The Best Interactive Dog Toys (Review) in 2021

As an ‘almost’ indestructible dog toy that is as much fun for his human as it is for your dog, we like the Zogoflex Zisc almost as much as we like its name! Made from BPA-free plastic that is also surprisingly soft, get the angle right and the Zisc flies like a dream, and will quickly have your pet following its every move. It’s also versatile and great fun, as it bounces and can float in water so definitely one for a day at the beach with your pooch. Available in two sizes to suit most dogs, the Zisc dog toy is also dishwasher safe. And, when it does finally come to the end of its frisbee-flying life, the Zisc is recyclable – just sent it back to West Paw and they will do it for you – so good for your pet and the environment too.

If your pooch is a big fan of soft, squeaky toys, then give him a cute overload with this puzzle toy from Outward Hound. As one of the best dog puzzle toys, the premise is simple – a soft fabric tree stuffed with squeaky toy squirrels which your pup needs to hunt down. Doubled up as a game of fetch with his human and it will keep you both entertained! Perhaps not ideal for serious chewers or more aggressive-playing pups, this is a calm, fun and engaging toy, nevertheless. And it’s a great way for the pair of you to spend some quality bonding time. Get your pup to bring the toy squirrels to you and hide them again…and again and again. For the inquisitive dog this play toy can be a real boredom buster and is soft enough to be used for training younger pups. However, to avoid a toy squirrel massacre we suggest this interactive dog toy is only used under supervision as the fur fabric isn’t the most robust.

The Wobble Wag Giggle is an interactive dog toy that will certainly capture your happy hound’s attention! This cleverly designed dog toy is so much more than a dog ball, it actually giggles at your dog when he pushes or moves it around, all without the need for batteries. Inside the soft plastic, colorful ball is an internal tube that makes all the noise when moved or shaken. The aim is for your pup to react to the sounds and play with the ball on the ground. This toy is not designed to be thrown or bounced but rolled and is an effective way to teach your pooch to play fetch and can be used both indoors and out. The surface of the ball has six clutch pockets which enables your pet to easily pick it up, and hopefully return it to you. The ball is not a hard plastic so perhaps not as durable as other outdoor dog toys but as long as it’s used under human supervision should last for quite a while.

Do you have a food-loving monster that wolfs down their treats in a blink of an eye, leaving you wondering whether they even tasted what they ate? Then you may well need the Qwizl, a clever interactive dog toy from West Paw. Designed to prolong the eating ‘life’ of a dog treat, it also gives your pooch a mental workout as they try to get to the tasty morsels inside. It can also double up as a throw toy when out on a walk or in the backyard and also for waterplay as it easily floats. Made from bright and easy to spot, dog safe plastic, the Qwizl is also impressively durable and can withstand a high level of chewing and gnawing as your pup tries to get to the treat hidden inside. Use small pieces of kibble, a strip of beef jerky, a dog chew…even slices of carrot and watch your pooch stay focused and occupied! And with all that yucky slobbering, this indestructible dog toy is also easy to clean and is dishwasher safe.

A classic in the interactive dog toy world, the Kong is as popular as ever and it’s easy to see why. Simple to use, super-tough but with a dog mouth-friendly design, the Kong also comes in a range of sizes to cater for all breeds and ages.

As a treat dispenser and puzzle toy, the Kong is also effective in stimulating your pooch and can keep him entertained for hours, so a good option to stave off his boredom when you are not at home. Stuff the hollow center with kibble, meat, dog treats and even dog-safe peanut butter and watch him totally zone out and focus on the job at hand. For an added challenge, stuff with his favorite treat, seal with peanut butter then freeze for a few hours. But the Kong is more than a slow treat feeder – use in crate or obedience training or as a throw toy, as boy, can the Kong bounce! As one of the best puppy toys, the rubber is also a good surface for a teething pup to chew and gnaw.

While perhaps not suitable for the more destructive or aggressive-play dog, this Doggie Tail dog toy is a cute idea that will entertain smaller or more laid-back pups.

It is basically a furry ball with a tail that wiggles, vibrates and even barks to catch you dog’s attention. And with clever motion activated sensors it will respond to your dog’s own movements to become his own personal playmate. Operated by an on-off switch at the top of the plastic ball, you simply need to shake, roll or throw this interactive dog toy for it to spring into noisy, wiggly action for a short 10-second burst. If you – or your pooch – then moves or pushes the toy, it will burst into action again. It does need batteries – three AAAs – but it will auto stop after a period of inactivity to prolong the battery life and extend your dog’s actual interactive playtime.

If you have ever had a puppy, then you know all too well the damage they can cause to shoes and household items when they are going through that teething stage. So, to help them ease the urge to chew and bring them some relief as well as fun, check out these teething toy balls from Bojafa. The ideal puppy toy, these cute and colorful natural rubber balls are durable and non-toxic and are kind on young, inquisitive mouths. The outer ‘teeth’ design also means you can load the ball up with your pup’s favorite treats to give them a focus and a reward. We also like the fact that the teething ball has a light minty scent and the design helps to clean your pup’s teeth and helps to reduce any plaque build-up. As well as a reward toy, these lightweight balls are good for throwing and playing fetch, helping in any of your pup’s training and playtime sessions too. Larger versions of the balls are also available for adult and larger dogs.

As a straight-up durable chew toy, you can’t really go wrong with the Hurley bone. One of West Paw’s bestsellers, this is a floating, bouncing dog bone that can be used to great effect out in the backyard or in open spaces as a throw and fetch or tug-o-war toy with your active hound, giving you both some quality fun time together. But for when your pooch simply wants to sit and chew, then the Hurley comes into its own. Made from dog-safe, durable rubber, this is safer and gentler on their mouths than a rawhide bone and will last longer. This rubber bone is particularly good for small to mid-sized dogs who like a good old chew and it can stand up to a significant amount of canine chew abuse! And, as this almost indestructible dog toy is dishwasher safe, it is also super-easy to keep clean too. Makers West Paw will also recycle your Hurley once it does eventually reach the end of its chew toy life.

Up the ante for your soft toy-loving hound with these interactive giggle balls from Neilden. With a squeaky ball inner, the plush furry outer is designed as a googly-eyed creature that will also make you smile. Easy for your pooch to find and retrieve, these soft toys are also surprisingly tough, and the inner squeaker makes a variety of sounds to capture your pet’s interest. Battery-operated, to activate the ball, press the button under the soft cover and shake to bring the toy to life. Available as a two- cover pack and with a good bounce, you clean giggle ball for your canine friend to play with. These fun soft toys are not suitable for larger or more aggressive dogs but are a great addition to a small dog or older pup’s toy box. And as they are likely to get grubby with play, the covers are removable for easy cleaning.

Your dog should have a lot of fun with the Bob-A-Lot and it will be entertaining for you too as you watch your pet work out what to do! The premise is simple but really effective – this is a treat dispensing toy that, thanks to a weighted bottom, wobbles and moves as your dog tries to get out a treat.

It is easy to fill – screw off the yellow top and fill the bottom chamber with kibble or other small dog treats, then adjust the side opening to customize how difficult it will be for your dog to tip the treats out. The wobbling will get your pooch moving and the more he pushes the Bob-a-Lot around the more it will move. If your pooch gets the movement and angle just right, he will be rewarded for his cleverness…and then gets to play with it all over again. The Bob-A-Lot is available in two sizes – small and large – and is a good toy to leave with your pup to stave off boredom if you are out of the house

Perfect for the puppy in your life, this pack of good value soft chew squeaky balls is going to help you keep that little imp happy and entertained. These puppy toys are a good way to start the little one’s obedience training too, as they are perfect for throwing and retrieving. And the fun squeaky noise is going to keep him engaged and ready for more. Made from latex, which is toxin, lead and chemical free, the balls are small dog and young pup-safe and are soft enough for their baby mouths and teeth. The six-ball set also comes in bright, fun colors so are less likely to go AWOL when out on that puppy walk. And what we like it that although soft, the balls and their inner squeakers are pretty robust, even against those sharp and inquisitive puppy teeth.