way to secure the mat to the floor to stop it from sliding around while hunting for food but overall this gets a thumbs up from puppy owners for being a good quality, fun toy and easy to clean after having food inside.
Pros
- Has physical and mental benefits for tiring your puppy out
- Reviewers on Amazon found it to be easy to clean which is good for something that will have food inside it
Cons
- Some reviewers wished there was a way to make it more secure to the floor to stop it from sliding about
How we chose the best puppy toys
All of these puppy toys have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered durability, value and fun in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching the best puppy toys to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
And, with pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by us and our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
FAQs
What are the best toys for puppies?
There are various types of puppy toys out there that offer physical and mental stimulation and challenges, both of which are vital to your pup’s development. Of course, every pup is different and some will prefer a certain type of toy compared to others but here are some of the top choices available to keep your pooch entertained as they grow:
Puppy chew toys:
As puppies grow, so do their teeth so to soothe the pain of their sensitive gums and teeth, get them some chew toys to gnaw on. Puppy teething toys and chew toys also promote healthy chewing habits and save your shoes and furniture from being victims of your pup’s sharp gnashers.
Interactive puppy toys:
These types of toys are great for playful and inquisitive pups. They’ll provide your pup with some mental stimulation as interactive puppy toys challenge their mind as they figure out what they need to do to activate the sound or find the treat.
Puzzle toys:
Puzzle toys are very similar to interactive toys and they usually dispense treats so pups will need to figure out how to complete the puzzle to get the food or toy out.
Rope toys:
These types of toys can be used in supervised solo play as pups love to chew on them, but equally, they’re great for using during playtime with you and your puppy. Pups love nothing more than a good old-fashioned game of tug of war and playing together will be a bonding experience between you.
Soft toys:
Every dog needs a puppy soft toy to cuddle up to, and they can provide great comfort to pups if they’re feeling a little anxious. Just make sure you choose one with strong stitching so it can withstand a good chewing.
Fetch toys:
Does your pup need a helping hand to burn off some of their excess energy? Balls, frisbees or other objects for fetch games are what you need. They’re great for making sure your pup gets plenty of exercise too.
Squeaky toys:
Dog toys with a squeak inside will engage your pup's mind as they try to figure out where the sound is coming from, not to mention keep them active as they'll chase, pounce, shake and chew them.
What are the signs that my puppy has outgrown a toy?
There are a couple of signs that your pup has outgrown their toy, either from the toy or from your pup themselves. If your pup consistently ignores a toy that was once their favourite, it's probably time to let it go as this is a sign that they're disinterested in playing with it and probably feel bored of it. You should consider introducing more engaging toys for those pooches who seem unchallenged while playing.
Toys that have visible wear and tear should be retired too. Your pup may have had many happy weeks or months playing with a toy but if it's looking tired and has bits coming off it, it's best to dispose of it.
Of course, one of the biggest visible signs is simply that your pup looks too big to be playing with it. Small parts and toys can become choking hazards as a dog gets bigger so you should make sure your dog's toys aren't small enough for them to fit completely in their mouth.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.