Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best interactive dog toys to stimulate your pet’s brain

Dogs can become stressed out when they are not being mentally stimulated. Being idle for long amounts of time at home can put a lot of anxiety in your dog. An outdoor interactive dog toy can get your dog out of the house and thinking on its paws. If your dog likes to chew, and you want some variation from your pooch’s other chew toys, a chewy interactive dog toy will get their teeth gnawing away.

Dogs need consistent stimulation, both physically and mentally, to make sure that their health is in top form. Their cognitive development is not usually something that gets exercised by simply tasks like fetch or chewing on rawhides. When they are alone all day while you are at work, provide them with an interactive dog toy that can fill up their time and get them thinking.

Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy

Best Brain-Teaser

Your dog will have a fun time wrapping their head around the Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy. This beginner dog puzzle is meant to challenge your dog with problem-solving skills. They have to use their noses to sniff out their treats underneath the bones and then pick them up. You can also swap out the treats for kibble to have it double as a slow feeder, so they can have some fun before mealtime.

ZippyPaws Interactive Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy

Best Squeaky

If you have a dog that loves squeaky toys, the ZippyPaws Interactive Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy provides you with three adorable hedgehogs that hold a high-quality round squeaker. Each hedgehog is stuffed into its own hiding hole, so your dog has to dig them out. The den burrow is strong enough for small and medium sized dogs to chew on for hours on end.

StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy

Best Dispenser Toy

The StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy dispenses treats by itself, so your dog does the work. The plastic bobbing toy provides hours of mental and physical activity by making your dog shake it around for treats. There are dual chambers to store in kibble or treats to give to your dog. You can adjust the openings to adjust the difficulty to your dog’s energy levels.

Prevent your dog from exhibiting destructive boredom behaviors when you have a high-quality toy to keep them occupied. These toys will mentally stimulate your dog and keep them active so that they relieve their boredom and reduce their stress.

PawTracks Contributor
PawTracks Contributor
10 long-haired dog breeds that make gorgeous companions for any home
Get your clippers ready: These long-haired dog breeds are ready to be your best friends
Bearded collie posing after dog show

If you love pets, you've probably discovered some of the outrageous dog hairdos on social media. While scrolling, you might spot elaborate braids or brightly colored fur. It's definitely tempting to immediately start looking up these breeds, trying to figure out which pup pup has the most hair possible. If you're hoping for long-haired dog breeds, you've come to the right place. We'll walk you through 10 of the top breeds with long, beautiful locks that you can choose as your furry friend.
Afghan hound

Once you get to know the Afghan hound, there's no mistaking this striking breed. As the name suggests, these buddies were bred to live in the mountains of Afghanistan — hence the need for a lot of hair. Their coats may have been designed to keep them warm, but you'll have your work cut out for you when it comes to keeping it clean and brushed. Don't let that deter you, though! Afghan hounds are sweet and don't bark much.
Bearded collie

Read more
Why do cats live longer than dogs? What science says
Exploring factors that affect an animal's lifespan
Dachshund puppy next to Calico cat

If pet owners had one wish, it would be for their fur babies to live forever. I know that would be my wish! My dogs are my whole world, but I know there will come a day when it's time to say goodbye. Knowing an animal's general life expectancy can help pet parents learn what to expect as their animals age, but many folks are surprised to find that some pets live longer than others. Specifically, it's often said that cats live longer than dogs.
Do cats live longer than dogs? If so, why do cats live longer than dogs? There are many factors to consider, so let's dive right in so we can turn questions into answers.

Do cats live longer than dogs?

Read more
Why dogs lick their paws: When to worry about excessive licking
First, find out why they do this and then go from there
Dog licks his paw and the floor while lying down

Some dogs just love to lick, whether that’s our faces, another dog, the floor, the couch, or themselves. And most of the time, the licking is normal behavior. But what if you notice your dog is excessively licking their paws? Is this a cause for concern or just a normal grooming routine?

According to experts at the American Kennel Club (AKC), occasional paw licking can be perfectly normal for dogs, especially after returning from a walk in the rain or mud. However, if your dog is constantly and frantically licking their paws, there may be cause for concern. So if you're wondering why dogs lick their paws, we'll walk you through all the standard reasons behind this quirk.
Why dogs lick their paws

Read more