Best Interactive Toys for Dogs – Top Interactive Dog Toy Brands Review for 2020
Interactive toys are an excellent way to keep your dog occupied and entertained, as well as to prevent negative behaviors that are associated with boredom, such as excessive barking and chewing. Toys that encourage mental and physical stimulation are highly recommended by vets because they help promote a well-balanced temperament in your pet. This makes it easier to train your dog and discourage those negative behaviors.
Picking the right interactive toy for your dog is easy. Keep in mind your dog’s size, how much they enjoy chewing, how aggressive they tend to get with their toys, and whether they enjoy mental stimulation and puzzles. If you’re not sure what your dog will like, you can purchase a couple different toys and see which one is best. Does your pet go crazy for a rolling ball that releases treats? Or do they prefer a puzzle they can sit down with and figure out over several hours? Taking note of your pet’s unique needs can help you find the best one for your situation.
Top 5 Interactive Toys for Dogs
The Best Interactive Dog Toys List
Below, you’ll find a list of the 8 best interactive dog toys currently on the market. As you shop, keep in mind that every dog plays differently and not all toys are created equal. Your pet will definitely have quirks and preferences, so watch them as they play; this way, you’ll be able to figure out which toys are best for them and importantly, you can keep your dog safe. Many toys are quite destructible, so make sure to take toys away as soon as it begins to fall apart or pieces break off.
① Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball Dog Toy
This talking babble ball by Pet Qwerks gives your pet a good, talkative time as they play. The toy is interactive, and speaks when it’s activated, which stimulates your pet. It releases more than twenty different sounds and definitely goes beyond simply squeaking–it even gives expressions such as “Sweet puppy” so it sounds like someone’s talking to your dog while they play. Toys that are this interactive are a great way to prevent boredom and keep your dog occupied and entertained. This ball is activated whenever it’s touched or rolled, and when it comes to a stop, it automatically turns off. To clean, simply use a damp cloth to wipe down.
Pros
- Turns off automatically, so the batteries don’t burn out and your dog can play for a long time
- As your dog plays, they hear a variety of fun sounds that are unique and interesting
- Features over 20 expressions that entertains and comforts
Cons
- Ball is made from plastic material, which may be difficult for your dog to grip, and can easily crack
- There is no volume control, so the toy became quickly annoying for some owners
② JW Pet Hol-ee Roller Dog Toy
This roller dog toy from JW Pet does everything–bounces around, it’s easily used for a game of fetch, it stretches and can be chewed on, and you can fill it with tasty treats to turn the toy into a puzzle for your dog to enjoy while they’re alone. It features a honeycomb pattern that’s patented, which keeps treats in place and is made of a durable rubber material. The material is perfect for your dog to chew on and play with for several hours at a time. This dog toy is even double-molded so it can stand up to rough and tough dogs who chew a lot, so you can have the toy for as long as possible. It also promotes activity and exercise, which keeps your pet healthy even if you’re not around, and it’s perfect for dogs who easily become bored. The unique design keeps your dog engaged and busy, and the rubber was carefully designed to be non-toxic as well.
Pros
- Durable rubber material is non-toxic and tough enough to handle constant, rough chewing
- Promotes activity and exercise so your dog is healthy and active
- Prevents boredom and can be used as a treat ball so your dog is kept busy and engaged when you’re gone
Cons
- Odd oil feel and smell to the product
- Difficult to find treats that are large enough to fit within the ball and don’t fall out (ball has large holes)
③ Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball Dog Toy
This interactive ball will entertain and challenge your pet for hours at a time. All you have to do is fill the ball with your dog’s favorite treats or even some dry food and let them have at it. As your dog plays with the ball, Tricky Treat dispenses small bits of food at a time, so your dog is focused and kept active even if you’re not around. It’s a perfect toy to give your pet at the beginning of the day before you head to work, or to roll to them when you need a couple of hours to focus at home. The ball’s very easy to fill, and it features a soft texture that’s easy for your pet to grip with both their paws and their teeth. Best of all, it’s available in a variety of sizes, so you can match the size of the toy to the size of your dog.
Pros
- Ball is very easy to fill yet dispenses slowly so your pet is entertained for hours
- Soft, durable material can be gripped easily
- Comes in different sizes so you select what’s appropriate for your specific pet
Cons
- Bigger dogs such as St. Bernards and pit bulls tend to chew this toy to pieces within minutes
- Difficult to get the treats inside out, which frustrated both owners and pets
④ Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy
The wobbling Bob-a-Lot toy is fully adjustable and makes feeding and exercising your dog easier than ever. Simply fill the toy with portions from your pet’s regular dog food to transform meal time into play time, or put in treats so your pet gets excited as soon as you pull the toy out. This toy is among Starmark’s Mental Stimulation line, which features products that keep pets mentally engaged in activities that they enjoy. This encourages foraging and hunting behaviors and prevents your pet from getting bored. Easy to fill and clean chambers hold a variety of kibble and treats; simply remove the yellow top, fill, and put back on. To clean, simply rinse with water. Best of all, you can adjust the difficulty level of the toy so the opening releases treats based on your dog’s abilities.
Pros
- Developed to mentally engage your pet and encourage natural behaviors while preventing boredom
- You can adjust how difficult it is to get the treats out, matching the toy to your specific pet
- Easy to fill and easy to clean
Cons
- Easy for dogs to chew the top lid off, which ruins the toy
- Difficult for dogs to understand that food comes out; tend to lose interest quickly
⑤ Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Puzzle Dog Toy
This fluffy and loveable toy by Outward Hound is destined to become your pet’s favorite. With their Squirrel Puzzle, your dog can play hide and seek; simply stuff the squirrels, which are filled with squeakers, into the tree trunk so your dog can find them and pull them out. It’ll get your dog’s brain working as they remain active and engaged. Depending on the dog, it could take a while to get each squirrel out, so this toy will keep them playing for hours. It was designed to be durable and features engaging textures, sounds, and shapes. Watch your dog have fun with this–and you can use this toy over and over again.
Pros
- Contains three squirrels; ginormous size has six squirrels
- Engaging and active game of hide and seek that can last for hours
- Squeaky, soft squirrels will get your dog excited and playful
Cons
- Fabric of the log and squirrels can tear easily; this is not a durable toy and more fitting for smaller breeds
- Many dogs tear open the toy and begin eating the stuffing inside, which can be a health hazard. It is recommended that you are with your pet while they play with this toy
⑥ Trixie Activity Flip Board Interactive Dog Toy
This flip board is a great alternative to balls and squeaky toys to bring out your dog’s never-ending curiosity and energy. When your pet correctly opens its compartments, by flipping plastic bones and lifting cones, they’ll be rewarded as they find treats and other food you put in. Watch as your eager dog uses their intellect to figure the flip board out. To increase difficulty, you can change the placement and number of treats. It’s guaranteed to keep your dog engaged for extended periods of time, and its non-slip rubber rim keeps the game in place so your dog can explore consistently and safely. To clean, simply put in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Owner has control over how difficult the game is and can change difficulty accordingly
- Stimulating and challenging game for dogs who are curious and energetic
- Easy to clean and stays in place with rubber non-slip feet
Cons
- Ideal for intermediate canine gamers; much more suited for dogs who are smart and enjoy solving puzzles to get rewards
- Levers break very easily, and entire board is flipped if dog is large and aggressive
⑦ Trixie Activity Poker Box Interactive Toy for Dogs
With this poker box by Trixie, you can easily channel your dog’s intelligence and curiosity. This toy was developed to hold treats and your dog has to figure out how to get them. Four separate boxes can be placed along the base or used together, each one leading to a reward you’ve put inside. Your dog will have to navigate drawers, ropes, knobs, flaps, and lids. This requires concentration and patience, which makes it an excellent toy for dogs who have these qualities as well as some energy that they need to expend in a positive manner. If your dog’s curious, intelligence, and craves entertainment, this poker box is perfect. The toy is also dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Keeps your intelligent dog focused and entertained for a while
- Your pet will learn different techniques as they work to get treats from separate compartments
- Comes with a booklet that describes the different levels of difficulty and explains setup
Cons
- Many users complained about the strings included with the toy; rope material would be much more durable
- Dogs easily chew through the plastic lids of the boxes
⑧ Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball Dog Toy
Pet Zone’s IQ treat ball has your pet work hard for their rewards and is a challenging way to give your pet their favorite snacks. All you have to do is fill the ball with kibble or treats, select the level of difficulty to match your pet, and hand it over. Dogs love to play with and chase this ball, trying to figure out how to get inside. Since it’s adjustable, you can increase the challenge after they’ve figured it out a few times. Not only is this toy rewarding, it stimulates both mental and physical activity and keeps your dog engaged for hours, so they don’t resort to destructive and bored behavior. It’s a great tool to support your dog’s happiness and health.
Pros
- Easy to fill and clean
- Difficulty can be adjusted to adapt to your unique pet
- Keeps your dog both mentally and physically active to reduce boredom and bad behavior
Cons
Cons
- Ideal for medium and small dogs; not recommended for large breeds
- Plastic material is difficult for dogs to grip with their teeth or paws
Conclusion & What are the Best Interactive Toys for Dogs
Interactive toys are a great addition to any dog owner’s toy collection. Rather than simply meant to treat your pet, these toys aim to prevent boredom–and the destructive behaviors such as excessive barking or chewing that can come from boredom–with stimulation and entertainment. If you get nervous when you leave your dog alone for the day, investing in an interactive toy can keep them happy and physically active even when you’re not around. Take a look at the top eight toys above for a head start on an excellent choice for your pet.
