The 10 Best Dog Toys

For most dogs, the KONG Classic is the toy that earns its keep. The hollow red rubber holds kibble, a smear of peanut butter or wet food, and freezing it stuffed turns a quick snack into a long, quiet chew. Its lumpy shape bounces at odd angles, which keeps fetch unpredictable. It goes in the top rack of the dishwasher. The red rubber suits average chewers; dogs that tear through it need the black Extreme version.

Dogs that live for fetch get a lot of mileage out of the Chuckit Ultra Ball. The thick rubber shell bounces high, floats in a pond or pool, and the bright orange and blue stand out in tall grass. It fits the medium Chuckit launchers, so you can throw it far without picking up a slobbery ball. A pair helps when one rolls under the porch. It isn't meant for chewing, and a determined chewer can split one.

The Benebone Wishbone gives a strong chewer something to work on besides the furniture. It's a hard nylon chew flavored with real bacon, and the curved shape lets a dog pin it between its paws and gnaw one arm at a time. Benebone publishes wear photos that show when to throw one out, and shavings should be swept up. Like any hard chew, it can crack a tooth, so ask your vet if your dog has dental trouble.

Hide-and-seek is the whole point of the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel. You tuck three squeaky plush squirrels into a fabric tree trunk, and your dog works out how to pull them back out, which burns off energy on a rainy afternoon. A bigger version holds more squirrels, and replacements are sold separately. Because it's all plush, a heavy chewer can gut the squirrels quickly, so pick up any torn piece before it gets swallowed.

The West Paw Zogoflex Qwizl is a stretchy, peanut-shaped treat toy built to hold a bully stick or dental chew in its center, so the treat lasts longer and stays off the carpet. The material is free of BPA, phthalates and latex, floats, survives the dishwasher and can be sent back to West Paw for recycling. If your dog damages it, the maker replaces or refunds it once. Empty, without a treat inside, it holds little interest for most dogs.

A hard plastic disc can bruise a dog's mouth, which is why the Chuckit Paraflight pairs a light nylon center with a soft rubber rim. It glides well on a good throw, floats when it lands in water, and the bright colors are easy to spot. The large size suits medium and big dogs. Teeth will puncture the fabric if your dog chews it between throws, so put it away when the game ends.

Tug games go better with the KONG Wild Knots Bear, a soft teddy with a knotted rope running through its body and limbs. There's very little stuffing, so less fluff ends up on the floor when a seam gives, and a squeaker keeps it interesting. Colors and patches vary from bear to bear. The plush outside wears through with heavy chewing, and once the rope shows, it's time to watch closely or replace it.

A new puppy's first nights alone are the reason the Snuggle Puppy exists. A battery unit tucked inside gives a soft pulse like a heartbeat, and a disposable heat pack adds warmth for up to a day, both meant to settle a pup that misses its litter. The plush goes in the washing machine once you take those out. It's a comfort toy, not a chew toy, so remove it if your puppy starts tearing at it.

Small dogs that like to carry a toy from room to room tend to adopt the Multipet Lamb Chop as their own. It's a soft, floppy lamb modeled on the puppet from the old children's TV show, light enough for a little mouth, with squeakers sewn inside. The low cost makes it painless to replace. It won't stand up to a strong chewer, and the squeakers should come away from your dog once the fabric tears.

Fast eaters and bored dogs both do well with the OurPets IQ Treat Ball. You fill the hard plastic sphere with kibble or small treats, twist it to set how wide the openings are, and your dog rolls it around to make food fall out. The halves come apart for washing in soapy water. It's loud on hard floors, and it's a rolling toy, not something to leave with a dog that chews plastic.