Whether you’re talking tiny puppies or a hulking hound, dogs love to chew. Teething pups need something to chomp on when their needle-like teeth are coming through, and even adult canines love to give their jaws a workout. Dogs also live to run, chase, catch, fetch and tug, and if you don’t provide them with suitable toys, they may well find something you’d rather wasn’t mauled.
But dog toys aren’t all made equal. Some run low on the fun factor, while others simply can’t handle the pressure and tearing forces of the average dog’s jaws. We’ve picked eight that will keep your canine chum entertained for months, and save you, your clothes and your most prized possessions from a savaging.
How to buy the best toy for your dog
When choosing a dog toy, you need to keep three things in mind:
- First, it needs to be safe. Materials with sharp edges, or small parts that might break off and be ingested are obvious no-nos. Likewise soft toys designed for children: eyes could pull off and disappear down doggy’s windpipe, or the stitching could come apart to expose a mass of choking-hazard fluff.
- Secondly, it needs to be durable. Many cheap dog toys won’t survive ten minutes with a determined pooch, and there’s no point wasting money on a toy that’s in tatters by the end of the day. Look for toys made from tough materials like rubber, and avoid anything that feels light and tearable – it just won’t last.
- Finally, dog toys need to be fun. This doesn’t necessarily mean fun for you – dogs don’t really care about Star Wars – but something that appeals to their natural impulses to catch, chew, chase things around and play tug of war. It may be hard to predict exactly which toy will appeal most to your particular pooch, but if you stick to classic toys for throwing, stretching and chomping on, you’re unlikely to go too far wrong.
What about toys which dispense treats?
Some dog toys include a way of incorporating treats, so that the dog can shake or throw the toy around to release a tasty snack. This has its pluses – it can get the dog started with a new toy and make them work a little for their treats – but be careful that you don’t end up over-treating your dog, and that the treats themselves aren’t unhealthy.
How do I keep dog toys clean?
All dog toys need to be kept clean, not least because they can otherwise quickly get manky and repulsive. Some are dishwasher-safe, though you might prefer not to put a slimy, much-chewed toy in with your cutlery and crockery. If something can be rinsed, scrubbed and dried, that’s usually enough.
Will I regret buying a squeaky toy?
Some dogs love a noisy squeezy toy, but be warned: there’s nothing like constant squeaking to make you think twice about your purchasing decision. You may have to hide it away to get a quiet afternoon. Squeaks can also wear out or come out of the toy, although some now come with a replaceable squeak.
Is there anything else I need to think about?
One final word of advice. Dogs can get obsessive about a certain toy, and even grow aggressive when they want to protect it – what animal behaviourists call “resource guarding”. There are good ways to get past this, mostly involving ensuring your dog regards your approach as a good thing, and never a threat. Yanking the beloved toy away will only show them that they’re right to guard it!
The best dog toys to buy
1. Happy Pet Grubber: The ultimate tug and fetch toy
Price:£10
Happy Pet’s Grubber range contains a number of lovable, tuggable fetch toys, and this rugby-ball-shaped effort is our favourite. Dogs will love the tough, super-chewable bars and unpredictable bounce, and it’s as good for the odd tug-of-war match as it is for playing fetch. Plus, while they’re chomping, the knobbly design helps clean their teeth and massage their gums.
Key specs – Type: Heavy-duty rubber rugby ball; Sizes: One, Colours: One; Dimensions: 250 x 130 x 130mm
2. Kong Classic: The tried and tested fetch and chew toy
Price: From £3
There’s a reason why dog lovers have been buying the Kong Classic for over forty years: it’s one of the toughest but most entertaining dog toys around. Dogs love to give it a chomp, and you can throw it around with abandon - that signature shape means you never know exactly which way it’s going to bounce. You can also stuff it with treats, and it comes in six sizes from extra-small to XX-large, so there’s one for every breed.
Key specs – Type: Heavy-duty rubber throw toy; Sizes: Six; Colours: One; Dimensions: 57 x 36 x 36mm to 152 x 99 x 99mm
3. Kong Flyer: The frisbee your dog won’t destroy
Price: From £7
Dogs love frisbees, but do frisbees love dogs? Once they’ve been chewed beyond all recognition, probably not. That’s where Kong’s ruggedised Flyer comes in. Made from the same tough, chompable rubber as Kong’s classic toy, it’s resilient yet flexible, and soft on gums and teeth. Kong warns it’s not to be used as a chew toy, but it will still handle a little rough stuff from those canine jaws.
Key specs – Type: Heavy-duty soft rubber frisbee; Sizes: Two; Colours: One; Dimensions: 178 x 178 x 19mm (small), 229 x 229 x 28mm (large)
4. Chuckit! Ultra Grip Ball Launcher: The best way to throw and play fetch
Price:£15
Ball launchers are ten a penny, but this Chuckit! version gives you lots of range and a comfortable rubber grip. The manufacturer claims it can throw balls up to three or four times further than a standard tennis ball launcher, and the cup can easily pick up the ball, leaving your hands free of slobber. It comes in three different sizes, each with a different sized ball, and it’s worth checking which is safe for your dog before splashing out. Whichever size you choose, you can take your pick of the three types of Chuckit! balls, which gives you the option of the robust Ultra ball, the Whistler ball, or the Max Glow ball which is a bit harder to lose during evening walks.
Key specs – Type: 26-inch plastic ball launcher with rubber grip; Sizes: Three; Colours: One; Dimensions: 660 x 76 x 76mm
5. West Paw Zogoflex Bumi: The near-indestructible dog toy
Price: From £12
It’s not cheap, but West Paw’s Bumi justifies the price through its use of a tough, pliable, proprietary material called Zogoflex. It flexes, floats and is 100% recyclable, and it’s so robust that West Paw offers a one-time guarantee against dog-related damage. The “S” shape makes it great for pulling as well as throwing, and you can sling it in the dishwasher when it needs a clean.
Key specs – Type: S-shaped Zogoflex pull and fetch toy; Sizes: Two; Colours: Three; Dimensions: 190 x 127 x 32mm (small), 241 x 241 x 44mm (large)
6. House of Paws Duck Dog Toy: The classic fetch and catch toy for retrievers
Price:£7
We’re not so big on duck hunting in the UK, but that’s no reason why your dog can’t enjoy this dog-friendly duck plush toy. It’s not as tough as a rubber chew toy, but it will handle a bit of abuse while playing fetch, and many canines prefer it as a soft toy to cuddle up with. Its embroidered eyes are safer than the plastic eyes used on children’s toys, and there’s a satisfying squeak in store when it’s in your hound’s jaws. The perfect plush toy both for pups and older pooches.
Key specs – Type: Duck toy with squeaker; Sizes: One; Colour: One; Dimensions: 254 x 810 x 400mm