Welcome to the first of seven days of our annual Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway Extravaganza! After months of rigorous product testing, we’ve whittled down the list to the very best holiday gifts for pets! Today’s gifts are all about PLAY!
We spent the last couple months testing a huge range of dog toys. Some did not pass muster. Others we fell in love with instantly! (Bonus: Most of the testers and extra toys are going to the shelter once the guide closes!)
Today, I’m sharing our TOP 10 favorite dog toys, which would make great gifts (some are even small enough to fit in a stocking)! So, let’s get going!
Disclaimer: We didn’t receive any compensation for this guide, though some of these brands sent products for our consideration. Not all made the cut! The ones here are ones we really, truly love. Any link followed by an asterisk (*) means it’s an affiliate link – you won’t pay a single extra penny if you purchase through those links, but OMD! will receive a tiny bit of commission, which we use to offset the costs of producing this guide! Questions? Send me an email: info {at} ohmydogblog {dot} com.
KONG Jumbler Ball and Jumbler Football
We love KONG around here but hadn’t played with these Jumbler toys before. They’re fairly solid and have a tennis ball inside the toy, which makes them bounce erratically. The football is a fun shape for playing catch in the yard, though this one didn’t hold up as well as the ball. The ball? Oh. Em. Gee. Cooper is obsessed. Not just a little. He takes it with him everywhere.
He even tries to bark with it in his mouth because he doesn’t want to put it down. It has handles on either side, so it’s great for tug, too. We enjoyed both toys, for sure, but if you were in the market for just one, I recommend the ball. I’d let you play with ours, but Cooper hasn’t put it down yet! To buy: the KONG Jumbler Football Toy in Large
Tuggo
For the past few years, we’ve had a running joke about getting Cooper a tire. Something huge and heavy and massive that he can’t destroy and will actually wear him out. Well, wouldn’t ya’ know! The Tuggo fits the bill and isn’t toxic like chewing tire rubber! We tested the large. You fill it with water, and it ranges in weight from just the ball to 20 pounds when full! Twenty pounds! We filled it halfway, and Cooper spent an afternoon dragging it around the yard. It was a total victory, and nearly two months later, it’s still in one piece! One caveat: This is NOT an inside toy. He tried winging it around a bit… I could see it taking down a whole bookcase. Now that it’s cold out, it’ll be a bit of a chore to empty and fill it for outside play sessions, but I know we’ll get a ton of use out of it this spring. If your dog is strong, high-energy, or just shreds toys, this is the one for you! To buy: Tuggo is available in two sizes: 7 inch and 10 inch .
PetSafe Tug-a-Jug and Kibble Nibble
Obviously treat puzzles had to make my list! We LOVE treat puzzles. It keeps them busy and occupied and makes them really think about getting their food. These two are very different but both are so fun. The Kibble Nibble is sort of a “beginner” level treat toy because once they figure it out, they have it down. The good thing, though, is that it forces my gulpers to eat their food slowly, which I appreciate. The Tug-a-Jug is much harder because the rope through the bottle has a stopper. They have to really work to get that kibble! It keeps them very busy! Although, one word of warning: If you have a dog who FLINGS puzzle toys like Lucas, don’t give this one near breakable objects or your TV. The rope/bottle combo can fling FAR! To buy: Tug-a-Jug from $9.99 to $19.99 and Kibble Nibble from $13.99 to $19.99 (Oh, and hint: The Kibble Nibble is great for cats, too!)
Chukit Launcher, Tumble Bumper, and Glow Ball
With these super short days upon us, it’s tougher to do much outside playing after work. Well, bundle up and take these glow-in-the-dark Chukit toys! For dogs who love to run and chase, nothing beats the Chukit. We had one that disappeared in the move, so I was excited to get these testers – and, better yet, since they glow, the game can go on well after the sun sets. At 4 pm. Sigh. The bumper is great for fetch, too, but we let our guard down for about 30 seconds, and Cooper shredded it. If you have a dog who loves to fetch, these are prefect! If you have a dog who loves to shred, go for the launcher and ball and skip the bumper! To buy: $4.93 for the Chuckit! Medium Max Glow Ball*, $8.79 for the Chuckit Tumble Bumper
Worldwise’s Kathy Ireland Loved Ones Collection: Durable Fox Dog Toy and Hide & Seek Dog Toy
I saved the cutest for last! So, I have a confession: Sometimes I think dog toys are boring looking. Not all, of course, but many look similar, same color range, and so on. These Kathy Ireland toys? They’re so fresh and different! And darling! Like, seriously adorable! We tested the Hide & Seek ball first, and it’s such a clever product – it has a delayed light and noise function. We can hide it in the craziest places, and Cooper finds it! Such a fun and highly interactive way to play with a ball. At just under $30, it’s way more than we’d normally spend on a ball, but the added features are pretty neat (and it fits in standard launch toys, like the Chukit above). Next up was the durable fox. I seriously adore this toy. I didn’t want to give it to the boys to play with; it’s that cute! But they loved it – all three of them, which is rare for any toy! To buy: $29.82 for the Kathy Ireland Loved Ones Hide & Seek Dog Toy Electronic Light & Sound Ball – Blue*
We LOVE all 10 of these pet products, and now five of YOU get a chance to win some for your pups! This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. The widget should load below in a few seconds, or if you’re reading via email or feed, you may have to click the link. Winners will be drawn and notified on Friday, November 28. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Seriously, all 10 of these toys would make a great gift for the right dog! Come back tomorrow for our next day and a whole new theme for recommendations and giveaways!