Best Dog Puzzle Toys: Tough Interactive Toys for Dogs

An interactive dog toy that uses food will not only motivate your dog to play, such toys for dogs can also slow down eating and solve behavior problems. This is because it takes time for dogs to get the food out of these toys so they cannot eat so fast and they spend their time and energy on a challenging and healthy activity. If a dog is busy with a toy, he’s not barking, digging, chewing shoes, or otherwise being destructive. These are some of the best dog puzzle toys because they are durable, stimulating, and will hold a dog’s attention for more than five minutes.

The IQ Treat Ball made by Smarter Toys is a ball you fill with treats or kibble. Your dog has to roll the ball around to get the treats to fall out a small hole. It has an internal component that can be adjusted as your dog learns the tricks to get the food out. Start your dog on easy and adjust to the difficult setting when it takes him less time to empty the ball. Because this is not a stationary toy, your dog will get some exercise while chasing his food. This is a great interactive toy for any dog. Because the ball is constantly on the move, even experienced dogs can’t master the ball too quickly.

The Seek-a-Treat Shuffle Bone Dog Puzzle Toy by Ethical Pet is a stationary dog puzzle feeder that requires some thoughtful strategy by your dog to get all the food out. Several disks cover holes in the feeder. You put the treats or dog food in the holes and your dog must move the disks to gain access to every hole one at a time. This is a good puzzle interactive dog toy for beginners. But dogs experienced with puzzle feeders or who can regularly outsmart their owners will have this one mastered on the first try. Ethical Pet makes several different dog puzzle toys, so you can switch which one you use daily.

The Tug-a-Jug dog toy is a hard plastic jug you fill with kibble or treats. On the bottle opening is a rubber chew toy and a rope with knots at each end threads through the opening. The rope partially blocks the opening and must be constantly moved around for the food to fall out. This toy is large and durable, making it perfect for the playful dog that doesn’t chew. But if you have a chewer that will chew anything, give this only under close supervision. Some expert chewers have broken this toy.

When used regularly for feeding, may pet owners are surprised to learn their dog prefers getting their food out a dog puzzle toys even when the food bowl is full and readily accessible. However, this actually isn’t surprising for behaviorists; many animal behavior studies have shown that animals prefer the challenge and adventure of working for their food. Dogs crave stimulation and these best dog puzzle toys make providing daily stimulation for pet dogs easy.