The Best Toys for Blind Dogs (Review) in 2021

While we rely on our eyes more than any other sense, our canine companions are a little different - they rely mostly on their sense of smell. In fact, for most dogs, the loss of vision is not that big of a deal, especially if they're otherwise healthy. However, being blind is not easy no matter how smart or healthy your dog is, so it's important to do everything you can to help them feel safe and content in their everyday life. Thankfully, our faithful companions are adaptable creatures, and visual impairment or blindness will not prevent them from having a wonderful life if we ensure they have everything they need. And one thing that all dogs need on a daily basis (aside from healthy food and clean water, of course)? Dog toys.

Fun and engaging, toys designed for blind dogs will provide your pooch with plenty of mental stimulation and keep them fit and trim, as well as feeling confident. Not sure which toy is best for your pup? Any model from our top list is bound to be a hit, but if you still want some more info on how to choose the best dog toy for blind dogs, keep on reading!

When a previously sighted dog becomes blind, they have to make major adjustments to the way that they gain information about the world and how they interact with it. The visual information about their home and the people in it are gone and this can leave them both fearful and confused. There is often a period of transition during which your pooch can appear depressed. They are actually doing a lot at this time! They are learning to use all their other senses to create a map in their minds about their environment as their sense of smell, touch, taste, and hearing become more important to them. The best toys for blind dogs help with this transition and can then continue to keep your blind dog amused. Of course, there are hundreds of different dog toys to choose from but here are some features that can be especially helpful for blind dogs, so consider them during your selection process:

• Texture: If a toy feels good in a dog’s mouth, they will be happy to play with it for hours. Chew toys that have an interesting texture and/or shape are therefore best so try to choose something with bumps or grooves. Toys that have several pockets are easier for your dog to get their mouth around and pick up.

• Taste: All dogs are guided by their sense of taste but it is even more important for blind dogs. Many toys are manufactured with an attractive taste such as beef, chicken or bacon. This will keep your dog engaged with the toy for a longer period of time.

• Odor: The biggest barrier that blind dogs face when playing with a toy is finding that toy in the first place because they cannot see it. It can also roll away from them or they can toss it in the air and then struggle to find it again. Scented toys that have a strong odor can be very helpful because dogs have a keen sense of smell and can locate them easily. You can play a game of ‘find the scent’ by hiding the toy behind your back or close by for your pooch to sniff out.

• Sound: Sound is another good way of ensuring that your dog can find the toy but it also keeps them engaged when they are playing. Interactive toys that reward your dog with a human voice or an animal noise are very popular. Some are powered by replaceable batteries but if you are not keen on this there are several that require no batteries at all. They rely on air traveling through some specially designed holes to make an amusing noise that dogs love. For some dogs, it helps if the noises continue for a while after the toy becomes still because it helps with locating the toy.

• Durability: No-one wants a toy that lasts for five minutes and then falls apart. This is not only annoying but it is also dangerous for a blind dog as they could choke or injure themselves on the small fragments. Some breeds have stronger jaws and teeth than others so it is advisable to read the reviews and go for the heavy-duty dog toys.

• Hidden compartments: Dog puzzle toys that have recesses where you can hide a favorite treat always go down well. They're also a great option for overweight dogs who love their treats as when placed in a toy, treats are bound to last longer. They're also a fantastic option for dogs who need to gain weight; fun and engaging, treat-dispensing toys will easily add some extra calories in your dog's diet without them even noticing it.

Your pooch needs your support and encouragement to get used to their new life. Toys for blind dogs can play an important role in training them on how to make sense of the world without their sight. Here are some of the main benefits of using toys for blind dogs.

• Entertainment: Boredom can be a real problem for blind dogs who cannot run around the house or a yard in the way that sighted dogs can. Playtime with interactive dog toys will provide the mental stimulation that they need.

• Confidence: It is very common for a blind dog to lose confidence. It will take time for them to accept that the world can still be both safe and fun. For pups that are born blind, toys can help them to grow in confidence alongside their sighted siblings.

• Impulse control: Pups that have no sight still require training and need to learn to adapt their behavior to meet acceptable norms. Structured playtime with appropriate toys is a great way of doing this. For instance, treat-dispensing toys can be used as a reward for good behavior, while chew toys can help curb destructive chewing behavior.

• Bonding: Your blind dog will greatly value their relationship with you and playing with appropriate toys together will go a long way towards bonding. Games that you can work on together such as tug of war and scented fetch are especially useful.

• Bite inhibition training: There are risks involved in playing games with a blind dog because they cannot see your hands. Playing together helps your pooch to learn to be careful about where they are biting and this keeps you and them safe and happy.

Bear in mind that blind dogs can take longer than sighted dogs to get used to playing games. They can be hesitant and you may need to spend some time teaching them how to play. Choosing appropriate toys is vitally important.

At first, the world can seem very overwhelming to a blind dog. Your role is to provide reassurance and comfort and to make sure that they feel loved and safe. You also need to take steps to help your pooch regain their confidence and to feel empowered. This will involve teaching them new skills, and fun activities can be very useful for this. Here are a few ideas.

• Limit the environment that your dog has access to. You can use pens or gates to keep your dog in a small area that is safe and that they can soon get to know. Provide plenty of toys and entertainment to stop them from getting bored. Gradually increase this area as their confidence grows and continue to use enrichment activities that your pooch can seek out and play with.
• Push and pull games. Choose a longer, plush toy that has room for your hand and your dog’s mouth. Move it around at their level and drag it across their paws. Encourage them to explore toys with their mouths by pushing and pulling them.
• Tug of war. This is a stimulating and fun game for blind dogs. Just make sure that your hand is kept away from their mouth because they cannot see it and therefore cannot avoid it. Consider using hardy gloves in the beginning.
• Short and slow walks. There is no reason for a blind dog to not enjoy a walk. They will appreciate the sounds, smells, and tastes, and feel of the wind on their fur. Just keep the walks slow and short and repeat the same routes so they become familiar. Some owners find that a harness is better than a collar and leash. Head over to our review of dog harnesses for more options.
• Massage and touch. Lots of cuddles and petting are very comforting for blind dogs. It lets them know that you are still there for them. If they seem to panic when they don’t know where you are, you could try continually talking to them as you move around the house.
• Hide and seek. As you are talking to your dog, try hiding a short distance away and allow them to find you. Give them a lot of praise when they do. You have to do this at their pace and make sure that there are no hazards that could hurt them.
• Fetch with scents. Clearly, the traditional game of fetch is not appropriate but you can adapt the game so that your dog retrieves a scented object. Almost any object can be made to smell delicious by adding a treat that gives off a strong odor.
• Treadmill. This is a fun and safe way for your pooch to get some exercise with no danger of bumping into anything and hurting themselves. There are special canine treadmills available but you can also train your dog to use a regular, human treadmill. Just be sure that you start off very slowly and build up gradually.

While all dog toys that ended up on our top list are great choices, our top pick has to be Hartz DuraPlay Ball as it stimulates hearing, smell and touch. It is made from a safe natural latex that dogs love to chew and is available in several sizes. It also comes with a squeaker that will stimulate your dog’s hearing and it has an irresistible smell of bacon so that it can be located easily by dogs that cannot see. The toy is very durable and capable of standing up to a lot of chewing, so we highly recommend it!