Skip to main content

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

The best interactive dog toys to stimulate your pet’s brain

Dogs can become stressed out when they are not being mentally stimulated. Being idle for long amounts of time at home can put a lot of anxiety in your dog. An outdoor interactive dog toy can get your dog out of the house and thinking on its paws. If your dog likes to chew, and you want some variation from your pooch’s other chew toys, a chewy interactive dog toy will get their teeth gnawing away.

Dogs need consistent stimulation, both physically and mentally, to make sure that their health is in top form. Their cognitive development is not usually something that gets exercised by simply tasks like fetch or chewing on rawhides. When they are alone all day while you are at work, provide them with an interactive dog toy that can fill up their time and get them thinking.

Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy

Best Brain-Teaser

Your dog will have a fun time wrapping their head around the Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy. This beginner dog puzzle is meant to challenge your dog with problem-solving skills. They have to use their noses to sniff out their treats underneath the bones and then pick them up. You can also swap out the treats for kibble to have it double as a slow feeder, so they can have some fun before mealtime.

ZippyPaws Interactive Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy

Best Squeaky

If you have a dog that loves squeaky toys, the ZippyPaws Interactive Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy provides you with three adorable hedgehogs that hold a high-quality round squeaker. Each hedgehog is stuffed into its own hiding hole, so your dog has to dig them out. The den burrow is strong enough for small and medium sized dogs to chew on for hours on end.

StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy

Best Dispenser Toy

The StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy dispenses treats by itself, so your dog does the work. The plastic bobbing toy provides hours of mental and physical activity by making your dog shake it around for treats. There are dual chambers to store in kibble or treats to give to your dog. You can adjust the openings to adjust the difficulty to your dog’s energy levels.

Prevent your dog from exhibiting destructive boredom behaviors when you have a high-quality toy to keep them occupied. These toys will mentally stimulate your dog and keep them active so that they relieve their boredom and reduce their stress.

PawTracks Contributor
PawTracks Contributor
How to find the shelter dog that fits your lifestyle
Choosing the perfect shelter pup
Young woman choosing dog at a shelter

So, you’ve decided to welcome a shelter dog into your heart and home. Good for you! Too many people buy into the myth that if you adopt a pet from a shelter, you’re inheriting someone else’s problem. The truth is that most dogs end up in shelters because of human problems such as divorce, abandonment, or families having no time for the dog.

Most shelter dogs are happy, healthy, and well-behaved pets. They're just waiting for someone like you to offer them a loving home! Finding a shelter dog that fits your lifestyle does take time, but in return, you get to share your home with a devoted companion. But how can you know which shelter dog is the one for you?
Why you should adopt a dog from a shelter

Read more
Here’s why old dogs have seizures and how you can best help them
A seizure looks scary but you and your pup can manage through them together
Chocolate brown Labrador retriever with a graying muzzle

With their graying muzzles and laid-back demeanors, old dogs have a dignified air you don't see in young, hyper puppies. You've been through a lot with your dog, and you want to ensure he maintains the best quality of life for as long as possible.

Seeing your old dog having seizures is alarming, but we have some good news. While your pup may feel frightened and confused during a seizure, he's not in any pain. Whether your dog has a history of seizures or this is the first one he's had, here's what you need to know about seizures in older dogs. 
Is it common for old dogs to have seizures?

Read more
This is the fastest dog breed (and more that are runners-up)
The 10 fastest dog breeds (and who would win in a race)
Greyhound running, shot is head on

Some dogs seem to take their sweet time getting from point A to point B. There's nothing wrong with this trait — we could all stop and smell the roses now and then (and beagles sure love to smell those and more). Yet, others seem always to be orchestrating a high-speed chase or acting like a lifelong New York City resident trying to catch the subway.

You may watch your dog at the park or in your yard and think you're raising the fastest creature on four feet. Are you? There are many speedy pups, but only one is the fastest dog breed. We'll reveal which breed has a valid need for speed, plus a few more that would make a race interesting.
Fastest dog breeds in the world

Read more