The Best Puzzle Toys for Dogs
Dogs are awesome and we simply will not hear any argument to the contrary. They are playful, sweet, and (unless you are one of the unlucky ones) they love everyone. However, they can easily become destructive when they get bored. Everyone knows that you should take dogs out for walks and keep them physically active, but did you know you should also provide your pooch with mental stimulation? Fifteen minutes playing with a puzzle is the equivalent of 30 minutes of physical play. It is also a great way to keep a dog relaxed when they cannot play due to weather or injury. Here are a few of our favorite puzzle toys to help you provide your best friend with the stimulation they need.
What to Look For
We want the best for our pets, so we scoured the market for the puzzle toys that would hold up to rough play and actually keep our dogs occupied. We also considered the price, since a bargain is always a thrill to find. Our favorite came from Outward Hound. Their puzzle designs are engaging and rewarding, as you can store treats within the compartments for encouragement. In fact, Outward Hound made our list several times, though Pet Zone’s IQ treat ball is another great choice. Read on for more of our in-depth reviews.
Outward Hound Interactive Dog Puzzle, Brick
Reward the thinkers
The Nina Ottosson line of games from Outward Hound offers a wide array of fantastic puzzles for dogs. This one in particular scores our top marks since the price is right and the design is effective. Once the treat compartments are loaded up with your furry friend’s favorite food, place it on the floor and let the sniffing begin. Most dogs love the challenge since there are different actions required to access the treats. Some obstacles can be flipped over, others can be slid out of the way, and others can be lifted to reveal the treats. With Outward Hound, your dog has to work for the prize.
Pros:
- We love how well-designed this puzzle game is, with many moving parts that require lots of interaction.
- The obstacles have little holes to make sure your pooch can smell where the treats are hidden.
Cons:
- You may have to try out different puzzle designs to determine an appropriate level of difficulty.
Outward Hound Interactive Dog Puzzle, Hide-N-Slide
The next level for clever dogs
If your growing pooch has graduated to opening pantry doors to get at forbidden snacks, it’s probably time to occupy them with an intermediate puzzle. This interactive puzzle from Outward Hound is designed for puppies, so the sizes of the obstacles are smaller. However, the difficulty level still presents a challenge for most dogs. They will have to rotate the first barrier and then slide the second over. If they attempt to slide the second obstacle, it will block the first.
Pros:
- All the materials in this puzzle seem durable, so it should withstand the inevitable pawing and gnawing.
- The base is non-slip, keeping it secure and reducing the risk of scratching your floor.
- This is really a tough game, so it should keep high-energy dogs occupied.
Cons:
- This game is somewhat compact, so it may not be ideal for large paws.
Outward Hound Interactive Hide and Seek Puzzle Toy
On the hunt
Give your dog what she really wants: squirrels. That’s right — the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel toy is a plush stump filled with squeaky toy squirrels. She’ll get to forage into the stump in search of her plush, fuzzy prey, and when she chomps down, the squeaky sounds will fill your dog with satisfaction. It’s even more fun when you use it as an interactive toy to play together. The stump can be tossed, so it makes for a good fetch toy.
Because the toy is completely adjustable, you can start with the squirrels sticking out as easy prey and work your way up to putting them all the way in to make your pup really work to get them. We really appreciate that level of customizability.
Pros:
- Given the stuffed animal squirrels, this game should satisfy your dog on an instinctual level.
- The plush exterior of the toy mimics the real feel of a squirrel’s fur, heightening the tactile experience for your pooch.
- We love that it comes in several sizes and styles, including not just squirrels but also hedgehogs, bees, and raccoons.
Cons:
- The soft material of this toy may not be ideal for aggressive chewers.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Smart Dog Puzzle Toy
Get those gears turning
With this beginner-friendly puzzle, you’ll hide treats and snacks under the little bones. You’ll leave some of those treats intentionally uncovered to suggest to Buster that there are treats to be found there. Once he puts two and two together, he’ll realize he might find more treats if he searches under the bones. Watch him nudge, scratch, and nibble at the board until he manages to paw away from the bones and uncover those treats.
What is perhaps our favorite feature of this puzzle is that it’s beginner-friendly. Designed as a “level 1” puzzle, it was created to get your dog in the puzzle-solving mindset without being too challenging. The mental stimulation and the fun it provides can help prepare your dog for more challenging puzzles, so we think this is a great pick if you see more puzzles in Buster’s future.
Pros:
- We like that this can double as a slow feeder for dogs who get bloated from eating too quickly.
- This is a great way to reward your pet with treats while also stimulating them mentally.
- All the parts are plastic, making the whole thing fairly easy to clean.
Cons:
- Large dogs may just flip the board over to get at the treats.
Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball
Play with a purpose
Although most dog puzzles dispense pets, few do it as steadily as the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball. This option ensures that their play lasts for a while, so you can keep them occupied for longer. It also has a larger chamber to hold a greater quantity of treats. Your pooch will have a blast chasing this transparent toy around the living room, especially since it requires that they keep it rolling to dispense all the treats.
Pros:
- The toy is available in two sizes, making it great for both small and large dogs.
- This is an inexpensive but effective way to give your pooch some mental stimulation.
- The simple design keeps treats from all falling out at once.
Cons:
- You’ll have to make sure the treats are the right size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a power chewer?
The term “power chewer” refers to a dog who has a very strong bite force and isn’t afraid to use it. Power chewers often tear regular toys up in minutes.
Why should I use puzzle toys for my dog?
Puzzle toys provide great mental and emotional stimulation for your dog. They have an instinctual need to hunt, and puzzle toys satisfy that instinct for them.
When should my dog use a puzzle toy?
Your dog can use puzzles to slow down meals, to keep your dog occupied while you get chores done, or when you have to leave for a bit to prevent separation anxiety.
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