Puppies need toys that forgive baby teeth, not toys that test them. The ranking weighs softness and safety first, because a toy that is too hard hurts sore gums and a toy that is too small becomes a swallowing risk as the puppy grows. Crate-training value comes second: a toy that settles a puppy at bedtime earns its place faster than a toy that only entertains for ten minutes.
The Best Dog Toys for Puppies (2027)
Dog toys for puppies in 2027, ranked on teething softness, crate-training value, gentle enrichment and safe sizing for growing dogs.
The short answer
For puppies, start with the KONG Puppy Small for teething relief and crate training, stuffed and frozen for the worst teething weeks. Add the West Paw Toppl for a gentle first puzzle, the Treat Tumble for a rolling beginner game, and the Hide A Squirrel for soft hide-and-seek play. Move up to the KONG Classic once adult teeth arrive, around 9 months.
Our top picks at a glance
- KONG Puppy Teething Rubber Toy, Small, BlueThe puppy KONG: softer natural teething rubber for baby teeth and gums, stuffable from the first week home.Best puppy toy overall
- West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Toy, Small, AquaThe beginner puzzle cup: a bowl-shaped Zogoflex toy with inner prongs that grip kibble, freezable for longer licking sessions.Best first puzzle
- Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble Ball, LargeThe rolling treat ball: a Level 1 puzzle ball that drops treats as it rolls, for beginners and dogs that eat too fast.Best rolling beginner game
- Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle, LargeThe hide-and-seek plush: a soft tree trunk stuffed with squeaky squirrels that dogs hunt out, carry and squeak.Best soft enrichment
- KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy, LargeThe original stuffable chew: durable red natural rubber, an erratic bounce for fetch, and a hollow centre that turns kibble into a puzzle.Best graduation toy
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Material | Age range | Size | Play types | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KONG Puppy Teething Rubber Toy, Small, Blue | Best puppy toy overall | Natural teething rubber, softer puppy formula, per maker | Puppies up to 9 months, per maker | Small, for puppies up to 20 lb, per maker sizing | Chew, fetch and treat dispensing | Top-rack dishwasher safe, per maker |
| 2 | West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Toy, Small, Aqua | Best first puzzle | Zogoflex, BPA-free, per maker | - | Small, per retailer listing | Treat dispensing, lick enrichment | Dishwasher safe, per maker |
| 3 | Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble Ball, Large | Best rolling beginner game | Plastic, per retailer listing | - | Large, 5.75 inch diameter, per retailer listing | Treat dispensing, rolling play | Hand wash, per maker guidance |
| 4 | Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle, Large | Best soft enrichment | Plush, per maker | - | Large, per retailer listing | Hide and seek, fetch, squeak play | - |
| 5 | KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy, Large | Best graduation toy | Natural rubber, red Classic formula, per maker | - | Large, for dogs 30 to 65 lb, per maker sizing | Chew, fetch and treat dispensing | Top-rack dishwasher safe, per maker |
Best puppy toy overall
KONG Puppy Teething Rubber Toy, Small, Blue
The puppy KONG: softer natural teething rubber for baby teeth and gums, stuffable from the first week home.
Strengths
- Softer teething rubber is gentler on puppy teeth and sore gums than adult KONG compounds
- Stuffable hollow centre works with kibble and paste, giving crate training a positive anchor
- Erratic bounce introduces puppies to fetch without a hard ball that could hurt small mouths
- Dishwasher safe cleaning suits the mess of puppy food stuffing and teething drool
Limitations
- Soft rubber wears fast once adult teeth arrive, so the toy has a natural expiry as the puppy grows
- Small size is easy to lose under furniture, and a puppy left alone with a worn toy needs supervision
- No squeaker means squeaker-driven puppies may ignore it until food is added
What owners report
Most praised
- Teething relief is praised first, with owners saying frozen fillings calm gnawing on furniture during the worst weeks.
- Crate settling is reported to improve when the stuffed Puppy toy becomes part of the bedtime routine.
- Soft rubber is described as gentle enough that puppies carry it around like a comfort object between chews.
Common complaints
- Durability drops sharply once adult teeth come in, catching owners who expected a longer life.
- Small size slips under sofas and radiators, so owners buy spares to keep one in rotation.
- Paste fillings smear crate bedding when puppies chew enthusiastically before the filling sets.
| Material | Natural teething rubber, softer puppy formula, per maker |
|---|---|
| Age range | Puppies up to 9 months, per maker |
| Size | Small, for puppies up to 20 lb, per maker sizing |
| Play types | Chew, fetch and treat dispensing |
| Cleaning | Top-rack dishwasher safe, per maker |
| Colour | Blue, pink also offered, per retailer listing |
Best for: Puppies up to 9 months old that are teething, crate training or learning to settle with a food-filled toy.
Skip if: Your puppy already chews like an adult power chewer, or has outgrown the 9-month teething window; step up to the Classic.
Best first puzzle
West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Toy, Small, Aqua
The beginner puzzle cup: a bowl-shaped Zogoflex toy with inner prongs that grip kibble, freezable for longer licking sessions.
Strengths
- Inner rubber prongs hold kibble and treats in place, slowing eating without a complex mechanism
- Bowl shape is intuitive, so dogs learn it instantly without training or frustration
- Freezable design stretches a snack into a long licking session on hot days
- Dishwasher safe Zogoflex cleans easily and floats for water play
Limitations
- Open cup design is solved fast by clever dogs, who tip it and eat the contents in one go
- Small size holds little for large dogs, who finish it before enrichment really starts
- Soft Zogoflex walls can be chewed through by determined jaws if the toy is left out after eating
What owners report
Most praised
- Instant understanding is praised, with owners saying even shy dogs start licking within seconds of the first fill.
- Freezing is reported to turn a quick snack into a calming activity that lasts through a work call.
- Prongs are described as the right difficulty for beginners, holding food without trapping it out of reach.
Common complaints
- Clever dogs tip the cup over, dumping treats instead of licking them out as intended.
- Small capacity disappoints large-dog owners, who need the bigger sizes for a real session.
- Chewing after eating damages the rim, so owners must collect the toy once it is empty.
| Material | Zogoflex, BPA-free, per maker |
|---|---|
| Size | Small, per retailer listing |
| Play types | Treat dispensing, lick enrichment |
| Design | Bowl shape with inner treat-gripping prongs, per maker |
| Freezing | Freezable for longer sessions, per maker |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe, per maker |
Best for: Dogs new to enrichment, small breeds, and owners who want a gentle first puzzle that can be frozen and washed easily.
Skip if: Your dog is an expert puzzler or a power chewer; this open cup is too easy and too soft for either extreme.
Best rolling beginner game
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble Ball, Large
The rolling treat ball: a Level 1 puzzle ball that drops treats as it rolls, for beginners and dogs that eat too fast.
Strengths
- Rolling action dispenses treats gradually, slowing meals and rewarding movement
- Level 1 beginner rating makes it the easiest Nina Ottosson puzzle to introduce
- Ball shape suits fetch-style play between treat rounds, doubling as a rolling toy
- Large 5.75 inch size is easy for medium and large dogs to nose around without swallowing
Limitations
- Hard-floor noise is loud, with rolling and rattling that annoys owners in flats
- Treat size matters, since pieces too large jam the opening and pieces too small fall out at once
- Plastic shell is not a chew toy, and jaws that pick it up and gnaw will crack it
What owners report
Most praised
- Instant play is praised, with owners saying dogs understand rolling for treats within minutes.
- Slower meals are reported as the main win for dogs that previously finished kibble in seconds.
- Ball size is described as well judged, big enough to nose safely and small enough to roll indoors.
Common complaints
- Noise on hard floors drives owners to restrict the ball to rugs or outdoor use.
- Treat sizing is fiddly, with wrong-sized kibble either jamming or pouring out too fast.
- Cracking under chewing disappoints owners who expected a tougher ball for strong jaws.
| Material | Plastic, per retailer listing |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1 beginner, per maker |
| Size | Large, 5.75 inch diameter, per retailer listing |
| Play types | Treat dispensing, rolling play |
| Shape | Sphere with treat opening, per maker |
| Cleaning | Hand wash, per maker guidance |
Best for: Beginner puzzlers, fast eaters and owners who want a simple rolling dispenser that needs no teaching.
Skip if: Your dog is an advanced puzzler, or you need a quiet toy; this ball rattles and rolls noisily on hard floors.
Best soft enrichment
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle, Large
The hide-and-seek plush: a soft tree trunk stuffed with squeaky squirrels that dogs hunt out, carry and squeak.
Strengths
- Hide-and-seek design taps hunting instinct, giving dogs a job that feels like play rather than training
- Three squeaky squirrels in the large size give multiple prizes, so the game restarts when squirrels are restuffed
- Soft plush trunk is gentle on mouths and safe for indoor fetch between puzzle rounds
- Replacement squirrel packs keep the game going after the original squirrels wear out
Limitations
- Plush construction shreds fast under strong jaws, so it is strictly a supervised toy
- Squeakers can be removed by determined dogs, which needs an owner check before the next round
- Restuffing takes a moment each round, so it is less hands-off than a puzzle board left on the floor
What owners report
Most praised
- Squirrel hunting is praised as pure joy, with owners saying dogs learn the game in one session and beg for repeats.
- Squeakers inside each squirrel are reported to keep dogs engaged long after the trunk is emptied.
- Restuffable design is described as the reason this toy lasts in homes where single plush toys die in a day.
Common complaints
- Plush shredding happens fast with strong chewers, who tear the trunk open to reach the squirrels.
- Squeaker removal worries owners, who check each squirrel before handing the game back.
- Trunk size confuses buyers, since the large trunk suits medium dogs better than giant breeds.
| Material | Plush, per maker |
|---|---|
| Included | Tree trunk plus 3 squeaky squirrels, large size, per retailer listing |
| Play types | Hide and seek, fetch, squeak play |
| Size | Large, per retailer listing |
| Replacement | Squeakin Squirrels 3-pack sold separately, per maker |
| Supervision | Supervised play only, per maker guidance |
Best for: Dogs that love plush toys and squeakers, and owners who want a gentle enrichment game rather than a hard chew or a brain-teaser board.
Skip if: Your dog destroys plush toys in minutes, or you want a toy that survives unsupervised play; this is a supervised plush game.
Best graduation toy
KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy, Large
The original stuffable chew: durable red natural rubber, an erratic bounce for fetch, and a hollow centre that turns kibble into a puzzle.
Strengths
- Natural red rubber formula is made for average chewers and gives a lively, erratic bounce that keeps fetch unpredictable
- Hollow stuffable centre accepts kibble, paste and frozen fillings, turning a chew session into slow enrichment
- Long track record across decades of use gives buyers a deep pool of sizing guidance by dog weight
- Top-rack dishwasher safe cleaning keeps a food-filled toy hygienic without hand scrubbing
Limitations
- Red rubber is not the toughest KONG compound, so power chewers can chew through it faster than expected
- Stuffing and freezing take planning, so the toy is less instant than a grab-and-go ball or plush toy
- Sizing mistakes are common, since a toy bought too small for a strong jaw wears out far sooner
What owners report
Most praised
- Frozen peanut butter fillings are praised as the trick that turns this toy into a long calm-down session after a walk.
- Erratic bounce is reported to keep fetch interesting for dogs that lose interest in straight-rolling balls.
- Dishwasher cleaning is described as the feature that makes daily food stuffing practical rather than messy.
Common complaints
- Power chewers chew chunks off the red rubber sooner than new buyers expect from the famous name.
- Small opening makes stuffing fiddly for owners with large hands or thick fillings.
- Squeak-free design disappoints dogs that only play hard for a squeaker.
| Material | Natural rubber, red Classic formula, per maker |
|---|---|
| Size | Large, for dogs 30 to 65 lb, per maker sizing |
| Play types | Chew, fetch and treat dispensing |
| Bounce | Erratic bounce from the snowman shape, per maker |
| Cleaning | Top-rack dishwasher safe, per maker |
| Chew strength | Average chewers, per maker chew guide |
Best for: Average chewers and owners who want one toy that chews, fetches and dispenses treats, with a size for nearly every dog.
Skip if: Your dog is a genuine power chewer who destroys red rubber in days; the black Extreme version exists for that dog.
How we chose
Softness first, durability second
Puppy rubber must yield to baby teeth and sore gums, which means it will wear faster than adult toys. That trade is correct: a soft toy that needs replacing beats a hard toy that hurts a puppy's mouth or puts it off chewing entirely. Budget for replacements as teeth change.
Crate value beats novelty
The best puppy toy is often the one that becomes a bedtime ritual: stuffed, frozen and handed over in the crate. Puppies learn to settle when the same toy signals rest, which is why stuffable toys outrank flashy toys that only excite.
Size must grow with the puppy
A toy that fits an 8-week puppy may be a hazard at 5 months. Re-check sizing monthly, watch for toys that now fit entirely in the mouth, and step up a size before the puppy outgrows the toy rather than after.
Questions, answered
When should my puppy move from puppy toys to adult toys?
Around 9 months, when adult teeth are in and jaws strengthen, which is the maker's own guidance for the KONG Puppy. Watch for signs earlier: the puppy toy wearing fast, the puppy outgrowing its size range, or chewing that suddenly shreds soft rubber. Move up to the KONG Classic in the correct adult size rather than jumping straight to a power-chewer toy.
Are squeaky toys safe for puppies?
Yes under supervision, and the Hide A Squirrel squirrels are a good example: soft, squeaky and restuffable, but only while an owner watches. Remove any toy once a squeaker is exposed or stuffing appears, since puppies explore with their mouths and can swallow small parts. Never leave a squeaky plush in a crate overnight.
How do I stop my puppy chewing furniture?
Redirect, do not just scold: keep a stuffed puppy toy ready, swap it for the furniture leg the moment gnawing starts, and praise the swap. Frozen fillings help most during teething, when puppies chew to soothe sore gums. Remove access to the most tempting furniture legs and shoes until teething passes, and rotate toys so the puppy toy stays interesting.
Every guide on Dog Toys15 pages
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