The Best Dog Puzzle Toys

The West Paw Toppl is our top pick for most dogs. You fill it with food, and your dog nudges and licks the food out. It comes in three sizes. If your dog is new to puzzles, start with a beginner board like the Nina Ottosson Dog Smart. Below are five picks and how to choose.

Our picks at a glance

• Best overall: West Paw Toppl Treat Toy
• Best for mealtime: KONG Wobbler
• Best for beginners: Nina Ottosson Dog Smart
• Best for a bigger challenge: Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado
• Best with no loose pieces: Nina Ottosson Dog Hide N’ Slide

The best dog puzzle toys

Best overallPhoto: West Paw

Dog puzzle toys

West Paw Toppl Treat Toy

Best for: Dogs who like to lick, nudge and work for food

West Paw says the Toppl can be filled and frozen, used as a slow feeder, or used for scatter feeding. Small, Large and XL sizes hold about 1/4, 3/4 and 1 1/4 cups. It is made from Zogoflex and is top-rack dishwasher safe. Skip it if your dog tears apart soft toys. West Paw says your dog’s safety is your responsibility.

• Pro: Three sizes, holding about 1/4, 3/4 or 1 1/4 cups
• Pro: Two sizes can interlock for a harder chasing puzzle
• Pro: Top-rack dishwasher safe
• Con: You have to fill it yourself each time
• Con: Not meant to be left with a dog who chews it apart

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Best for mealtimePhoto: KONG

Dog puzzle toys

KONG Wobbler

Best for: Dogs who eat dry food and like to push things

This weighted toy stays upright until your dog nudges it. Then it wobbles and rolls and drops out dry food or treats. It unscrews to fill and clean. It comes in Small (up to 20 pounds) and Large (30 to 65 pounds), so dogs between those weights or over 65 pounds fall outside the listed ranges. KONG says it is not a chew toy and must be used with supervision.

• Pro: Unscrews for easy filling and cleaning
• Pro: Dishwasher safe on the top shelf
• Pro: Can stand in for a food bowl to stretch out mealtime
• Con: Made for dry food and treats, not wet food
• Con: Not a chew toy, so it needs supervision

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Best for beginnersPhoto: Outward Hound

Dog puzzle toys

Nina Ottosson Dog Smart Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy

Best for: Dogs new to puzzle toys

This is a Level 1 puzzle for dogs who have never tried one. Nine treat spots are covered by bone-shaped pieces. Raise a bone for an easy win, or leave it flush for a harder game. Outward Hound says to teach your dog how it works and to stay close. Skip it if your dog chews plastic.

• Pro: Beginner level, so it is easy to learn
• Pro: Raise the bones for an easier game, or leave them flush for a harder one
• Pro: Cleans with warm water and mild soap
• Con: Your dog may outgrow the challenge quickly
• Con: Has removable pieces, so it must be watched closely

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Best for a bigger challengePhoto: Outward Hound

Dog puzzle toys

Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy

Best for: Dogs who have mastered a beginner puzzle

A Level 2 puzzle with three tiers that spin to show 12 hidden spots. Bone covers make it harder. It is a good next step after a beginner board. The maker says to hand wash it and let every compartment dry fully. Skip it if you want something to leave out while you are away.

• Pro: Three tiers with twelve compartments
• Pro: Three bone covers let you make it harder
• Pro: Works with treats or kibble
• Con: Hand wash only, and the compartments must dry fully
• Con: Needs constant supervision and teaching at first

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Best with no loose piecesPhoto: Outward Hound

Dog puzzle toys

Nina Ottosson Dog Hide N' Slide Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy

Best for: Dogs who run off with puzzle pieces

Another Level 2 puzzle, with swivel flippers and hollow sliding blocks that hold treats. It has 14 spots in all and no removable pieces. That helps if your dog grabs loose parts and runs off. It is a plastic and wood composite, so skip it for strong chewers.

• Pro: 14 treat compartments in all
• Pro: No removable parts
• Pro: Non-slip base
• Con: Still needs supervision so your dog does not chew it
• Con: Made of a plastic and wood composite, so it is not for chewers

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How to choose a dog puzzle toy

Pick the right type

The AKC lists several kinds: hollow or fillable toys you can freeze, hard plastic mazes, and soft toys that release treats. Fillable toys like the Toppl suit dogs who lick and nudge. Board puzzles like the Nina Ottosson games suit dogs who like to paw and sniff. Weighted feeders like the Wobbler suit dogs who push things around.

Match the toy to your dog

The AKC says to choose a toy that fits your dog’s size and jaw strength. A small dog may do better with a simpler design. Start easy so your dog wins early. Then move up a level.

Think about cleaning

Food gets stuck in puzzles. Dishwasher-safe toys are easier to clean. Hand-wash puzzles need to dry fully before you use them again.

Consider a snuffle mat

A snuffle mat is a fabric pad where you hide treats. The AKC says it can slow fast eaters and give mental exercise. It also says a mat is not right for dogs who chew everything or have no interest in treats.

Safety tips

• Supervise. Outward Hound and KONG both say to watch your dog. The AKC says its training-style puzzle toys are for treats, not for chewing on alone.
• Stop using damaged toys. KONG, West Paw and Outward Hound all say to stop using a toy that is damaged or broken.
• Don’t let your dog chew the pieces. Outward Hound says to prevent chewing on puzzle pieces.
• Count the calories. The AKC says to track the treats or kibble you put in. You can use part of mealtime food instead of extra treats.
• Put it away when empty. Outward Hound says to store its puzzles when empty until the next supervised session.
• Keep dogs apart. If you have more than one pet, the AKC says to separate them while they use a snuffle mat.
• Dogs only. Outward Hound says its puzzles are for dogs, not children.

If your dog swallows a piece of a toy, call your vet.