Dog toys: the thing that all dog owners swear you won’t spend too much money on, only for you to leave the store afterward with over 100 dollars worth of them packed into your bag. But it’s all for a good cause because — as all dog owners know — if you don’t get your furry friend a satisfactory toy, they’ll just make their own out of your furniture, sofa cushions, wallpaper or even your favorite aunt Sally. The point is that your dogs need entertainment otherwise, their behavior may deteriorate. Just imagine yourself doing nothing but sleeping, drinking, and eating. It sounds fine at first, but it’s also dull. Your dog thinks so, too.
The downside of dog toys is that there are so many of them out there, so finding the best one for your pet might be a tall order. You should also consider which one will be the best for you too, because it’s all well and good to get the perfect toy for your puppy, but if their favorite toy is a squeaky ball that’ll drive you up the wall, it might not be the right pick for your home. You’ll also need to consider if a toy can handle your teething puppy or wild Malamute, or if it’ll wind up shredded (like the packaging) after a few hours of play.
To help you find the best dog toys, we consulted with current and former CNET staff members who are passionate pet owners. They have put together a definitive list of their dogs’ all-time favorite toys. Finding durable options that can withstand relentless chewing and spirited play is crucial, and these selections have unequivocally proven their value. Notably, the Chuckit is the most popular plaything on the list.
Of course, not every dog is the same and they each have their own preferences — which is why we’ve included a diverse list of toys that’s sure to entice your dog. Check out our top picks for the best dog toys, guaranteed to have your dog’s tails wagging with excitement the moment they see them.
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Best dog toys
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To be honest, we get a lot of mileage out of gross old tennis balls that Molly finds in the gutter, but the ChuckIt Ultra Balls do much better at withstanding her efforts to rip them to shreds. They also are slobberproof, don’t pick up as much mud in the first place and are easy to wash. The only downside is they tend to disappear at dog parks. –Stephen Shankland
If you have an active dog who likes to chase balls (like my Lab), then the ChuckIt is a must have for your games of fetch. You never have to bend down to pick up or touch a slobbery ball. This piece of inexpensive molded plastic picks up the ball for you and allows you to “throw” it over and over again with a flick of your wrist. –-Connie Guglielmo
My pup will play fetch until the cows come home, so this launcher makes it much easier to tolerate long sessions. Not only is it great for those of us with below average throwing skills, but it also means less bending down to grab the ball. Every time I reach for the Chuckit Launcher, my puppy is beyond excited! –-Lexy Savvides