Top Toys for Pups on Santa’s Nice List

With a revolving door of doggie guests in all shapes, sizes, and play styles, we’re always on the lookout for high-quality, affordable toys that will keep our visitors engaged mentally and physically. Unfortunately, many dog toys on the market aren’t made to last and even use unsafe materials. This year we ordered a variety of options for our wide range of canine judges to test. Here are our top recommendations for holiday gifts for the precious pups in your life.

#1-2 GoughNuts

We’re thrilled to have discovered this company. Their products are the best investments we’ve made so far. GoughNuts toys are designed for the most extreme chewers and rough players with their and their owners’ safety in mind. Their custom rubber is as close to indestructible as you can get while still being soft enough to be safe and comfortable on your dog’s teeth. It’s also washable, recyclable, and floats for water play. As if that weren’t enough, each toy has a red core that, if exposed, qualifies it for replacement according to the company’s safety guarantee. All products are made in the USA and come in a variety of sizes, hardnesses, and colors. Our favorites are:

GoughNuts TuG Interactive

Why we love it: With no seems or weak points for power chewers to exploit, even our mouthiest and rowdiest dogs have yet to make a dent after weeks. The durable figure-eight design protects our hands while playing tug, and the flexibility of the rubber takes away any worry about tooth damage or pieces getting chewed off and swallowed.

Cons: Depending on your dog, this toy might be a little too heavy for extended games of fetch or tug. It’s durable but has some heft to it that might not be comfortable for some breeds for long periods.

The TuG Interactive is available in a range of sizes. Just be sure to follow the company’s size guide to find the best one for your dog

The TuG Interactive sells between $20-$25, which we think is a great price point for the lifetime replacement safety guarantee.

GoughNuts Stick

If your dog chews through bones in no time, the GoughNuts Stick could be the perfect present. Made of the same durable rubber with the red safety core, this bone alternative is great for dogs who love gnawing. For dogs who also enjoy playing fetch, the stick is great for throwing and bounces a little for added fun. The 9-inch has been a great size for our medium-large buddies. Available in four sizes and a variety of colors, prices range depending on retailer from $16-$23. If in doubt, there is also a MaXX version for the most extreme chewers. Remember that replacement guarantee too!

GoughNuts products are sold by a selection of retailers.

#3 PetSafe Busy Buddy Barnacle

This knobby-looking toy had even our laziest, hardest to impress dog pawing at it for hours. If your dog is easily bored, this could be the right interactive challenge for them! The three differently sized cavities can be filled with treats, peanut butter, or kibble to be randomly dispensed as your dog chases, chews, and rolls it around. We recommend this toy for small to medium dogs who aren’t extreme gnawers. The Barnacle comes in four sizes to suit your dog. Prices range from $6-$16 on Amazon where we bought ours. We purchased the medium size, and it is a great size for our rat terriers up to pit bulls. If in doubt, we suggest ordering a size up.

Why we love it: It engages even the most apathetic dogs and keeps the high energy ones entertained. It’s relatively durable, washable, and holds lots of treats. The tines holding treats inside the dispenser don’t release treats too quickly, so it maximizes your dog’s interest and play time.

Cons: Though durable, persistent dogs can chew off chunks around the dispensing holes. If your dog likes to destroy toys, the cost of this one might not be worth the amount of use they get out of it.

#4 KONG Binkie

First of all, watching your puppy chew and play with this is just stinking adorable. One of our clients got one for their puppy, and it was a hit! The KONG Binkie is fantastic for teething puppies but is durable and well designed enough to entertain them into adulthood. The more rounded shape compared to classic KONGs provides a soothing sensation on sore gums and teeth. You can also pop it into the freezer to help numb aches and fill it with treats for extended play time. The Binkie comes in small and medium sizes and is available in pink or blue. A single Binkie on Amazon costs around $9, but you can also order them in multipacks for $20-$25. KONG is a widely popular brand found at most pet supply stores and online retailers.

Why we love it: It makes the teething stage easier both for puppies and puppy parents. It’s durable, versatile, easy to clean, and super cute. It’s a toy your dog can grow with as well.

Cons: Depending on the breed, your dog might grow out of it. Some might find the loop on the end awkward or difficult to handle. Though a popular brand, this model can be tricky to find.

#5 Novel Brands K9 Cruiser

You might have seen the infomercials for this gliding squeaky toy. It’s given us more than our money’s worth in laughs watching most of our dog visitors pounce on, carry around, scoot, chase, and generally enjoy this toy. The K9 Cruiser’s slick bottom slides across most types of flooring when a dog touches it. The domed top also squeaks when they press or bite it.

Why we love it: It’s a novel design most dogs aren’t used to, so it’s great for engaging their curiosity and prey-chasing instincts. One size fits most dogs. Less than a year-old Dachshund puppies and 70-lb. Labrador mixes alike have had a ball chasing this toy around our home. For $9-$12 depending on where you get it, it’s a lot of fun.

Cons: It can slide out of a dog’s reach under furniture. The rubber top and sides can be ripped and chewed off by strong or just motivated dogs. It can make an unpleasant sound when sliding on hard flooring.

#6 Dog Toothbrush Stick and Treat Ball - 2 Pack Set from WiseDare

Both toys in this set are made of natural rubber and are sized well for medium to large dogs. The toothbrush stick can be filled with doggie toothpaste or treats like peanut butter, which comes out of small holes behind the tooth-scrubbers as they chew. It also has handles for your dog to prop it up and hold it for easier chewing.

The second item in the set is a durable ball also featuring the dental scrubbers which are supposed to help remove tartar and plaque. The hollow middle is perfect for inserting treats for an extra challenge. We’ve used this ball for outside games of fetch as its weight is perfect for throwing and the bright yellow color makes it easy to find.

Why we love it: A variety of breeds have enjoyed both toys. They are pretty durable. The unique design makes it easy for dogs to entertain themselves. It’s not only easy on their teeth, but good for them. Both toys hold dogs’ attention well. The ball is especially good for outdoor play.

Cons: Though they lasted a good while, both toys got torn apart by chew enthusiasts. If your dog needs a highly durable toy, these probably won’t last very long. Not the ideal size for large dogs.

We ordered our set through Amazon for around $17. The toys come in a very nice faux-fur lined drawstring bag, which makes them easy to store or give as a gift.

#7 PetSafe Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble Meal Dispensing Dog Toy

If your dogs has a habit of eating too quickly, this toy could be a fun game changer for meal times. The two halves of this hard plastic egg-shaped toy twist apart and can be filled with kibble or treats. As your dog rolls it around, the contents will gradually dispense. The Busy Buddy retails for $16.

Why we love it: The textured egg shape is easy enough for dogs to play with but challenging enough to hold their interest. It’s also great for inspiring fussy eaters. Our dog buddies all had fun nosing it around the floor.

Cons: The two halves can be very difficult to twist together and apart, yet some dogs were able to twist it open and eat all the contents at once. The plastic is hard and not good for the teeth of dogs who prefer to chew over rolling it. Large dog can tear pieces off and create sharp edges.

We recommend this toy for small to medium dogs who aren’t heavy chewers.

What are your recommendations?