Puppies need lots of playtime—and that means lots of toys. Are all dog toys created equally? Not exactly. Toys are essential for your puppy’s development. The right toys manage behavior, increase mental and physical enrichment, ease anxieties and soothe sore gums during teething.
So, how do you know which puppy toys are perfect–and completely safe–for your new best friend? To help you find the best puppy toy for your new fur baby, we spoke to a veterinarian to narrow down what features to focus on when shopping for dog toys. Plus, we’ve rounded up top-selling, top-rated puppy toys for chewers, fetchers and cuddlers. Designed specifically for puppies at different stages and ages, these customer favorites are a great addition to your puppy's toy box.
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How To Find the Best Toy for Your Puppy
“Toys are critical to a mentally happy dog,” says New Jersey-based veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Feeney, DVM, pet behaviorist and owner of Build a Better Bond Pet Behavior Management. “Your dog’s favorite toy is you, but if you aren’t around, there are lots of things that can keep your pet happy on their own.” Plush, rubber, dental, squeakers—the number of puppy toys on the market is impressively overwhelming. While it’s tempting to gather a collection of the softest and squeakiest toys you can find, buying your new puppy their first toys isn’t so simple if your goal is creating healthy play for both bonding and home alone time.
Before you buy, consider the following:
1. Your Puppy’s Size
If you have a 2-pound Chihuahua puppy, a giant plush toy lobster or a huge ball that they can’t fit in their mouth won’t be useful; your puppy will lose interest quickly. On the other end of the scale, toys that are too small for large dogs are a choking hazard. You’ll want to pick a toy that’s appropriate for their sides: small enough that your puppy can pick them up and move them around, but not too small that they can be swallowed and become a choking hazard, says Dr. Feeney.
2. Your Puppy’s Breed
Certain dog breeds are prone to like certain types of playtime. Herding and working dogs love to run and chase so a fetch toy would be a good pick. Dogs with short, pushed in faces (brachycephalic breeds) like Pugs and Bulldogs are less able to run hard and often prefer to lounge around with a food toy. For mixed breeds and adopted dogs, a pet DNA test kit identifies the dog’s combination of breeds to give insight into your puppy’s tendencies.
3. Your Puppy’s Age
Knowing your puppy’s developmental stage leads you to appropriate toys that your dog will quickly claim as favorites. Teething happens in your puppy’s first year of life, so a teething toy would be ideal for puppies up until they are about 8 months old. Very young puppies (8- to 12- weeks old) sleep for a large portion of the day, so a plush toy to snuggle with would be in order. As your puppy grows, they will be able to run faster, chew harder and play tougher. Enter more durable chew toys and fetch toys. Not certain? Many puppy toys include information on the packaging, such as recommended weight and age. Or, talk to your veterinarian about appropriate toys for your puppy’s age.
4. Your Puppy’s Personality
Observe your dog as they go about their playing, napping and eating-filled day, and after a short time it will become clear what their tendencies are. Knowing whether your puppy prefers to sniff and search out food or run in circles knowing their preferences will help you choose the best toys for your unique pup as they grow.
5. Your Lifestyle
Interactive toys, like flying discs, are great ways to work on your dog’s coordination and to encourage active playtime. But dogs also spend a lot of time alone. Be realistic: If your dog will be spending most of the day by themself while you’re at work, opt for toys that engage your puppy long-term, such as food puzzles, frozen treats for licking and durable chew toys.
7 Best Puppy Toys
To help you choose, we’ve rounded up the best puppy toys as tested and approved by Chewy customers. These top-selling, top-rated puppy toys get two paws up from dog parents like you.
Best Overall Puppy Toy
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Always love Kong
My dogs have always loved Kong toys. The puppy Kong is just the right texture for my 10 week old pup.
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Kong Toy for Puppies
This was a gift for a friend who recently got a new puppy. He seems to love it especially when they put treats inside.
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KONG
My new puppy loves playing with the Kong toy when it’s stuffed with biscuits. Keeps him busy & frees me up to catch my breath.
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put together nicely.
My dog loves this toy. I have three of them, I usually wash them and place them in the freezer and take one out at a time. Then when this toy starts to lose its appeal to my puppy I replace it with a newly frozen one.
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It really does pacify a rambunctious pup
Our new puppies favorite toy. She really likes biting on it I think its helping with her teeth she will sit for quite sometime especially if I'm holding it! It does pacify her!
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Our new puppy loves this.
we have a 16 week old English springer spaniel. She needed something to chew on other than our furniture and our feet. I have used Nyla bone in the past and it wasn’t successful. However, this one is great. The only problem is, she can’t decide which of the two nail bones to play with, the pacifier or the bone itself. I’m so glad I got this for her as she cares around all the time. Thanks.
Best Chew Toy for Puppies
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Very safe chew toys
Loved the flowers for my Chance , going over the rainbow bridge . I grieved an still miss him. Got a rescue puppy. Love her now. Training her a finding out about her . You’re a big help.
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Puppy Benebone lasts longer!
My 8 month old 22 pound mix shreds the ends of the adult Benebones after a few days but the puppy one has not been damaged and she loves it.
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Pups favorite toys
She has every toy I can imagine, and these are far and away her favorite. They're on the hard side, so I was a little worried about her teeth with these, but she's able to dig into the toy with her teeth. She loves it, just ordered another few sets and the other puppy toys in the Benebone line.
Best Puppy Heartbeat Toy
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Awesome puppy comforter!
Our dog loves his snuggle pup! It helps a lot with anxiety. Only complaint is he works on chewing the nose and that is where it tends to rip. I have re-sewed it shut and it is holding up pretty well. That being said, overall the snuggle pup is pretty tough.
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Replacement after 2 years
My puppy’s favorite toy. Used the heartbeat and heater first few nights. Finally, 2 years later he gnawed a hole- stuffing came out. Still his favorite buddy! I didn’t use the heartbeat or heat, second time around.
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So snuggly
Our new pup has not arrived yet, but we are sure this will be the perfect way to ease separation from her litter mates. It came highly recommended from our breeder.
Best Puppy Puzzle Toy
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Durable and fun
My wild puppy loves this and has yet to tear it apart. It keeps him entertained for a whole 20 minutes, which is like 2 hours in puppy time.
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Super cute!
Cute fun puzzle toy. My dogs like getting the little aliens out of their spaceship - can also put treats inside for more of an incentive for them to dig in!
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Puppy is happy
Our little girl loves all the pieces to these and the aliens each have a squeaky in them so that is a plus! She even plays with the rocket! They have held up extremely well even with a teething puppy!
Best Puppy Fetch Toy
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Her favorite
My dog chews all her toys, even the ones for aggressive chewers, but not her pink Frisbee. She absolutely loves playing catch and if we’re playing she will search till she finds it and will play catch till I’m exhausted.
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Favorite toy
My dog loves this toy...carries it around with him when we're not tossing it to him. Must always have one, it's not rigid so he can shake it side to side.
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MY DOGS LOVE THIS
MY DOGS HAD ANOTHER ONE TILL THEY PLAYED AND TUGED ON IT TILL THEY DESTROYED IT. I HAVE 2 GOLDENS. THEY LOVE THE NEW ONE AND IT WILL LAST VERY LONG JUST LIKE THE FIRST ONE.
Best Plush Puppy Toy
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Perfect size for Puppy
My dog loves playing with these toys. Loves that he can make them squeak. They haven’t fallen apart and that’s a real plus.
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Super soft
Adorable and super soft. It's a wee bit too big for my cat, but she uses it as a pillow and will snuggle with it on occasion.
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Adorable dog toy
These two giraffe dog toys are so cute. My puppy loves them both. She carries them around like they are her babies. She also likes to chew on them. They are soft for her to sleep with also.
Safety Tips for Puppy Playtime
Swallowing parts of or whole toys (if too small for your large puppy) is the main safety concern when introducing a new toy. Follow these tips for fun and safe playing:
- Make sure the puppy toy is the right size. Some dog toys come in a range of sizes, and others are designed specifically for small-, medium- or large-breed dogs. Dr. Feeny says to make sure it’s big enough so that they can’t swallow it but not too big that they can’t actually play with it.
- Keep durability in mind when choosing a toy. This is especially important if you have aggressive chewers. “Dogs who love to chew can chew for hours, so make sure you have a strong product that can withstand that kind of activity,” Dr. Feeny says. But you don’t want it to be too tough. Some bones are so hard they can break your dog’s teeth, says Dr. Feeney. They should be soft enough that you can make an indent with your thumbnail.
- Always monitor your puppy during playtime. Never leave your dog unsupervised with toys, especially if they are prone to playing rough or destroying them.
- Keep tabs on the wear and tear. Visually inspect even the most durable toys before play to make sure there are no loose bits that can fall off, no rough or frayed edges or stuffing coming out that could be swallowed and no sharp edges.
Best Puppy Toys FAQ
Q: What are the safest puppy toys?
A: Safe toys for puppies are made with nontoxic ingredients (like natural rubber), appropriately sized and can’t be swallowed whole or ripped apart (stuffing, squeakers and bells can be a choking hazard). Always monitor your puppy whenever they are playing with toys.
Q: What are safe puppy chew toys?
A: Puppy teeth are more sensitive than adult teeth and can chip if the toy material is too hard. Rubber toys and nylon bones are safer than antler and beef bones, says Dr. Feeney. Chew toys should be durable, but soft enough that you can make an indent with your thumbnail, and made with natural, non-toxic ingredients.
Q: What toys can keep my puppy busy?
A: Think mental stimulation. Toys that involve searching for food or solving a puzzle to find food can keep dogs occupied for extended periods of time. Dog Puzzle toys or interactive dog toys range in levels and difficulty, starting with a snuffle mat for hiding kibble and progressing to a system where dogs push a lever and open a latch to get a treat. To get your puppy started, fill a KONG Classic toy with dog-safe peanut butter for them to lick out.
Q: What toys are best for an 8-week-old puppy?
A: Young puppies benefit from teething toys, which should be durable, but not too hard. Some chew toys can be stored in the freezer to numb sore gums, relieving pain. Eight weeks is typically the youngest age a puppy will leave their littermates to join their new home, so behaviorally, it’s go-time for teaching what’s right and wrong. Soft toys and stuffed toys that mimic body heat or their mama’s heartbeat ease anxieties during crate training or home alone time.
How We Chose These Products
Having the right toys for your new puppy makes those first few months of pet parenting less stressful and a lot more fun. We delved through Chewy’s best-selling puppy toys to bring you only the top-rated (at least a 4-star rating) products. These puppy toys are pet-parent approved by hundreds of Chewy customers so you can feel confident in your purchase.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
You and your puppy are just getting to know each other, so if you have any health or dental concerns, check in with your veterinarian for safe toy suggestions based on your puppy’s age, breed and personality.
Next Steps: What More to Expect With Puppy
Now that you’ve conquered playtime with the best puppy toys, find out what else to expect during your puppy’s first year so you can keep your new furry friend happy and healthy .
Expert input provided by Dr. Jennifer Feeney, DVM, UW-AAB, Elite FFCP, LSHC-S, CVF, veterinarian, pet behaviorist and owner of Build A Better Bond Pet Behavior Management in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
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