Retrievist / Reviews / Dog Toys / Best Interactive Dog Toys to Beat Boredom
Best Interactive Dog Toys to Beat Boredom
Interactive dog toys are an increasingly popular way for owners to provide mental and physical stimulation for pets. Left to their own devices, some dogs destroy furniture and shoes out of boredom. The best interactive dog toys distract dogs from boredom, sate their curiosity, and boost their mental and physical abilities.
To help you find the perfect interactive dog toy for your pooch, we’ve researched and analyzed reviews and searched for the most unique and innovative designs. Here are our top picks.
Overall Best Interactive Dog Toy
- Stimulating
- Versatile
- Challenging
- Entertaining
- Unique
- Effective
Your dog will have to learn how to flip and slide open these compartments to retrieve favorite kibble or treats. Dogs are challenged with 20 treat compartments, 8 slidable/openable covers, and 4 removable bones. As a part of the Nina Ottosson game collection, this puzzle offers a level 2 challenge of mental stimulation. The plastic puzzle must be hand-washed...
- Entertaining
- Unique
- Effective
- Stimulating
- Versatile
- Challenging
Your dog will have to learn how to flip and slide open these compartments to retrieve favorite kibble or treats. Dogs ar...
Best Budget Interactive Dog Toy
- Chewable
- Floatable
- Dishwasher-Safe
- Sturdy
Made with FDA-approved material that's free of phthalates, vinyl, and latex, this durable dog treat toy is constructed to withstand even the toughest chewers. With a unique design, this bright green pickle allows small treats and kibble to be placed in three small compartments. As your dog plays with the pickle to extract the treats, the toy may bounce aroun...
- Dishwasher-Safe
- Sturdy
- Chewable
- Floatable
Made with FDA-approved material that's free of phthalates, vinyl, and latex, this durable dog treat toy is constructed t...
Most Durable Interactive Dog Toy
- Instinctual
- Exhilarating
- ample hiding spots
- Eye-Catching
- durable
- machine washable
Snuffle mats can be a great interactive toy for channeling your dog's natural instincts, and this model delivers. With a total of four layers of bright orange petals, this mat allows for the hiding of food and treats in multiple areas for your pet to sniff out. Lastly, this snuffle mat also includes buckles to keep it in place when your pet might want to dra...
Reviewers are absolutely obsessed with this mat and swear that it helps with their dogs' separation anxiety. It's likely why it has a 4.5-star rating from more than 4,000 reviews.
- Eye-Catching
- durable
- machine washable
- Instinctual
- Exhilarating
- ample hiding spots
Snuffle mats can be a great interactive toy for channeling your dog's natural instincts, and this model delivers. With a...
Reviewers are absolutely obsessed with this mat and swear that it helps with their dogs' separation anxiety. It's likely why it has a 4.5-star rating from more than 4,000 reviews.
Our Other Favorites
- hours of entertainment
- easy to grip
- automated
- keeps dog occupied
- no effort
- high-quality
Programmed to attract your dog’s attention, this automated dog toy is high-quality and does not require any manual operation. Reviewers say their dogs stay entertained for hours. The Wickedbone acts responsively to different types of touch, such as chasing, teasing, avoiding, and more. The toy can be used with dogs of all ages, energy levels, and sizes.
- keeps dog occupied
- no effort
- high-quality
- hours of entertainment
- easy to grip
- automated
Programmed to attract your dog’s attention, this automated dog toy is high-quality and does not require any manual ope...
- ENTERTAINING
- CHANNELS INSTINCTS
- WHIMSICAL
- VERSATILE
Your dog will love tugging these soft and squeaky plush squirrels out of their hideaways inside a plush tree trunk. This adorable woodland puzzle toy is perfect for large dogs, but will also work for small and medium dogs. The 14-by-6-inch trunk provides three hideaways for squirrels to sink into—and your dog to drag them out.
- WHIMSICAL
- VERSATILE
- ENTERTAINING
- CHANNELS INSTINCTS
Your dog will love tugging these soft and squeaky plush squirrels out of their hideaways inside a plush tree trunk. This...
- Stimulating
- Rewarding
- Varying Difficulty Levels
- Challenging
This interactive puzzle toy isn't for the faint of heart! With four layers of rotating discs, the Dog Tornado Toy from Nina Ottosson offers a multitude of spots in which to hide treats for your dog. You can increase the difficulty by placing blocks in some compartments, so you can watch your dog learn and get smarter as they go along, all while getting the m...
- Varying Difficulty Levels
- Challenging
- Stimulating
- Rewarding
This interactive puzzle toy isn't for the faint of heart! With four layers of rotating discs, the Dog Tornado Toy from N...
- Challenging
- Unique
- Durable
- Entertaining
If you're in the market for something to slow down your small dog, this flip board is designed for maximum mental and physical stimulation. Flip knobs, liftable cones, and side-to-side sliding discs create an intricate challenge. Owners can change the level of difficulty by varying the placement and number of treats.
- Durable
- Entertaining
- Challenging
- Unique
If you're in the market for something to slow down your small dog, this flip board is designed for maximum mental and ph...
- Stimulating
- Durable
- Safe
- Environmentally-Friendly
Made in the U.S., this Zogoflex Qwizl is guaranteed against even the most aggressive chewers. This treat dispenser has a fun swivel shape that fits treats in strips, sticks, and slices. It comes in two sizes (small and large) and three colors (blue, green, and orange). It even floats, so it's great for water adventures.
- Safe
- Environmentally-Friendly
- Stimulating
- Durable
Made in the U.S., this Zogoflex Qwizl is guaranteed against even the most aggressive chewers. This treat dispenser has a...
- Wobbly
- Enticing
- Versatile
- Customizable
This boredom buster gets your dog moving during dinnertime. Dogs will roll, nudge, and spin the Bob-A-Lot to knock kibble out. A weighted bottom ensures the toy wobbles, creating a more difficult challenge for dogs without dissuading them from playing. You can even adjust the bottom to increase the difficulty level. Just drop a meal into the large chamber an...
- Versatile
- Customizable
- Wobbly
- Enticing
This boredom buster gets your dog moving during dinnertime. Dogs will roll, nudge, and spin the Bob-A-Lot to knock kibbl...
- Tough
- TUGGABLE
- LONG-LASTING
- INDESTRUCTIBLE
- EASY TO CLEAN
- RELIABLE
If you're on the hunt for a nearly indestructible, interactive dog toy for your large dog, it's time to invest in the Goughnuts. This black toy will last and works as a tug-of-war toy. It’s designed for interactive play rather than constant chewing. It's 11 inches long and 6 inches wide.
- INDESTRUCTIBLE
- EASY TO CLEAN
- RELIABLE
- Tough
- TUGGABLE
- LONG-LASTING
If you're on the hunt for a nearly indestructible, interactive dog toy for your large dog, it's time to invest in the Go...
- Rugged
- Challenging
- Fun
- U.S.A.-Made
- Non-Toxic
- Recyclable
What dog doesn't love a rousing game of tug-of-war? Made in the United States and backed by a lifetime warranty, the Zogoflex Bumi is seamlessly tough and gentle, as well as nearly indestructible -- and it won’t harm your pup's mouth. The S-shaped tug-of-war toy is easy for people and dogs to hold onto, especially as it stretches to twice its length during...
Getting the full attention of their humans while they play tug together with this rugged toy.
What Humans Love:This is an extremely well-made and durable dog toy that should last for years to come.
What dog doesn't love a rousing game of tug-of-war? Made in the United States and backed by a lifetime warranty, the Zog...
What Is an Interactive Dog Toy?
An interactive dog toy is an item that keeps dogs mentally and physically stimulated. These toys are perfect for entertaining your dog when you're away or when they are bored. Interactive dog toys are typically games or puzzles made from plastic, rubber, or wood. They can be used alone or with humans and other dogs.
You can make your own interactive dog toy at home. Old t-shirts can be stretched and braided into chew toys. Cutting small holes into soda bottles or PVC pipes can create treat dispensers.
Treat dispensers slow feeding by making dogs figure out how to get their food. Puzzle toys, like flip boards or hidden puzzles, also bust boredom. They can also serve as a good reward for training sessions.
Just like humans, dogs get bored. Some dogs can even develop separation anxiety or bad behaviors such as barking or destructive chewing. Interactive dog toys can circumvent these issues.
Exercising your dog through daily walks or playtime is fantastic, but that's not enough for all dogs. They also need mental stimulation. Interactive dog toys are the perfect solution as they encourage mental and physical stimulation.
