Search for the best interactive dog toys and you get a hundred lists that all say the same thing. The honest answer is that the best toy depends on what your dog does when they are bored. A dog who stalks the cat needs something different from a dog who shreds cushions or one who follows you around sniffing the floor.
This guide skips the ranking and helps you match a toy to your dog, so the one you buy actually gets used.
Start with how your dog plays
Watch your dog for a day and you will see a pattern. Most dogs lean toward one or two of these:
- Chasers go after anything that moves: balls, birds, the vacuum cleaner.
- Sniffers have their nose on the ground and love finding dropped food.
- Thinkers watch, work things out and get frustrated when nothing is going on.
- Tuggers grab a sleeve, a leash or a towel and pull.
- Chewers need to work their jaws, and will find something to chew whether you give them a toy or not.
Pick a toy that lets your dog do the thing they already want to do. That is what makes it satisfying, and a satisfying toy is one your dog goes back to.
The main types of interactive dog toys
Balls that move on their own. Best for chasers. A self-rolling dog ball changes direction and reacts to a touch, so the chase doesn't end when you stop throwing. They are for play time with you nearby, not for chewing.
Treat dispensing toys. A ball or cube that drops kibble as your dog pushes it around. Good for sniffers and for dogs who eat too fast.
Puzzle boards. Sliding covers and compartments that hide treats. Best for thinkers. Start easy, then make it harder. Our guide on whether dog puzzle toys work covers how to get the most from one.
Snuffle mats. Fabric strips that hide dry food. The simplest way to put a nose to work, and one of the few toys that suits almost every dog.
Lick mats. A textured surface for soft food. Licking settles a dog down, which makes these good before bed, at bath time or when you have to leave.
Tug toys. The best interactive toy of all might be one that involves you. A rope and ten minutes of tug does a lot for a dog who likes to pull.
What to check before you buy
Size. A toy that is too small is a choking risk. A tennis ball is about 67 mm across, which is a useful reference when you compare diameters.
Materials. Softer outer shells are kinder to teeth and quieter on hard floors. Anything with a battery should keep it sealed inside a hard core.
Cleaning. Food toys get grimy fast. Check whether a toy goes in the dishwasher or the washing machine, or comes apart to rinse.
Your home. Rolling toys slow down on thick carpet. Noisy toys can be a problem in an apartment. Think about where the toy will actually be used.
Matching toys to your day
The same dog needs different things at different times. A lick mat or snuffle mat works well in the morning before you leave, because it keeps a dog calm and busy without a battery or a motor. An evening game with a moving ball, while you are there to join in, uses up the energy that builds during a quiet day. A puzzle fits the slow afternoon when your dog is restless but you are busy.
Common mistakes
- Leaving every toy out. Toys that are always on the floor stop being interesting. Rotate them.
- Starting too hard. A puzzle your dog can't solve teaches them to give up. Let them win early.
- Leaving a battery toy with your dog alone. Moving toys are for play with you around. For time alone, use a toy without a battery.
- Giving a rolling ball to a heavy chewer. Chewers need a chew. A rolling ball is built for chasing.
Shopping for the holidays? Our guide to Christmas gifts for dogs matches gift ideas to the way your dog likes to play.
Where to start with Borkly
- For chasers, BorkBall Disco. It rolls on its own, lights up, and reacts to a touch. It is our most popular toy by a long way.
- For sniffers, BorkBrain Sniff, a fleece snuffle mat that goes in the washing machine.
- For thinkers, BorkBrain Puzzle, with sliding covers on a turning board.
- For calmer moments, BorkBrain Lick, a silicone lick mat you can freeze.
- For small dogs and puppies, BorkBall Nub, a 40 mm ball that chirps as it rolls.
You can browse everything in our interactive dog balls and puzzle and enrichment toys collections.