The best dog toys of 2026

A stuffable rubber toy for average adult chewers, with an irregular bounce for supervised play. The linked Large uses KONG’s 30–65 lb size guide; mouth size and chewing style still determine the right choice. High energy alone is not a reason to choose a tougher rubber formula.

The ChuckIt Ultra Ball is the best fetch ball ever made, full stop. It outperforms tennis balls in every measurable way — higher bounce, better visibility, floats in water, and the rubber walls don't shred into felt strips that your dog eats. Two in a pack means you always have a backup when one inevitably rolls under the couch or into the neighbor's yard.

The Hide-A-Squirrel is the most loved plush puzzle toy on the market. Dogs love pulling the squeaky squirrels out of the tree trunk, and the activity mentally tires them out far more than physical play alone. Great for intelligent breeds that need mental stimulation.

West Paw's Tux combines treat dispensing with serious durability. Zogoflex is West Paw's non-toxic, recyclable material, and the toy is sold as Guaranteed Tough: if your dog damages it, West Paw offers a one-time replacement or refund. A premium alternative to the classic KONG.

If your dog has never seen a puzzle and you want to find out whether they engage before committing $25, the TRIXIE Flip Board at under $10 is the lowest-cost real-brand entry point. Three different opening mechanisms teach the dog the puzzle-toy mental model — then they're ready for a Nina Ottosson Level 2 or 3.

The puppy-specific version of the familiar stuffable KONG. Small is listed for puppies up to 20 lb. KONG advises moving on from Puppy after nine months, so plan to replace it as the puppy grows.

A softer-rubber alternative within the KONG range, designed for older dogs. Stuffing offers an activity without a fetch session, which suits seniors who still enjoy working food out of a toy.

The ball launcher that made Chuckit! a household name, sold for over 20 years. The 26-inch Classic pairs with medium 2.5-inch balls for dogs of roughly 20–60 lb and saves your shoulder and your hands. It is the obvious second purchase after a good fetch ball.

The plain knotted rope tug that has been a staple of dog toy bins for decades, from Mammoth, which has made rope toys since 1995. Use it for interactive tug, not as an unsupervised chew, and replace it when the knots start to come apart.

Nina Ottosson literally wrote the book on dog puzzles, and the Dog Brick is the sweet spot of her lineup — hard enough to be engaging, not so hard that your dog rage-quits. The combination of sliding compartments and flip-up lids forces dogs to use different problem-solving strategies. Keep it for supervised play only, because determined dogs will just flip the whole board and chew the plastic.