Best Toys for Puppies and Small Dogs
Toys that keep a puppy or small dog busy and out of trouble: the teething-friendly Puppy KONG, the Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado treat puzzle and the soft Chuckit! Indoor Roller.
3 picks · Published
Top picks at a glance
Compare specs
| Product | #1KONG PuppyBest for teething | #2Nina Ottosson Dog TornadoBest step-up puzzle | #3Chuckit! Indoor RollerBest indoor fetch toy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $ | $ | $ |
| Type | Stuffable chew toy | Treat puzzle (level 2) | Indoor fetch roller |
| Material | Natural puppy rubber | Food-safe plastic | Soft fabric |
| Best for | Teething puppies | Curious dogs | Indoor play |
| Buy | Check pricefor KONG Puppy (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Chuckit! Indoor Roller (opens in a new tab) |
The picks in detail
KONGKONG Puppy
The classic stuffable KONG in a softer rubber made for baby teeth. Fill it with kibble or a little peanut butter for a long chew session.
Pros
- Gentle rubber for puppy teeth
- Stuff it with treats
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Meant for puppies up to about 9 months
- Supervise chewing
- Type
- Stuffable chew toy
- Material
- Natural puppy rubber
- Best for
- Teething puppies
Outward HoundNina Ottosson Dog Tornado
A level 2 puzzle with stacked spinning tiers and bone covers that hide treats in separate compartments.
Pros
- Adjustable difficulty with the bone covers
- Good next step after beginner puzzles
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Sized for small to medium dogs
- Not a chew toy
- Type
- Treat puzzle (level 2)
- Material
- Food-safe plastic
- Best for
- Curious dogs
Chuckit!Chuckit! Indoor Roller
A soft, fuzzy fetch roller that rolls instead of bouncing, so it won’t mark walls or knock things off tables.
Pros
- Soft on walls and furniture
- Big enough not to roll under the couch
- Great for rainy days
Cons
- Not for heavy chewers
- Picks up fuzz
- Type
- Indoor fetch roller
- Material
- Soft fabric
- Best for
- Indoor play
Toys that do a job
Puppies chew, and small dogs get bored. A good toy box has something to chew, something to think about, and something to chase.
How to pick
Chew toys: for teething puppies, softer rubber like the Puppy KONG is kinder to baby teeth. Move up to a regular KONG as they grow.
Puzzles: treat puzzles burn mental energy, which tires a dog out as well as a walk. Start easy and step up a level once they solve it in a minute or two.
Size: pick toys sized for your dog. Anything small enough to fit fully in their mouth is a choking risk, and throw away toys once they start to break apart.
More for your pup
Watch them play while you’re out with a treat-tossing pet camera, and find the right harness for a small dog.
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