Last Updated: 17/11/2025
Best Dog Toys in Australia: A Vet's Guide
From power chewers to gentle seniors, not all dog toys are equal. Our Australian vet explains how to choose a safe toy and reviews the best chew, puzzle, fetch, and dental toys to keep your dog happy, healthy, and enriched.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
A dog's toy box is more than just fun; it's a vital toolkit for a happy and healthy life. Toys are a necessity, not a luxury. They provide crucial mental stimulation, encourage physical exercise, support dental health, and help prevent boredom-related behaviours (like chewing the sofa).
But with so many options, how do you choose? The "best" toy is different for every dog. This guide will help pet parents find the perfect match for their furry friend.
Why is important to choose the right dog toy?
Choosing the right dog toy is crucial for their complete wellbeing, going far beyond just fun. Most importantly, it ensures safety, preventing choking hazards, intestinal blockages from swallowed parts, or dental fractures from toys that are too hard. The right toy also provides essential mental stimulation and physical exercise, which are vital for preventing boredom-related behavioural problems like destructive chewing and digging. Finally, appropriate toys support dental health and are correctly matched to a dog's specific age, size, and chew strength, ensuring the play is both beneficial and safe.
Four factors to consider when choosing a toy
Before buying, it's helpful to assess a dog's individual needs. What suits a tiny, gentle senior will be very different from what's needed for a boisterous teenage Labrador.
- Size: The toy must be size-appropriate. A toy that is too small can easily become a choking hazard. Conversely, a toy that is too large may be too difficult or uninteresting for a small dog to play with.
- Age and lifestage: A dog's needs change as they grow. Puppies need softer, flexible rubber or plush toys to suit their fragule puppy teeth, and help to soothe their gums during teething. Adults can handle a wide variety of toys based on their established play style. Seniors may prefer softer, lighter-weight toys that are easier on their teeth, mouth, and joints.
- Chew strength and play style: This is one of the most important factors. It's important to know your dog's "chew personality." Gentle nibblers are easy on their toys and often just like to carry them around. Most dogs fall into the average chewer category. They enjoy a good chew session but rarely destroy durable toys. Power chewers are the dogs on a mission to destroy. They require heavy-duty, durable toys made from strong rubber or nylon.
- Safety first: Always prioritise safety. Look for toys made from non-toxic materials. Avoid toys with small, easily detachable parts (like plastic eyes, bells, or squeakers) that can be swallowed. Supervision is always recommended, especially when introducing a new toy.
For more information, read through our guides to Choosing the Best Toy for Your Pet.
Shopping for puppy toys? Check out our guide to the Best Toys for Puppies.
How We Review Our Products
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Top Recommended Dog Toys in Australia [Vet Reviewed]
Best chew toys
First up, the essential chew toy. For many dogs, chewing isn't just a hobby, it's a full-time, self-employed job. These toys - from super-tough nylon and rubber toys for the "CEOs of Destruction" to flexible rubber for the more "gentle gnawer" - give them a safe and much better-tasting alternative to a table leg or a new sneaker. They are the ultimate boredom busters.
Learn more in our guides to Heavy Duty Toys for Power Chewers, and Boredom Busters for Dogs.
Best puzzle and enrichment toys
Just as important is giving the dog's brain a workout, which is where puzzle and enrichment toys come in. Think of these as a crossword puzzle for a dog. They use their big brain (and their amazing nose!) to sniff, nudge, and solve their way to a tasty reward or toy.
This is a brilliant way to tire out a dog on a rainy day, manage those "food-inhaling" champions by slowing dinner down, and build confidence.
Best fetch toys
For the dog with boundless energy (you know the one), there are fetch toys. These are all about the pure, unadulterated joy of the chase! A good ball or frisbee is perfect for channelling those high-speed zoomies. Pro tip: dog-specific balls are safer than tennis balls, as the abrasive fuzz can wear down teeth over time. Plus, many launchers help you throw way further and save your hands from the inevitable "slobber ball."
Best rope and tug toys
Then there's the ultimate team sport: tug toys! A good, structured game of tug (with rules like "drop it") is a fantastic way to bond and engage in a bit of polite ruff-housing. Whether it's a classic rope or a durable rubber ring, it's a great workout for both ends of the leash.
Learn more in our guide to the Best Tug Toys for Dogs.
Best plush toys
Now for the plush (soft) toys. These have two very different destinies. For some dogs, a plushy is their best friend, their "cuddle buddy" for a quiet nap. For others, its only purpose in life is to be triumphantly "de-stuffed," squeaker first. If you have a "de-stuffer," plush toys are a strictly supervised treat, just to make sure no one swallows the insides.
Best dental toys
Finally, we have the clever dental toys. Think of these as the toothbrush's hardworking assistant. While nothing replaces a proper toothbrushing session, these toys are covered in nubs, grooves, and interesting textures that help scrub away plaque and massage the gums while your dog blissfully chews. It's the multitasking toy that "cleans" while they play.
Toy safety and rotation
No toy is truly indestructible - no matter what it claims. Some dogs chew with the force of a small, fluffy piranha! That's why supervision is the golden rule of playtime, especially when introducing a brand-new victim... uh, toy.
Give the toys a once-over every few days. Are there cracks, missing bits, or is the stuffing making a great escape? When in doubt, throw it out. A new toy is much cheaper (and less scary) than an emergency vet visit.
Now for the fun part! Want to keep your dog endlessly engaged? Try the toy library trick. Keep half their toys in a 'library' (a cupboard will do). Every few days, swap the 'old' toys out for the 'new' ones. This makes them feel like it's their birthday every week as they rediscover their old favourites!
A well-chosen toy box is more than just a pile of stuff; it's a treasure chest for a happy, healthy dog. By matching the toy to your dog's unique personality (their age, size, and personal 'chew-sonality'), pet parents can "pet better" by providing a world that is safe, fun, and endlessly enriching.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon 17 Nov 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian loves being able to provide depth and detail to pet parents questions, and give up to date, evidence based advice. She loves the variety of pets and inquiries she receives - she especially loves the 'curly' questions that require some research! Seeing the gorgeous photos that pet parents send through of their babies is a highlight of the day! Gillian enjoys to further her veterinary knowledge, and has completed further training in ultrasonography, behaviour and backyard poultry!
