If you have a small dog or puppy, you are probably wondering what are some of the best toys for small dogs out there. On this website we have already covered ‘Ten of the Best Dog Toys for Chewers & Large Dogs’, but what if your pup is on the smaller side of things.
Small dogs have different requirements when it comes to toys and thankfully they are usually a bit kinder on them to. Despite this, smaller dogs and puppies can cause damage to toys and some are just not suitable at all. Today we are going to run you through some of the best toys for small dogs.
Before we get to the toys we want to first talk about the benefits of dog toys and why it important to keep your pooch exercised.
Why Toys?
Exercise
Getting your dog moving is one of the best ways to keep them from getting bored and keeping them healthy. Walking and trips to the dog park are great, but using toys is another excellent way of keeping them exercised.
Lack of exercise can lead to health complications like obesity, which can lead to other illnesses and diseases. An overweight dog can also develop painful joint problems as well. If you want to keep your dog healthy, make sure you exercise them!
They Get Bored
Any dog will get bored without exercise and mental stimulation. Bored dogs can get themselves into a whole bunch of sticky situations. They can become destructive, disobedient and just generally a real pain to deal with. Toys are a great way of keeping them occupied and will hopefully stop them destroying your shoes as well.
They Help You Bond With Your Dog
Dogs want to be part of the pack. It’s part of their nature and they want to feel accepted by you, your family and other dogs. Playtime is a great way to make them feel like they are part of the team and toys are a big part of that. This time spent playing with your dog will help you bond with them and that can only be a good thing.
Toys Can Keep Your Dog’s Dental Health In Check
Dental health is just as important as keeping your dog exercised, but it isn’t always the easiest thing to keep under control. Bad Dental hygiene can lead to a number of issues including tooth decay, bad breath and nasty infections. These can be potentially life-threatening to your dog if they are not kept under control and toys are an excellent way of keeping plaque and tartar levels in check.
Small Dog Toy Safety Tips
Buying toys for small dogs is a little bit easier than buying them for big ones. Toys typically won’t be shredded in seconds like they can with larger breeds of dog. Still, it is important that you get the right toys for your dog and know what to avoid.
Some squeaky toys for small dogs can still be dangerous as the squeaker can be swallowed if your dog does manage to rip it. Also watch out for threads on rope toys and brittle plastic ones can be dangerous as well.
Always try to monitor your dog when they are playing with toys and replace any that are showing a little bit too much wear.
Ten Best Dog Toys for Small Dogs
Puppy KONG Rubber Toy
The classic KONG is one of the best toys you can buy for your dog and they make it in a smaller, softer puppy version. KONG’s Puppy toy is manufactured from a special rubber formula that is designed for puppy teeth and gums, and is recommended for puppies up to nine months old. This toy will also work for fully grown small dogs as well.
The Toy can be filled with all sorts of interesting treats and goodies, which will keep your puppy or small dog entertained for hours. Another use of the toy is to use it for games of fetch. The unique shape of the toy and the special rubber formula make for an unpredictable fetch toy.
This toy is recommended by veterinarians and trainers worldwide. It has also got some glowing reviews on amazon as well. This KONG toy for small dogs is one of the best out there and we think you will love it to.
Find out more about the KONG puppy toy here.
Petmate Chuckit! Ultra Tug
Here’s a good toy for small dog. The Chuckit! Ultra Tug is a bit of everything and can be used for games of tug and fetch. It is ultra-durable so small dogs and puppies will have a hard time destroying the toy and is made from a natural rubber. The toy comes in three sizes, small, medium and large, and can fit in small ball launchers.
If you are looking for a great tug and fetch ball for your small dog, the Chuckit! Ultra Tug should certainly be on your list.
Nylabone Puppy Chew Starter Pack
All dogs love to chew on things, however, not all things are good to chew on. Chew toys designed for larger dogs can damage the teeth of a smaller dog or a puppy. Nylabone knows this and that is why they designed a range of toys for small dogs to chew on.
The flexible chew toys help with puppy teething while cleaning their teeth and freshening their breath. Massaging nubs on the toy will also soothe your small dog or puppy’s sore gums.
Nylabone has infused a chicken flavour into this toy and it is designed for dogs up to 25 pounds. If you are looking for a great chew toy for your small dog or puppy, the range of Nylabone Puppy Chews are just what you are looking for.
Find out more about the Nylabone Puppy Chew here.
Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel
Outward Hounds has combined a puzzle toy and a plush toy to make one of the best toys for small dogs on the market. It combines a number of stuffed squeaker squirrels with a plush tree trunk toy. You can hide the squirrels in the trunk and your dog has to find them and pull them out.
The toy comes in a range of different sizes and there are even other animal choices you can choose from as well. If you are looking for one of the best plush toys for your dog, this is it!
Check out the Outward Hound toy here.
Fuzzu Presidential Parody Dog Toy
We’re not about politics here at DogOPedia, but we couldn’t make this list without Fuzzu’s line of Presidential dog toys. We’ve got a Donald Trump dog toy, a Hillary Clinton dog toy and even a Vladimir Putin one.
The toy is manufactured from a durable non-toxic fabric and features a squeaker inside. This is one of the coolest dog toys we have seen and is definitely recommend for those who need to get a little bit of political anger out.
Check out the Fuzzu range of political dog toys here.
KONG Squeaker Tennis Ball
Tennis balls are great for games of fetch, but KONG’s Squeaker ball is even better. The Squeaker Tennis Ball is available in a variety of sizes, including extra small so it is perfect for those who are looking for a fetch ball for their smaller dog or puppy.
The ball is made from a non-abrasive material so that it will no wear your dog’s teeth down. This is another great KONG toy for small dogs and puppies.
Find out more about the KONG Squeaker Tennis Ball here.
West Paw Zogoflex Bumi
If you are looking for an excellent tug toy for small dogs, the West Paw Zogoflex Bumi may just be the one you are looking for. It is designed for smaller dogs and light to medium chewers.
The toy is made from a non-toxic material that can stretch up to twice its length. It is manufactured in the United States and West Paw offers a 100% guarantee against any dog damage.
West Paw’s Zogoflex material is exclusive to the company and is designed to be softer on your dog’s mouth. The toy is also incredibly tough while having a unique stretch that will make tug of war games a joy to play.
Check out the West Paw Bumi here.
Trixie Pet Flip Board
Dogs need mental stimulation to keep themselves happy and healthy. They are inquisitive animals and one of the best ways of keeping their brains active is giving them a puzzle toy. Puzzle toys for small dogs is an excellent way of keeping your dog out of trouble and you will love helping them work them out.
Trixie’s Pet Flip Board has been designed for dogs who want a bit more of a challenge from their toy. It is manufactured for smaller dogs, but can be used for larger dogs as well. There are a number of different difficulty levels to choose from. This ranges from beginner to advanced and there are different styles of board as well.
The puzzle toy works by revealing treats to your dog when they correctly open up various compartments on the board. To stop you dog cheating, Trixie has designed the board so that the pieces cannot be knocked over and have to be lifted vertically from it to remove them.
If you are looking for one of the best puzzle dog toys for small dogs, the Trixie Flip Board should certainly set you straight. Reviews and dog owner feedback are excellent for this toy and we think it will keep your dog entertained for hours.
Check out the Trixie Flip Board here.
OurPets IQ Treat Ball
Here’s another great puzzle toy for your small dog or puppy. The OurPets IQ Treat Ball can be filled with your dog’s favourite treats, keeping them entertained and happy. It is designed for small to medium sized dogs and comes in a few different sizes.
The IQ Treat Ball features and adjustable feeding difficulty level that will challenge your dog as they learn how to get the treats out. It works by releasing treats as your dog pushes and rolls it across the floor. The toy also twists apart so it can be cleaned easily.
This is a great treat ball for your small dog and will keep your pooch entertained for hours.
Find out more about the OurPets Treat Ball here.
ZippyPaws Loopy Hedgehog
The ZippyPaws Loopy Hedgehop is an excellent plush toy for small dogs. Dogs who love hedgehogs and other cute animals will love this toy. It has been specifically designed for small to medium dogs and has been fitted with six squeakers to deliver more squeaking fun.
The toy contains no stuffing to ensure that it lasts longer and there is no hideous mess if your dog does manage to damage it. This is one of the best plush toys for dogs you can buy and ZippyPaws manufactures other excellent plush dog toys as well.
Wrapping Up Up Toys For Small Dogs & Puppies
There are a whole bunch of good toys for small dogs and puppies, however we feel that the ten listed above are the best ones you can buy. Small dogs are less harsh on toys, but they can still do serious damage to them and the toys above are about as tough as you need a toy to be for small dogs.
Remember to always check any toys for signs of wear and replace when necessary. Toys are one of the best ways to keep your dog entertained and we would love to hear about what dog toys you love in the comments below.
Now read: Ten of the Best Dog Toys For Tough Chewers
