Best puppy toys: Sweet and stimulating picks for your pooch

Nothing is better than bringing a new puppy home.

The delightful scent of a new arrival, endless cuddles and oodles of play time are all part and parcel of owning a canine companion. Regarding the latter, it’s a good idea to stock up on toys and treats before their arrival to ensure they have plenty to keep them occupied as they settle into their new home. 

While the easiest option may be to ply your pup with fuzzy plushies, it’s not necessarily the safest. Puppies enjoy chewing especially when they're teething between the ages of three and seven months to relieve their discomfort. If your pup chews through a soft toy, there’s a risk of the stuffing getting stuck in their throat, not to mention being shredded all over your floor.

The same goes for sticks as the wood can splinter and cause damage to your dog’s mouth, such as bleeding or even infection. It’s also prudent to avoid toys with small parts that can be swallowed. 

Balls, Kongs, squeaky toys, treat balls and rubber rings are all toys recommended by pet charity the Blue Cross to ensure your pup can enjoy some safe, stimulating playtime. Switching the toy selection up will keep your pooch engaged and active while allowing them to enjoy new textures and scents.

Different types of play call for varying categories of toys. All dogs have a preferred method of playtime, which can depend on breed, size and personality. 

According to the Blue Cross, games fall into four main categories:

1. Tug of war – toys to use include raggers and rubber rings
2. Chase and retrieve – use balls and Kongs on a rope
3. Hide, seek and search – can be played with people, toys or food
4. Pounce and shake – squeaky toys encourage this type of play

Best puppy toys at a glance

• Best for helping with chewing behaviours: KONG Puppy Assorted Goodie Bone With Rope - £5.99, Amazon
• Best for squeak: Barc London Balloon Squeaky Dog Toy - £5, Barc London
• Best for treats: Kong Classic Chew Treat Dog Toy Red - £8.50, Pets At Home
• Best for anxious pups: ALL FOR PAWS Little Buddy Heart Beat Sheep - £17.47, Amazon
• Best for stuffing-free play: Just for Puppy Mixed Balls 5 Pack - £4, Pets At Home
• Best for soft toy and rope play: Lords and Labradors Little Buddy Blanky - £8.99, Lords and Labradors
• Best for tug play: Pets at Home Knotted Rope Dog Toy - £0.70, Pets At Home
• Best for Instagrammable moments: Vivienne Westwoof Dog Bone - £10.95, Wags Emporium
• Best for brain-training: Fossa Dog Snuffle Mat, Puppy Toys Feeding Mat with 8 Carrots - £44.19, Amazon
• Best for failsafe design: MAXBONE Twisted Rope Dog Toy 25cm - £12, Selfridges

With this in mind, discover the best toys for your puppy that will keep them happy and stimulated as they grow. 

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KONG Puppy Assorted Goodie Bone With Rope

Best for: helping with chewing behaviours

This Kong Puppy Goodie Bone with Rope is perfect for particularly bitey pups. It engages and distracts puppies that delight in chewing up furniture or shoes, while the all-natural cotton rope makes it an ideal toy to fulfil a puppy's instinctual needs. The pink rubber will help to ease aching teeth and gums.

Buy now £5.99, Amazon

Barc London Balloon Squeaky Dog Toy

Best for: squeak

A literal dog toy, this is a cool, contemporary option for your pup. Available in an eye-catching mint hue, this canine Jeff Koons will appeal to arty dog lovers. 

Buy now £5.00, Barc London

Kong Classic Chew Treat Dog Toy Red

Best for: treats

Most dog-owners will have come across the classic Kong Treat toy. Pinecone shaped with a narrowly hollowed-out inside, it's perfect for stuffing peanut butter or your pup’s favourite treats. Best of all is the variety: the Kong comes in a vast range of sizes and strengths.

A staple of the pet world for over 40 years, the ultra-durable rubber is great for tough chewers, while the bumps and grooves give the toy an erratic bounce – ideal for some extra distraction play.

Buy now £8.50, Pets at Home

ALL FOR PAWS Little Buddy Heart Beat Sheep

Best for: anxious pups

Perfect for new puppies, foster dogs and pups with general separation anxiety, this heartbeat sheep is a life-saver. The adorable, super-soft fuzzy sheep holds within it a very special device which reproduces the heart vibration that puppies would usually get from their mothers.

Battery-operated with a 20-minute continuous heartbeat cycle, there’s ample time for your pup to get settled. If your dog is still fussing, simply press down on the device to re-start the cycle and they’ll be counting sheep in no time.

Buy now £17.47, Amazon

Just for Puppy Mixed Balls 5 Pack

Best for: stuffing-free play

Sprinkle a handful of balls around the living room and let your pup play to their heart’s content. This mixed pack contains a variety of shapes and colours for your pet to explore. No stuffing features, meaning you can rest easy knowing your little pal is safe.

Buy now £4.00, Pets at Home

Lords and Labradors Little Buddy Blanky

Best for: soft toy and rope play

Does it get any cuter than this? Lords and Labradors' Little Buddy Blanky comes complete with a candy cane-coloured rope feature in addition to adorable pink pig detailing.

Buy now £8.99, Lords and Labradors

Pets at Home Knotted Rope Dog Toy

Best for: tug play

You can’t go wrong with a tug rope. Play with your pup for hours on end, but be mindful that their tiny teeth are more fragile than their older friends.

Buy now £0.70, Pets at Home

Vivienne Westwoof Dog Bone

Best for: Instagrammable moments

Designer dog bones have boomed in popularity, thanks to their tongue-in-cheek luxury designs. This Vivienne Westwoof rendition is made for the punk pooches with style. Best for smaller breeds.

Buy now £10.95, Wags Empawrium

Fossa Dog Snuffle Mat, Puppy Toys Feeding Mat with 8 Carrots

Best for: brain-training

See just how agile and clever your pooch is with this interactive snuffle puzzle toy from Fossa. The mat comes equipped with eight detachable plush carrots, which you can fill with treats for you dog to sniff out and munch on. They’ll first have to pull the carrot from its container, before snuffling around inside for their reward.

This not only helps to train your dog to munch on their treats slower, but helps keeps your intelligent pup’s mind engaged.

Buy now £44.19, Amazon

MAXBONE Twisted Rope Dog Toy 25cm

Best for: failsafe design

One for larger puppies or teens, MAXBONE’s fluff-free rope toy is ideal for destructive doggos. Watch them chew, tug and fetch this piece which features a woven ball with a loop for easy carrying.

Buy now £12.00, Selfridges