Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best dog toys for small dogs

Lightweight and easy-to-carry toys are ideal for a small dog since they can have a hard time lifting and moving toys tailored for larger dogs. A small dog can get frustrated by a toy not meant for their size, and then the toy will just be ignored and gather dust. To ensure you have the right toy for your small dog, get one of these right-size and top-performing ones.

Although small dogs have slender and unimposing mouths, their strong jaws and sharp teeth can tear apart a soft toy in no time, so you need to choose the right type of toy that’s entertaining to a small dog and yet durable enough to stand up to the punishment they dish out. These top-notch toys for small dogs can do just that.

Multipet Lambchop Plush Dog Toy

Softest Plush Toy

If you want a soft yet durable plush toy for your small dog, consider the Multipet Lambchop Plush Dog Toy. The 10-inch-long, extremely soft and tough-constructed plush toy is based on the main character from the popular 1990s TV show “Lamb Chop’s Play-Along.” The toy has a squeaker to make playtime more fun.

BarkBox Dog Squeak Toys

Most durable

If you’re looking for a long-lasting toy for your small dog, then take a look at the BarkBox Dog Squeak Toys. Made of high-quality materials, the interactive toy is engineered to last a long time and hold up against chewing while being used during games of tug-of-war or fetch. It’s densely packed with fluffy stuffing and interactive elements suited for shredding, trashing, and squeaking.

Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball

Most Interactive

To get your hands on a very interactive toy for your small dog, grab the Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball. The motion-activated interactive toy makes more than 20 funny sounds and noises — including wisecracks — when a dog passes by or plays with it. Made from high-impact ABS, the toy automatically turns itself off if it senses no activity.

Make sure you have the right-size and right-engineered toys on hand for your small dog so it isn’t struggling with playthings tailored for bigger dogs. These leading toys for small dogs are just right on many levels.

PawTracks Contributor
PawTracks Contributor
Everything to know about the puggle
Thinking of getting a puggle? Here some facts about this beloved breed
Puggle on a moss log

Are you torn between a beagle and a pug? You might consider getting a puggle. Maybe you're three giant steps ahead of us, met a puggle at an adoption event, and have fallen head over heels (or perhaps that's nose over paws). As the mash-up name implies, a puggle is a mix of a beagle and a pug. The dogs can have physical and behavioral traits commonly found in these popular breeds, such as a pug's squishy face and friendliness and a beagle's powerful nose and curiosity.

Puggles can also inherit some health issues from these breeds. While no two dogs are alike, understanding common characteristics is an excellent early step in pet parenthood. Researching puggles is a bit complicated, though. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the breed, so there's no official standard. Still, decades of experience allow us to generalize about a puggle's appearance and behavior.
What is a puggle?

Read more
Tackle fall shedding with these 9 tips and tricks
Managing fall shedding the easy way
A black and white Newfoundland

Fall is in full swing, which means dog shedding season is, too. This is the time of year when many dog owners break out the lint rollers and the de-shedding brush, but you'll be happy to know that these tried-and-true tools aren't the only things that can help. Your clothes and furniture will thank you for trying something new.

You may have heard of a de-shedding grooming appointment or tried pet hair-repellent laundry products, but we compiled nine tips and tricks to make dog shedding season more tolerable. Then, you can get back to enjoying cool fall days with your pup.
Which dogs shed in the fall?

Read more
Why does my dog fart so much? It’s probably your fault
You may need to swap out your dog's food to get rid of the smell
A close \-up of a corgi's butt with people standing in the room behind

We all pass gas, even our beloved pets. If you hear a toot and glance over at an innocent smiling face looking up at you, you'll know who was responsible. Farting is a normal part of the mammalian experience and almost all of us do it (the sloth being a notable exception).

While your dog will almost certainly let one out now and then, excessive flatulence should raise the alarm. It could come from diet, a health condition, or even eating habits, but you'll want to get a handle on the stinky issue. So, if you're asking, "Why does my dog fart so much?" We'll break it down for you.
Why is my dog farting more than usual?

Read more