10 Best Dog Toys in Canada — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
Updated on
Part of taking care of a dog is ensuring that they are physically and mentally healthy. So, we feed them, walk them, groom them, and love them. But part of keeping your dog in great health and mentally sharp is good old-fashioned playtime. Dog toys are ideal for helping dogs do what dogs do best: chewing, tugging, chasing, and eating tasty treats.
But when you start looking for the next best dog toy for your best friend, you probably feel a little overwhelmed. There are so many to choose from! So, here are reviews of the 10 best dog toys available in Canada. We hope that you can find a great toy that you’ll both enjoy playing with — for as long as it can withstand your dog’s teeth!
Click to Skip Ahead
A Quick Comparison of Our Favourites of 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Chuckit! Ultra Ball, Medium |
|
Check Price | |
Best Value | Petmate Booda Two Knot Rope |
|
Check Price | |
Premium Choice | Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel |
|
Check Price | |
Best for Puppies | SmartPetLove Heartbeat Stuffed Toy |
|
Check Price | |
Chuckit! Classic Launcher |
|
Check Price |
The 10 Best Dog Toys in Canada
1. Chuckit! Ultra Ball, Medium — Best Overall
Type: | Ball |
Material: | Rubber |
Use: | Chewing/Throwing |
Best for: | All breeds |
The best overall dog toy for Canadian dogs is the Chuckit! Ultra Balls in medium size. You get two balls that are medium in size (2 ½ inches) in bright orange, so they are easy to spot. They are made with rubber, so they’re durable but soft enough for your dog’s mouth. They can also bounce quite high! They also float in water, so they can be thrown anywhere, and the rubber surface makes for easy cleaning.
The issue is that if your dog tends to chew things to pieces in seconds, as durable as these balls are, they might not be around for long.
- Two medium-sized balls
- Made with durable rubber
- Great bouncing action
- Floats in water
- Easy to clean
- Might not withstand a serious chewer
2. Petmate Booda Two Knot Rope — Best Value
Type: | Knotted rope |
Material: | Cotton |
Use: | Chewing/Tugging |
Best for: | Small breeds |
The best dog toy in Canada for the money is Petmate Booda Two Knot Rope. It’s inexpensive and provides multiple benefits. Your dog can chew on it, sort of like a bone, or you can play tug of war with them. Also, due to the fabric, it can floss your dog’s teeth while they’re playing. It’s made with tightly twisted cotton and is machine washable.
The problems with this rope are that it’s quite small and best for small breeds and that you can’t choose the colour. It is advertised as multi-coloured, but you don’t know what you’ll get until after it arrives.
- Affordable
- Can be chewed or used for tug of war
- Flosses teeth
- Made with tightly twisted cotton
- Machine washable
- Only for very small dogs or puppies
- Random colours
3. Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Interactive Dog Toy — Premium Choice
Type: | Puzzle and toys |
Material: | Plush |
Use: | Squeaky toy and hide-and-seek |
Best for: | All breeds |
Hide a Squirrel Interactive Dog Toy is our pick for a premium toy. It comes in small, medium, large, and X-large, and it is essentially a plush tree with multiple holes and six plush squeaky squirrels. You fill the tree with the squirrels, and your dog must try to get them out, which provides mental stimulation. There’s a bonus fuzzy squeaky toy to play with too. Outward Hound also sells separate packs of the squirrel toys.
The problems with this toy are that it’s a little pricey and that the holes in the tree are fairly large, so it might not take long for your dog to find the squirrels.
- Comes in four sizes
- Six squeaky squirrel toys in a plush tree
- Dogs can try to get the squirrels out of the tree
- Mentally stimulating
- Replacement squirrels are sold separately
- A little pricey
- Holes in the tree are big, so squirrels can be easy to find
4. SmartPetLove Heartbeat Stuffed Toy — Best for Puppies
Type: | Stuffed animal |
Material: | Polyester |
Use: | Comfort |
Best for: | Puppies or dogs with anxiety |
The SmartPetLove Heartbeat Stuffed Toy is a fantastic toy for puppies or dogs with stress and anxiety issues. It’s a soft plush dog toy that can be brown and white, brown, or black. It has a removable battery-operated heart and a disposable, non-toxic heat pack that lasts for 24 hours. The heart pulses to provide much-needed comfort for puppies away from their mothers or potentially for dogs with anxiety. The heart has an on/off switch, and you can set it to turn off after 8 hours or run continuously. It takes 2 AAA batteries.
However, it is quite expensive, and while it does help some dogs and puppies, others might decide that the toy needs to be attacked and destroyed at all costs. Additionally, the heat pack is one-time use only.
- Great for puppies or dogs with anxiety
- Comes in four colours
- Has battery-operated, removable heart
- Heart pulses like a heartbeat for puppies away from their mothers
- Includes disposable, non-toxic heat pack
- Expensive
- Heat pack is for one-time use
- Some pups might only want to attack it
5. Chuckit! Classic Launcher
Type: | Ball launcher |
Material: | Plastic |
Use: | Launching balls |
Best for: | All breeds |
The Chuckit! Classic Launcher isn’t exactly a toy, but it certainly assists with play. The launcher is available in a variety of sizes that should fit the appropriate Chuckit! ball. This does mean you need a ball of the right size, so double-check all the measurements. This one has a 26-inch-long handle and fits medium-sized Chuckit! balls or tennis balls, but the launcher does come with one ball. The launcher itself enables you to throw the ball much further than your arm alone, and you can pick the ball up with the scoop. This means you won’t have to touch any filthy, slobbery balls.
However, the ball that comes with the launcher isn’t that durable, so you’ll need to invest in a few tennis balls or more Chuckit! balls. Also, the launcher sometimes throws the ball at a strange angle.
- Fits medium-sized or tennis balls
- Comes with one ball
- Allows far throws for your dog
- Keeps your hands from getting gross
- The ball is not durable, so you’ll need to buy others
- Some launchers throw the ball at weird angles
6. BarkBox Interactive 2-in-1 Stuffed Plush Toy
Type: | Plush toy |
Material: | Plush |
Use: | Play |
Best for: | All breeds |
BartBox’s Interactive 2-in-1 Stuffed Plush Toy comes in a variety of themes, such as a cactus, dragon, sloth, pineapple, and acorn, which is the one we’re focusing on here. You get an adorable plush toy that looks like an acorn, otherwise known as Monsieur Acorn, which contains a spiky, plastic, squeaky toy. It’s durable enough to withstand rough play. In fact, it’s designed to be destroyed after a while, so your dog can get to the squeaker inside.
One issue is that while it’s quite durable, it’s designed to be eventually destroyed, so this makes it a bit expensive. Also, more destructive dogs will be able to destroy it far more quickly than how it was designed.
- Nine different plush toys available
- Cute acorn with a spiky, plastic squeaker inside
- Made to be durable for rough play
- Designed to be eventually destroyed for the squeaker toy
- Expensive for a toy designed to be destroyed
- More determined chewers will destroy it too quickly
7. Starmark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy
Type: | Treat dispenser |
Material: | Plastic |
Use: | Physical activity and treats |
Best for: | All breeds |
The Starmark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Toy isn’t exactly a toy, but it can still provide your dog with mental stimulation and physical activity. The treats can make it fun too! It’s available in large and small sizes. You fill the bottom chamber with kibble, and since it’s weighted on the bottom, it wobbles all over the place when your dog nudges it. As it wobbles its way across the floor, it dispenses food for your pup, so it essentially makes your dog work for their food. The large holds 3 cups of food, and the small about less than 1 cup.
The problem with this dispenser is that it won’t work well for dogs that have no patience. If your dog is overeager for treats, they might start just chewing on the dispenser itself. Additionally, it’s heavy, and if your dog starts picking it up and dropping it, it can be quite loud (and might also cause damage).
- Promotes mental stimulation and physical activity
- Large holds 3 cups of kibble and small holds less than 1 cup
- Weighted bottom makes it wobbly
- Dispenses treats or food
- Not great for dogs with no patience
- Fairly heavy, which can also make it loud
8. ZippyPaws Birthday Cake Plush Toy With Squeaker
Type: | Squeaky toy |
Material: | Plush |
Use: | Chew toy or for comfort |
Best for: | All breeds |
The ZippyPaws Birthday Cake Plush Toy With Squeaker is available in pink or blue (though the blue is more expensive). It’s an adorable toy that looks like a slice of birthday cake, even including a birthday candle! It contains a loud squeaker that should entertain your pup, and it’s made with a soft, plush material that will not damage your dog’s mouth or teeth.
However, it isn’t durable enough for dogs that are major chewers, so it will feel expensive if your dog manages to destroy it in minutes.
- Available in blue or pink
- Looks like a cute birthday cake with a candle
- Entertains your dog with a loud squeaker
- Soft, plush material won’t hurt your dog
- Won’t last long with chewers
- Expensive for something that might not last long
9. Mammoth Flossy Chews 3-Knot Rope Tug
Type: | Knotted rope |
Material: | Cotton |
Use: | Chewing/Tugging |
Best for: | All breeds |
Mammoth’s Flossy Chews 3-Knot Rope Tug is available in five sizes that range from X-small to X-large. It’s a three-knot rope made from tightly woven cotton that is designed for chewers or to play tug of war. It’s also meant to help with flossing your dog’s teeth, and it’s machine washable. The multiple sizes offered make it easier to find one based on the size or chewing ability of your dog.
The flaw here is that while this toy is durable, a few of the smaller sizes might not be durable enough for serious chewers. Also, you don’t have the option of choosing the colour.
- Comes in five sizes for all sizes of dogs
- Three-knot rope made from tightly woven cotton
- Designed for chewers and for tug of war
- Flosses dog’s teeth
- Small sizes might not last with serious chewers
- No colour choice options
10. Outward Hound Dog Brick Interactive Treat Puzzle Toy
Type: | Puzzle feeder |
Material: | Plastic |
Use: | Physical activity and feeding |
Best for: | All breeds |
The Outward Hound Dog Brick Interactive Treat Puzzle is a not-quite-a-toy option, but it promotes a dog’s mental stimulation with the added benefit of encouraging positive play behaviour. You hide kibble or treats in three different styles of compartments that require your dog to figure out how to get them, such as flipping a lid. This can also help reduce destructive or anxious behaviour.
The major problem with this item is that you can’t leave your dog unsupervised with it. There are small plastic pieces that can be removed, and if your dog is a chewer, they might chew up the puzzle and not the food. Plus, it’s labelled intermediate, but many dogs will figure it out in minutes.
- Great for positive play and mental stimulation
- Hide food or treats in three different types of compartments
- Dogs need to figure out how to get the treats out
- Helps reduce destructive or anxious behaviour
- Small plastic pieces can be chewed up
- Too easy for some dogs
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog Toys in Canada
This guide goes over a few tips to consider before buying your dog (or puppy) a new toy. It’s a quick read and could influence the kind of toy that you end up purchasing.
Your Dog’s Preferences
This might seem obvious, but whatever toy you decide on, it should fit into what you already know about your dog. If your dog has strong jaws and is a chewer, you should focus on toys that can withstand the strength of your dog and their determination. If you have a new puppy or rescue dog, you might need to do a bit of experimenting until you figure out what entertains your pup the best. Some dogs might love different textures, while others prefer a squeaker toy.
Supervision
Almost all toys need a certain amount of supervision when your dog is interacting with them. No matter how tough and durable a toy is, there’s no such thing as a completely indestructible toy. The last thing that you want is an injured dog or one that needs surgery from swallowing something that they shouldn’t have. It’s always best to stay in the same room as your dog, particularly when they’re with a new toy.
Variety
If you have a new dog, consider purchasing several cheap toys in a wide variety so you can find out what your dog prefers. Once you have a better understanding of your dog’s preferences, you can get better-quality toys that will last longer.
Read reviews and ask questions if you’re ever unsure of a product. Most people who post reviews on Amazon are honest about their experiences.
Chewers
If your dog is a destructive chewer, be on the lookout for toys that advertise their durability and for being extra strong. Aim for toys that have little to no stuffing, or you’ll have a mess all over your floor, and your pup might swallow some of it.
Our Dog Toys in Canada Selection Process
When it comes to selecting products, Hepper has a committed team of writers and editors who work closely with licensed veterinarians to find the very best in today’s market. Together, they consider customer feedback, brand reputation, veterinary expertise, and whenever possible, hands-on testing. We aim to select and review the highest-quality products to help you make informed choices that meet both your and your pet’s needs.
Why Trust Hepper?
Since 2007, Hepper has been a trusted and growing online brand and resource with the edge of creating and retailing our own line of cat furniture, toys, and gear, and pet consumables, giving us valuable insights into how to choose dog toys. Our driven team of pet-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to empowering our readers to make the best decisions for their animal companions. Our priority lies in providing top-notch information and recommendations. Our team is genuinely invested in the health and well-being of all pets worldwide, believing that expert knowledge is crucial for achieving this goal.
Conclusion
Chuckit! Ultra Balls are our overall favourite dog toy because they bounce super high, float in water, and are easy to find due to their durable, bright-orange surface. Petmate Booda Two Knot Rope is great for small dogs and can be chewed and tugged on. It’s also machine washable and super cheap! Finally, our premium choice pick is Hide a Squirrel Interactive Dog Toy. You get a plush tree with multiple holes and six plush squeaky squirrels, providing fun and mental stimulation for your dog.
We hope that these reviews have helped you find a great toy for your pup. Keeping your dog both physically and mentally stimulated is a core part of dog ownership — and it’s a fun one!
See also: 10 Best Dog Beds in Canada