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A toy a day keeps sadness away. But when you are living with a Husky, one toy a day is definitely not going to be enough. They are demanding pups who need a considerable amount of physical and mental stimulation and are known to get bored at the drop of a hat.
As a professional dog trainer, I have observed that Siberian Huskies are a breed that can be hard to please with conventional toys. When shopping for toys for your Husky, there are a number of things to be considered in order to get your money’s worth.
Below you’ll find my recommendations for the best toys for huskies including my go-to chew toy, teething toy for husky puppies, puzzle toy, and interactive toys.
Best Toys for Huskies
Best Chew Toys for Huskies
👉 KONG Goodie Bone
Chew toys are probably the most sought-after toys for puppies. Hence, picking a favorite in this category wasn’t a walk in the park. I chose the Kong Goodie bone because not only is it made up of a safe and durable material, but is also fillable. The sides of this toy have space to stuff things like liquid treats, solid moist treats, bully sticks, etc. Doing so will keep your Husky engaged for a longer time.
Pros:
Comes in different sizes, so can be used at different life stages
The Goodie bone is great for aggressive chewers and won’t rip apart with a few hard bites
Can be stuffed and frozen for added engagement
This toy is made with safe and durable materials. Thus, you do not have to worry about your dog putting it into his mouth
Cons:
The Goodie bone’s surface is smooth with little to no layers and patterns on it. This may make it boring after a while
If not stuffed with treats, some puppies may refuse to interact with it
👉 Kong Tire Toy
Kong and durability are famous for going hand in hand. They make the perfect outlet for a Husky’s strong jaws and high energy levels. The Kong Tire Toy would also work great in terms of redirecting their chewing and destructive behavior to a more appropriate object. Because of its durability, you won’t have to constantly replace them, thereby saving you money in the long run.
Pros:
The patterns on the toy make it more enticing for puppies to sink their teeth into it
The Kong tire also has built-in space on the inside wall to stuff treats and small portions of meals in them. This highly improves engagement
The toy is available in various sizes and can be purchased and repurchased at any life stage
Having the shape of a tire, this toy is highly mobile and makes a fun fetch toy
Cons:
Getting through the stuffing from the inside wall of the toy could be highly challenging for some dogs and may lead to frustration
This toy may be too durable for moderate chewers and some puppies and may end up hurting their jaw
👉 Chew Toy Value Pack
For a wide range of chew toys at an affordable price, I highly recommend the KIPRiTII Chew Toy Pack!
Pros:
Amazing value for money (I’m actually surprised how cheap it still is!)
Chew toys
Tug toys
Tug toys
Treat toys
Cons:
Too many toys! Just remember to only allow your husky puppy to play with ~5 toys at a time
KIPRITII Dog Chew Toys for puppies.
Best Teething Toy for Husky Puppies
👉 Benebone Puppy 2-Pack Dental Chew
Every puppy needs a teething toy, regardless of their breed. However, most puppies can either get through one in no time or get bored with the toy in a matter of seconds. Hence, one of my favorites is the Benebone Puppy 2-Pack Dental Chew. These teething toys are durable in nature and hard to touch but at the same time are easy on a puppy’s teeth. Moreover, it is a pack of two, which means that a single purchase will last you double the amount of time.
Pros:
The Benebones are flavored to taste like Bacon, thereby making it even more enticing for puppies
These toys are designed to aptly fit in between a puppy’s paws while they relax and chew on it.
They are easy to clean and do not attract dust or other particles on it
The Benebone comes in Puppy versions as well as adult versions and suits both their chewing needs
Cons:
In rare cases, the flavor may make some dogs sick
It may develop sharp edges as dogs gnaw on it and may end up hurting their mouths
Best Puzzle Toy for Huskies
👉 KADTC Dog Puzzle Toy
In my professional opinion, a puzzle toy is something that not only keeps your dog engaged for a considerable amount of time but also improves their cognitive functioning and problem-solving ability. Thus, when scouting for puzzle toys to recommend, I picked one that can evolve with your dog’s intelligence and keep them stimulated at the same time. The KADTC Dog Puzzle Toy has 3 levels of difficulty which can be modified depending on your dog’s familiarity and experience with the toy.
Pros:
The KADTC Dog Puzzle Toy is designed to boost a dog’s brain power at a pace they are comfortable with
They have 3 levels in one toy that can be modified depending on the dog’s ability to figure it out
The toy has 3 ways to obtain food from it – sliding, flipping the lid, and food dispensing; enough to tire out a young pup
Several puzzle toys may add to a pup’s frustration when they move around as the dog interacts with them. This one comes with a thickening design with 4 non-slip pads
The portability of the toy makes it easy for your Husky to engage with it in a variety of locations like crate, home, park, etc
Cons:
A pup that is not experienced with puzzle toys may find this one a little intimidating
On the other hand, once figured out and if engaged with daily, a dog may get through with it in no time
Best Interactive Toy for Huskies
👉 West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Toy
The West Paw Zogoflex Toppl toy is an amazing buy and you will not regret investing in this one only because of the sheer versatility it offers. I introduced my dog to this toy during puppyhood and it is one of our favorite toys in the world. Frozen meals, puzzle games, fetch, treat dispensing games, crate engagement, etc, are just a few of the many things we have used this toy for.
Pro tip: Topple a smaller Zogoflex into a larger one to make the game a little more challenging.
Pros:
It is highly durable and is known to resist the most powerful of dog bites
It comes in various sizes.
It can keep your dog engaged for a long time, especially if you optimally stuff your dog’s meals into it
It can be used as a fetch toy too
The shape, make, and size of this toy make it easy for dogs to grasp it properly in their mouths
Cons:
Not the best toy to hold dry kibbles and treats because of its wide mouth. You may have to work harder to make it more challenging for your Husky
It may be on the pricier side as compared to several other dog toys
👉 ALL FOR PAWS Automatic Ball Launcher
Is there anything better than a toy that combines interactive technology with a highly stimulating experience and requires minimal human involvement? As long as you have a safe enclosed space and a Husky that loves to play fetch, The ALL FOR PAWS Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs is the perfect buy for you! With multiple adjustments in terms of distance covered, this ball launcher is designed to keep your Husky engaged and entertained for a long time.
Pros:
The All For Paws Ball launcher is designed to assist with training and help in skill development
Comes with an adjustable distance of 10, 20, or 30 ft
Once trained to put the ball back inside the launcher, your Husky can continue playing on his own tirelessly
Cons:
It is on the pricier side
If not trained to put the ball back in the launcher, human involvement becomes a must
It is not recommended to put wet and dirty balls in the ball launcher, which is a little difficult if the game is happening outdoors
Guide to Buying the Best Toys for Huskies
Types of Dog Toys and Suggested Usage
Dog toys is a humungous market and there are a plethora of options to choose from.
Interactive toys for easily bored Huskies
These toys are those toys that require your Husky’s active participation to work. These toys are designed to stimulate a dog’s mind and put their sensory organs to work. Treat dispensing toys, puzzle toys, tug toys, snuffle mats, etc are a few examples of interactive toys that provide mental stimulation for huskies.
Chew toys for Husky puppies
Chew toys are not a luxury but a necessity for every teething puppy. Teething pain is one of the most annoying experiences of a puppy’s life and chew toys are one of the safest and most desirable outlets for this frustration. Chew toys are typically made of rubber, dog-safe wood, dog-safe plastic, nylon, rope, animal antlers, and other high-quality, non-toxic materials that are safe for chewing.
Further reading: When do huskies stop teething?
Crate toys to increase positive association with the crate
Crate toys, as the name suggests, are toys that help prevent boredom and frustration inside the crate. These toys typically can be attached to the crate. These toys can be loaded up with semi-liquid treats and can be frozen for extra engagement. Other toys like safe edible chews, frozen Classic Kongs, etc. are also safe crate toys.
If your husky is new to your family, read my training guide about how to crate train a husky puppy.
Plush toys for gentler Huskies
Plush toys work excellently well for puppies as they provide them with a sense of comfort, especially after they are separated from their mother and littermates. Puppies that grow up finding solace in plush toys continue to play and interact with them in the form of tug games or cuddling while sleeping.
Toys for active Huskies
Toys like balls, frisbees, flirt poles, fetch toys, tug toys, sled-dog games, etc., are highly suited to high-energy dogs like Siberian Huskies and cater to their natural instincts. Regularly inspect these toys for any signs of wear and tear and replace them as needed to ensure their safety.
Further reading: Do huskies like to play fetch?
Agility toys for agile Huskies
Agility games like weave poles, jumping through hoops, going through tunnels, lure coursing, etc., are fun ways to wear out a high-energy Husky. You do not have to necessarily invest in special classes. If you have a little space in your backyard, you can create your own agility ring for your Husky.
Further reading: How much exercise does a husky need?
Smart toys for the modern-day Husky
The world is moving towards all things smart; no reason why dogs should miss out. Smart toys are designed to be automatic, self-moving, and highly stimulating. They can keep dogs engaged for a long time and requires minimum human involvement. They work great for working professionals who are unable to cater to their dogs the whole day. However, it is not recommended to leave your Husky alone for a long time with any kind of toy.
6 Things to Remember While Picking Toys for Your Husky
We’re all doing the best we can for our dogs with the information and the resources we have. But as Maya Angelou once said, “When you know better, you do better.” Here are some things to remember while choosing toys for your Siberian bud.
- Your Husky’s energy levels – It goes without saying that a high-energy Husky requires toys that are resilient and can withstand a good amount of wear and tear.
- What kind of activities does your Husky like to engage in throughout the day – If your Husky does not like bringing the ball back or has no idea how to do it, a ball launcher would probably not be a good idea for him.
- How smart is your dog? – Is your Husky a problem solver or more of a lazy lad? If your Husky is an expert at finding their way through problems, interactive games and puzzles might be a great idea for them.
- Test different kinds of toys – Make sure to invest in a bunch of different toys, to begin with; rubber toys, tug toys, puzzle games, interactive toys, etc. Observe what your dog likes to engage with the most.
- How much time do you spend playing with your Husky? – If you are a working professional and your Husky spends the majority of his time without you, go for self-engagement toys like Kong wobblers, Durable Classic Kong, Snuffle mats, etc. If you have the slightest doubt that your Husky might chew through them, avoid leaving him alone with any kind of toys
- Make sure they are of the appropriate size – A classic puppy Kong cannot be given to an adult Husky. There will always be a choking hazard. Make sure that the toy your Husky is interacting with is at least twice the size of his jaw
The Concept of Toy Rotation to Increase the Longevity of Toys
What do you do when you have a pup with a short attention span and toys that are good enough for just a few minutes? The answer is toy rotation. Make only 5-6 toys available to your Husky at a time. Keep the rest of the toys hidden away. This will teach your Husky to interact and play with the toys available to him. If your dog has a favorite, make it accessible to him only for a limited amount of time during the day. This will keep the newness alive.
Recommendation
Having tried and tested innumerable toys to train Siberian Huskies, I can confidently say that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to toys. Make sure to take into consideration your Husky’s natural instincts, preferences, energy levels, and attention span when letting them play with toys.
Playing with toys without humans around is a sure-shot way to get your Husky bored of his toys. Involve yourself in your dog’s play and watch your relationship with him change dramatically.
What toys have you tried? Which ones did your husky like or dislike?
Let us know in the comments below.
If your husky puppy is a biter, read my training guide about how to train a husky puppy not to bite.
If you want an alternative to chew toys, try the best dog bones for huskies. 👈
FAQ
What are the best toys for huskies?
The best toys for huskies are those that are specifically designed for their needs. Huskies are active and playful dogs, so toys that encourage exercise and interactive play are ideal.
Are there any specific dog toy brands that are recommended for huskies?
While there are many dog toy brands on the market, Kong is often recommended as one of the best options for huskies. Kong toys are durable, interactive, and can keep your husky entertained for hours.
What type of toy do huskies love the most?
Huskies are known to love toys that are interactive and engaging. They enjoy toys that they can chase, tug, and chew, such as rope toys or toys that make squeaking sounds.
What should I consider when finding the best toy for my husky?
When finding the best toy for your husky, it’s important to consider the size and durability of the toy. Huskies are strong dogs with powerful jaws, so you’ll want to choose a toy that can withstand their chewing and playing.
Are Kong toys recommended for huskies?
Yes, Kong toys are highly recommended for huskies. They are made of durable materials and are designed to keep your husky entertained. Additionally, Kong toys are often recommended for their ability to stimulate mental and physical activity.
Are there any toy options specifically made for huskies?
Yes, there are specific toys made for huskies. These toys are designed to meet the needs of huskies and are often made with durable materials to withstand their chewing and playing. e.g. Kong toys.
How can I keep my husky entertained with toys?
To keep your husky entertained with toys, you can engage in interactive play with them. Playing games of fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek with their toys can keep them mentally stimulated and physically active.
Are there any tips for husky owners when it comes to toys?
Husky owners can try rotating their dog’s toys to keep them interested and prevent boredom. Additionally, it’s important to monitor your husky’s toys for any signs of wear or damage to ensure their safety during playtime.
What are some characteristics of the best dog toys for huskies?
The best dog toys for huskies are durable, interactive, and provide mental and physical stimulation. Toys that can withstand chewing, tossing, and tugging are recommended for these active dogs.
