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Dogs love playing and being around people, and dog toys are often the medium by which they bond and interact with their humans.
The kind of toys you expose your furkids to makes a lot of difference to their physical, social and cognitive development.
It’s important to choose the right toy for them, and finding the best toys for small dogs can be especially challenging.
Whether you have a large dog or a small one, size matters.
If you choose a dog toy that is not the proper size, it could cause injury to your pet or lead to choking.
Some dogs also will refuse to use and play with a dog toy that's too large or too small.
Also, an appropriate toy for a puppy may not be the best choice for your adult dog.
Pet owners often complain that the best toys for small dog breeds are hard to come by, and that's true—particularly safe ones.
Quick Look at our Top Picks for the Best Toys for Small Dogs
Whether you have the tiniest teacup Chihuahua or a Jack Russell Terrier, the below five best toys for small dogs are likely to be enjoyed by your Fido and also safe for them to play with:
| Toys for Small Dogs | Price | Quality | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lobeve Toys 10-Pack Gift Set | $ | B+ | 4.2/5 |
| Otterly Pets Puppy Dog Pet Rope (Small Dogs) | $$ | A | 4.4/5 |
| Kong Classic Dog Toy | $ | A+ | 4.4/5 |
| ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Toy | $$ | B- | 4.5/5 |
| Kong Cozies Dog Squeaky Toy | $$ | C | 3.9/5 |
* Click on the best toys for small dogs for more information, prices, and details. Scroll below to read reviews.
Finding the Right Size Toys for Small Dogs
The right dog toy will keep your canine companion entertained for long periods of time.
You need to know what your dog likes to find the right one.
Does he like to fetch? Maybe he enjoys a game of tug? Perhaps he is a young dog that likes to chew?
Whatever your dog prefers, that is what you should be shopping for.
You also need to think about your dog's type of chewer.
If he is destructive, plush toys may not be worth it.
However, some dogs enjoy carrying a medium or small dog toy around in their mouths with no interest in ruining it.
If this is the case with your pooch, a soft, plush medium-sized dog toy would be an excellent choice.
Worth the Price
Remember that the price of a dog toy is usually directly related to its quality.
A $1 toy is not likely going to last very long.
It's difficult to justify spending $10 on a dog toy, but if it's going to last for months (or even years), then it's easy to see the value in the product.
Just keep your dog's size in mind, and be sure to choose a small dog toy that isn't going to be too large or pose a choking hazard.
Small dogs have smaller mouths and can't carry as much weight as larger breeds.
If you choose a dog toy that is too large, they will not be able to enjoy playing with it.
You also need to be sure that you select a small dog toy that will be durable enough.
If he doesn't tend to shred toys, choosing one that will stand up to his jaws won't be difficult.
However, if you've got a destructive chewer on your hands, you need to find a durable dog toy that he won't be able to chew into tiny pieces and swallow.
If you want to be sure that your pup won't get bored, you must have multiple dog toys on hand.
Studies show that dogs prefer new toys because they are exciting and offer a new challenge.
You can keep old toys ‘new' to your pet by buying multiple toys and switching them out from time to time.
Perhaps some of the best toys for small breeds on this list will be right for your Fido.
If you can't find what you're looking for here, try our list of best puppy toys or ask your local pet store for their recommendations.
Your veterinarian or a dog trainer in your local area may also have some great suggestions.
Top 5 Best Toys for Small Breeds
1 Lobeve Toys 10-Pack Gift Set
This pack of the best toys for small dogs contains carefully selected toys.
A nylon tailspin flyer for fetching, squeaky rubber bone and spiky rubber toys for chewing, cotton balls and loops for chewing and tugging, and an assortment of fabric ropes for tether tugging.
These toys from Lobeve promote healthy teeth and strong gums, appropriate physical and mental exercise, proper use of excess energy, and constant bonding and communication.
- Small dog toy reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Dog owners observed a marked decrease in separation anxiety and destructive chewing when the Lobeve Dog Toys 10-Pack Gift Set was introduced.
With proper training, the toys could be used effectively to redirect undesirable behavior.
What dog owners have to say
Buyers were pretty impressed with their purchase.
They say that the 10-piece pack costs less than if said toys were bought separately.
They found the toys to be very durable and of good quality, and they highly recommend this pack.
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Most helpful review about these best toys for small dogs: “If your looking to keeping your dog active or keep them from being bored then getting this 10 mixed dog toys will be great. My dogs really love the squeaky toy and the rope ball. They love tugging and pulling the…”
2 Otterly Pets Puppy Pet Rope Toys for Small to Medium Dogs
A set of these toys from Otterly Pets contains four different rope toys – ball-shaped, bone-shaped, and looped tug ropes.
All are made of 100% cotton fabric and designed for tugging, tossing, fetching, and chewing.
These activities do not only engage a bored or anxious dog, but they also help dogs become healthier.
Chewing on fabric promotes dental health, redirects destructive chewing, and pacifies other undesirable behavior.
Playing toss-and-fetch and tug games enhances communication and strengthens the relationship between pet and owner.
- Small dog toy reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
The pups like Otterly Pets Puppy Dog Pet Rope Toys for Small to Medium Dogs so much and would spend long hours engrossed in them.
They find comfort in these toys and even sleep holding the tied ends.
There are no parts that could be broken or chipped off, but there are strands that could be chewed off and ingested.
What dog owners have to say
Dog owners say they’re not too concerned about that since dogs could easily pass cotton rope strands.
Many pet owners think that this set of toys translates to money wisely spent.
The ropes are holding up so well to rugged play and persistent chewing.
It’s amazing how a rope could greatly hold a pet’s interest and stay in great shape after many months.
The set is not expensive, so buyers are doubly satisfied.
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3
KONG Classic Dog Toy
When it comes to dog toys, you’ll never go wrong with a KONG.
There are six sizes available, and the XS size is ideal for small dogs weighing up to 5 lb.
Chewing is a natural dog instinct, and the Red Kong Classic is made to satisfy that need.
This red ball is made of durable all-natural rubber and is designed for average chewers.
It has an erratic bounce that makes it great for games of fetch.
There’s a hole at the bottom for stuffing treats in.
- Small dog toy reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
If there’s a single toy that does a lot of things for a dog, then it has to be the Classic Kong.
First off, it’s very durable. It lasts for ages.
It has the bounce for active toss-and-fetch games.
When stuffed with a treat and frozen overnight, the KONG Classic Dog Toy is a great mind-stimulating and calming toy for an anxious dog.
It’s a great fidget toy for a bored or plain lazy dog and would keep him, or her occupied for hours.
Dogs love it inside their mouths when idle, about to sleep, anxious, or lonely. It keeps them off destructive sprees.
What dog owners have to say
Dog owners feel safer leaving their dogs with their stuffed Kong, and dogs actually seem more excited about exploring it than foraging through drawers full of socks.
Pet owners have over 101 things to fill their Kongs with, making the Kong all the more exciting to pets.
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4 ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Toy
When your little dog begs for attention with those big round eyes but you’re lacking sleep, interactive dog toys can be your lifeline.
The ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide-and-Seek Plushy set has three patterns: the Hedgehog Den, Mice N Cheese, and Chicken Hut.
The Hedgehog Den features a roundish cylindrical den with holes and three cute hedgehog toys – all made of plushy, fleecy material.
The other patterns use the same hide-and-seek concept but with different colors, designs, and shapes.
- Small dog toy reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Dogs love to probe with their nose and paws inside the holes of the ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy, searching for the plump squeaky toys.
They get their prize as soon as they get hold of a hedgehog squealing with that high-pitch squeak.
They’d then pull their catch out of the hole and tenderly gnaw at it.
The hedgehogs are about 2.5” wide and 4” long, and dogs love carrying them around like trophies.
What dog owners have to say
Dog owners say their dogs wag their tails in excitement whenever the cute hedgehogs are loaded inside the plush den.
They have mastered the toy and know very well how it works, yet they still play with it enthusiastically every time.
That’s actually quite a puzzle to some pet owners, especially since their dogs are not so keen on destroying these little fluffy things.
They could easily tear these in smithereens in a wink of an eye, but they prefer to go easy on them.
Perhaps it’s the kind of toy that pets grow along with.
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5 KONG Cozies Dog Squeaky Toy
Another KONG toy makes it to our list of the best toys for small dogs.
Recently released in the KONG Cozie line is this cuddly plush squeaky toy.
This is soft and cute on the outside but made of several tough layers inside.
When pressed, it gives off a squeaky sound that dogs find irresistibly appealing.
There are 10 cute characters to choose from, and since they’re from KONG, they’re packed with the same quality, value, and durability that Kong toys are known for.
- Small dog toy reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Dogs love Marvin the Moose and would do everything to catch it in a fetching game.
The KONG Cozies Dog Squeaky Toy won’t fail to get your dog’s interest, whether you’re tossing Marvin for your dog to chase or tucking Marvin with your dog to sleep quietly.
Marvin and the rest of the gang – Ali the Alligator, Elmer the Elephant, and seven more – are not just prized trophies or hunter’s prey but also a dog’s comfort friend.
What dog owners have to say
According to dog owners, these best toys for small dogs are among the toughest plush toys they ever had.
Of course, it largely depends on how destructive or not your dog is when it comes to chewing, but the Cozies survive regular chewing.
Two to three months in a household is the usual lifespan of these KONG toys, and that’s a long time for a home with average chewers.
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