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30 Best Interactive Dog Toys for Bored Pups

Shop fun toys that squeak, move, and provide endless entertainment for your pup.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Woman's Day editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Dog Leaky Food Toy

30 Best Interactive Dog Toys for Bored Pups

To own a dog is to know unconditional love. But for all the fun that dogs can be, they sure can cause a lot of ruckus (potty accidents, chewed slippers, you name it). That's why keeping them entertained and happy is important. Some of the best interactive toys for dogs stimulate a dog's natural instincts, from chewing and digging to licking and chasing.

"Toys can help prevent boredom and your pup from messing up your home if they aren't crate trained," says Jasmine Coffiel, vice president of the Paws of Hope Foundation and a former veterinary technician. According to pet experts, combatting boredom isn't the only thing you need to focus on when shopping for dog toys — knowing their behavior well is important, too. "If you have a large or extra large breed that may be an active chewer, be aware that smaller interactive toys could be swallowed by accident," says Coffiel.

Whether you have a small breed, like a Chihuahua, or a large breed, like a Labrador, this list of the best interactive toys for dogs has all the top recommended products for keeping dogs of all sizes entertained. Check out our finds for the best treat dispensers, chew toys, squeaky toys, puzzles, and more.

Ever wonder what's on your dog's mind? Find out with this dog communication starter pack. This kit comes with four buttons. You can record any commands you want and help your dog communicate when he needs to potty, when he's ready for dinner, or when it's time for bed.

If your furry friend loves chasing squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits ... pretty much anything with a tail, they'll adore this hide-and-seek toy. Both sturdy and durable — though not recommended for aggressive chewers — they'll finally get to "catch" their wild friends when they dig them out of the log.

This interactive treat mat will help satisfy your dog's natural inclination to dig. Equipped with loads of pockets to fill with treats or toys, it's guaranteed to give them a good time. "My two Dalmatians love this toy. They are large enough to throw it around a bit but so far it seems to be holding up. The mats can be removed for cleaning and to rearrange. Really happy with this purchase!" a reviewer wrote.

This hide-and-seek treat-dispensing toy is meant to mentally stimulate your dog and keep boredom at bay with endless squeaky fun. Fill each pocket with dog food or treats and see how long it takes them to figure out the pattern.

While lick mats are often used for dogs that eat too quickly, they can also be used to stave off anxiety. These lick mats are great for keeping your dog busy while you're away for the afternoon.

This plush playmate will keep your dog on its toes as it barks, shakes, and rolls in an unpredictable pattern. It works on many surface types including carpet, grass, and gravel so is great for keeping them busy at home or the park. One caveat: "If your dog likes to chew toys more than play then the plush covering may take a beating," wrote a reviewer.

It's no secret that dogs love to play with moving items and with this automatic rolling ball toy, they'll be able to do it all day long. Bonus: The rolling with bouncing mode and the active bouncing ball mode will attract them, too.

Is your dog an aggressive chewer? This 3-in-1 squeaky dog toy is built to last. And once your dog gets through the first layer, there's another fun toy for your dog to destroy, and even one more inside of that.

Your dog will love chasing this interactive crab. Flashing lights and sounds keep dogs coming back for more. And, if you have more than one dog, they can both get in on the fun together.

This combination of puzzle and enrichment chew will keep your pooch busy for hours. Simply insert the accompanying treat and watch your dog figure out how to best lick, bite, and chew the yummy snack.

This toy is meant to be used with premade Pupscicle pops that are less messy than traditional butters or chews that accompany such enrichment toys. Simply insert the pupscicle and watch as your dog enjoys a special treat. It comes in a variety of sizes based on your dog's weight.

Perfect for medium to large dogs who aren't aggressive chewers, this is one toy that will grab their attention at first glance. "My puppy remains engaged playing with the bone, it’s rechargeable, and the customer support stands by its product," one reviewer wrote.

Fill up the pockets of these cute potato chips and watch your dog's natural instinct to sniff and dig come to life. Suitable for small, medium, or large dogs.

Fable pet toys are modern and sleek, so they look good in any home, and this treat dispenser is a great example of what the company offers. The product has a weighted bottom, and irregular movements entice a dog to interact and play.

This durable enrichment toy is meant to be filled with peanut butter or bully sticks to keep your dog entertained for about one hour. The best part? It's dishwasher safe.

If you have a fetch-obsessed dog, they'll love this squeaker toy that allows them to fetch time and again without the help of their owner. The slick base allows the toy to glide on hard surfaces, activating your dog's instinct to chase.

Hunting dogs love a good fame a hide and seek. Target your dog's natural instincts and test the strength of his sniffer with this scent finding game.

Great for nose training and slowing down how quickly your pup eats, this feeding mat which encourages them to sniff out hidden treats is large, durable, and non-slip. "This is one of my favorite mats," said Coffiel. "It will keep your fur babies entertained and comfy when they're home alone."

The ability to adjust the difficulty on this easy-to-clean treat ball when your dog figures out how to roll it in order to get the treats out makes it both mentally and physically stimulating. According to Coffiel, it's "one of the best budget-friendly options around!"

Your smart pup will love playing with this interactive smart bone toy with or without you. Need to keep your pup busy while you're doing work? Set it to automatic. Ready to spend some quality time with your fur baby? Use the app to control it like an automatic car. With sound and a long battery life, it'll keep any size breed busy for as long as you need.

Ni'Kesia Pannell is an entrepreneur, multi-hyphenate freelance writer, and self-proclaimed Slurpee connoisseur that covers news and culture for The Kitchn. She's the former Weekend Editor for Delish who also writes about faith, health and wellness, travel, beauty, lifestyle, and music for a range of additional outlets.

Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles-based freelancer with over 15 years of experience writing for online publications. Her work can be seen in Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day, where she covers everything from gift guides to personal essays. She holds a B.A. in English from Chapman University and is working toward her Early Childhood Education teaching credentials. She is proud to be of Native American (Ohkay Owingeh) and Mexican American descent.

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