Dogs need a variety of toys to keep them healthy, physically active, and mentally enriched. From chew bones to fetch balls to interactive puzzles, each option in your dog’s toy collection should have a purpose, whether it’s to overcome a behavioral issue, reward good actions, to spend time together, or even to help keep their teeth clean.

Whether you’re in “nesting” mode as you prepare for the arrival of a new puppy, or you’re shopping for the dog who has everything, you’re sure to find something they’ll appreciate on this list.

What to Consider

Durability

For puppies, large dogs, and power chewers, it can take seconds for a toy to break into small pieces that may pose a choking hazard. To keep your dog safe, always supervise them around toys, and for power chewers, seek out tough toys designed to withstand rough play.

Whether your dog is a gentle, average, or power chewer, inspect toys regularly for wear. Throw away toys that have any broken components. Broken parts, loose squeakers, and poly-fill stuffing can all put your dog at risk for choking or a gastric obstruction.

Size

When it comes to size, dogs seem to have unique preferences. Don’t be surprised if your big dog seeks out small toys that they can carry around. A small toy should be both too long and too wide to entirely fit in your dog’s mouth, otherwise it can pose a choking hazard.

Small dogs sometimes enjoy oversized plushies that they can wrestle, tackle, and bunny-kick with their back paws. Large, soft toys are safe for small dogs. But oversized frisbees, balls, and chew toys can hurt them if thrown and may be too large for them to grasp in their mouth.

Washability

Dog toys are a breeding ground for bacteria, especially when they become moist from your dog’s saliva. You may need to wash your dog’s toys if they develop an odor, get left outside in the rain, get covered in body fluids, or are ever filled with food or treats.

Most soft plush toys are machine washable, so long as they do not have any battery-powered components. It’s easiest to gather them up every few months and wash them on gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Then, air dry or machine dry on low heat. High heat can melt plastic components like squeakers.

Rubber and plastic toys are usually dishwasher safe. Always use the top rack to avoid exposing toys to the heating element at the bottom of the machine, or they might melt.

Mental Stimulation

The old dog training adage, “a tired dog is a good dog,” generally holds true. If your pet is under-exercised and under-stimulated, they will often find destructive ways to stay entertained. But running through the park or playing fetch isn’t the only way to wear out your dog. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, and can have similar effects when it comes to behavioral issues.

Make sure your dog’s toy collection contains a good mix of “fun” toys and “brainy” toys. Some dogs love intricate puzzles, but for others, a simple snuffle mat provides plenty of healthy mental stimulation.

How We Selected

As I tested different toys with my dogs, I was often surprised at which ones they played with consistently—and which ones they totally ignored. Cow, my be-speckled 27-pound Heinz 57 mutt, is obsessed with the tiny toys I buy for her 5-pound Chihuahua-mix “sister” Matilda. Like her namesake from the Roald Dahl book, Matilda is very clever and shows the most interest in mind-bending puzzle toys, but she’s also known to tackle plush toys twice her size.

By shopping with purpose in mind, you can curate a collection of truly useful, fun, and long-lasting toys that your dog loves—but expect to go through some trial and error. No matter how diligently you shop, you’re likely to end up with toys that your dog never uses. I like to donate unused toys to my local humane society or gift them to friends. That way, each toy in the toy box has a purpose, and our living room floor remains clutter-free.

Looking for more products for your pup? Check out our stories on Best Dog Car Seats, Best Dog Car Seat Covers, Best Dog Seat Belts, and Best Dog Poop Bags