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Life with a baby doesn’t leave much downtime, and your dog might not understand why everything has suddenly changed. Puzzle toys are a simple way to keep your dog entertained, calm, and mentally stimulated while you focus on your little one. The best part? There are endless options to match your dog’s size, energy level, and personality.
Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of different toys, and in this blog I’ll share my top picks (and my dogs’ favorites!) along with tips on how to find the right one for your dog.
Why do I feed my dogs out of puzzle toys and recommend it to parents, even if I don’t like making them? Watch my confession HERE.
When you're choosing a puzzle toy, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
We’ve included links to our favorite places to shop these puzzle toys so you can choose what works best for you.
We love shopping with Chewy for their outstanding customer service, great product selection, fast shipping, and fair prices. They’re also a company that truly cares — sending handwritten birthday and condolence cards and frequently donating to pets in need 🤍
As an alternative to Amazon, we’ve included Chewy links whenever available.
New Chewy customers who spend $49+ can get a $20 eGift Card + free shipping.
For our international readers, many of our links may direct you to Amazon. If a product is available in your country, you’ll be redirected to your local Amazon storefront — or shown a similar option if the exact item isn’t available.
We’ve tried out many different puzzle toys for dogs, but here are some of our favorites:
A favorite in our house! You can buy their pre-made Pupsicle Pops, use their treat mixes, or get creative and make your own with the DIY mold.I like to add a little water to the ingredients to create the perfect pupsicle — it keeps my dogs working on it for much longer.
A durable classic that grows with your dog. Start simple, then make it harder by freezing or stacking two Toppls together. Comes in three sizes and works with treats, kibble, or mixes. We have the Toppl stoppers, and they are fun and cute, but unless you use liquids and need the Toppl upright while filling and freezing, they are not really necessary. Comes as a 2-pack.
A personal favorite for tiring my young dog out without my help. It is affordable and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is easy to train - the button works even with a light touch of the dog’s nose or paw. We use Petgeek with batteries, but you can charge it via the included micro USB cable.
Watch how my kids and Hela love this treat dispenser!
A snuffle mat is perfect for dogs who spend a lot of time on walks sniffing everything. They usually have some sort of ruffled strands or pieces of fabric mimicking grass. Fancier models may also include pockets or compartments. Most are machine washable. If your dog is all about sniffing, it’s worth checking it out.
Our household favorites:
If your dog eats too fast, this is a must-have. A slow-feeder bowl is a serving dish and puzzle toy in one. The built-in ridges turn mealtime into a puzzle, slowing down eating and helping prevent bloating or regurgitation.
My favorite brand for slow bowls: Outward Hound!
We have tested almost all of their designs and like them all. Great quality, doesn’t slide, easy to clean. Our two favorites from Outward Hound: this design and this one.
Another brand frequently recommended by the community: MateeyLife Slow Feeder.
My go-to puzzle toy for grooming, bath time, and Baby TV sessions. Spread peanut butter, wet food, or yogurt on it. Pop it in the freezer for a longer challenge. Lick mats are easy to prepare, dishwasher-safe, perfect for any dog, and a great way to keep dogs occupied and calm.
Our household favorites:
Casino-style puzzle toys are next-level brain games for dogs. Instead of just one step, your pup has to combine multiple actions to unlock the hidden treats. They’re perfect for mental stimulation and keeping clever dogs busy. The best part? There’s a version for every skill level — from beginners just starting out to advanced problem solvers who love a challenge.
The most popular ones are by Nina Ottosson. They come in 4 different difficulty levels. Level 1 is best for beginners, puppies, and if you are unsure whether your dog likes puzzle solving for treats. Level 2 is slightly more difficult, great for all kinds of dogs. Level 3 is recommended when your dog has mastered level 2 puzzles. It is challenging but doable for most dogs. Level 4 is challenging! Each level has modifications; by removing or adding parts, you can make the game easier or more challenging.
Our household favorites:
We love that these toys can be adjusted to different levels of difficulty. Busy Buddy Barnacle and Kibble Nibble come with flexible prongs that make these toys more challenging, but can also be trimmed to increase the flow of treats or kibble. Lola's favorite from this series is Twist 'n Treat, aka UFO, as we call it in our house. You can twist the halves far apart to dispense a quick treat or twist closer together for a tougher challenge. They are durable and come in 2 or 3 sizes, depending on the toy.
Our household favorites:
A Pickle Pocket could be a great option for your dog if they like . This was one of Lola’s favorites. Hide small bits of cheese or smelly treats and watch your dog play with it for hours.
A good alternative for a small or small-medium dog is this Dog Toy Ball. You can hide kibble, small treats, or smear PB. If you use it for kibble, it can be pretty time-consuming to fill it. I mostly use it for soft and chewy treats.
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If you have a herding breed dog or one that likes to play with toys, a puzzle toy like the orange Tricky Treat Ball would be perfect. You can fill it with dog food or treats and watch your dog nudge, nose, nibble, paw, and pounce on it to get the food. As the ball gets rolled, it dispenses the food.
Another great option is the yellow TetraFlex, which comes in 3 sizes. I’ve had both, the Tetaflex and Tricky Treat Ball. The only difference to me was the color.
If your dog is a tough chewer, I would recommend this green Treat Dispensing Chew Ball. It is very flexible, holds up well to heavy chewing, and comes in 2 sizes. We also use it to play fetch, especially fetch out of water.
We always k
eep multiple sizes of Kongs around (For our 45-pound chewer Hela, we have the following sizes: M, L, XL, and XXL, red and black). They’re versatile and easy to fill with kibble, wet food, or creative mixes.
These toys are great for dogs… and apparently for kids, too.
Watch the reel of our kids snacking from puzzle toys while we wait for food. 😉
When it comes to innovative, heavy-duty toys for power chewers, SodaPup is a go-to brand. Their products are not only built to last but also feature a wide range of cute and unique designs. They have everything from chew toys and treat dispensers to lick mats and slow-feeder bowls.
What I love most is that they don't forget about our flat-faced friends; their eTrays, for example, are a game-changer for brachycephalic dogs.
Our household favorites:
Use DOGMEETSBABY to get 10% off on their website.
With so many options, there’s a puzzle toy for every dog. If you’re expecting, consider adding a few to your baby registry — trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. Check out our Baby Registry for expecting dog parents for more ideas.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. Please contact your veterinarian, a certified dog trainer, or a veterinary behaviorist, if your dog's wellbeing is at risk or your dog's behavior poses a threat to you or other people.
Online resources to help your baby and dog get along—right from the start and as they grow up together.
