Choose a dog toy in three steps: match it to how your dog likes to play (fetch, tug, puzzle or cuddle), check the maker's chewing rating against how hard your dog chews, then pick a size your dog can carry but not swallow. No toy is indestructible, so supervise play and replace a toy once it's damaged.
Step 1: How does your dog like to play?
| Play style | What to look for | Examples from the shop |
|---|---|---|
| Fetch | Bounces or flies; easy to spot; floats if you play near water | West Paw Jive ball (erratic bounce, floats) · Zisc flying disc (soft, floats) · Hurley bone (floats) |
| Tug | Stretch, something to grip at both ends | West Paw Bumi (stretches to about twice its length) · Snorkl boomerang |
| Puzzle / treat | Holds kibble or a filling and makes your dog work for it | Toppl · Rumbl · Qwizl · Tux · Up Dog Odin |
| Carry & cuddle | Soft, squeaky, sized to carry around | HuggleHounds Knotties (corduroy, five squeakers) · West Paw Rowdies · HuggleFleece ball |
Step 2: How hard does your dog chew?
Some makers rate each toy for a chewing level. For example, West Paw labels its toys:
- Gentle chewers: Zisc, Bumi. These are play toys, not chew toys.
- Moderate chewers: Toppl, Rumbl.
- Tough chewers: Hurley, Jive, Qwizl, Tux.
If your dog takes plush toys apart, keep plush for supervised cuddle time, and pick a toy rated for tough chewers for time alone.
Step 3: What size?
- Pick a size your dog can carry, but that's too big to swallow. When in doubt, size up.
- Treat toys list how much they hold. For example, the Toppl holds 1/4 cup (Small), 3/4 cup (Large) or 1 1/4 cups (XL).
- Rumbl Small (3.5 in) is listed for dogs under about 40 lb.
Treat toys: fill, freeze, repeat
Treat toys like Toppl and Tux can be filled with wet food and frozen, so the treat lasts longer. Two Toppl sizes click together into a puzzle. Most West Paw toys are top-rack dishwasher-safe, which helps with sticky fillings. For soft food spread on a flat surface instead, see our lick mats and slow feeders.
The honest part
Makers say it plainly, and so do we: no dog toy is indestructible. Supervise play, check toys regularly, and replace one when pieces start to come off.
Quick checklist
- Matches your dog's play style
- Rated for your dog's chewing strength
- Big enough not to swallow
- Supervised play; replace when damaged
Shop the guide: Dog toys · Everything for dogs
Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Written by the Bean & Paw team.
