The Best Kong Dog Toys for Interactive Play
Our dogs enjoy play and stimulation, and if their minds and body aren’t stimulated, they get bored. Fortunately, as a pet owner, you may choose from a wide variety of rubber dog toys that you can use to keep your pup distracted throughout the day. Your dog will spend hours chewing and tugging on these toys just because they naturally entertain them. When dogs don’t see you for some time, they start getting anxious, which we all know can lead to depression. However, the top kong dog toys in 2023 can reduce the chance of your dog feeling depressed. With these toys, they’ll find themselves distracted and have something to do while you’re out.
The Kong dog toy selection is vastly intimidating for new pet owners. Therefore, we’ve listed some of the top Kong toys for your dog-friendly home. All of these are made with your dog’s safety and instinctual needs in mind. So, let’s get started!
Top Kong Dog Toys in 2023
KONG – Classic Dog Toy
– Best Overall
Dogs enjoy extracting treats from the hollow rubber toy, and they are unlikely to abandon the task before completing it. The snowman-shaped kong classic toy bounces unpredictably, making it a fun challenge to catch and retrieve. This toy is composed of strong rubber that one can wash with a dishwasher. It’s a treat-dispensing toy and feeder that comes in small and large sizes.
The top of the toy may be screwed off, allowing you to fill it with food, such as dry kibble or other small treats. The kong toy is excellent for high-energy dogs, fussy eaters, and dogs who eat too quickly, as well as dogs who are overweight. Stuff the kong classic toy with your dog’s favorite snacks and watch how the exciting hunt for food begins!
- Available in six sizes
- Great for stuffing with treats
- Caters to and satisfies the dog’s instinctual needs
- Encourages an excellent mental workout
- May irritate aggressive chewers
Chew King – Premium Treat Toy
– Runner Up
The unique pear design of the Chew King treats hider outlasts and outperforms. The toy is perfect for treats and rewards, but it can also carry up to 3/8 cup of kibble(in L) to keep mealtime interesting. There’s no need to throw a ball around; simply fill it with treats and watch your dog enjoy figuring out how to get the goodies out. You have many filling options, from peanut butter, canned food, and meat. Chew King can be a relationship-building tool and a potential reward for your dog.
It is constructed of highly durable natural rubber that is both sturdy and safe for your pet to play with. Besides, the toy also has safety air vents that protect your puppy’s tongue from getting stuck.
- Dispenses treats
- It stands up to tough chewing
- Available in three sizes
- Keeps mealtime fun
- A bit large for cattle dogs
Vanfine – Dog Squeaky Toy
– Honorable Mention
The Vanfine squeaker dog toy has a built-in squeaker that makes entertaining sounds when chewed, making chewing more enjoyable for dogs. It is made up of a non-toxic, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly rubber substance that is soft and stretchy at the same time. In the meantime, your dog will be completely safe with this toy. This fascinating toy ball can significantly aid in the release of your dog’s stress as well as the development of your dog’s trust and understanding.
The toy comes with and offers you 100% natural food ingredients for its beef flavor and scent. This chew toy with a beef flavor will satisfy your dog’s natural chewing tendencies. Besides, it has a length of 5.6 inches and a width of 3.6 inches, making it suited for medium to large breed dogs.
- Provides physical and mental stimulation
- Almost indestructible chew toy
- Made with 100% safe material
- Outdoor play and water floating durable
- It does not come with hidden treats
MewaJump – Durable Rubber Toy
– Also Consider
The MewaJump rubber toy comes in a unique’ cactus’ shape with a built-in milk flavor, making it your dog’s favorite toy. The puppy’s teeth may get itchy as they grow, causing them to bite to relieve the discomfort. This rubber toy is an excellent alternative to chewing other items that can harm their teeth and jaws.
Moreover, the rubber toy is an excellent dental tool for dogs; it reduces plaque build-up and minimizes the risks of gum bleeding. It is appropriate for dogs of all ages, sizes, and stages of development. It’s also flexible and made up of entirely safe natural rubber that won’t harm your pup’s jaws. Get your hands on one and watch your dog play happily for a long time.
- It contains a unique milk favor
- Made of non-toxic rubber material
- Avoids destructive chewing
- Protects oral health
- The toy may not be appealing to all dogs
Benebone – Bacon Chew Toy
– Also Consider
The Benebone real bacon chew toy is ideal for aggressive chewers. It is more durable than real bones and can be used for weeks. The wishbone has a 100% natural bacon flavor. It’s simple to handle, tastes excellent, and can withstand a lot of chewing. The chew toy is curved, giving your dog an ergonomic grip; he can grab it quickly and start chewing.
Every bite is infused with bacon flavor, which encourages relaxation and distraction and discourages chewing on your favorite furniture or shoes by satisfying your dog’s natural want to chew. Unlike other dog toys, the benebone bacon chew toy is tough, almost indestructible, and harmless.
- It contains a real bacon flavor
- Ergonomic design for a perfect grip
- Made especially for aggressive chewers
- Great for training dogs
- Playtime needs supervision
Best Kong Dog Toys Buying Guide
Why Do You Need to Get a Kong Dog Toy?
Kongs satisfy your dog’s natural urge to “work” while encouraging good chewing behaviors. It can help you motivate them when they feel down just because they get a sense of achievement when they “hunt” these toys. They get addicted to playing with it, which keeps them entertained and busy for extended periods.
Using Kong chew toys regularly may help your dog’s oral health and well-being. The toy’s natural rubber helps keep teeth clean, control plaque, and eliminate food particles while you’re playing with it. Unlike most toys, Kong chew toys provide cerebral stimulation for your dog’s intellect, which is vital for overall health and helps to reduce destructive behavior caused by boredom.
It’s also essential for dogs that suffer from common behavioral issues. By diverting your dog’s attention away from the “bad behavior,” they can concentrate on the gratifying pleasure of playing with the stuffed Kong. Crate training puppies and shy dogs may benefit from this type of therapy/behavior modification. Your dog will grow more comfortable in the crate and less anxious by focusing its attention on the enjoyable toy.
History of Kong Dog Toy
During the 1970s, an auto technician named Joseph Markham in the United States invented the Kong dog toy. Fritz, Markham’s retired German Shepherd police dog, was joyfully chewing on a rubber suspension part one day while Markham was working on a Volkswagen. Seeing this inspired Joseph, and after six years of testing, he created a rubber toy that he could sell to pet owners.
The result was the iconic Kong chew toy made from tough rubber. Kong dog toys are made to be chewed and played with safely by dogs. Stopping them from ripping off tiny pieces they might ingest or choke on. Many Kong dog toys have hollow centers or holes that you can stuff with food or treats—allowing a dog to hunt for his food outdoors! Other Kong items are designed to be used in interactive retrieve and play activities.
What Things to Consider Before Buying a Kong Dog Toy?
The large selection of dog products is a great plus. However, for pet owners, the variety might be overwhelming. So, what do you need to look out for when choosing one for your dog?
Choosing the appropriate toy for your dog generally necessitates some trial and error to figure out what your dog prefers. While we realize your dog won’t like every toy, having a variety at hand will help you narrow down what kind of toys your dog is more inclined to use. Perhaps it wouldn’t like Kong Toys at all.
Before buying a kong toy, here’s what you should consider:
Size
Selecting the right Kong toy size is the key; do this by getting a size according to their jaws. Smaller dog breeds require a toy that will fit comfortably in their mouths. You can choose larger sizes for large dog breeds with big jaws. When in doubt, sizing up is a good idea, according to experts.
Rubber strength
You’ll need to consider your dog’s unique chewing style; smaller dogs don’t necessarily have to be light chewers. That is why if your dog has sharp chompers, whether they are a small dog breed or a large dog breed, choose the one made of the most substantial rubber for destructive chewers.
Moreover, you can also opt for squeaky toys with hidden treats suitable for dogs of all ages.
Age
Puppies tend to have a brief attention span than mature and adult dogs. Considering this, you’ll want to get something that keeps them entertained for hours and tires them out at the end of the day. Most Kong dog toys are made of rubber and are specially designed to withstand sharp puppy teeth, relieving the pup’s discomfort and rewarding him for chewing on an appropriate object (rather than your new shoes).
On the other hand, senior dogs may require additional stimulation to “encourage old bones to get up and have some fun.”
Conclusion
The advantages of kong dog toys are many. A kong toy is a must-have for any dog, from fulfilling the instinct to chew to keeping dogs engaged by hiding treats. The range of the best Kong dog toys available can be overwhelming when looking for the appropriate one for your dog. However, with the help of these helpful buying suggestions, you’ll be able to pick the perfect one for your furry friend.
People Also Asked
A: A small Kong is recommended for dogs under 20 pounds (S). Use a medium Kong for dogs that weigh between 15 and 35 pounds (M). Use a large size if your dog weighs anywhere from 30 to around 70 pounds (L). An extra-large Kong is recommended for dogs weighing 60 to 90 pounds (XL).
A: The best time to give your dog a Kong chew toy is during crate training as well as for puppies who are constantly looking for something to chew.
A: How you fill the Kong mainly depends on your dog's preference. You can stuff wet, canned, or dehydrated dog food—for instance, peanut butter, cheese, nuts, etc.
A: A Kong chew toy is a safe option to keep your puppy busy during the day or night. However, if your puppy is an aggressive chewer, it is recommended not to leave the toy unsupervised.
A: Kong rubber toys are designed for safety and long-term durability, yet they are not entirely indestructible. Although all dogs have innate chewing inclinations, not all express themselves similarly.
A: Vets prescribe Kong dog toys to satisfy a teething puppy's instinctive urge. However, you should regularly wash it with dish soap and dispose of the toy as soon as it gets damaged.
