The Best Rubber Dog Toys
Buying the right toys for your dog is an important part of being a pet owner. Toys are crucial for your dog's mental health and general well-being, especially if you work outside the home during the day and your pup stays alone for several hours at a time. Rubber toys in particular are awesome for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. If your pet is an aggressive chewer, for instance, an indestructible rubber ball or animal is a must-get. Does your pooch have separation anxiety? A distraction-style toy can keep your dog occupied for hours at a time. Even if your dog doesn't have problems with chewing or being alone, she'll still benefit from having a couple of toys lying around the house. Here are a few of the best rubber dog toys available today.
KONG Classic Dog Toy
Kong Is King
It’s called “Classic” for a reason. The Kong Classic Dog Toy is, hands down, the best type of rubber toy you could ever hope to buy for your beloved pooch. It’s awesome on all counts: it provides important mental stimulation, satisfies certain instinctual needs, and provides much-needed entertainment for dogs who get bored easily or suffer from separation anxiety. The Kong comes in several sizes, and it can be stuffed with peanut butter, treats, or kibble for your dog’s enjoyment, and to help solve teething and chewing issues. When you need to clean it, simply toss it in the dishwasher; the all-natural red rubber formula is extra-durable, so you don’t have to worry about it getting ruined.
Dog trainers, vets, and other dog care professionals routinely recommend getting the Kong for pups of all sizes and breeds.
Pros:
- Does it all: provides mental stimulation, satisfies instinctual needs, and can help with separation anxiety and boredom.
- Comes in several sizes.
- All-natural red rubber formula that’s durable enough to withstand the pet’s lifetime.
- Recommended by dog care professionals as the gold standard of rubber dog toys.
Cons:
- On the expensive end of the dog toy spectrum.
Outward Hound Ottosson Puzzle
A Pooch's Puzzle
For smart pups who love a challenge, there’s always the Ottosson Puzzle from Outward Hound. This is an awesome engagement tool for dogs who are especially anxious or bored, or for any dog who enjoys mental exercise (which, FYI, is most breeds). This rubber puzzle toy is made with easy, open-close flip compartments where you can hide small pieces of a treat; your dog can then attempt to slide and move each compartment to get to the treat. There are three different feeding features; your pup can flip, slide, or pull off the blocks, and there are 20 different treat compartments, so dogs stay busy for hours.
Pros:
- A super-effective tool for dogs who are especially anxious, get bored easily, or who love a mental challenge.
- Puzzle has 20 different compartments for treats, along with three different feeding features.
- Easy to clean.
- Great value buy.
Cons:
- If you have a hyper pup, this might not be the best toy since the puzzle can easily flip over.
Multipet Latex Chicken Dog Toy
Squeaky Fun for the Win
Some pets love squeaky toys, probably because the sound appeals to their inner wolf instinct, reminding them of the sound that injured prey makes (sorry for the visual, but it’s true). If that sounds like your pup, it’s time to invest in the Multipet Latex Chicken Toy, which offers a loud “squawk” when it’s being squeezed. This widely beloved chicken toy is plush-filled and comes in several vibrant colors, and best of all, it easily lasts for years, no matter how much your dog gnaws on it over time.
Pros:
- Lets out a loud “squawk” sound when it’s being squeezed.
- Plush-filled and durable.
- Comes in assorted colors and is available in three different packs.
Cons:
- That squawking sound sure can get annoying after a while, so you may need to hide this toy when it’s time for bed.
Arm & Hammer for Pets Super Treadz Dental Chew
Improve Fido's Mental (and Dental) Health
Does your dog struggle with bad breath and mouth bacteria buildup? If so, the Arm & Hammer Super Treadz Dental Chew is a great rubber toy to get. This gorilla-shaped toy will keep your precious pup distracted for hours and hours, and it’s designed to withstand even the most aggressive of chews. Best of all, it actually helps to freshen breath, stimulate the gums, and even reduce tartar and plaque buildup as your pup plays with it; the rubber body is infused with baking soda, which helps fight bad breath and gently cleans the teeth.
Pros:
- Equally awesome for distraction and dental health since it helps to reduce tartar and plaque buildup and improve breath.
- Highly durable and designed to withstand aggressive chewing.
- Safe to put in the dishwasher.
Cons:
- The baking soda scent is just a tad too strong.
Snug Rubber Dog Balls
Go Fetch
If your dog loves nothing more than a good ol’ fashioned game of fetch, Snug Rubber Balls are the best toy to get. These brightly colored rubber balls are awesome for fetch, chewing, and any other game you can dream up with your pup. These Snug balls are BPA-free, super easy to clean, and even work with all standard ball-launchers. And, with your dog’s health in mind, these balls are made from 100 percent all-natural rubber, whereas most other rubber balls are made from toxic ingredients, like plastic foam.
Pros:
- Made from durable rubber.
- Great for both chewing and playing fetch.
- Vibrantly colored.
- Easy to clean.
Cons:
- Not recommended for large breeds; they could be a choking hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ensure that my rubber dog toy is non-toxic?
Be mindful of the ingredients list: phthalates, BPA, lead, PVC, and arsenic are all ingredients to watch out for. It’s important to be able to verify what’s in the toy before buying.
How can I pick the right rubber toy for my dog?
Be sure that you select a toy that’s appropriately sized for your dog; toys that are too small can get swallowed or stuck inside the throat. Also, don’t buy children’s toys for your dog, as any toy that’s not specifically designed for dogs could be unsafe for your pet to use.
My dog has separation anxiety. What rubber toy would be best?
If your dog can’t stand it when you leave the house, go for a distraction-based toy, like the Kong, or any other toy that you can hide treats inside. That way, your pup will stay occupied for long periods of time.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
DogTime is a leading resource for dog owners & pet lovers. Our goal is to give every dog & pet a happy, healthy home by providing the best advice to owners.