Interactive dog toys are a great way to keep your dog entertained. In fact, they often go a long way towards keeping your dog happy and occupied for many hours, and they may even help to lessen separation anxiety, too. Of course, it’s still important to keep an eye on your dog whenever they’re playing with a new toy, to ensure nothing breaks off or could represent a choking hazard.
However, while a standard dog toy can be fun, the added interaction is especially satisfying for intelligent, inquisitive dogs who will really enjoy playing with a toy that’s more interactive.
In this guide, we’ve selected some of the most popular and best-selling interactive dog toys, all of which are sure to be loved by virtually any dog. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the options we have for you.
The Best Interactive Dog Toys In 2020
# 1 – Furbo: Treat Tossing, HD Wifi Cam, and 2-Way Audio
This particular toy is certainly one of the more high-end options you’ll find in our guide, but there’s no denying that it is a great buy if you’re willing to spend the money.
The toy features a unique treat tossing element that will allow you to dispense a dog treat using an app on your Android or iOS phone, and it can be filled with around 30 treat pieces, allowing you to throw the treats out whenever you like throughout the day.
Interestingly, the toy features a number of technologically advanced options such as a camera that allows you to keep an eye on your pet, and it even features a two-way chat system that allows you to hear and comfort your dog and for your dog to hear you as well.
Another fantastic feature is the barking alert monitor, which will push notifications to your smartphone whenever your dog is barking, giving you the option to verbally comfort your dog through the built-in speaker and microphone system.
Of course, the toy uses the Internet to send its information so you will need a quality Wi-Fi signal in the room, but otherwise, this is a fantastic toy that’s excellent for owners who can’t be with the dog 24 / 7.
While it’s more expensive than a typical dog toy, it’s a smart investment for the person who can’t be with their dog in the day.
# 2 – iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher
If you have a dog who just loves to play fetch, then this interactive ball launcher is a toy that’s well worth your consideration.
The toy comes in three fairly small 1.5-inch diameter mini tennis balls that are easy for your dog to pick up and carry, and this also means the launching device doesn’t need to have too much power to send them a fair distance.
There are several different size versions available for this toy, with this particular version being the small one that’s best suited to smaller breeds and puppies.
In general, this is a fairly simple design that does just what you expected to do – launches tennis balls. So if you’re looking for a toy that does this for you, this is an excellent option to consider.
The only real negative aspect seems to be issues with ball durability and its difficulty with being compatible with other types of balls on the market. However, it’s relatively affordable to purchase additional sets of five balls that are well worth the money if you’re considering this option, and this will add plenty of longevity to the toy.
# 3 – KONG Stuff-A-Ball Dog Toy
The Kong brand is well known for making some excellent dog toys, and their hard-wearing rubber material is often one of the biggest advantages they have to offer, making them especially well suited to tough chewing.
However, this particular toy gives you the added benefit of allowing you to stuff treats inside the center as well as the grooves on the outside, which will go a long way towards keeping your dog interested for a greater period of time.
Of course, using a treat combined with a chewable toy is always a reliable way to increase the interaction offered by a dog toy, and it’ll also do a good job of giving your dog’s teeth and gums a good workout, too.
# 4 – Outward Hound Paw Flapper Interactive Toy
This interactive puzzle toy from Outward Hound is certainly very affordable, and it’s a great way to have some one-on-one fun with your dog.
The toy features 8 different chambers that can store your dog’s treats, and your pooch will have great fun investigating and sniffing out the treats hidden within.
Importantly, you can adjust the difficulty of the toy using a knob on the bottom of it, and this is very useful for making the toy more challenging once your dog grows accustomed to it, as well as making it a little easier if your dog isn’t finding it engaging enough.
Overall, this is a solid interactive ‘puzzle’ toy that comes at a fantastic price and should give you plenty of fun times with your dog.
# 5 – Tether Tug Indoor Interactive Dog Toy
Here’s an interesting interactive toy that lets your dog enjoy a fun game of ‘tug’ whenever they want to.
The toy can be safely located under a sofa to keep it secure, and its tough construction means that it should last quite some time, even if a fairly powerful dog playing with it.
Of course, the design also lends itself to the energetic dog who can benefit from burning off their excess energy, especially if they’re normally prone to destructive behavior when bored.
Overall, this is a unique and inventive toy that’s a good option for the dog who needs something more substantial to play with, and its durable construction means it should last you and your dog for quite some time.
# 6 – Outward Hound Star Spinner Interactive Toy
This spinner interactive toy from Outward Hound is another unique design that’s often best-suited to smaller dogs and puppies, but the adjustable difficulty also makes it suitable for most breeds.
It allows you to store up to 3 tiers of dog treats and features 10 individual treat chambers, so it can store plenty of tasty treats for any dog to enjoy.
The toy will spin and rotate when the dog moves the pieces around, and they’ll have a great time working to release each chamber and chomp on the treats hidden within.
So while it’s not the best ‘puzzle’ toy on the market, it’s still a decent interactive option that will engage most dogs who enjoy a tasty treat as a reward.
# 7 – Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball
The IQ Treat Ball from Pet Zone uses a popular design that’s a great way to give your dog some much needed mental stimulation, and you’ll find that it’ll keep your dog entertained for quite a while when they’re rolling it all around the floors of your home.
It can be filled with most forms of dog treat or kibble, and it’s also fully adjustable, so you can gradually increase the difficulty as your dog becomes more skilled and accustomed to releasing the tasty treats inside.
The toy is made of hard plastic that’s fairly durable, and it’s also very simple to keep it clean, too.
# 8 – Outward Hound Lucky Dog Slots Interactive Toy
If you’re looking for something that’s a little out of the ordinary, then this ‘lucky dog slots’ toy from Outward Hound may be something that piques your interest.
As you can see from the picture, the toy uses a slot machine design that functions by releasing treats from the upper compartment whenever your dog puts their paw on the treat release lever at the bottom of the toy.
While it isn’t overly complicated to operate, it’s certainly very fun and amusing for both owner and dog alike, and it’s a great way to keep your dog engaged in the toy or even a unique way to give them their dry kibble for the day.
The buyer reviews are generally quite positive, with several owners finding that the dog quickly learns how to use the toy and greatly enjoys the experience.
# 9 – West Paw Design Zogoflex Toppl Interactive Toy
Here’s another interesting toy that’s designed to dispense treats in an interesting way, and it’s available in two different sizes (small or large) along with several different color options as well.
The toy will easily float in water for some fun water-based games, and you can also slide it into the dishwasher without any trouble at all, making it incredibly easy to keep clean.
The unique design of the toy allows it to wobble and wiggle around the floor whenever your dog touches or pushes it, and the design makes it very easy to put some fun and tasty treats inside, especially the kind of treats that can be smeared in such as peanut butter.
This will drive your dog crazy in their effort to release the treats, and they will often enjoy picking it up and running around with it as well.
For a more personal experience, it’s possible to add the small and large toys together to create even more interactivity, although these are sold individually, so it’ll cost a little extra to do this (but it’s generally well worth it!).
# 10 – Outward Hound Doggy Blocks Spinner Interactive Toy
The Outward Hound company makes a variety of interesting spinner puzzle toys for your dog, and this is another option that’s a little different than most, while also coming at a very reasonable price.
The toy features four different cups and eight different treaty chambers, along with multiple scent guides to keep things interesting.
Your dog can spin the toy around to find the treats, and also remove the blocks that cover the treat, allowing for some fun interactive games with your dog.
Most owners find that the toy does a fairly good job, although it isn’t difficult enough to challenge a smart breed.
# 11 – Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Interactive Toy
This interactive toy from Nina Ottosson comes in a range of different sizes that give you wider diameters and more treat compartments depending on the size you choose.
While the toy is somewhat more costly than many others, it offers a good amount of interactivity and customization so you can give your dog a new experience each time.
The toy uses a tornado section that allows your dog to spin and revolve the toy to find the treats hidden along this axis, and you can also play the “dog magic” game that allows your dog to use their sense of smell to find the treats.
The medium challenge game is the “dog brick” game which requires your dog to remove the bones to release the tasty treats inside. There’s also a “dog spinning” game that requires your dog to remove the plastic bone from the top section to uncover the treats.
Finally, the “Casino” game uses several movable bones and sliding compartments to hide the tasty treats.
As you can see, there are a wide variety of ways to enjoy this interactive toy, and when it’s fully loaded with treats in all of the different compartments, it’ll take your dog some time to uncover everything hidden inside, making it a great investment for anybody who is looking for a high-end interactive toy that offers plenty of mental stimulation to your dog.
# 12 – Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop Treat Dispensing Toy
This toy from Planet Dog is another treat dispenser that’s designed to challenge your dog in a variety of ways, and it does a pretty good job of it too.
The toy is somewhat translucent and features a deep crevice that easily stores most types of treat inside, and there’ll come out gradually as your dog plays with the toy, which obviously keeps them engaged for a much longer time.
The rounded shape of the toy means it rolls relatively easy so it will allow your dog to burn off plenty of energy while they play with it, and it will gradually release treats over time as your dog pushes it around with their nose, plays with it on the floor, and chews on it thanks to its squishy design.
# 13 – KONG Wobbler Treat Dispensing Toy
The Kong brand is certainly very popular and they’re well known by most pet owners for their distinctive and unique toys.
This Wobbler toy is a unique take on the traditional Kong design, and as you’d expect, the unique design allows it to wobble around the floor when your dog pokes and prods it.
Of course, like most toys from this popular manufacturer, you can house a variety of treats, kibble, and other goodies inside the toy which will fall out as your dog pushes it around.
Fortunately, it also features a twist-off lid that makes it easy to clean and easy to load up with treats, and the hard-wearing rubber construction means that it should be capable of taking a decent chewing as well.
The toy comes in two different sizes, either small or large, and it’s also relatively affordable.
# 14 – Ethical Pets Sensory Ball
Here’s an interesting and very affordable toy that promises to offer a range of sensory delights to make it more interactive than the average dog toy design.
The toy features a bell and a squeaker so it makes a variety of interesting sounds when it rolls around or gets chewed by your dog, and the bright colors make it quite visually appealing as well, especially for puppies.
Finally, to top off the multisensory appeal, it comes with a strong smell of beef along with a beef flavoring that your dog is sure to enjoy. The outer part of the ball features multiple textures to make it further stimulating when it is played with by your dog.
In terms of sizing, it comes in either a 2.5 inch or a 3.25-inch design, and they are also available now range of different colors.
# 15 – Rippys Pull Apart Pig Dog Toy
This fun looking toy is a great option for puppies or a smaller breed, and it’s quite fun to play with when you want to spend some time with your dog’s well.
The toy relies on a simple cuddly plush design, but the main thing that makes it unique is that each element of the toy can be pulled apart, thanks to the use of Velcro attachments that make the head, arms, and legs fully removable.
This is a great option for dogs that like to feel like they are pulling their toys apart and it’s a good way to help them release some of that destructive energy that some breeds may have. Of course, the toy won’t hold up well to consistent chewing, but it’s certainly a fun option that most puppies will enjoy, and it will last much longer if you use it to play with your dog rather than leaving them to their own devices completely!
It’s worth noting that the toy comes with a sound element as well, which makes a distinct “oink” sound that only adds to the toy’s appeal.
# 16 – KONG Biscuit Ball Dog Toy
This toy from Kong is known as the “biscuit ball”, and as the name suggests, it’s perfectly designed for you to insert biscuits into the main compartment, which then allows your dog to knock them out as they play with the toy.
The ball is constructed using Kong’s famous hard wearing rubber that means it will last for a long time, and it should give your dog enough entertainment to last for several hours and more.
The design makes it pretty easy to stuff the biscuits inside, but it’s best to pick treats that are large enough to fit the grooves, so it isn’t always the best option for kibble.
What’s more, the toy is available in two sizes, either small or large, so you should be able to pick an option that best serves the size of your pooch.
# 17 – StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Toy
This distinctive-looking toy has long been a staple in the interactive dog toy market and for good reason. Not only is it relatively affordable, but the time-tested design makes it great fun for any dog to play with.
The toy features a weighted bottom that allows it to wobble and move around the floor with a distinctive movement, and the little holes on the side will occasionally release a small treat for your dog to enjoy.
Of course, the gap in the side of the toy can be adjusted to suit both your dog’s skill level and the type of treat that you are using for the toy, so this gives you a reasonable degree of customization and flexibility in terms of adjusting the toy to cater for your dog.
# 18 – TRIXIE Pet Products Flip Board Level 2
Here’s an interactive toy that’s best suited to intermediate skill level dogs, and it does require some level of interaction from the owners as well, but this aspect makes it great fun for all of the family.
The toy features a wide base that’s covered with different lids that cover the treats, and it uses various knobs and levers which will uncover these treats, so it’s a very rewarding way to develop your dog’s intelligence level.
You’ll also find sliders on the outer edges of the toy which need to be moved to either side to uncover the treat below.
Ultimately, this is an excellent way to give your dog an improved level of interactivity that requires a little bit of thought to uncover, but not so much as to be impossible.
Another perk for this toy is that it’s relatively affordable, giving you an excellent entry point into the world of interactive puzzle dog toys.
# 19 – Coevals Club Pet Dog Treat Slow Feed Ball
Here’s another ball toy that features spiked rubber grooves that are fantastic for holding small amounts of kibble, which add a great deal of longevity and interest into the typical ball toy.
You can purchase this option in two different sizes, either 2.4 inches or 2.8 inches, and it also comes in a wide range of different color options as well.
The flexible rubber material is relatively soft so it won’t harm your dog’s gums or teeth. In fact, chewing on the toy to release the kibble can be a great workout for your dog’s gums and teeth, which will also go some way towards preventing the buildup of dental plaque and tartar.
It’s relatively easy to fit most forms of kibble between the spiked rubber grooves, and the toy even features a subtle mint fragrance that helps to freshen your dog’s breath.
# 20 – West Paw Design Zogoflex Qwizl Puzzle Treat Toy
Here’s a fairly new toy to the market that comes with a hard-wearing and rugged design that should last quite some time, and it also offers a decent amount of mental stimulation to any dog thanks to its puzzle-like nature.
The toy is very flexible yet strong enough to stand up to a stronger chewer, and it’s easy to stuff treats into the middle which your dog will work to set free.
Of course, these treats will add plenty of appeal to the toy, and you’ll find it will keep your dog occupied for quite a while, often the same kind of time as a quality rawhide chew would.
Interestingly, the toy comes with a strong guarantee which protects you against any damage done by your dog, so the manufacturer behind this toy is certainly confident that it is durable and safe to use.
# 21 – Doggie Bungee Toy
Here’s an option to try for any dog who has plenty of energy to expand, and it’s useful for putting in a garden and giving your dog many hours of fun activity.
It’s possible to use the bungee with a variety of different toys, and hanging your dog’s favorite cuddly toy from the bungee is a great way to ensure maximum engagement.
The toy is around 8-foot-long which allows you to get it around nearby tree limbs or anything that’s strong and sturdy in your garden for easy hanging, and it also keeps out of the way quite well when not in use thanks to the stretchy design.
Overall, this is a relatively straightforward and simple toy that does its job well, and for just a few dollars you can have a fun interactive toy that will keep your dog happy in the garden for quite some time.
# 22 – Nina Ottosson Dog Spinny Interactive Toy
The Nina Ottosson brand is a popular choice for anybody looking for an interactive puzzle toy for any clever dog, and this spinner toy is a good starting point.
The toy features eight different treat chambers, and it works well for keeping your puppy entertained for many hours, thanks to its ability to release treats and teach your dog the basics of puzzle toy features.
All you need to do is place a few treats into the different compartments and let your dog spin the toy around to release a tasty treat. Once your dog’s skill level increases, it’s possible to increase the level of challenge by putting the white bone over the top of the toy which locks the spinner in place.
However, this is the kind of toy that’s best used when you are there to play with and monitor your dog rather than leaving them to chew on it.
# 23 – West Paw Design Zogoflex Tux Tough Stuffable Chew Toy
Here’s an interesting toy that’s made from a very hard wearing and durable material that should last for a long time, and it’s even backed up by a 100% guarantee against dog damaged by the toy’s manufacturer.
The toy has a variety of different ends which allow your dog to get a good grip between their paws and jaw, and it’s possible to stuff treats inside, which greatly increases the interactivity and entertainment that the toy offers your dog.
Overall, this is a very simple yet effective toy that should last for a long time and it’s a good option for a dog who has strong chewing tendencies. What’s more, the toy is made in the USA, as well as being safe to use in the dishwasher.
# 24 – PetSafe Busy Buddy Barnacle Toy
This treat-dispensing toy that comes in many different sizes, so it’s pretty easy to get one that will be suitable for the size of your breed.
What’s more, it has the ability to pair up with other toys in the lineup to allow for even more interactivity.
The toy uses three separate compartments, each of which can hold their own treat, which will drop out when the toy is played with. As you’d expect, this follows a fairly conventional time-tested design, but the unique shape offers a new level of challenge for many dogs, and it can be further customized by trimming the prongs that hold the treats inside.
Additionally, you can smear a paste-like treat such as peanut butter into the toy, which will further increase the entertainment it offers, as well as the length of time that it’s able to successfully occupy your dog’s time.
# 25 – Starmark Treat Dispensing Pickle Pocket
Here is a very toy from the Star Mark company, who is perhaps better known for their Bob A Lot interactive toy (which features a top 5 placement in our guide), but this option also has some unique features to offer that make it worth a closer look.
The design is relatively compact which makes it easy for your dog to carry around in their jaws, and it’s also made from a fairly durable material that should last for a long time.
Additionally, the toy has the ability to float on water and it also bounces very well when thrown, which makes it more appealing for many dogs. It also has the durability to allow your dog to chew on it for hours at a time, while the unique grooves and holes mean it’s excellent for stuffing a few treats in that will take your dog quite some time to work free.
# 26 – ZippyPaws Hide-an-Egg Burrow Interactive Toy
This delightful looking plush toy is a great choice for puppies in particular, but it can be suitable for most dogs if it is played with while you are around to observe and monitor them (to ensure they don’t get restless and tear the entire thing apart!).
It comes in both a bunny and dog design, both of which have squeaky eggs which can be worked free from the main body of the toy. You can also hide further treats inside to make it even more entertaining.
While the toy is only really suitable for small to medium-sized dogs, it is generally an affordable and fun toy to play with and many dogs will enjoy it – especially those smaller breeds who prefer plush toys rather than bulky plastic ones.
# 27 – Busy Buddy Squeak N Treat Booya Dog Toy
This squeaky dog toy features a durable rubber that should last for a long time, and it has an interesting squeaky sound that adds to the entertainment it can provide.
Interestingly, the rubber is vanilla scented which certainly makes it stand out from the average toy, and it can also be safely washed in the dishwasher, albeit only on the top rack.
The toy features a painted “Treat Meter” which randomly dispenses treats while the toy is played with by your dog, so it isn’t as predictable as some other options.
The prongs can be further modified simply by using scissors, and this allows you to customize it for the type of treat you’re planning to use, as well as for the difficulty level you are planning to provide for your dog.
# 28 – Leaps & Bounds Light Up Rubber Ball Toy
This peculiar-looking rubber ball toy is quite distinct from many similar ball toys on the market, seeing as it actually lights up and features another ball inside that gives it some visual interest as well as changing the way it feels for your dog to play with.
It’s an excellent option for interactive play with your dog, and when you purchase it can come in a variety of different colors. Additionally, the rubber is fairly durable, so should be to withstand some degree of punishment from most breeds of dog.
# 29 – OurPets Smarter Toys Interactive IQ Treat Ball Toy
Our next pick is this popular treat ball toy by Our Pets.
To use this toy, you simply place your dog’s preferred treats into the ball and close it up. When your dog plays with the toy, it will occasionally allow a treat to fall out of the side, which as you would expect, goes a long way towards increasing the fun your dog has when playing with the toy.
Additionally, you can adjust the difficulty of the toy as your dog learns how to ‘unlock’ the treat. This makes sure your dog stays entertained for a longer duration of time, and it always keeps him guessing in regards to how to earn the reward.
The reviews rate this toy very favorably, with many owners stating that it’s quickly become one of their dog’s favorite toys to play with. With praise like that, it’s easy to see why this is a great buy.
# 30 – Dogit Mind Games 3-in-1 Interactive Smart Toy
This 3-in-1 interactive toy can be great fun for when you want to play with your dog, although it does require a little more user involvement to get the most from it.
The 3 games include hide and seek (where your dog has to move the tops to find the treat), spin-a-whirl (where your dog has to move the wheel around to reveal a tasty reward), and finally the sliding puzzle (which as the name suggests, requires your dog to slide the top away to unlock the treat).
However, while this is a fantastic toy for most dogs, it may not keep them engaged for very long without a person there to join in on the fun!
Because of the added user involvement, this is great for getting children involved – and it’s also the perfect solution for intelligent dogs who will be enthralled by the puzzling nature of this toy. It’s often recommended for dogs who may be hyperactive in nature, too.
# 31 – Company of Animals CLIX Pyramid Dog Toy
This interactive pyramid toy is great for keeping your dog highly engaged in the activity of playing with it, and thanks to the intermittent food reward they’ll receive, it should keep them entertained for a good deal of time.
The bottom of the toy is weighted, which makes sure it always returns to its default upright position, and this also means it’s very difficult for your dog to ‘cheat’ and get all of the rewards too quickly.
Instead, your dog will have to keep pushing and pawing at the toy, in an effort to knock it over and cause a treat to be revealed.
While this particular toy may not be as well known, it’s certainly a fantastic design that has many advantages to offer and should keep your dog very happy for quite some time, just as long as the treats are tasty enough!
# 32 – Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toy
This interactive toy is a little more complicated than some of the others we’ve listed in our guide, but the difficulty can be varied to a great degree, which means you can alter it to become suitable for virtually any dog.
There’s no complex assembly required, and you can vary the game each time to keep your pooch guessing and stop them from becoming bored after too many tries. In fact, with some creativity, you can get hours of fun out of this game.
Additionally, there’s a variety of sizes available, each having a different amount of treat compartments to keep them occupied.
Customizing this game is quite important, though. Some puppies may find the game too frustrating and simply resort to chewing the toy. If this happens, be sure to interact with your dog and help them ‘win’ at the game. Once they learn the rules, most dogs are sure to love it, and it’s certainly a good option for nurturing their intelligence level.
# 33 – KONG Classic Interactive Dog Toy
This classic Kong toy has inspired a variety of similar toys, but it’s always nice to return to the original every once and a while.
It’s a very affordable toy, and it’s made from a tough natural rubber compound that can withstand most efforts made by persistent chewers. It’s also fairly bouncy and unpredictable, so it can be used to play with your dog in a variety of ways.
Additionally, you can purchase the toy in several different sizes – ranging from extra small to extra large – so you can always buy a version of the toy that’s suitable for your specific breed.
