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May 20, 2023

18 Best Dog Toys in 2023: Shop These Pup

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

From squeaky to plush, these are pup-approved.

Anyone with a pooch knows how much they love to play, and it's our personal belief that you can never have too many toys. So we, proud pup owners, prowled for the best dog toys on the market. We even asked some real dogs to share their longtime favorites. Well, we asked their humans.

The great thing about dog toys is that, unlike their human counterparts, they’re usually pretty affordable, so you don't have to max out at a specific number. In fact, the more the merrier! Plus, the best dog toys have come a long way in the last few years. From plush squeaky toys with raised grooves that improve your pup's dental health to interactive battery-operated alternatives that keep your dog entertained for hours, there are some solid options on offer. They also make for great gifts.

All 18 of our picks are dog-approved, so if your pooch deserves some fun, peep our favorite toys below. You may not be able to play with them, but you’ll squeeze in plenty of laughs watching your fur baby chase a wiggling shark with a built-in motion sensor. No matter what you end up snagging, you’ll enjoy it just as much as your dog does.

BarkBox is a monthly subscription box that's specifically curated for your pup. Before subscribing, you'll be prompted to fill out a questionnaire, answering questions about your pup's breed, age, favorite types of toys, allergies, and more. "We have a subscription to the Super Chewers for our two dogs and they ABSOLUTELY LOVE their toys." House Beautiful Video Editor Ian Munsell says. "Each month there is a new theme and this month's was Movie Night, so we got a toy in the shape and brand aesthetic of a Blockbuster cassette case. It was called 'Drool Intentions.'"

First, how cute is this hippo-shaped plush toy? It's made from 100% organic cotton complete with woven legs that are bite-resistant, so even if your dog is a bit aggressive with their toys, it won't puncture. What's more, just beneath the cotton shell is a water-proof layer that keeps your dog's saliva (read: slobber) from soaking the filling, which could cause mold.

At first glance, this is just a regular dog toy, but it's actually battery-operated and features a highly sensitive motion sensor. Simply place it on the floor in front of your dog and wait for them to approach the shark. As soon as they touch it, its tail will start wiggling, eliciting a hilarious reaction from your pup. It's the perfect toy that will keep your pooch entertained for hours.

If you've ever seen the viral video of the man who dressed up as his dog's favorite chew toy, you'll want to order this Gumby toy ASAP. Plus, since the video first made waves back in 2016, the toy has been a best-seller on Amazon. It may not necessarily do anything, but it includes a squeaker, which helps improve a dog's alertness. In fact, it's been known that squeaky toys actually offer dogs a healthy and playful outlet to express their natural canine instincts so that they don't do so in an aggressive or violent way.

If your dog is an aggressive chewer, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, you'll want to get them toys that actually hold up. After all, if they have a tendency to rip their toys to shreds, they may accidentally swallow small parts or stuffing, which could be detrimental to their stomachs. It could even be fatal in some cases! Aggressive chewers aren't necessarily aggressive dogs, though. They may just have strong jaws or sharp teeth. So toys like this, which feature super-sturdy designs, are ideal. This one, which features a raised design, can even clean their molars!

Ideal for large dogs and aggressive chewers, this squeaky dog toy is puncture-proof. Even the sharpest teeth won't bite through this thing. Plus, like the previous toy, the grooves improve your dog's dental health. Want to earn a few extra points with your pooch? Spread some peanut butter across one of the sides, which will keep your dog entertained for quite a while.

Available in four sizes for every type of dog, this rope toy, which features a tennis ball for fun, is great for teethers. The fine threads actually work as floss, so if your dog could use some TLC in the dental department, this is a good find. And if you have two dogs, they'll keep themselves entertained with a game of tug of war.

These animal-shaped toys squeak, but they don't have any stuffing. If your dog likes plush toys but tends to shred them, they may choke on the cotton stuffing, which is also poisonous. These toys, made of non-toxic premium quality plush fabric, are great for any owners with more than one pup because there are five in the set.

During the first few days in a new home, your puppy is experiencing a potentially scary transition away from everything they know, including their mother. The Snuggle Puppy, which is bigger than most dog toys and filled with a pulsating gadget that gently beats on the same rhythm as a heart, recreates the intimacy and physical warmth of the puppy's mother. Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says, "My bernedoodle Gerogie slept with this in her crate every night. I'm convinced that it helped make her a calm and sweet dog." Georgie is going on two years old and still sleeps with her Snuggle Puppy.

This ball, which is a little bit smaller than a basketball, is filled with a maze ball, a treat stuffer ball, and a tennis ball, all of which will keep your pup entertained for a while. It's a good way to test your dog's problem-solving skills, which may sound funny, but a clever dog is a good dog! Fill one of the balls with treats to make sure they know they're doing something right.

Another toy Cherner's pups (she has three) are obsessed with? The Wobble Wag Giggle ball, which despite its ability to make sound and move, doesn't require any batteries. "It is so funny to watch them play with this thing," Cherner says. "They just move it with their nose and the little tube inside makes the funniest noise." The tube also propels the ball forward.

"One of my three dogs, the cockapoo named Maisie, is obsessed with this toy—so much that we bought three of them in different shapes," Cherner says. "It laughs and vibrates, which she loves. I will say, though, it's loud." The battery and speaker are protected inside a hard plastic shell, which is covered with a fuzzy fabric case that Velcros around the shell.

Perfect for snuggling and rough play like tug of war, this machine-washable giraffe is a simple toy for when your dog just wants to chill. "My puppers love to tear through their toys because they have to get the squeaker like it's their job," Munsell admits. "and they absolutely love every second of it. Once they de-squeaked and de-fluffed the toy, they use the remnants to play tug of war."

Dogs are fast so they tend to beat the tennis ball when you throw it, making the chase a bit anticlimactic. This dog launcher not only throws balls as fast as your pooch can run, but it throws them at an inconsistent rate, which teaches your pup patience.

This crinkle dog toy that's shaped like a bird is a great alternative to the classic squeaky toy, which, after a few minutes, can get a little annoying. Crinkle toys, with their crackling, have been speculated to stimulate your dog's natural hunting instinct because the sound mimics prey. Even if your dog isn't a traditional hunting dog, they'll still enjoy playing around with this toy.

Any dog owner needs a Kong. First, they're great for teething puppies because the rubber is super thick, but not hard, so it won't break their fragile baby teeth. And when your pup grows up, you can fill it with peanut butter or any of their other favorite snacks. "I actually fill them with peanut butter or mashed sweet potato and pop them in the freezer. The dogs enjoy the treat for like two hours!" Cherner says.

Another toy great for natural hunters (labradors, goldens, and German shepherds, to name a few), this auto dog bone can teach your dog to chase, tease, and avoid depending on how you pre-set it. It's definitely not a stand-in for proper training—especially because this toy is quite fun for the pooches—but it is like homework post-training.

If your dog is a speed-eater, this interactive puzzle is a good get. It also makes them a little smarter! Here's how it works: Fill the clear bowl on the top with food or treats and place the puzzle in front of your pooch. Train them to push down on the clear bowl (something they'll probably do anyway because they'll see the food). When they do, some of the food will release into the covered pods. Your dog will eventually figure out that a few nibbles are in each of the pods and lift up the lids by themself.

Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful's associate shopping editor and knows where to find the best high-low pieces for any room.

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