Interactive dog toys to keep your pooch entertained

The best interactive toys always come with a place to put treats! Not only can your dog smell the treats they can see them too through the clear plastic, and when they knock it to try and access the treats they make a noise. It's an all-around interactive toy that mentally stimulates your pooch as they figure out how to work it. Some users have reported it may be a little easy so perhaps better for younger dogs still learning.

Customer review: "My dog adores this treat ball. He is a Jack Russell and this is the only toy that he has not chewed to bits. Finding treats that are the right size can be a bit of a trial but it is worth it. He plays with it every day and knows where to find it when I give the command word. Highly recommended."

It's all about strategy in this interactive dog toy. An activity board filled with things your dog needs to flip, switch or lift up to unveil their treats. You may need to guide your dog the first go but after that, the simple board game will keep them distracted for a brief while until all the treats disappear.

Customer review: "The dog enjoyed the game. We followed the advice and she soon understood the challenge. She was very excited to see it each time it was brought out."

If you don't mind a squeaky toy, then this indestructible rubber chew toy with a built-in squeaker may just be the distraction you're looking for. Not only does it have a milk flavour, but the tough ridges and bristles also help to clean your dog's teeth and promote better breath. Definitely a toy for aggressive chewers and older dogs, and it also works well as a tug and pulls for you to play with your pooch.

Customer review: "Very good chew toy my cockerpoo hasn't wrecked it yet and we have tried a lot of them."

Fingers crossed your pooch doesn't get too overexcited with this soft toy and destroy it within minutes. Best for smaller dogs and puppies this plush toy features three mini squirrels that you can hide and your dog needs to pull out. Or turn it into a game of fetch if you're not busy and throw the squirrels for your pooch to bring back.

Customer review: "We are an hour’s full on play in… the dogs do not seem bored with endlessly pulling the squirrels out. If only I could train them to put them back in again."

Dogs love to sniff out any crumbs or dropped scraps of food you've perhaps left behind, so this snuffle mat is a great way to distract them from following you around the kitchen if they've got their own hidden snacks just waiting to be discovered. Their senses will go wild as they try to find every last one and keep them occupied if you're heading out for a while.

Customer review: "My frenchie loves this mat! I hide doggie chocolate drops and chunks of cheese and it keeps him occupied for a good 10-15 minutes snuffling away at it, just like he does in the long grass! He gets excited when he sees me get it out. I have brought other treat games for him that he was not interested in, but this one works! Would highly recommend it."

The Bob-a-lot is another food dispenser-style toy that wobbles and bobbles dropping treats as it goes. It has adjustable openings to make it a little bit harder for the treats to emerge providing a good interactive challenge. Thanks to its round design it's safe for clever puppies and smart older dogs too who can figure out it's a bob to get the reward!

Customer review: "My puppy loves the Bob a lot. I give her her whole feed in it and it keeps her entertained trying to get it out. If your dog is a gulper then this is for you. You could just out treats into it also.
One thing to note, my puppy’s kibble is only small so ideal for the small Bob a lot. Any larger and you would be better purchasing the large one."

Looking for something more intermediate? Then pick up the Outward Hound Dog Tornado toy by Nina Ottosson. It has 12 different compartments, perfect for hiding your dog's favourite wet or dry treats inside. This also doubles up as a great interactive toy that will slow down your dog when it comes to dinner time as they figure out how to turn and slide open the compartments.

Customer review: "My dog adores this treat ball. He is a Jack Russell and this is the only toy that he has not chewed to bits. Finding treats that are the right size can be a bit of a trial but it is worth it. He plays with it every day and knows where to find it when I give the command word. Highly recommended."

Certainly one of the more advanced interactive toys on our list and a puzzler for your dog. A plastic tower with three trays holds the prize, but your pooch must figure out how to pull the mini ropes to get the treats to drop to the bottom of the tower. There are three cones on the exterior board that will get them started before things get tricky!

Customer review: "The dog enjoyed the game. We followed the advice and she soon understood the challenge. She was very excited to see it each time it was brought out."