The Best Dog Puzzle Toys
Dogs are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. It's important to exercise their minds as well as their bodies. That's why we created this list of the top dog puzzle toys on the market. From squeaky toys to complex puzzles containing treats, there's something for every dog.
What to Look For
There are many different types of dog puzzle toys. To bring you a well-rounded list, we used the following criteria: difficulty, material, and size. For a great level two puzzle, we recommend Outward Hound’s interactive dog toy. It has different compartments so dogs have to get creative to earn their treats. Our favorite plush toy was Pet Craft Supply’s squeaky crinkle toy. They come in three different adorable food shapes and dogs love chasing them. Keep reading to find out more about these wonderful brain teasers for dogs.
Outward Hound Interactive Dog Puzzle Toy
Dogs will do just about anything for tasty morsels. We can put that determination to good use by training their brains with this fun dog puzzle. It has different types of compartments, so dogs can start with the easy ones and work their way up to the harder ones. This toy works best with small- to medium-sized pets.
Pros:
- The lids don’t snap shut. They open easily but are still challenging enough for dogs.
- The pieces are all straightforward so it’s easy to take apart for cleaning. Everything rinses away clean.
Cons:
- The plastic is durable but might not hold up against very aggressive chewers, especially larger dog breeds.
Pet Craft Supply Interactive Squeaky Crinkle Toy
This is the kind of toy dogs go crazy for: crinkly, squeaky, and with a sneaky compartment. If your dog is anything like our feisty Yorkie, they love burrowing for loud toys. This is the ultimate plush toy for dogs like this. It works their minds as they figure out how to extract the hidden toy or treat. And playtime becomes even cuter with each plush food option more adorable than the next. We love the chewy burrito best, but they’re all precious.
Pros:
- This is a great toy for smaller dogs as they can’t easily chew through the fabric of the main toy. The little squeaky toys are the perfect size for smaller mouths.
- The toys have a satisfying crinkle and squeak that dogs love to play with. The fabric material and squeakers are durable.
Cons:
- Larger dogs might have trouble getting the smaller toys out of the large toy pocket.
Outward Hound Dog Twister Interactive Dog Puzzle
Canine brain teaser
Smart dogs to the front of the classroom: this is a more advanced puzzle that takes determination to solve. First, the lids have to be unlocked. Only then are the tasty morsels inside accessible. These sequential steps make it an intermediate puzzle — perfect for keeping rambunctious pups occupied.
Pros:
- While not dishwasher safe, this puzzle toy can be easily cleaned with a simple rinse of soap and water. We recommend cleaning it now and then because even with dry treats the compartments can get pretty dirty.
- Because of the difficulty, this puzzle usually takes dogs longer to solve. This means they’re not eating too many treats at once and they’ll be busy for longer.
Cons:
- Because this is made of hard plastic, dogs that like to chew shouldn’t be left unattended with it.
Pet Zone IQ Adjustable Treat Ball
The rolling treat dispenser
Dogs with a lot of energy need a way to get it out of their system. This is a great toy to get them moving and intellectually engaged at the same time. We like that this keeps rowdy dogs entertained and satisfied with treats without overfeeding them. It’s best for medium to large dogs as smaller dogs can get their teeth stuck in the small holes.
Pros:
- This works with a large variety of treats. It also comes with a guide to help cut down larger treats to size.
- The insides can be adjusted to allow for more treats to come out. For dogs that get frustrated easily with hard-to-reach treats, this helps them stay invested.
Cons:
- It can be a bit hard to align the pieces when opening and closing.
Outward Hound Challenge Slider Advanced Dog Puzzle Toy
For the canine Einsteins
This puzzle is like chess for dogs — except victory means exposed treats instead of a toppled king. The owner chooses where to hide the treats and the dog has to figure out how to slide the tiles to get to the treat. Because of the number of compartments, there are plenty of fun combinations possible. The plastic tiles are hard and resistant to wear and tear, so they can withstand a barrage of scratches. When it’s time to challenge your brainiac dog, this is the right puzzle toy for the job.
Pros:
- There are no removable pieces. The tiles don’t come off easily, preventing dogs from using them as chew toys.
- This is a good puzzle toy for larger dogs. We found that even a 70-pound pitbull had no trouble using it.
Cons:
- The rubber pads on the bottom are a bit small and could be grippier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of dog puzzle toy should I get?
It’s a good idea to get a sense of your dog’s favorite type of play first. If they’re great at sniffing out treats, start with an easy puzzle and work up to more advanced ones. Other dogs may prefer a more sensory type of toy such as a crinkly or squeaky toy with hidden compartments.
Can dogs be left unattended with their puzzle toys?
Many puzzle toys are made of plastic, so we don’t recommend leaving dogs alone with them. Aggressive chewers and larger breeds especially could easily break off a piece of plastic and accidentally ingest it. To be safe, we recommend putting dog puzzle toys away when not in use.
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