Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications
Interactive dog toys offer brain stimulation and banish boredom by encouraging play and participation, which will get your dog's tail wagging with happiness in no time. There are all sorts of interactive toys for dogs, including puzzles, snuffle mats and fetch toys, each with the same goal of getting your dog to respond. This is why we're here to help you decide on the best ones to entertain your four-legged pal!
In this guide, we go over the different interactive toy types and their benefits, including everything you'll need to know when choosing the right dog toys for brain stimulation and training. Make sure to check out our recommendations, as we've ranked the top 10 interactive toys for dogs in the UK on Amazon. Moreover, we have partnered with veterinarian Natalia Ramírez for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Natalia is a veterinarian with 10 years of experience, specialising in topics related to responsible pet ownership, preventive animal health and nutrition issues that she is currently deepening in her master's studies. She also helps new pet parents by delivering all the necessary information from their arrival at home to different stages of their life.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Natalia is a veterinarian with 10 years of experience, specialising in topics related to responsible pet ownership, preventive animal health and nutrition issues that she is currently deepening in her master's studies.
She also helps new pet parents by delivering all the necessary information from their arrival at home to different stages of their life.
Are you looking to encourage your dog's natural foraging instincts? Then a snuffle mat is the toy for you! Your dog can search for snacks hidden in the snuffle mat to improve smelling skills and stay active. These toys can also encourage slow eating and entertain a dog on cage rest.
It's no wonder fetch is so well-known, as dogs are built to retrieve things, they quickly become hooked! Give a game of fetch a modern twist with an automatic ball launcher that'll train your dog's obedience without you having to move. This toy is also ideal for anyone with limited mobility wanting to ensure their dog gets sufficient exercise.
Keep their minds ticking at mealtimes with our Best Slow Feed Dog Bowls!
A bored dog can destroy furniture and chew up your home to let off steam, so it's best to occupy them with fun toys. Squeaky toys make a sound that resembles prey, which triggers a dog's hunting skills without harming any other animal. They'll come alive as their instincts kick in, chasing down the toy, which is sure to relieve boredom!
You can even find toys with a variety of animal sounds for a more realistic feel that'll keep your dog interested. These toys will continue to excite them again and again, as they'll always be a new sound to discover.
You've probably thought about improving your IQ with brain exercises, but have you thought about boosting the IQ of your dog? Puzzle toys offer top brain stimulation that entertains your pet indoors and can help stop older dogs from developing dementia.
The most common type of puzzle is a maze where they have to complete steps to retrieve food. This encourages weight management alongside a healthy brain. You can even buy different levels that increase in difficulty as your dog's skills advance.
Soft toys with plush animals hidden inside are also popular puzzle toys. These work as fetch games, building hunting skills with additional brain stimulation.
Some interactive toys are suitable for all dogs, but some will have a specific size and age recommendation. For example, delicate toys are best for small dogs who'd struggle to carry anything that's large and heavy, whereas durable toys that won't break easily and large snuffle mats are suitable for bigger dogs.
In fact, toys will not only allow us to keep our pets happy and prevent them from getting bored but are also beneficial in addressing problem behaviors, such as destructive chewing or nuisance barking.
Age recommendations will also tell you if a toy is suitable for puppies, as some toys are too challenging or contain materials that are too tough. You also want to avoid toys with small parts your dog could swallow, as they can be a choking hazard for young pups. After all, a healthy dog is a happy one!
Polish those pearly whites with our Best Toothbrushes for Dogs!
Are you looking for a toy with multiple settings? Toys with batteries often have multiple modes, which can add variety to your pup's playtime. You can even tailor the product to suit your dog's preferences and skills to increase your dog's happiness.
However, toys with batteries can break quicker, and you'll have to replace them often if your dog is especially taken with their new toy. There are some toys with multiple modes that don't require batteries to keep playtime interesting. These toys last will longer than ones with batteries, but no toy lasts forever.
It's important to keep dog toys clean so that harmful bacteria doesn't develop on them that could make your dog sick. If you have a dog who drools a lot, or takes toys out in the mud, you might find yourself needing to clean them more often. Thankfully, there are easy clean toys that can be wiped down or put in the washing machine to save time and make life easier.
If you opt for a snuffle mat, look for one with an anti-slip base. This stops the toy from moving around on a the floor, keeping your dog safe from injuries and preventing food from going everywhere. It can also make puzzles easier to complete, as it won't slide away from your dog as they try to solve it, causing stress.
Protecting the environment is vital for maintaining a healthy world to live in, with lower disease rates and enough resources to go around. You can help do your part by choosing interactive dog toys that use environmentally friendly materials.
Seek out toys that are made using renewable and biodegradable materials. For example, felt is a natural product created by knitting wool fibres together, it's not only durable enough for hours of play, but it's 100% biodegradable. Of course, you shouldn't be put off from buying toys that don't have the environmentally friendly seal of approval, there are always other ways to help the environment!
For less fussy pups, try our Best Dog Toys!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Hound Dog Tornado Interactive Treat Puzzle | £15.00 Mid | An Engaging Treat Dispensing Puzzle for All Dogs | ||
2 | Chiwava Squeak Latex Puppy Toy | £8.98 Low | Fetch Toys With a Fun Sound for Small Dogs | ||
3 | AWOOF Pet Snuffle Feeding Mat | £15.99 Mid | A Portable Snuffle Mat Perfect for Travel | ||
4 | Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle | £16.10 Mid | A Game of Fetch That's Gentle on Your Dog's Mouth | ||
5 | Dogit 3-in-1 Mind Games Interactive Smart Toy for Dogs | £14.99 Mid | A Fun Brain Teaser for Adult Dogs | ||
6 | Pet Qwerks Animal Sounds Babble Ball | £10.48 Low Mid | A Mini Zoo Inside a Ball That Banishes Boredom | ||
7 | IFOYO Dog Dog Snuffle Mat | £20.99 High Mid | A Colourful Treat for Large Dogs | ||
8 | ADOGO Dog Puzzle Feeder Toy | £9.99 Low Mid | Colourful Treat Dispenser for Brain Stimulation | ||
9 | Eileen&Elisa IQ Treat Ball | £10.99 Low Mid | Tasty Treats in a Fun Maze | ||
10 | ALL FOR PAWS Automatic Ball Launcher | £72.88 High | Let Them Play Fetch Whilst You Relax |
Here's a 12 compartment puzzle with treats for your dog to find. We love this particular interactive toy as it will teach them how to complete different steps to achieve a goal. You can even change the difficultly by adding and removing compartments, so every dog will be able to enjoy the challenge, regardless of their skill level.
Dogs of any size or age can play with this toy. Although, you should always supervise them while it's in use it to ensure safety. After they're done, you can wash it with soap and water to keep it clean and hygienic.
These interactive toys are perfect for puppies and small dogs. They bounce and make squeaky sounds, encouraging them to play fetch. Best of all, your dog can play with them both indoors and outside to relieve boredom so they won't chew up and destroy your furniture.
You get four balls per pack, each one in the shape of a different cute animal, including a frog, bear, chick and pig. They're super soft, too, so your dog will be able to get them to squeak without your assistance.
This snuffle mat transforms into a small bag, making it ideal for travel and storage when your dog isn't using it. It'll both entertain your dog and help train their sense of smell, and also has an anti-slip base, so your dog doesn't skid whilst searching for their treats.
It's a soft fabric toy with no sharp edges or small parts, making it suitable for both puppies and larger dogs. This snuffle mat is durable and washing machine safe too, so it'll last a long time if you and your dog take good care of it.
Hide the plush squirrel toys inside the log, then throw it and let your dog find them. It's a fun retrieving exercise that uses cuddly toys that will be gentle on your dog's mouth. The hide-and-seek element will stimulate their brain, and the fetch will encourage their hunting skills. It's a win-win! Plus, you can purchase only replacement animals in case of loss or if our pet breaks one.
This toy comes in small, medium and large, so you're sure to find one that suits your dog whatever their size. It's easy to clean and machine washable too, so you can relax knowing your pup is safe using it.
Here's a brain game for adult dogs that has three different interactive toys in one. With this option, they can play hide-and-seek, spin-a-whirl and complete the sliding puzzle. The whole family can join in this game that's designed to entertain more than just the pets and encourage bonding.
This game helps build problem-solving skills for dogs of all levels for a healthy mind and active body. There are instructions too, so you can learn how to play the games and get the most out of the toy.
This toy will be more than enough to excite a dog that already has lots of squeaky toys, as this ball makes over twenty different animal sounds. It's motion-activated, so it'll make sounds when your dog moves, making it seem more like a real animal to trigger their hunting instincts. It even turns itself off, so the noise won't become irritating!
You can't replace the batteries in this toy, but they last for a long time, and at such a low price, you can afford to get a new one once it runs out. It is available in 3 different sizes and helps dogs to satisfy their natural chewing instinct and helps to reduce anxiety and prevent boredom by encouraging them to play actively.
This snuffle mats with multiple compartments is ideal for medium or large dogs. You can hide treats or toys inside this comprehensive mat for your dog to find, encouraging them to use their sense of smell and providing both physical and mental stimulation!
You can easily clean it in the washing machine between uses, and roll it up to store it away. Admittedly, it is a bit delicate and may get torn quickly, but it's still a fun treat whilst it lasts.
Your dog will have to seriously move this puzzle if they want to get their treat, helping to build strong problem solving and endurance skills. It has 22 treat compartments and nine moving pieces that are sure to entertain and improve your dog's IQ.
It's a fun toy that most dogs will enjoy, that can even help alleviate separation anxiety, even though the puzzle pieces can be tough to move. Don't give it to large dogs, though, as it's better suited to smaller breeds.
This fun treat feeder is in the shape of a large egg. On the inside there is a maze, so your dog will have to play with it to release the food, which is great for mental stimulation and slow feeding.
The hard exterior will discourage them from chewing, but it's still better for dogs that aren't excessive chewers. Unfortunately, some pet parents have reported problems with the locking mechanism as it can come loose, resulting in too much food to pouring out, or getting stuck so that nothing comes out at all.
An automatic ball launcher is perfect for your dog to play fetch whenever they please, without you exhausting yourself. It has three different levels, which shoot balls at various distances, including 10 ft, 20 ft and 30 ft!
Although it primarily runs on batteries, there's also a mains adapter so you can plug it in. Just be aware that this is a mini fetch machine with tennis balls smaller that are than standard. This means it won't really work for large dogs, but it's perfect for small breeds, like terriers.
Our ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
No. 1: Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound|Hound Dog Tornado Interactive Treat Puzzle
No. 2: Chiwava|Squeak Latex Puppy Toy
No. 3: AWOOF| Pet Snuffle Feeding Mat
No. 4: Outward Hound|Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle
No. 5: Dogit|3-in-1 Mind Games Interactive Smart Toy for Dogs
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications