The Best Small Dog Toys: Our Top Picks Reviewed
Table of Contents
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What Are the Best Small Dog Toys?
- Best Overall Small Dog Toys: Nocciola Squeaky Toys for Small Dogs
This assortment of plush dog toys is perfect for small dogs and gives them tons of options. - Best TV Personality-Based Small Dog Toys: Multipet International Lambchop Plush Squeak Small Dog Toys
Rendered after the early 90s PBS character Lambchop, this toy provides entertainment to your dog, similarly to how Lambchop entertained the American generation. - Best Small Dog Toys for Mental Stimulation: Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle
This puzzle toy requires dogs to find a way to retrieve the stuffed squirrels from the tree trunk, and this helps your dog to develop problem-solving skills and burn energy.
- Most Eco-Friendly Small Dog Toys: Pawnana Rubber Squeaky Small Dog Toys
Biodegradable and 100% recyclable, these dog toys are also FDA-approved and are great for fetching in all conditions. - Best Assorted Small Dog Toys: Legend Sandy Natural Cotton Squeaky Toys for Small Dogs
Plush toys and rope toys make up this assorted package of small dog toys that fit the needs of small dogs everywhere. - Most Options in Small Dog Toys: Multipet Look Who’s Talking Pig Small Dog Toy
This toy is made in various animal shapes and makes animal noises instead of high-pitched squeaks when it is bitten. - Best Scented Small Dog Toys: Hartz Dura Play Bacon Scented Bone Dog Toy
This bacon-scented toy is perfect for keeping a dog’s attention and encouraging long play sessions. - Most Reviewed Small Dog Toys: Barkbox Interactive Plush Puzzle Small Dog Toys
With over 22,000 reviews, these are by far the most-reviewed small dog toys on this list.
- These squeaky toys help dogs release spare energy, reduce destructive behaviors, and promote clever training.
- Promotes dental health, satisfies chewing instincts, and protects gums from tartar buildup.
- Made from plush and cotton fabric, these plush toys are perfectly safe and reliable for your pets to chew and play.
What Toys Are Good For Small Dogs?
Small dog toys include Kongs, tennis balls, chuckits, crinkle toys, puzzle toys, plush toys, puppy toys, etc. Here are some of the benefits of small dog toys.
- Physical Enrichment: Toys provide dogs with exercise. This helps to keep their minds functioning right and to curb their destructive behavior, such as biting and chewing on things they aren’t supposed to.
- Mental Enrichment: Giving your dog things like puzzle toys or chew toys like a Nylabone can give a dog’s brain something on which to focus. This helps to develop problem-solving skills and develop neural pathways in the brain.
- Reduces Stress: Like humans, dogs feel stressed and anxious. According to a study of 1,276 dogs of varying sizes done by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, small dogs are especially susceptible to anxiety,
The Best Small Dog Toys Reviewed
There are various types of small dog toys. To help you find the right one for your small-breed dog, we have reviewed the best small dog toys on the market.
Price: $14.38
Toy Type: Assorted
Pet: Small dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: These plush dog toys can be used for games of fetch and tug of war, as well as providing small dogs with something to chew on.
Material: Cotton
Summary:
- Variety of toys in one pack
- Available in a ton of variations
- Helps to reduce anxiety
- Improves the health of a dog’s teeth and gums
- Machine washable
- Small toys are easy to lose
- Some of the toys have
Customer Reviews: Most of the 9,500+ reviews on Amazon were positive. These dog owners liked the assortment they received with this pack and said their small-breed dogs were elated over the variety.
Critical reviewers were dissatisfied with the stitching, with one buyer even saying she had to restitch a toy together multiple times. Other dog owners were upset to see this cotton plush toy was not up to the task of heavy chewing.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Nocciola Squeaky Toys for Small Dogs an overall 8/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (9/10): These plush toys are great for small dogs and give them something to carry with them and to fetch indoors.
- Material Quality (7/10): For plush cotton toys, these are a great option, but they are not meant for aggressive chewers.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): Up to 20 toys come in one convenient-to-purchase package.
- Customer Feedback (9/10): Nearly 10,000 reviews have been written on Amazon, and only 7% of them were critical of the product.
- Care and Cleanability (10/10): These toys are all machine washable.
- Product Variety (10/10): With over one dozen options for sale and at least 2 toys in each package, this is a greatly varied product.
Price: $11.12
Toy Type: Plush squeaker toy
Pet: Small dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Give to your dog when relaxing or when they are bored or stressed to alleviate some of their frustration.
Material: Cotton; Plastic
Summary: Shaped like the iconic American TV personality, these lambchop toys are perfect for small dogs. They are sized just right, so little pups can carry them all around to show off. They come with two to a pack to offer dog owners a spare for when their dog destroys to lose the first.
The plastic inside helps to provide a good chewing experience with the aid of the internal squeaker. Faux fur provides a lifelike feeling of prey and encourages healthy chewing that stimulates blood flow to the gums. The cotton plush provides a safe and enjoyable experience for dogs and dog owners alike.
- Squeaker
- Sized perfectly for small dogs
- Comes in two to a pack
- Durable plastic inside
- Great for nearly all play styles
- The eyes can easily be pulled off
- Recent reviews say these toys are smaller than they were before
Customer Reviews: These mini lambchops were the favorite toy of customers leaving positive reviews. These dogs carried this toy all through the house and always asked for games of fetch when their owners were around.
Others were unhappy that the eyes were so easy to chew off and said these posed a serious choking hazard. They were also let down when they discovered it was smaller than they thought it would be.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Multipet International Lambchop Plush Squeak Small Dog Toys an overall 8/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (8/10): These are specifically for small dogs, and the stuffing and eyes can be easily torn off.
- Material Quality (7/10): The eyes come off rather easily, and the squeaker dies quickly if your dog is a moderate chewer.
- Cost Effectiveness (6/10): Given the ease with which this toy takes damage, you will need to continue buying these toys as time goes on.
- Customer Feedback (7/10): Around 1,500 reviews were written on Amazon, and less than 10% were negative or critical of the product.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): This is very easily washed and cared for, requiring no maintenance or repairs.
- Product Variety (8/10): There are two toys in one pack, but no other options are available on the retailer’s page.
Price: $6.14
Toy Type: Stuffed plush toy
Pet: Small dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Use when your dog is feeling restless or anxious to reduce their frustration.
Material: Cotton
Summary: Helping to satisfy a dog’s prey drive, these squirrel toys are great for hide-and-seek games. The stuffed nuthouse hides the squirrels as the dog tries to retrieve them from their house. This encourages dogs to practice nosing around and teaches them to sniff for things more efficiently.
These toys are stuffed with sponge cotton, and this gives them a bouncy texture that retains its shape when the dog is feeling chewy. This texture is safe and gentle on a small dog’s small teeth and sensitive gums. It is also available in many variations and sizes to fit the needs of almost every dog.
- Great for hide & seek
- Multiple size and style options are available
- Great interactive dog toy for cognitive development
- Includes a storage/game tree trunk
- Includes 3 squeaky squirrels
- Not for hard chewers
- Made in China
Customer Reviews: Happy reviewers loved how their dogs took to this toy. These dogs carry it around with them all around the house, and their owners like that the toy has lasted a long time, years in some cases.
Critical reviews came from people who were not happy this toy was made in China and those who had experiences with the toy failing to retain its structure as their small dog played with it.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (8/10): Most dogs seem to enjoy these small dog toys, and, according to the reviews, they are durable enough to tolerate the abuse a small dog can dish out.
- Material Quality (9/10): Small dogs will have trouble destroying this toy, but medium dogs and large dogs will have no problem.
- Cost Effectiveness (9/10): These small dog toys are of good quality and will not require constant repurchasing.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): Over 43,000 customers rated this product highly, and only 5% of total reviews were negative or critical.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): The ears can be torn off, but the entire toy is machine washable.
- Product Variety (6/10): Several sizes are available for these small dog toys, but they are not advertised on the retailer’s page.
Price: $7.99
Toy Type: Rubber squeaky ball
Pet: Small dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Fetch is a go-to game for toys like this, and these can be used indoors or outdoors.
Material: Rubber
Summary: In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Pawnana uses plant-based latex rubber for this ball. This makes it non-toxic, BPA-free, and phthalate-free. It is also 100% biodegradable and recyclable, as well as FDA-approved.
This fetch toy is perfect for small-breed dogs and can be used indoors. This ball floats so it can be used in water, and it is easy to clean. The bouncy nature of the ball and its squeaker inside provides dogs with entertainment for long periods of time. It is available in multiple sizes for dogs of all sizes and breeds.
- Eco-friendly manufacturing
- Non-toxic and BPA-free
- Soft rubber that won’t hurt your dog’s gum or teeth
- Lightweight and squishy, perfect for dogs of all sizes
- Provides relief to teething puppies
- Without many reviews, we do not get a good picture of what to expect when buying this to
- The squeaker leaves something to be desired
Customer Reviews: Reviews were mixed with this dog toy. The majority of them were positive, with dog owners touting how much their dogs love this ball and how useful it is in various scenarios and play sessions with their small canines.
Others did not like the squeaker and said it only lasted for “a couple of squeaks” before dying off.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Pawnana Rubber Squeaky Small Dog Toys an overall 8/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (9/10): This ball dog toy is great for most cases but not every dog is interested in fetch.
- Material Quality (7/10): The ball itself is high quality, but the squeaker is not as durable.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): This 3-pack of balls averages out to less than $3.00 per ball.
- Customer Feedback (5/10): Fewer than 300 reviews have been written, and this leaves room for improvement.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): You can do nothing o stop the squeaker from breaking, but the exterior of the balls is very easy to wash and clean.
- Product Variety (10/10): Many variations of this toy are available.
Price: $19.98
Toy Type: Assorted plush dog toys and dog rope toys
Pet: Dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Offer your dog a variety of choices and allow them to experiment with various playing styles and toys. Once they have chosen a toy, put the rest away and give it to your dog as the old toys become worn out.
Material: Cotton
Summary: With a dozen toys in one set, this package has something for everyone. The squeaky plush dog toys are plentiful and provide your dog with options from which to choose your favorite. The cotton rope toys can also double as teething toys for puppy teething.
Each toy is made of the same cotton, with the plush toys containing sponge cotton that provides them with their body. This cotton is incredibly soft and skin-friendly. The squeaker inside isn’t too loud and can make for a great toy for your bored or frustrated dog.
- 12 toys in one package
- Multiple rope toys help to build confidence and encourage healthy playing
- Very cost-effective
- No glue or plastic
- 100% natural cotton
- Some of the plush toys aren’t as durable as we would like
- The toys are smaller than some might imagine
Customer Reviews: Buyers raved about how great these toys were for their puppies and small-breed dogs. They liked the squeak toys and said their dogs were thrilled to have them. For them, this was one of the best dog toys they had ever bought.
Less than 10% of total reviews were negative, with the most common complaint being the size of the toy. Dog owners were disappointed by how small these toys were, even those who bought them specifically because they were made for small dogs.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Legend Sandy Natural Cotton Squeaky Toys for Small Dogs an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (9/10): This set features various small dog toys, so there is a perfect fit for everyone.
- Material Quality (7/10): The cotton plush toys can be torn up rather easily, but the ropes toys are durable.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): This toy set is significantly cheaper than buying all 12 small dog toys individually.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): Customers were mostly happy with this assortment, with over 3,500 reviews in total.
- Care and Cleanability (10/10): These toys can be hand-washed easily.
- Product Variety (9/10): Twelve toys come in one package, but there are no other variations of this package available.
Price: $9.95
Toy Type: Squeaker
Pet: Dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Give to your dog when they are feeling frustrated or bored to provide them with an enriching playtime.
Material: Cotton; Rubber
Summary: These squeak toys are available in many styles, from a pig to a frog to a cow. Each of these mimics the noise of their respective animal instead of offering a traditional high-pitched squeal. This can encourage dogs to continue chewing on it for longer as the noise is closer to that of an animal than a squeak.
The cotton makeup is suitable for every sized dog, and the squeaker inside is durable. This dog chew toy helps to reduce destructive behavior by providing dogs with an outlet for excess energy and frustration. This toy is battery-operated and must be played with under supervision.
- Multiple styles available
- Great for dogs of all sizes
- Makes animal noises instead of squeaks
- Reduces destructive behavior
- Durable against heavy chewing
- Contains batteries
- Not washable
Customer Reviews: Customers were happy with this pig toy, even the ones who thought the pig was a bit strange. They liked that their dog was attached to the toy immediately and said the squeaker was more fun than a traditional squeaker as it made animal sounds when their dogs chewed on it.
On the contrary, reviews were left stating they didn’t like that the toy was not washable and said the noise it made was “odd,” and they preferred a traditional squeak toy instead.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Multipet Look Who’s Talking Pig Small Dog Toy an overall 7/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (7/10): The voicebox and plush nature of this toy are great for dogs, but it is battery-operated.
- Material Quality (8/10): The exterior is bite resistant but can still be shredded with a bit of effort.
- Cost Effectiveness (9/10): This is a good price for a toy of this kind.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): Over 18,000 reviews have been written on this toy, and the vast majority are positive.
- Care and Cleanability (7/10): This toy requires batteries and cannot be hand-washed easily.
- Product Variety (10/10): There are loads of animal varieties for these small dog toys.
Price: $3.49
Toy Type: Dog chew toy
Pet: Dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Give to small dogs or teething puppies to offer relief from sore gums or frustration. Observe them with it, at least initially, to make sure they do not immediately destroy it and swallow the pieces.
Material: Rubber
Summary: The natural rubber compound of this dog chew toy is safe and non-toxic. Hartz, a long-time pet product manufacturer, has developed this bone to be irresistible, with a squeaker inside and a bacon smell that keeps dogs coming back. It is sold in sizes for every dog.
The interior is made with a foam that is chewier, and bouncier and hides a squeaker well. Its soft and flexible touch is perfect for your small dog to enjoy carrying and tossing around. This texture also makes it a great option for teething puppies who need their gums soothed.
- Bacon scented
- Multiple variations available
- Squeaker
- Floats and is easy to clean
- Soothes sore gums of teething puppies
- Thin rubber
- The squeaker can be broken easily
Customer Reviews: People were happy with this chew toy. They liked that their small dogs were not able to chew it apart immediately and said the bacon smell kept them coming back.
Critical commenters were concerned about the thin rubber posing a choking hazard and said it was not worth the nominal price they paid for it.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Hartz Dura Play Bacon Scented Bone Dog Toy an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (9/10): Most dogs enjoy chewing, and squeaking sounds and these small dog toys offer both.
- Material Quality (8/10): The rubber is thin but sturdy and good for light to moderate chewers.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): Priced under $4.00, this is a very affordable and durable toy.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): Well over 9,000 reviews are on Amazon for this toy, and these give it an average of 4.5 stars.
- Care and Cleanability (10/10): This rubber bone is very easy to clean and keep clean.
- Product Variety (10/10): Several size options of these small dog toys are available.
Price: $12.99
Toy Type: Plush dog toy
Pet: Dogs
Lifestage: All life stages
Recommended Uses: Provide your dog with a relaxing time with these soft and plush toys to keep them company.
Material: Cotton
Summary: This toy is effectively a two-in-one dog toy with smaller plush toys that can be stored in the larger Chinese take-out container, which is also plush. This offers your dog plenty of games to play, like fetch and hide and seek. Inside the container, treats can be hidden to offer your dog a mentally stimulating game of nosing around for food.
This toy is available in sizes for every dog. The plush and squeaky dumplings balls are ideal for fetch to aid in physical and mental exercise, which helps your dog relieve stress and anxiety. It is all delivered in a crazy-crinkly plush carry-out carton, this toy will never make it to the fridge.
- Soft, plush material
- Multiple designs and styles available
- Great for dogs of all sizes
- Crinkle inside
- Great for hiding treats to offer an enriching puzzle toy experience
- The toy dumplings can be easily lost\
- Some versions of the toy can present the potential for a choking hazard
Customer Reviews: Over 90% of reviews were four and five stars. These reviews were quick to praise the immediacy with which their dog loved this toy. They tell stories about their dogs hiding it and carrying it everywhere with them.
Only 4% of the 22,000+ reviews were negative. These customers complain that the toys are easily ripped apart, and some versions of it can cause a potential for choking.
Onevet.ai Review: Our team at onevet.ai is giving Barkbox Interactive Plush Puzzle Small Dog Toys an overall 8/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (8/10): There is something in this small dog toys package for almost every dog and their playing style.
- Material Quality (8/10): Some of the designs are more easily torn up than others, but overall they are durable.
- Cost Effectiveness (7/10): This is right at the average price for a stuffed plush dog toy.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): This toy has over 22,000 reviews which is far more than any other toy on this list.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): This is easy to clean, but it won’t likely be necessary.
- Product Variety (10/10): There are a few variations of these small dog toys, each with its own specific characteristics.
What Should I Look for in Small Dog Toys?
Here are some factors to consider when shopping for small dog toys:
- Small Parts: Anything that could present a choking hazard should be avoided. Tails that can be ripped off, eyes that can be bitten off, and bones that can be chewed into smaller pieces all are hazardous to a small dog’s digestive system.
- Function: Many small dogs do not enjoy swimming, so a water fetch toy likely isn’t the best option for them. A tug toy or plush toy will be much better suited for a small dog than something like a frisbee.
- Weight: Small dogs have less muscle mass to enable them to carry heavier objects. Many small dogs become attached to a single toy and enjoy carrying it with them to show it off, and a lightweight toy will be better suited for this behavior.
Can Small Dogs Have Large Toys?
Yes, small dogs can have large toys.
Dog toy sizes are recommendations, not hard and fast rules. Any toy a dog enjoys or becomes attached to is a great option because it provides the dog with comfort, enrichment, and stimulation.
Just be aware of any dangers the toy could pose, such as injury or parts that could be swallowed. In short, whatever toy your dog likes is the right toy for them as long as it is safe.
