Puppies are learning how to chew, play, explore, and interact with their environment. The right toys can give them appropriate outlets for those natural behaviors while adding variety to everyday play.
Why Do Puppies Need Different Toys?
Puppies are still developing their chewing and play habits. They may investigate new objects with their mouths, enjoy short bursts of play, and need opportunities to explore different textures and activities.
Puppy toys can serve several purposes at once. A suitable chew toy may give a puppy an appropriate object to mouth, while a plush, interactive, or puzzle toy can provide another type of play and engagement.
Puppy reminder:
Puppies grow quickly, so toy size and suitability should be reassessed as they get older and their chewing habits change.
Types of Toys for Puppies
Different toys can support different types of play. A good puppy toy collection does not have to rely on just one category.
Teething Toys
Puppy-specific chew toys can provide an appropriate outlet for chewing behavior during the teething stage.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys can encourage puppies to engage with a toy instead of simply chewing or carrying it.
Puppy Puzzle Toys
Beginner-friendly puzzle toys can add simple problem-solving activities to a puppy’s routine.
Plush Puppy Toys
Soft toys can provide another play option for puppies that enjoy carrying, tossing, or interacting with plush toys.
Puppy Fetch Toys
Small, appropriately sized fetch toys can introduce puppies to retrieving and active play.
Treat-Dispensing Toys
Food-filled or treat-dispensing toys can combine play with an engaging activity when used appropriately.
Choosing Toys for a Teething Puppy
Chewing is a normal part of puppy development. The goal is to provide appropriate toys rather than assuming every chew toy is suitable for every puppy.
Consider the Puppy Stage
A young puppy and an older puppy may have different chewing habits and toy preferences.
Check the Size
Choose a size appropriate for your puppy’s current mouth and body size, not its expected adult size.
Supervise Chewing
Watch how your puppy interacts with a new toy and remove it if it becomes damaged or unsuitable.
Reassess as They Grow
As puppies grow, their toy needs can change. Recheck size and suitability regularly.
What to Look for in Puppy Toys
A puppy toy should match the puppy you have now, not simply the adult dog you expect them to become.
Puppy-Appropriate Size
Check the manufacturer’s size guidance and choose a toy appropriate for your puppy’s current size.
Suitable Texture
Consider how your puppy chews and whether the toy’s material and texture are appropriate for that style.
Appropriate Difficulty
For puzzle and interactive toys, begin with activities your puppy can understand and gradually introduce more challenging options.
Matches Play Style
Some puppies love chewing while others prefer chasing, carrying, tugging, or searching for treats.
Easy to Inspect
Look over toys regularly for tears, cracks, loose pieces, or other signs of damage.
Simple Ways to Play With a Puppy
Short, age-appropriate play sessions can give puppies opportunities to explore different toys and learn how play works.
Introduce One Toy at a Time
Let your puppy become familiar with a new toy before introducing several new toys at once.
Keep Sessions Short
Puppies can tire quickly, so keep play appropriate for their age and individual energy level.
Rotate Toy Types
Rotate between chew, plush, interactive, puzzle, and fetch toys to provide different kinds of play.
Supervise New Toys
Pay attention to how your puppy uses a new toy and remove it if it becomes damaged.
Puppy-Friendly Toy Reviews
Explore our existing reviews of toys that may be relevant when shopping for puppies. Always check the specific product’s recommended size and age range before buying.
Nina Ottosson Puppy Tornado
A puppy-oriented puzzle option designed around interactive food-based play.
Nina Ottosson Puppy Hide N’ Slide
A puppy-focused interactive puzzle designed to make food-based play more engaging.
KONG Classic
A versatile rubber toy that can be used for chewing, stuffing, and interactive play.
Outward Hound Hide N’ Find
A hide-and-find style toy that can add an interactive search activity to a puppy’s routine.
Puppy Toy Safety Basics
Puppies can be enthusiastic chewers and explorers, so regular supervision and toy inspection are especially important.
Inspect Toys Regularly
Check for tears, cracks, loose parts, or other damage before giving the toy back to your puppy.
Follow Size Guidance
Follow the manufacturer’s size recommendations and reassess as your puppy grows.
Supervise Play
Pay attention to how your puppy chews and plays, particularly when introducing an unfamiliar toy.
Remove Damaged Toys
Take damaged toys out of rotation rather than allowing your puppy to continue chewing them.
Helpful Puppy Toy Guides
How to Choose Toys for Puppies
Learn what to consider when choosing toys for puppies at different stages of growth.
How to Choose Dog Toy Size
Understand how toy size can affect comfort and suitability as your puppy grows.
How to Choose Safer Dog Toys
Review practical safety considerations before giving a new toy to your puppy.
How to Introduce a New Toy
Learn how to introduce unfamiliar toys and make them part of your puppy’s play routine.
Explore Other Puppy Toy Needs
Toys for Teething
Explore toys focused specifically on the chewing needs of teething dogs.
Toys for Mental Stimulation
Add puzzles and interactive activities to give puppies more ways to engage with their toys.
Toys for Boredom
Find toys that can provide puppies with additional activities during downtime.
Toys for Exercise
Explore toys that can encourage age-appropriate movement and active play.
Explore More Dog Toys
Browse dog toys by type, need, or dog size to build a play routine that fits your puppy as they grow.
Puzzle Toys
Give puppies age-appropriate opportunities to explore problem-solving play.
Fetch Toys
Find appropriately sized options for introducing puppies to retrieving games.
Dog Toy Reviews
Read individual product reviews before choosing your puppy’s next toy.
Find the Right Toys for Your Puppy
Start with your puppy’s current stage, size, chewing habits, and favorite way to play, then explore toys that fit those needs.