Are you interested in buying some toys for your dog? Here are a few things to look for to help you choose the right one.
Historically speaking, the ol’ tennis ball has arguably been the go-to toy for dogs of all sizes and all ages. It’s multiuse purposes far outweigh that of many other toys.
And while this is still one of my top play time choices, there are a couple others that have jumped rankings as of late including ChuckIt’s more durable version of the timeless tennis ball.
I’m also a huge fan of the Yaky brand as they’re typically designed for the ultimate chewer in mind. My sister is a husky and I’m a bit of professional chewer myself, so I feel like my credentials outrank others in the pet toy sales space.
It’s tough to compare toys in a side by side comparison because of the factors that come into play.
- Does your dog have a tendency to destroy their toys?
- Are they retrievers by nature?
- Do they get bored easily?
All of these questions ultimately weigh in on the best toys to buy your dog.
These Are the Top 3 Dog Toys
- ChuckIt Ultra Rubber Ball (Click to check current price on Chewy) – While tennis balls are great, they can easily be destroyed. ChuckIt fixes this problem with their ultra tough rubber ball created with the ultimate chewer in mind.
- Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball (Click to check current price on Chewy) – This is the perfect toy for a dog with high levels of energy. Engaging their mind will also calm their body. Perfect for days your dogs are home alone while you’re at work.
- Yaky Himalayan Dog Chew (Click to check current price on Chewy) – Suitable for the toughest chewer you know and the ingredient list is my favorite on these – only one ingredient. You can’t beat that!
Why I Picked the ChuckIt Ultra Rubber Ball
The ChuckIt Ultra Rubber Ball is my all-time favorite toy because playing fetch is my all-time favorite game.
- It bounces like a tennis ball.
- ChuckIt stays cleaner than a tennis ball.
- It actually fits in my mouth better than any other ball (I’m a smaller dog weighing in at 32 pounds).
- Comes in various sizes depending on your dog.
- So far this ball has been impossible for me or my sister to destroy.
Features to Look For In a Quality Dog Toy
- Is the dog toy age appropriate? You dog will need different things as they progress through life and toys are no exception. Puppies need toys for teething, adolescent dogs will need toys focused on engagement, and older toys will need toys that help keep them in shape and excited about moving.
- Durability. Have I mentioned my sister is a husky? She can chew through titanium. The dog toys your choose need to keep your dog’s level of chewing in mind.
- Size. Keep the size of dog toys appropriate to the size of your dog.
- Noise. You need to know if your dog likes squeaky toys or if they intimidate them. Also, do YOU like these squeaky toys?
- Safety. If your dog is a chewer and a picker (meaning the pick at their toys with their front teeth until nothing is left), then stay away from toys with ropes incorporated in them. The individual strings of the rope can get caught up in your dog’s digestive tract and cause medical issues.
“My dog, Rigby is a Golden Retriever puppy. She chews EVERYTHING. Thanks for the insight here. Definitely helps me narrow down the best toys for her!”
Jeff B.
Some Places to Begin Looking
Chewy is one of the best online resources available today that will have the best variety of toys for your dog.
This is where I always start.
As with any review or recommendation you come across online, be sure to research it yourself before purchasing anything. Don’t necessarily always go with the cheapest versions or the first good blog post you read.
You know your dog better than anyone!