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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Indestructible
Bought this as a gift since my dog loves his! His is 8+ years old and still a favorite. Our cat loves it too and always leaves it standing up - weird! Nice to have a toy they both love and can't destroy!
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Cat Chew
My cat chews rubber “things.” When he can get to my OXO measuring cup handles, the cup has to be replaced. I remembered my dogs loving these. Thought why not? It also bounces around like a rugby ball so he’s entertained.
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Small tough toy small to medium dogs
I like this chew toy because you can put treats in it and it will keep dogs busy for hours
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Happy Puppy
I absolutely love the Nylabone Puppy Teething Toy Chew! It has been a lifesaver for my little one during the teething process. The different textures and shapes keep my puppy entertained and provide relief for their sore gums. The quality of the material is excellent and I feel confident that it is safe for my puppy to chew on. I also appreciate that it is easy to clean and can be refrigerated for added comfort. I highly recommend this teething toy to any parent dealing with a teething puppy.
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Puppy enjoys this teether
My puppy enjoys this chew toy! it's a great distraction from chewing on me. Easy to slip into his mouth when he is nippy! Also it's soft enough he can chew on it. Very happy with this buy.
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Nylon pacifier for. Puppy
He loves it I also put it in the freezer and when it’d been in there for hours and nothing seems to please him I take it out of freezer and he doesn’t know what to think at first but then knows if mom gave him it not to worry so he enjoys it very much best puppy ever I love him so much he must have paet Eskimo dog in him because he loves being out all the time he is my other love bug
Best Chew Toy for Puppies
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Perfect size for a puppy
This is the second time purchasing these bones for my puppy. He really loves the Y-shaped one. It is long lasting.
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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.
Best Puppy Heartbeat Toy
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Helps our puppy stay calm in his crate!
We brought Franck home and knew we wanted to crate train him, as it has been a lifesaver with dogs in the past when they need crate rest for illness or injury. He HATED being in his crate, so we decided to try this, and it really helps! He still complains sometimes as he is learning, but is so much happier going in, and staying calm in his crate when his puppy is in there and turned on.
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She’s happy, we’re happy!! Love this snuggle puppy!!
Our dog loves her baby!! When we get home from an errand, she and her baby greets us at the door. She’s pretty happy with it!!
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Obsessed
Our pup who has severe separation anxiety and rips up any stuffed animal is obsessed with this thing. I’ve never seen him sleep with a toy let alone willingly go in his crate and he did both on his first day with the snuggle pup. Definitely buying back ups lol
Best Puppy Puzzle Toy
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How inventive!
This pup lives this toy! Sometimes he shakes the whole spaceship to shake out the aliens. The aliens are perfect for indoor fetch.
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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!
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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Great quality!
When these arrived I wasn’t impressed. However, they are his favorites. I have washed them a couple of times and still no hole! I ordered a second set to have as a backup.
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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.
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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