Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our Dogs - CNET

Article updated on October 1, 2024 at 6:00 AM PDT

Looking for the best toys for your furry friend? We asked the experts, our dogs, to find the best options on the market. From durable chew toys to puzzle games that will keep them entertained for hours, here are our dogs' best picks.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Your pups deserve the best, whether it's the tastiest treats or high quality toys that won't fall apart in minutes. There's an endless number of dog toys to choose from, including durable chew toys, Frisbees, balls, squeaky toys, puzzles, food-oriented gadgets and a variety of stuffed toy options. However, it's difficult to sort through all this options to find the best ones for your pet, and the wrong ones may get chewed out quickly or see no interest at all from your pup. How do you find the best dog toys that are sure to guarantee hours of engagement and play?

We surveyed the dog parents among the CNET staff, both past and present, and rounded up their pups' tried-and-true favorites. Finding an indestructible dog toy is no easy feat, but these toys have gone through endless chewing sessions, survived ferocious play and led to hours of daily doggy entertainment. We even got three votes for the wildly popular Chuckit.

Since every dog has their own unique quirks and preferences, you'll find a wide variety to choose from here. Whether your four-legged friend is a large dog or a small dog, a chewer or a tugger, you're sure to find something they'll love on this list. These are the best dog toys available that our dogs go crazy for.

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When you have a dog that demands near-constant attention, you'll do anything to keep them busy for a few minutes. I use this puzzle toy for just that. There are three swiveling trays where you can conceal treats, making your dog work for their reward. My pup has to use his snout to spin the trays to reveal the compartments, and I have to hope it keeps his brain sharp because he has to problem-solve to get all of the treats. I have the level two (intermediate) version and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. --Sarah Mitroff

This toy is durable and covers all of the things that can keep a dog entertained forever. Inside is a rope and a few squeakers to gain and keep their attention, and it usually ends up being the toy my dog cuddles with. --Theodore Liggians

Banjo gets anxious when he's left alone, but like most Labs, he's very food-driven. Mochi, our little guy, is just an extreme chewer. If he doesn't have something to chew on, he'll start nibbling holes in our living room rug. So when I know I'm going to be away for a couple of hours, I pull out the Kongs. I stuff them with mozzarella or peanut butter (or both), and my two doggos stay happy and occupied the whole time I'm away. --Desiree DeNunzio

My dog is a beast when it comes to toys and has ruined nearly every single toy that we've given her within a day or two. That was until we met the Kong Extreme dog toy line, which has worked perfectly for her and keeps her entertained. We can use it as a reward by filling it with peanut butter when she's been good for the day. There are a few different shapes and sizes of it, and she seems to enjoy them all! --Jared DiPane

Most plush toys are no match for my dog, Junebug, who tears them to shreds within minutes. This Fluff and Tuff ball takes her weeks to even get a thread loose. Consequently, she is obsessed with it and carries it with her everywhere (even though it's way too big for her little body -- an adorable bonus). She stays loyal to it even after it's nothing but a sad, shredded, hollowed-out shell. Eventually, I throw it out and buy her a new one and the cycle starts again. She's on her third beach ball in about a year! Well worth the money. --Kim Wong-Shing

My dog loves two things (besides her humans): food and toys. This puzzle blends both for endless fun. I received this dog treat puzzle as a gift, after months of rolling up towels and old T-shirts to make mentally stimulating toys for my chihuahua mix. Now, I use it whenever I don't have a chance to take my pooch on her long evening walk.

All the moving plastic parts make it look complex, but it's actually simple to set up. Just hide your choice of treats or kibble in the hidden cubbies, cover it with the plastic door, push the slider over to keep the door shut and that's it. I found it to be a great indoor option for my dog to burn some energy and test her brain, too. --Alexandra Garrett

My pup Alistair has been crazy about his Dogobie flying disc for as long as we've had him, which is about 14 years. A disc made of flexible silicone, it's pretty much indestructible and as easy for me to toss as it is for him to retrieve, and it's easy to find in the brush after an errant throw, thanks to its neon colors. Alistair is getting on in years, but he still gets excited any time he sees his Dogobie come out to play. If he'd only bring it back with as much enthusiasm as when he chases it. --Jim Hoffman

It's easy to overlook the importance of toys in a canine's life, but toys are necessary for your dog's well-being -- and for your own peace of mind. A tired and mentally engaged dog gets into much less mischief than a bored pup. Toys can help modify bad behaviors, keep your dog mentally occupied, tire them out, and provide an appropriate outlet for dogs that are prone to destructive chewing.

Dogs all have different personalities and activity levels, so you'll want to have an understanding of your pup's individual needs to find the toys that will suit them best. Dog toys generally fall under three categories:

Chewing is a natural dog behavior, but if your pup tends to chew on things they're not supposed to, it's good to find suitable alternatives. Most of us know that cooked bones are a big no-no since they can splinter and break and get stuck in your dog's throat or intestines. Your best bet is something that's easily digestible and commercially available (like Greenies), or even better, a hard rubber chew like a Nylabone or Kong. As always, consult your veterinarian on the safest options for your dog.