15 Best Small Dog Toys of 2023– Reviews & Top Picks

There are various types of dog toys available but not all of them are meant for small dogs. Toys for small dogs are different as they form a foundation for their mental and physical health.

Small dog toys encourage activity and exercise as well as mental stimulation in pups.

With the varied range of dog toys available, it can be difficult to choose what suits your pup best. Moreover, the materials and colors used in the making of the dog toy may not always be safe for pups.

Therefore small dog toys need to be chosen wisely as they play a vital role in your dog’s all-around development. We make the task easy for you by reviewing the best small dog toys for your fido to have a safe and enjoyable playtime with his toy.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

• Best Overall: Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Small Dog Toy at Amazon
• Premium Choice: Trixie Activity Poker Box Dog Toy at Amazon
• Best Affordable: Chuckit! Ultra Ball Small Dog Toy at Amazon

The 15 Best Small Dog Toys of 2023

1. Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Small Dog Toy — Best Overall

Give your dog the ultimate hide and seek experience with the best small dog toy from our varied list.

The Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Small Dog Toy has a very attractive and enticing design and is an easy toy to get your fur-mate engaged for hours.

All you have to do is fill the tree trunk with small squirrels in the holes and watch your dog enjoy playing hide and seek with them.

They like to fetch the squirrels in and out of the tree trunks and hide them inside. The squirrels make a squeaky sound as well which makes it a very interactive toy for hours of fun and engagement.

The toy is made of plush fleece fabric which is gentle on your dog’s teeth and paws and stimulates them mentally for playing hide and seek. It prevents boredom and anxiety in your pet and develops their natural instincts to hunt.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Fleece Fabric
• Type: Puzzle Toy/ Squeaky Toy
• Gentle on teeth and gums
• Interactive and engaging dog toy

You need to make sure that your dog is under supervision when he plays with the toy.

However, pet parents claim that the quality of the toy has deteriorated with time and the stitches at the seams are not durable. It is a great toy for non-aggressive chewers and small pups to keep them mentally stimulated.

2. Trixie Activity Poker Box Dog Toy — Premium Choice

The Trixie Activity Poker Box Dog Toy makes for our premium range of small dog toys with its attractive color and engaging features that are sure to keep your pup occupied. It is a great product to stimulate your dog mentally and keep him busy.

The toy comes with a booklet that includes various methods to challenge your pet. You can excite and keep him intrigued with new challenges and games through the puzzle toy.

The toy has non-slip rubber feet so it does not lose its grip while placed on the floor. You can vary the placement of the boxes and the position of treats to increase the difficulty level and challenge your pet.

The toy uses pet-safe materials like plastic, rubber or rope that cause no harm or injury to your pet and the toy is also easy to wash or maintain as it is dishwasher safe.

The toy includes a set of 4 boxes that can be played with individually or can be placed together in the non-slip rubber mat.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Plastic, Rubber and Rope
• Type: Puzzle Toy
• Comes with a non-slip rubber mat
• 4 boxes that can be used individually or in combination

While most pet parents claim that the toy is fun and engaging, your dog may eventually get used to the toy and get accustomed to the challenges which can get boring. Else, it is a great tool to stimulate your pup in the initial growth stages.

3. Chuckit! Ultra Ball Small Dog Toy — Best Affordable

The Chuckit! Ultra Ball Small Dog Toy is one of the best budget small dog toys and a great product for chewing and playing fetch with your pup.

These balls are extremely bouncy and chewable and can be used on the ground as well as in the pool to keep your pup entertained.

The rubber ball is made of tough material that is very thick and chews proof. The thick rubber core makes it suitable for the most aggressive breeds as well. The ball toy comes in a range of attractive colors that are easily visible and attract your pup towards playing.

The toy can also be used with the Chuckit! Ball Launcher to throw the ball at farther distances so you can have a fun game of fetch and share a great bonding time with him.

Key Features:

• Size: Small
• Material: Natural Rubber
• Type: Fetch Toy
• Suitable for use on land and in water
• Can be used with Chuckit! ball launchers

These balls are a great alternative to regular tennis balls which are very hard and not easy to grip. However, the small dog toy could have been more durable for aggressive chewers.

4. KONG Classic Small Dog Toy

With our dog’s natural instincts of scavenging and chewing, KONG introduces the KONG Classic Small Dog Toy to fulfil their natural instincts and not let them miss their ancestral habitat. These chew toys keep boredom away and help in stimulating your dog mentally.

The toy is also known to cure aggressive chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight gain, crate training, barking, digging, etc. The dog toy is quite bouncy and it can be used for a game of fetch as well as hiding treats for your pup.

The toy has a hollow opening at the center that allows your dog to eat and lick slowly. This encourages slow feeding while keeping your dog on his toes to receive a treat from the toy.

The materials are totally petted safe and sourced from across the globe. KONG Toys are recommended by vets worldwide to cure boredom and anxiety in pets.

Key Features:

• Size: Small
• Material: Natural Rubber
• Type: Chew Toy, Treat Dispensing Toy
• Great for stuffing treats
• Recommended by vets globally

However, the toy is not meant to be used by aggressive breeds and might be dangerous for your pet in the long run if he ends up chewing the chunks and ingesting them.

However, it is a great surprise toy as you can reward your pup with treats and make him happy and excited.

5. Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Fun Dog Toy

The Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Fun Dog Toy is a perfect fit for any dog, be it big or small and makes a fun squeaky and giggle sound each time your dog grabs it.

The ball toy has 6 clutch pockets that make it easy to grab and grip the ball during playtime.

Your dog can simply nudge the ball with his nose and off it goes. The toy does not require any extra effort or battery and keeps your dog entertained for hours.

The internal tube noisemaker makes sounds and speaks to your dog saying ”play with me” to engage your pup.

The ball is not only a great learning tool but also a great toy for exercising and keeping your pup active and engaged. Your pup sure will leap and jump with joy when he hears the sounds. These interactive sounds will definitely grab your dog’s attention.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Pet Safe Phthalate-Free Vinyl Plastic
• Type: Fetch Toy
• Makes interactive sounds while playing
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

The ball toy is available in 2 color variants but users claim that the ball is not very sturdy and may get punctured quite easily. The chunks of the ball pieces almost break off easily and the ball toy could have been more durable for aggressive chewers.

6. Chuckit! Breathe Right Fetch Ball Puppy Toys

The Chuckit! Breathe Right Fetch Ball Puppy Toys are a range of aerodynamic dog ball toys that have been specifically designed to let the ball run farther so that your dog can run up to longer distances.

The flexible and buoyant design allows you to enjoy yourself on the ground or poolside with your pup.

The ball is also compatible with the Chuckit! range of ball launchers that allows you to launch the ball at a much farther distance. These balls are specifically suitable for flat-faced pups who may find it difficult to fetch the ball due to their small nose and face.

These toys help encourage human and pup bonding and the bright colours with attractive designs are sure to appeal to your dog. All the toys from Chuckit! are made of durable and natural rubber which are pet safe.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Natural Rubber
• Type: Fetch Toy
• Suitable for use on land and in water
• Can be used with Chuckit! ball launchers

This toy is available as a pack of two and encourages your dog to run at longer distances thereby enhancing their physical activity levels. However, this is not made for aggressive breeds as users claim that the dog toy barely lasts for a few minutes.

7. KONG Floppy Knots Small Dog Toy

KONG Toys have been enriching pups and dogs for more than 40 years now and the Floppy Knots Small Dog Toy is no exception. With its attractive design and vibrant colors for stitching and designing, this knot toy will surely make a great friend to your pup.

The internal knotted and rope design satisfies your dog’s natural cravings for chewing and biting. The varied textures and intricate design keeps your pup engaged in chewing and exploring while trying to remove the knots.

The toy has almost no stuffing to not cause any tearing or mess around the house and has a design suitable for gripping and pulling.

Your dog can tug it, pull it and chew on it for hours of fun and play. It is suitable for any and every type of breed and age. There are multiple animal designs available from the bunny, to an elephant to fox and hippo.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Rope fibres
• Type: Tug Toy, Fetch Toy
• Highly bounce able and easy to clean
• Can be used on land and in water

Kong has a toy for every dog type. However, the toy is not as durable as it claims to be and your pup can soon get bored with the toy if he is not able to figure out the intricate stitches.

However, it makes for a great engagement toy for hours of involvement and distraction.

8. Chuckit! Ultra Tug Fun Dog Toy

Chuckit! is known for its range of pet products and comes with yet another tug toy for small pups to satisfy their pulling and tugging instincts.

This tug and throw toy serve the dual purpose of playing tug of war as well as fetching with the toy. The dog ball is also chewable and engaging for long hours of activity.

The ball is very bouncy and made of durable quality rubber. The surface of the ball is easy to clean, you can wash off your dog’s slobbery saliva and mud quite easily.

The small tug toy is great for pups, medium, and large dogs. It can float in water so you can also play with it in the pool.

The ball can also be used with the ChuckIt! medium-sized ball launcher so you can indulge in a number of games just with this single toy.

You can toss and spin it or simply let your dog pull and tug the ball. It is made of natural rubber which is extremely safe and durable for small pups and aggressive tuggers.

Key Features:

• Size: Small
• Material: Natural rubber
• Type: Tug Toy, Fetch Toy
• Highly bounceable and easy to clean
• Can be used on land and in water

The strap of the dog toy is not very durable and detaches off instantly if your dog pulls the toy aggressively. Apart from the strap, the toy is great for playing fetch and as a pool toy.

9. West Paw Treat Dispensing Puppy Toys

The West Paw Treat Dispensing Puppy Toys is a tiny dog toy that is available in attractive colors and has a hidden slot beneath the toy for hiding a treat.

You can engage your pup in a game of fetch with this toy and reward him with a treat to make him happy and excited. You can hide treats or tasty kibbles inside the slot for your dog to discover and enjoy.

The toy makes for a very interactive product as it allows your pup to chew onto this delightful product for hours without damaging your furniture.

The bright colors are sure to attract your pup and ensure prolonged play. The chew/treat-dispensing toy will stimulate your pup mentally and encourage his foraging instincts as well.

The toy is floatable and can be used in the pool or at the park as a chew toy or a fetch toy. The design is such that it offers an easy grip on your pet. You can also secretly freeze chicken broth inside the dog toy and offer a surprise to your pet.

Key Features:

• Size: Small
• Material: Plastic
• Type: Fetch Toy/ Treat dispensing toy
• Multiple color and size variants available
• Can be used on land and in water

However, pet parents claim that the dog toy is not durable and the opening beneath the toy is too shallow to store a kibble or treat inside. It makes for a good fetch and floating pool toy for small pups.

10. Chuckit! Flying Squirrel Toy for Small Dogs

This marvelous dog toy by Chuckit! is like a frisbee toy which can be launched and thrown for a game of fetch. It has been designed for aerodynamic travel and the lightweight design makes it suitable for playing on the ground or in the pool.

It has strong stitches especially around the corners that have been designed to withstand chewing by aggressive breeds. The curved corners ensure smooth flying while the toy can travel across larger distances and allow an easy grip for your pet.

Chuckit! offers a range of dog toys right from frisbees, to balls and ball launchers for you to interact and connect with your pet. The frisbee is available in various other shapes and designs as well as in a pack of 3, 4, and 5 for multiple pets.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Lightweight Cloth Fabric
• Type: Fetch Toy/ Exercise Toy
• Multiple design and size available
• Can be used on land and in water

However, certain pet parents claim that the squirrel frisbee is extremely light and barely travels any distance making it a very flimsy toy.

11. Best Pet Supplies Fun Skin Stuffless Squeaky Dog Toy

The Fun Skin Stuffless Squeaky Dog Toy is available in a range of designs and various animal avatars that is colorful and appeal to your pet. These toys won’t make a mess even on excessive pulling and tugging as they don’t have any foam stuffing present within.

These toys have a squeaker present in the head and the tail region of the toy, so each time your dog chews onto the toy, the toy squeaks and speaks to your pup.

This toy for small pups is available in a variety of animal designs right from a duck, cow, alligator, zebra, monkey, etc.

Key Features:

• Size: Small
• Material: Plush Fleece Fabric
• Type: Plush Toy/ Squeaky Toy
• Size and animal design variants available
• Stuffing free soft toy

These fun skins come in a varied range of sizes that makes it suitable for most dog breeds. The stitches at the seams are quite tough and the range of toys are a great gift for your pet.

However, the possible danger with the toy is that it can be toxic if your pet tears and ingests it. Therefore, you need to supervise your pet carefully.

12. Chuckit Mini Ball Launcher Pet Dog Toy

The Chuckit Mini Ball Launcher Pet Dog Toy is a terrific way to make your dog run and exercise without you having to make yourself tired.

The ball launcher gives relaxation to your arms so that you don’t have to move them excessively each time you play fetch with your pet.

It has an ergonomically designed rubber handle that offers a comfortable grip and control while launching the ball.

The Chuckit launcher is made of durable and BPA free flexible plastic for elasticity and better launching power. It comes in a variety of throwing ranges with different ball sizes for different launchers.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Plastic handle and rubber ball
• Type: Fetch Toy/ Ball Launcher Toy
• Offers a slobber free pickup
• Can be used with Chuckit Mini Balls only

You can use the launchers with a standard tennis ball or a regular Chuckit Ball to play fetch and encourage your pet to run across farther distances.

It allows an easy slobber free pick up due to the long handle which does not get your hands dirty. However, certain pet parents don’t prefer the launcher design and find manual playing more comfortable.

13. Planet Dog – Orbee-Tuff Small Dog Toy

The Planet Dog – Orbee-Tuff Small Dog Toy looks extremely cute and bubbly due to its protruding textured surface and has a tiny surprise element to it as it can hide treats for extra fun.

These toys even float in water which makes them a great accessory for the ground and the pool.

The Orbee Tuff Small Dog Toy can also be used for playing fetch or for exercise and running to keep your dog engaged during his playtime.

Once he is done playing, let him enjoy and discover the hidden threat within which serves as his reward. The dog toy has a mint flavor infused to freshen up your dog’s breath.

Key Features:

• Size: Small
• Material: BPA Free Plastic
• Type: Fetch Toy/ Treat Dispensing Toy
• Various types, shapes, and size options available
• Tough and Strong multipurpose toy

This vegetable lookalike dog toy is available in a range of sizes and has a very durable built. It is made to last for extreme chewers and also makes your dog happy by dispensing treats.

However, it will not last long if used aggressively and therefore, supervise your pet if he behaves so with the toy.

14. Goughnuts Small Interactive Dog Stick Chew Toy

The Goughnuts Small Interactive Dog Stick Chew Toy uses a very durable and high-quality rubber with various indicators to determine the toughness level of the toy.

The small dog toy has multiple rubber recipes to suit most dog types and their aggression levels.

The red and the green colors indicate the toy is meant for power chewers, the plain black color indicates the toy is meant for more powerful chewers and the black color with a yellow dot indicates that the toy is meant for the toughest of all chewers.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Rubber
• Type: Tug Toy/Rope Toy
• Color indications for different levels of chewing
• Suitable for dogs weighing 10-40 lbs

The Goughnuts small dog toys are recommended by veterinarians to encourage healthy chewing habits and cure anxiety or restlessness in pups.

The toy is suitable for dogs around 10-40 lbs in weight. However, it is subject to break easily due to the inappropriate design else, the toy is quite durable.

15. Redline K9 Jute Tug Toy for Small Dogs

The Redline K9 Jute Tug Toy is made of high-quality Redline K9 Jute and is good for an interactive game session between you and your pet for hours of fun and play.

It is small and tiny and makes for a great treat like a reward for medium to large-sized breeds and police dogs.

The toy can be a great medium for teaching and training your pets. The jute fabric used is highly durable, although it is not recommended that your dog keeps the toy for chewing.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium
• Material: Jute
• Type: Tug Toy/Rope Toy
• Not to be used as a chew toy
• Comes with a handle for gripping

The jute toy has a handle on one side for you to grip and hold the toy easily while pulling. The handle is non-slippery for a comfortable and easy grip. However, if your dog pulls the toy aggressively and continuously, then it may end up tearing.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Small Dog Toys?

Here are the steps to consider in order to choose the Best Small Dog Toys:

Size

Size is one of the most important features to consider especially in the case of small dogs. Puppies and small breeds tend to explore the toy with their mouth and paws. Therefore, the size of the toy should be small enough to easily fit inside their mouth.

It would be pointless to get your dog a toy that is two to three times larger than his size. Ideally, 4 inches of a dog toy is sufficient for small pups and tiny dog breeds.

Material

The small dog toy material should be soft and gentle for your pup to use.

Generally, soft toys and chew toys are made of fleece, cloth, rubber, etc that are elastic and durable and can sustain soft as well as aggressive chewing. When it comes to puzzle or treat toys, they can be made of either rubber or plastic.

The material used has to be pet safe, durable, chew proof and soft for your small pooch.

Type

The type of dog toy you choose depends upon your dog’s nature or activity levels.

If your pup is very chirpy, active or playful, then you can get him a ball toy, a rope toy or an exercise and treat toy that will keep him on his toes.

If he is a couch potato, then you can get him a chew or puzzle toy to beat the boredom and prevent anxiety.

Dogs love to play with most types of toys but would prefer a suitable type based on their likings and activity levels. Choose one based on their breed, age and other growth factors.

Easy to Use

Puzzle and Treat Toys come with various grooves, ridges, attachments and openings. If your dog is smart, he would manage to play with the toy but if he is too small, your dog may not be able to figure out how to use the toy.

This is why dog toys should be easy to start off with and eventually with growing age and intelligence, the difficulty levels can be increased and adjusted.

However, it is advisable to get a toy with a basic design and minimal attachments, screws and fixations which can be dangerous and confusing to your pet.

No Toxic Chemicals or Dyes

The small dog toys should not have any harmful chemicals, artificial colors or dyes used in the manufacturing process. These chemicals and substances can cause allergies and disorders in your pup and should be avoided especially in the case of small pets.

Since dogs have a habit of licking or chewing their toys incessantly, heavy and continuous exposure to these dyes and chemicals can cause fatal disorders.

Ease of Cleaning

Most pet parents prefer dog toys that are easy to clean and handle. Small dog toys travel across various places including outdoors, gardens, muddy areas, water, etc.

These toys can cultivate harmful pathogens that are disease-causing and endanger your pup’s health. It is therefore advisable to clean them at least once a week to maintain hygiene and the overall quality of the dog toy.

Types of Small Dog Toys

There are a variety of dog toys available. These toys are fun and interactive and a great tool for teaching and training your pup. Let us brief you through the general types of small dog toy types:

Balls

Balls are a great toy for exercise as well as chewing. Ball toys engage your pup in activities, running, throwing, and fetching. These toys are usually made of durable rubber that is puncture and chews proof.

These activities stimulate your pet physically as well as teach him to obey commands. Softballs are a great toy for teething pups as they can chew onto them for hours of fun and prevent boredom.

Small Rope Toys

For some reason, dogs enjoy playing tug of war. These rope toys are made of fibers or strong cloth that can sustain extreme pulling. The rope toys also help to keep your dog’s teeth strong and help in flossing their teeth and buccal cavity.

These toys are good for hours of chewing and playing tug of war with your pet. Rope toys, therefore, serve as a great medium to increase bonding and spend quality time with your pup.

Plush Toys

Plush toys are very cute, adorable and the safest of all types of dog toys. These are made of cotton stuffing and the outer cloth is usually made of fleece.

Plush toys are good for puppies and dogs to get friendly and attached to a toy and spend hours with it to prevent boredom. They do not injure or hurt your dog in any way either.

Chew Toys

As per their natural instincts, dogs like to tug, pull and chew onto objects and food that includes meat. Therefore, chewing is a part of their natural habit, and chew toys are a great tool to prevent boredom and anxiety in pets.

The chew toys can be in the form of ropes, chew sticks, balls, bones, or a treat that will keep your pup engaged for hours. Some chew toys are available in various flavors that dogs savor on like bacon, chicken, turkey, etc.

These flavors attract them more towards chewing the toy and help in improving their dental health. Chew toys are available in different durability levels, the soft ones being ideal for small breeds and pups.

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle Toys stimulate your pet’s brain and instigate them to think. Puzzle Toys make your dog sharp and mentally fit and are good especially for tiny pups and dogs in their developmental stages.

There are various puzzle games like dog chess, checkers, and board games available that your dog can play with using its mouth and paws.

Treat-Dispensing Toys

Treat dispensing toys always keep your dog on their toes and keep them excited for a treat. These toys have a tiny secret opening wherein you can insert a treat and let your dog discover the treat himself.

Once your dog is done obeying your orders or performing a task, he would be looking forward to the treatment which will make him do his activities efficiently. These are known to be a dog’s favorite toy amongst all.

FAQs for Small Dog Toys

1. What toys will keep a small dog busy?

There are various types of small dog toys to keep your pup busy. These include chew toys, puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, exercise toys, etc.

These toys can keep your pup engaged and occupied for hours while stimulating them physically and mentally.

2. How to introduce a new toy to a dog?

Start by asking your dog to sit in attention and attract or encourage him to use the toy. You can place a treat beneath the toy and wait for your dog to acknowledge it.

The moment your dog plays with the toy, praise him and give the treat to him. This will get your pup habituated to the dog toy and slowly he will start playing with it.

3. How much for small dog toys?

Small dog toys can cost anywhere between $4 to $34 depending upon the type, material, brand, quality and a varying range of factors. The best budget small dog toy would be the Chuckit! Ultra Ball Small Dog Toy that costs around $3-$5.

A premium range of small dog toys would be the Trixie Activity Poker Box Dog Toy that costs anywhere between $30-$35. The best small dog toy is the Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Small Dog Toy that costs anywhere between $10-$15.

4. What is the best small dog toy?

According to us, the best small dog toy is the Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Small Dog Toy that is a great hide and seek toy to keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated.

If you are looking for a premium quality dog toy, go for the Trixie Activity Poker Box Dog Toy which is a great puzzle game for growing pups.

The best small dog toy under a budget would be the Chuckit! Ultra Ball Small Dog Toy that encourages exercise and activity in your pet.

Conclusion

While we love our dogs very much, we always want the best for them, be it in case of dog food or dog toys.

Especially when it comes to small dogs, we need to choose their toys wisely as they have to be safe for your pet to use as well as encourage good habits in their developmental stages.

Our reviews on the best small dog toys will help you make the ultimate choice for your pet puppy and keep them happy and engaged for hours of fun and activity.

What better way to bond with your pup by choosing the best small dog toy, right?