$19 at Amazon

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Best interactive dog toy

Outward Hound Dog Tornado Puzzle


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$15 at Chewy

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Best plush toy

Wild Knots Bears Durable Dog Toy


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$15 at Chewy

kong

For the aggressive chewer

Kong Extreme Dog Toy


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$13 at Chewy

puzzle

Best for mental stimulation

Outward Hound Dog Hide N’ Slide Puzzle


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CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Our furry friends deserve the best. From tasty treats to fun toys to keep them entertained, we all want the best for our pups. And while there’s an endless supply of dog toys to choose from, from Frisbees and balls to squeakers, puzzles and food-oriented gadgets, a toy really can be hit or miss. Your pet could show zero interest in it — or worse, they chew or tug on it for a few minutes and it’s instantly shredded. How do you find the best dog toys that are sure to guarantee hours of engagement and play? 

We surveyed the dog parents among the CNET staff, both past and present, and rounded up their pups’ tried-and-true favorites. Finding an indestructible dog toy might be a tall order, but these toys have survived ferocious play, gone through endless chewing sessions and provided hours of daily doggy entertainment. We even got three votes for the wildly popular Chuckit.

Since every dog has unique quirks and preferences, you’ll find a wide variety to choose from here. Whether your four-legged friend is a large dog or a small dog, a chewer or a tugger, you’re sure to find something they’ll love on this list. These are the best dog toys available that our dogs go crazy for.

Read more: Best Dog Food Delivery for 2024

Best dog toys

When you have a dog that demands near-constant attention, you’ll do anything to keep them busy for a few minutes. I use this puzzle toy for just that. There are three swiveling trays where you can conceal treats, making your dog work for their reward. My pup has to use his snout to spin the trays to reveal the compartments, and I have to hope it keeps his brain sharp because he has to problem-solve to get all of the treats. I have the level two (intermediate) version and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. –-Sarah Mitroff

This toy is durable and covers all of the things that can keep a dog entertained forever. Inside is a rope and a few squeakers to gain and keep their attention, and it usually ends up being the toy my dog cuddles with. –-Theodore Liggians

Banjo gets anxious when he’s left alone, but like most Labs, he’s very food-driven. Mochi, our little guy, is just an extreme chewer. If he doesn’t have something to chew on, he’ll start nibbling holes in our living room rug. So when I know I’m going to be away for a couple of hours, I pull out the Kongs. I stuff them with mozzarella or peanut butter (or both), and my two doggos stay happy and occupied the whole time I’m away. –-Desiree DeNunzio

My dog is a beast when it comes to toys and has ruined nearly every single toy that we’ve given her within a day or two. That was until we met the Kong Extreme dog toy line, which has worked perfectly for her and keeps her entertained. We can use it as a reward by filling it with peanut butter when she’s been good for the day. There are a few different shapes and sizes of it, and she seems to enjoy them all! –-Jared DiPane

Most plush toys are no match for my dog, Junebug, who tears them to shreds within minutes. This Fluff and Tuff ball takes her weeks to even get a thread loose. Consequently, she is obsessed with it and carries it with her everywhere (even though it’s way too big for her little body — an adorable bonus). She stays loyal to it even after it’s nothing but a sad, shredded, hollowed-out shell. Eventually, I throw it out and buy her a new one and the cycle starts again. She’s on her third beach ball in about a year! Well worth the money. –-Kim Wong-Shing