Boredom is one of the most common problems that dogs face especially when they are left home alone. Ordinary dog toys can keep the dog busy for some time but most toys are limiting and require another dog or the owner to keep the dog occupied. When most dogs are bored, they tend to engage in destructive habits such as chewing, barking and other annoying habits that can put your dog in danger.
Interactive dog toys cannot only prevent boredom in your dog but they can also stimulate your dog’s brains. The toys are designed to provide your dog with multiple functions and options in a single package. The multiple function and options available in interactive dog toys are stimulating thus it will take a long time for your dog to get bored.
Who Needs to Buy Interactive Dog Toy
All dogs need mental stimulation which can effectively be achieved using the best interactive dog toys. The dog toys provide mental stimulation and help them flex their mental muscles and help prevent boredom. The toys come in different designs and come with different features. Some interactive toys may require the dog to think to get a treat or a toy. These toys are a great addition to your dog toy collection.
Any dog can enjoy and benefit from interactive dog toys but dogs that are intelligent or prone to boredom may precisely benefit from interactive toys. The toys will keep the dog entertained and prevent boredom. Intelligent dogs are not the only ones that can benefit from interactive toys. The best interactive dog toys not only help dogs flex their mental muscles but also encourage dogs to play and exercise. Dogs that spend most of their time sleeping or laying on the coach need you to encourage them to move around. Interactive dog toys can help dogs that are inactive to play and exercise.
Features to Consider When Buying the Best Interactive Dog Toys
It can be challenging to identify the best interactive dog toys due to the numerous interactive toys available in the market today. To make it easier for you to identify the best interactive dog toys, we have provided you with some of the features that you should look out for in an interactive dog toy. Here are some of the features to look out for in the best interactive dog toys.
Safety
The safety of your dog should always be a priority when buying any dog products. When shopping for the best interactive dog toys, ensure that the toys you select are made of non-toxic material that is safe for your dog. Dogs mostly play with toys using their mouth thus it is important to ensure that the toys you provide to your dog are safe to put in their mouth.
Difficulty
The intelligence levels of dogs vary from one dog to another. Some dogs are more intelligent than others. It is important to ensure that the toys you select will be ideal for your dog. If an interactive toy is very challenging for your dog, it may not be of any use to the dog since the dog will not be interested in the toy. On the other hand, if an interactive dog toy is too easy for your dog; your dog is probably going to lose interest in the toy after a while. The best option for dog owners who are unsure about the intelligence level of their dog is to get interactive dog toys that have an adjustable difficulty.
Ease to Clean and Maintain
Ease to clean and maintain is very important when shopping for interactive toys for your dog. Most interactive dog toys use treats to encourage dogs to use them. Since food is involved, it is important to ensure that the toy is clean. Choose the best interactive dog toys that you can effectively clean. Selecting toys that are easy to clean helps you avoid your dog eating mold or other dirt that can negatively affect the health of your dog.
Size
The best interactive dog toys come in different sizes and shapes. When buying interactive toys for your dog, you need to consider the size of your dog. If you give a small dog a larger toy, it might be challenging for the dog to use the toy. On the other hand a very small toy might be challenging for a larger dog. It is advisable for you to select interactive toys in different sizes so as to suit the needs of your dog.
Top 10 Best Interactive Dog Toys
We have identified the best interactive dog toys available in the market that offers you value for your money. Our selection of the best interactive dog toys is based on the functionality, versatility, customer reviews, cost, and safety of the interactive toys. Here are reviews of the best interactive dog toys that are ideal for any dogs.
#1) FurryFido Interactive Dog Ball
The FurryFido Interactive Dog Ball is a non-toxic interactive dog toy that can be filled with one of your dog’s favorite treats. Treats fall through small holes on the ball when your dog rolls the ball around or chews on it. It is designed to encourage the dog to play actively and have fun with the ball to get treats. The treats act as a reward that is a great inspiration for even the laziest dogs.
It is a flexible interactive dog toy that can be used in different ways. The interactive toy can be thrown and fetched; the dog can roll it around and chew it to release the treat. When you are around you can use the ball like a standard ball and play fetch with your dog. The ball is made of durable, natural rubber to encourage chewing and massage your dog’s gums to help clear away plaque and keep the teeth of your dog healthy. The interactive toy is backed by a Lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- The interactive dog toy encourages the dog to play actively and have fun with the ball to get treats.
- It can be filled with one of your dog’s favorite treats that act as a reward that is a great inspiration for even the laziest dogs.
- FurryFido Interactive Dog Ball is a flexible interactive dog toy that can be thrown and fetched; the dog can roll it around and chew it to release the treat.
- It is made of durable, natural rubber to encourage chewing and massage your dog’s gums to help clear away plaque and keep the teeth of your dog healthy.
- The dog toy is backed by a Lifetime guarantee.
#2) Squeak Dog Toy by FurryFido
Squeak Toy by FurryFido is a unique interactive dog toy that features a cone-like shape that let you place treats in multiple sections of the toy. The toy dispenses treats as the dog plays and chews on the toy. The treats encourage the dog to keep playing with the toy to get more treats. Getting all the treats in the different section of the toy will require the dog to think and also move around.
The interactive toy provides mental stimulation and also allows your dog to exercise. It is a great choice for dog owners that leave their dogs home alone for a long period of time. The toy is made that is of extremely durable, non-toxic thermoplastics rubber that is safe for your dog. The thermoplastics rubber is highly durable and is hard for dogs to destroy. The durable material prevents your pet from eating or choking on pieces of the toy.
Pros
- The interactive dog toy is designed with a unique pattern that helps clean the dog’s teeth while they play.
- It comes with lifetime guarantee.
- The cone shaped dog toy provides you with multiple sections where you can place your dog’s favorite treats.
- It provides mental stimulation and also allows your dog to exercise when he rolls and turns the toy.
- Getting all the treats in the different section of the toy will require the dog to think and also move around which can take a long time, making the toy a great choice for dog owners that leave their dogs home alone for a long period of time.
- It is made that is of extremely durable, non-toxic thermoplastics rubber that is safe for your dog.
- The toy is hard for dogs to destroy to prevent your dog from eating or choking on pieces of the toy.
#3) Zoo Friends Burrow
The Zoo Friends Burrow is the best budget interactive dog toy in the market. It is designed to provide you dog with hours of interactive fun. The toy features four parts; one larger toy with holes, and three smaller toys that fit inside the holes. The smaller toys fit inside the holes on the bigger toy and come with a high-quality squeaker.
The interactive dog tot is designed to encourage the dog to hunt for and retrieve the smaller toys. To move the smaller toys out of, the larger one requires physical coordination and thinking which keep your dog busy and provide mental stimulation to the dog. The hide-and-seek design of the toy keeps your pet busy for hours, making it an ideal option for pet owners who leave their pets alone for hours. It is a great option for dogs that are more toy-driven than food-driven.
Pros
- The Zoo Friends Burrow comes in multiple designs; the Monkeys ‘n Banana, Elephant cave, Meerkat den among others.
- It is available in two sizes, one for large and medium dogs and one for small dogs.
- The interactive dog toy is designed to encourage the dog to hunt for and retrieve the smaller toys.
- It requires physical coordination and thinking which keep your dog busy for long and provide mental stimulation to the dog.
- The toy has a hide-and-seek design which keeps your pet busy for hours, making it an ideal option for pet owners who leave their pets alone for hours.
- It is the best budget interactive dog toy in the market.
Cons
- It is more ideal for dogs that are more toy-driven than food-driven.
#4) Trixie Poker Box
Trixie Poker Box is a great puzzle toy for dogs. The toy features four puzzles wrapped up in one. Each of the four puzzles holds a treat and is opened with a different mechanism. One of the puzzle boxes may require the dog to pick up the lid by a string while another may requires your dog to slide out a drawer.
The interactive dog toy has adjustable difficulty which can be varied by changing the number and placement of treats. The dog owner can place a treat at the very front of the drawer puzzle to allow the dog to easily get the treat, or place the treat in the very back, making the dog pull out the drawer all the way before they can get to the treat. It is a highly durable interactive toy that is made of high-plastic for improved durability.
Pros
- It is a durable dog toy that is made of high-plastic for improved durability.
- The interactive toy features four puzzles wrapped up in one to ensure adjustable difficulty which can be varied by changing the number and placement of treats.
- It comes with a booklet of tips and tricks to ensure that your dog retains interest in the toy.
- The four puzzles hold a treat and are opened with a different mechanism to avoid boredom and keep the dog busy for a very long period of time.
#5) OurPets IQ Treat Ball
OurPets IQ Treat Ball is the best treat dispenser toy available in the market. It is designed to encourage dogs to exercise and have fun. It is a treat dispenser interactive toy that lets kibble or treats to fall out of the toy as the pet rolls and plays with it. Dog owners can place their dog’s favorite treats in the toy to encourage their dog to play and exercise.
The OurPets IQ Treat Ball can easily be twisted apart for easy cleaning. It is made of strong, durable plastic that is completely non-toxic. The dog toy is available in two sizes and is ideal for small to medium dogs. It provides dog owners with adjustable difficulty levels, which makes it ideal for both smart and average dogs.
Pros
- The interactive dog toy is designed to encourage dogs to exercise and have fun.
- It provides dog owners with adjustable difficulty levels, which makes it good for both smart and average dogs.
- The treat dispenser toy lets kibble or treats to fall out of the toy as the pet rolls and plays with it.
- It is made of strong, durable plastic that is non-toxic and safe for your pet.
- The treat ball can easily be twisted apart for easy cleaning.
- It is comes in two sizes and is ideal for small to medium dogs.
Cons
- The interactive dog toy is not ideal for small dog breeds such as teacup dogs since the teeth of the dog can get stuck in the ball’s dispensing hole.
#6) Siensync Slow Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl
The Siensync Slow Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl is a slow feeder interactive dog bowl that can be a great interactive dog toy that can keep your dog busy for hours. Eating fast cannot only cause health problems in your dog but it can also put the life of your dog at risk of choking on food.
Siensync slow feeder interactive dog bowl, allows your dog to enjoy his meal longer with interactive feeding challenges to keep him busy. The interactive dog bowl ensures that the dog takes time to munch on his food properly prior to taking another gulp. It is made of environmental-friendly plastic that is dishwashers friendly for easy cleaning. The plastic used is non-toxic and is food-grade material to ensure it is eco-friendly. It is compact for easy daily use as well as travelling.
Pros
- It is designed to ensure that the dog takes time to munch on his food properly prior to taking another gulp to avoid health problems associated with eating fast and also prevent your dog choking on food.
- The interactive dog bowl is made of environmental-friendly plastic that is dishwashers friendly for easy cleaning.
- It is a slow feeder interactive dog bowl that can be a great interactive dog toy to keep your dog busy for hours when you are away.
- The dog bowl can be used for daily use as well as for travelling.
- It is made of non-toxic materials that is food-grade and is eco-friendly.
#7) Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop Interactive Dog Treat Dispenser
Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Snoop Interactive Treat dispenser is a great toy for dogs that love food. The treat dispenser dispenses treats and food slices quickly, and to keep the dog busy eating for 5-30 minutes depending on the size of the treats inside the dispenser. It can be put in the dishwasher for easier cleaning.
It is easy to put food inside the toy. The interactive dog treat dispenser is made of non-toxic and recyclable material that is eco-friendly and safe for your dog. The treat dispenser is infused with natural mint oil to keep it smelling fresh. It is advisable to use the dispenser with small sized treats since big slices can be frustrating for some dogs. The Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Snoop Interactive Treat dispenser is reasonably quiet even when the dog is playing with it.
Pros
- It is a dishwasher friendly treat dispenser that is very easy to clean.
- Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Snoop Interactive Treat dispenser is made of non-toxic and recyclable material that is eco-friendly and safe for your dog
- It is reasonably quiet when the dog is playing with it.
- The treat dispenser is infused with natural mint oil to keep it smelling fresh.
- It is designed to keep the dog busy eating for 5-30 minutes depending on the size of the treats inside the dispenser.
Cons
- The food dispenser does not work well with wet dog food.
#8) StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy is a wobbling dog toy that can be filled with dog’s favorite treat to keep the dog busy and active. It comes with adjustable opening that can fit largely sized treats. The dog owners can adjust the holes size to accommodate small treats and make it easy or difficult for the dog to get his treat.
The interactive dog toy has a heavy-weighted bottom to ensure that it stays upright even with rough play. It will wobble to release a treat but will remain upright no matter how much effort the dog uses to knock off the toy.
Pros
- It has adjustable holes size to accommodate small treats and make it possible for dog owners to make it easy or difficult for the dog to get his treat.
- The interactive dog toy can be filled with dog’s favorite treat to keep the dog busy and active for long.
- It has a heavy-weighted bottom to ensure that it stays upright even with rough play.
- The dog toy is made of quality material that is not only durable but it is also easy to clean and safe for your pet.
Cons
- The dog toy does not work with wet dog foods.
#9) Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball Interactive Dog Toy
Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball Interactive Dog Toy is a quality interactive dog toy that produces 20 wisecracks and sounds to get the attention of your pet. It is a very reliable dog toy that ensures that your dog never gets bored. The interactive dog toy is motion activated to ensure that it automatically sleeps when not in use and turns on as soon as your dog taps into it.
The toy is powered by batteries that are easy to replace. You can easily replace the batteries when the toy seems not to be making enough noise. It is a highly durable interactive dog toy for dogs that love rough play. The interactive dog toy is made of strong and durable materials are easy to clean and are safe for dogs.
Pros
- It is a reliable dog toy that ensures that your dog never gets bored.
- The dog toy is motion activated to ensure that it automatically sleeps when not in use and automatically turns on when the dog taps into it.
- It produces 20 wisecracks and sounds to get the attention of your pet.
- The interactive dog toy is made of strong and durable materials are easy to clean and safe for your pets.
- It is a highly durable interactive dog toy that is ideal for dogs that love rough play.
- The batteries are easy to replace.
Cons
- It might be ideal for dogs that love food or dog owners looking for treat dispenser interactive toys.
#10) Interactive Dog Tug Toy
Interactive Dog Tug Toy is a great dog toy that encourages mutual communication between dog owners and their pets. It can be used as a training tool to teach dogs tricks and keep them physically fit. The toy lets dog owners have fun while training their dogs and provide them with the physical exercise he require for a healthy lifestyle.
It is a lightweight interactive dog toy that is very easy to use. The toy features a non-slip handle to prevent you from accidentally dropping the toy on your pet. It has a braided cotton blend that acts as allure to your pet. The lure is highly-durable and is strong enough to withstand strong chewers and rough play.
Pros
- It features a non-slip handle to prevent you from accidentally dropping the toy on your pet.
- The Interactive Dog Tug Toy can be used as a training tool to teach dogs tricks and keep them physically fit.
- It is designed to encourage mutual communication between dog owners and their dogs.
- The dog toy is highly-durable and is strong enough to withstand strong chewers and rough play.
- It is a lightweight interactive dog toy that is very easy to use.
Conclusion
The best interactive dog toys should not only keep you dog engaged for a long time but should also be made from quality material that is safe for your dog. The above interactive dog toys we have reviewed are some of the best available in the market. They vary in prices and in the features they offer.
The best interactive dog toys can save you money that you might use to purchase multiple toys for your dog to keep him busy. We hope that you have found the best interactive dog toys that suit your dog’s needs. Any of the dog toys we have reviewed will make a great selection for a dog owner that is looking for a reliable, safe and durable interactive dog toy.
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Dr. Candy, a holistic veterinarian and certified raw dog food nutrition specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a DVM and has since specialized in companion animal nutrition, advocating for species-specific diets. With a background in wildlife rehabilitation and oil spill response, she combines holistic health and conventional medicine in her unique approach to treating chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions in pets. As the owner of a veterinary practice in Colorado and an author, Dr. Candy is dedicated to educating pet parents and improving the health and happiness of animals.
