Soft toys for dogs offer comfort and companionship to your furry friend, as well as hours of entertainment. They are first and foremost a plaything that your hound will love to chase, bite and shake but these types of toys are so much more than just that. Just like a human baby with their favourite cuddly toy or blankie, some dogs can form an emotional attachment to soft toys and want to carry them wherever they go and snuggle up to them at nap times. If your canine could benefit from a cuddly companion, we've searched the web for the best dog toys for the job.
Dogs primarily love playing with soft toys because they allow them to engage with their natural instincts as they mimic the sounds and textures of prey (in your dog's eyes). Soft dog toys also tend to have squeakers inside or crinkle sounds to make them interactive toys that will keep them engaged with play. However, for some dogs, soft toys can provide a sense of security and help to reduce any anxiety they're feeling. The soft texture of plush toys can be soothing so chewing or manipulating a soft toy can release endorphins in a dog's brain to keep them happy.
The best soft toys for dogs at a glance:
• Best overall: Pets at Home Rope Lion Dog Toy – view on Pets at Home
• Best soft toy for small dogs: Little Petface Freddi Cord Puppy Dog Toy – view on Viovet
• Best soft toy for large dogs: Outward Hound Invincibles Blue Snake Plush Dog Toy – view on Amazon UK
Whether your pooch will benefit from a soft dog toy will all depend on their play style. If they're a bit rough and tend to be destructive with their toys, they may not be the ideal candidate for soft dog toys and may benefit from a tough dog toy instead. However, if your dog is a bit more gentle and loves to waggle their toys around rather than chew at them, or even suckle on them to self-soothe, they'll love to play with plush toys. There are a couple of things to consider when picking soft toys for dogs, such as whether you choose one with different textures and sounds and other interactive features, the appropriateness for their age, and of course the overall material and how washable they are.
No matter whether you've got a small mutt that loves to nuzzle up to their toys or a gentle giant who enjoys mouthing on something softer, you can find their next favourite in our list of the best soft toys for dogs.
Best soft toys for dogs
Best overall
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
The Pets at Home Rope Lion Dog Toy is so much more than just a soft toy, which is why it takes the top spot on our list. Dogs will love to snuggle up to the soft plush fabric but there's also a squeaker inside and the arms and legs are made from rope so there's plenty to play with, too. Your hound will love to explore the different textures with their mouth.
Customer review: "Our 3-year old Lab loves Lion and often chooses it for chase games and tug. She loves shaking it so the legs whirl. She's had it 4 weeks and it's a bit the worse for wear but squeaker still in (!) and head hasn't come off yet. Good size."
Pros
- Plenty of features to keep dogs physically and mentally stimulated
- Plush fabric great for snuggle time
Cons
- Some reviewers have mentioned their dog has managed to chew through it after a while
Best soft toy for small dogs
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
The corded fleece combined with plenty of filling and the squeaker of this Little Petface Freddi Cord Puppy Dog Toy should provide enough stimulating textures to keep little mouths busy. This adorable dog toy is just the right size for smaller breeds to pick up so they can take their new best bud with them wherever they go.
Customer review: "My little dachshund loves her new toy. Arrived next day in a large brown paper bag. Seems well made & sturdy enough so hopefully will last a while. The squeeze isn't too loud or annoying which is good for us! It feels soft to the touch & is finished well. It's now the favourite toy! Highly recommended."
Pros
- Great value
- Good size for young pups and small dogs
Cons
- Will eventually become susceptible to 'chew' damage
Best soft toy for large dogs
AmazonPacked with six jumbo squeakers that keep squeaking even if punctured, this XL Outward Hound Invincibles Blue Snake Plush Dog Toy is perfect for your gentle giant, and even those big dogs that aren't quite as gentle! It's made with a dura-tuff inner lining and double-layered seams to ensure it's tough, but it's still soft and a great size for big dogs to cuddle up to.
Customer review: "My dog has had months of joy from this toy. Very robust, no stuffing to rip out and all 6 squeakers still squeaking! Amazing as he is a terrier/Rottweiler cross and has destroyed all previous soft toys within hours of having them. Highly recommended!"
Pros
- Designed to be tough but still soft
- Six squeakers inside
Cons
- As it's quite a big toy, it will take up a lot of room at home
Best honking soft toy for dogs
CREDIT: ROSIE FLOYD/TAKE A BREAK PETSwww.petsathome.com
This cute piggy playmate will make a great companion for a dog that loves soft toys that make sounds. It makes a squeaky honking sound that dogs won't be able to get enough of. It's a reasonable size but still lightweight so your dog will be able to carry it around with them and throw it around to their heart's content.
Our review: "Gina seems to have a big thing for pig toys. She has done since being a puppy, and it's not changed even after turning 10 recently. For this reason, I just knew this toy would be a hit, but I just didn't anticipate how much she would love it. I didn't even get a chance to take the tags off before she was launching herself at it and giving it a good shake. After eventually getting it off her again to remove the tags, she immediately carried it off to her bed when she got it back and kept activating the honking noise (and giving it the occasional cuddle)."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Makes a honking sound
Cons
- Bigger than we expected so if your dog is quite petite, this may be too big for them
Best Kong soft toy for dogs
AmazonYou may know Kong for their classic rubber treat toy, but did you know the brand makes soft toys for dogs, too? Available in assorted characters, this plushy is ideal for those hounds who are softer chewers. The material it's made out of is super soft and is double-layered for extra strength. There's also a squeaker inside for more fun.
Customer review: "Bought this for our 3 year old Cockapoo. He loves it! Kong have to be one of the best manufacturers of dog toys. Very durable and toys aren’t full of fibre stuffing once they get chewed. Great quality product."
Pros
- Double-layered fabric for extra strength
- Super soft
Cons
- You don't get a choice of which character you're sent
Best eco-friendly soft toy for dogs
AmazonPerfect for pets and the planet, this Petface soft toy is made from recycled bottles so it's a great eco-friendly choice. Not to mention, you can pop your own plastic bottle inside and it'll make a great crunching sound when your pup picks it up. This Carlos the Crocodile is our personal fave but there's a whole host of other animals available, including a penguin, parrot, toucan and even cobra!
Customer review: "Our puppy is a big chewer, and the crocodile seems to be rather sturdy. It's her favourite toy and it has gone through a lot of chewing and biting."
Pros
- Made from recycled bottles
- Perfect for play and cuddles
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it could be tougher
Best tough soft toy for dogs
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
If your hound doesn't realise their own strength and can accidentally be a bit destructive when playing with their toys, this Petface Seriously Strong Super Tough Nobbly Crocodile Dog Toy may be a good choice. No toy is completely undestroyable, but this one is made from durable material to withstand a good chewing with tough rubber nodules to give your pup a variety of textures to gnaw on.
Customer review: "So I bought this because EVERY other “tough” toy I’ve purchased for my Dutch herder X Belgian Malinois has been MASSACRED within about 5mins of her getting it and? For the price I figured I’d give this a go… FIVE STARS! Though she’s removed the squeaker?? The rest of the toy is intact and going strong 4 weeks in!! Would happily buy it again (once it is eventually (inevitably)killed beyond saving / safe to let her have 😂😂) 👍🐾"
Pros
- Soft but sturdy
- Different textures to explore
Cons
- Rubber spikes aren't as tough as the rest of the toy material
FAQs
Are soft toys safe for dogs?
Soft toys for dogs can be safe if chosen carefully. You should opt for toys made from durable, non-toxic materials like fleece, canvas, and high-quality plush, with strong stitching and secure seams to stop them from being ripped open by powerful chewers. You should also avoid toys that have small parts as these could be a choking hazard.
It’s important to always supervise your dog while they play with soft toys, especially if they’re known for being an aggressive chewer or can be a bit destructive when playing. You should regularly inspect your dog’s toys for wear and tear and replace them if things like stuffing, squeakers and other parts come loose.
You should consider your dog’s age and play style when choosing a soft toy for them to play with. Puppies might benefit from softer toys to soothe their teething gums whereas adult dogs may prefer a soft interactive toy that has plenty of features to keep their brain busy. Some dogs may be gentle while playing while others are more intense and do not realise their own strength.
Can dog toys help with a dog's anxiety or boredom?
As soft toys often feature different textures, interactive elements and squeakers, they can help to ease a dog’s anxiety and boredom as they engage their senses and provide mental and physical stimulation.
Top tips for keeping your dog's toys clean
Dog toys, and in particular soft toys, can harbour a lot of bacteria, whether that's from your hound themselves or the places they leave their toys. These germs can not only make your pooch poorly but can also be passed on to you when you pick up their toys when playing or tidying, and left lurking on surfaces around your home, too.
“It’s estimated that 85 per cent of dogs over the age of three years old will have some degree of gum disease, so because they’re chewing on those toys, especially soft toys, they’ll be passing the bacteria on. It’s not only an issue for the dogs but the bacteria can be passed on to owners who may pick up the toys when playing," says President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and clinical vet, Carl Gorman.
He goes on to say “It’s unpleasant to think of, but true - dogs groom themselves which includes licking around their bottoms. Not only might that transfer intestinal bacteria to the mouth or whatever they chew, but there is a possibility of transferring worm eggs, which are known to stick to the fur around a dog’s rear end, to their chew toy. So, there are possibilities for a chew toy to be a hazard to humans as well as harbour some interesting bugs which the dog will continue to incubate. Much of the risk is theoretical, or at any rate low risk, but it’s there.”
Here's what to do
It's important to regularly clean your dog's toys to avoid spreading bacteria and germs. We've enlisted the help of Ruffwear to provide three top tips to ensure your dog's toys are as clean as possible.
Clean soft toys at least once a week on a 60-degree wash
Soft toys are one of the biggest culprits for holding bacteria due to our pet's saliva sinking into them, so it’s extremely important that we clean them at least once a week. Ruffwear recommends washing them in the washing machine at a temperature of at least 60 degrees to ensure the bacteria can’t grow.
You must ensure soft toys are dried properly after washing
After washing soft toys in the washing machine, you must either put them in the dryer or hang them outside to dry. Damp soft toys are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so it is essential that they are left to dry thoroughly before your dog plays with them again.
Use washing-up liquid and warm water to clean hard toys
Hard toys are easier to keep clean as saliva doesn’t sink into them, so using a bit of washing-up liquid and warm water will do the trick to keep them clean and germ-free. Wash your dog's hard toys as much as necessary and if they’ve had a particularly good chew on one, it might be best to give it a wipe down before leaving it on the floor or in their toy basket.
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.