If like many dog owners, your furry companion is your best friend. They are always there for a cuddle and a playmate for a game of fetch. Like humans, dogs need physical and mental well-being. But when you are at work they’re left unaccompanied, who, or what, will keep them busy? Extended periods of solitude can lead to boredom or anxiety in our furry friends. To keep your furry friend busy while you’re away for work, school, or what have you, provide them some toys to play with like parent would give their toddler.
This blog post covers dog toys that can help alleviate boredom and promote mental stimulation for dogs left alone during work hours. Interactive toys are designed to keep your pup engaged and stimulated, both mentally and physically, puzzle toys challenge their problem-solving skills, and fetch toys encourage them to run and play. With so many different types of interactive dog toys on the market let’s discover the best dog toys to keep busy your furry friend when you work.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys engage dogs mentally and physically by stimulating their brains and keeping them active. These provide your furry friend with a fun and rewarding experience. Interactive toys help prevent boredom and destructive behaviors when dogs are left alone for extended periods. Additionally, these toys can strengthen the bond between you and your dog as you play together and work through challenges.
Wobble Wag Giggle Ball
FUN FOR ALL BIG OR SMALL Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is great for dogs of all ages and sizes! The 4 clutch pockets on the toy make it easy for your dog to pick up during playtime!
The Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is a fun and interactive dog toy, the ball uses an internal tube noisemaker to create giggling sounds when moved. The giggling sounds engage your dog’s natural curiosity and instinct to play, keeping them entertained and active. Your dog will love the Wobble Wag Giggle Ball and get plenty of exercise and joy from playing with it!
key features:
- No Batteries Needed
- Easy to Pick Up
- Indoor and Outdoor Use
- Perfect for dogs of all ages and sizes
Interactive Puzzles:
Interactive puzzles engage your furry friend when you are busy. These toys have hide treats, challenging dogs to solve the puzzle and get their treat. Interactive puzzles stimulate them mentally and keep them focused when not with their human friend.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson
intermediate dog puzzle
fun hide-and-seek challenge
Great for dogs who have mastered level 1 puzzles.
is an interactive treat puzzle game that works on your dog’s mind while reducing boredom and destructive behavior. You can hide treats under the flippers or place them in the blocks through the top opening to challenge your dog! Your pup will need to take sequential steps to release the final rewards!
Key Features
- Keeps your dog busy
- Easy to clean
- Encourages slower eating
Treat-Dispensing Toys:
If your furry friend loves treats more than anything else, then treat-dispensing toys are the perfect choice for your pup. A treat dispensing toy engages your dog mentally and physically by offering a reward. These toys engage your dog by combining playtime with treat rewards providing exercise.
KONG Classic Dog Toy
Interactive Dog Toy for Treats: The KONG Wobbler dog toy is an action-packed, mentally stimulating food dispenser and interactive toy
It’s made of durable rubber and has a hollow center. You can fill it with treats or peanut butter to keep your dog entertained. This allows your pup to work for their food and engage their natural instincts. This can be used as an alternative to a dog bowl to extend mealtime and help dogs lose unwanted pounds.
Key Features:
- Hollow rubber toy great for filling with canned dog food.
- Ultra-durable rubber toy promotes healthy teeth
- Unpredictable bounce entertains their canine mind and strengthens cognitive skills.
- Can withstand hours of moderate chewing and mouthing.
Chew Toys
Chew toys are good for dogs because they improve their dental health and keep their minds busy. When dogs chew on toys, this helps to clean their teeth and gums, preventing plaque and tartar buildup. Chewing is a natural behavior of dogs so it’s good to chew toys instead of things they should not. Natural chew toys, like bones or antlers, are good for dogs who like to chew on things from nature.
SPOT Bam-bones PLUS T Bone
PERFECT : For heavy chewers, and aggressive chewer. This durable dog chew are tougher than real beef or pork bones, and a great alternative to rawhide. Made stronger with Bamboo Fiber & Nylon – perfect teething toy for puppies and heavy chewers.
The SPOT Bam-bones PLUS T-Bone is a durable dog chew toy made from bamboo fiber and nylon, making it tougher than real bones and rawhide. The toy has a beef flavor keeping dogs interested and satisfied for hours.
Key features:
- Great for Aggressive Chewers:
- Its shape is designed for dogs to hold it easily while chewing.
- Available in different sizes to suit various dog breeds and sizes.
Plush Toys
Plush toys provide comfort and companionship like fluffy buddies for your dog, These plush toys mostly come in the form of cute animals or characters that dogs love to snuggle with and carry around. These toys are comforting for dogs who enjoy cuddling up with something soft.
Look for toys with tough seams and edges that won’t easily tear you apart, especially if your dog plays rough. Also, check what material the toy is made of so, it’s safe for chewing and won’t be a choking risk.
Multipet Lamb Chop Plush Toy
Shari Lewis’ classic and beloved lamb is adored by dogs
Extra soft plush exterior is great for cuddling
Includes squeaker for playtime fun
This classic plush toy features a lovable lamb character that dogs adore. This makes it a comforting and familiar playmate for your furry friend.
Key features:
- Adored by Dogs
- Extra Soft Plush
- Squeaker Inside
- Suitable for bigger dogs.
Rope Toys
Rope toys are great for dogs who love to chew and play. They’re usually made of strong, braided ropes that can withstand chewing. Dogs enjoy tugging and chewing on them, which helps keep their teeth clean and healthy. Rope toys are also fun for interactive play between you and your furry friend. Just make sure to choose a rope toy that’s the right size and strength for your dog, and always supervise playtime to ensure safety.
Mammoth Flossy Chews Rope Tug
INTERACTIVE FUN: Designed for playing tug of war with dogs, this knotted rope dog toy is perfect for tossing, catching and pulling during interactive play, or as a dog chew toy for solo play time.
The Mammoth Flossy Chews Rope Tug is a toy for dogs. It’s made of strong rope for playing tug of war. The rope helps clean dogs’ teeth while they chew and play. It’s best for medium-sized dogs.
key features:
- Interactive Play
- Safe and Durable
- Supports Oral Health
Fetch Toys:
Fetch toys made of materials like rubber, plastic, or fabric to entertain your dog while you’re at work. These are designed to be thrown long distances providing hours of fun for dogs. They stimulate their physical and mental energy, providing a healthy outlet for their natural instincts.
With interactive fetch toys, your furry friend can play and stay active, reducing boredom and anxiety during your absence.
ChuckIt! Paraflight Flying Disc
Designed For Action: Ideal dog toy high-flying games of fetch, designed for long-distance flight. The Paraflight fetch toy floats in water – great for playing at the pool, beach or lake
This is an Ideal dog toy for high-flying games of fetch, designed for long-distance flight. The Paraflight fetch toy floats in water so great for playing at the pool, beach, or lake.
Key Features
- Multilayer nylon interior with soft rubber edges
How do you stimulate a dog when left alone
It’s very important to stimulate your dog when you work because loneliness can cause anxiety in dogs. Consider playtime with your dog before leaving home because when you leave home for work your furry friend may be bored without you. As a pet parent, you should know what kind of activities your dog naturally enjoys knowing this will help you invest in the right kind of toys and stimulation activities for your dog.
Dogs have five senses eyes, nose, tongue, ears, and skin. To keep them active stimulate three or four senses so that they remain active physically and mentally. You can purchase interactive toys, puzzles, and treat-dispensing toys for your dog so that they remain busy when you are at work. These toys improve their problem-solving skills, learning and memory, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. By doing this you can transform their alone time into moments of joy and mental exercise.
