Labrador puppies are energetic and playful, so it’s important to provide them with toys that engage their active nature and help satisfy their chewing instincts. (Looking out for pup and your belongings!)
The best puppy toys for Labradors are ones which are interactive, and entertaining. While ones that keep your puppy tugging, chasing and chewing will become the favourites. Durable ones will provide hours of fun, but even ones that don’t last so long have a place. All play must be supervised when pups are young in case they get into any difficulty.
Puppies have different needs as they move through their developmental stages. But at around 8 weeks, teething is happening, and sharp teeth and strong mouths will destroy anything that hasn’t been well made.
When looking for toys be aware of how some will show they have been safety tested, and also the time taken to ascertain the age best suited to the toy. Be wary of very inexpensive toys. They won’t last long and sometimes might have sharp or hard bits that might hurt a puppy’s mouth.
I’ve put together the beginning of a list of the ones our puppies have loved. But if you have any recommendations, please add them in the comments.
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Here are some of our favourite toy options for Labrador puppies from 8 weeks onwards:
Chew Toys: Labs are known for their strong chewing tendencies, so sturdy and durable chew toys are essential. Look for toys made of tough materials like rubber or nylon. Popular options include Kong toys, Nyla bones, or any other high-quality chew toy designed for heavy chewers.
– Puppy Kong Toys Small Kong
– KONG – Puppy Goodie Bone with Rope – Teething Rubber, Teeth Cleaning Dog Toy – Just be careful not to leave the pup alone with this one as the head might get caught and it scared.
– KONG – Puppy Goodie Bone – Teething Rubber, Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – Pups love these.
– KONG – Puppy Teething Stick – Teeth Cleaning Dog Chew Toy – Puppy goes to nibble – have one of these in your pocket and pop that into the little mouth instead!
– KONG – Puppy Tires – Soft Rubber Chew Toy and Treat Dispenser – An all-around good chew toy for them to sink their teeth into.
– FOSSA Puppy Teething Chew Toy – We like that you can put small bits of kibble inside this as well as peanut butter on the outside for licking focus.
– RUCACIO Dog Chew Toys, Tough Durable Dog Toothbrush Toys, – This is a nice toy as it helps to keep their teeth clean-ish! For good dental care – teeth brushing is worth getting into. (A moment of the teeth could save you later in dental costs J)
– Benebone Durable Dog Chew Toy Box for Aggressive Chewers with Wishbone, Fishbone, Stick & Zaggler, Medium – ‘for determined chewers’ – what’s not to love about that?
– Nyla bone – tiny bristles raise on the bone during chewing like a mini toothbrush to help keep teeth clean and prevent tartar build-up
– PetSafe Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude, Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – This is a toy that can be tweaked for different contents – and rather brilliantly be put on the top level of the dishwasher to wash it!
Interactive Puzzle Toys: These toys stimulate your Lab’s mental abilities while keeping them engaged. Puzzle toys usually involve hiding treats or kibble inside compartments that the puppy must figure out how to access. This provides mental stimulation and helps prevent boredom.
As you may have noticed some of the previously mentioned toys do that as well as being good for chewing.
– Zellar Treat Dispensing Dog Toy for Boredom, Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy – All our pups have enjoyed this!
– Jeypets Snuffle Mat for Dogs –
– Interactive Puzzles – there are a number of these available for dogs but when they are young, don’t be surprised if their attention doesn’t last too long for these.
Fetch Toys: Labs are retrievers by nature, so they often enjoy playing fetch. Do keep in mind that when they are young, their bones are still developing and as such it’s important, as much as they are enthusiastic you don’t over-exercise them aka mad ball throwing sessions.
By this I mean, too many walks, too much running or chasing. Playtime is important but also nap time, for recovery. Balls are a double-edged sword. Yes, ‘fetch’ is a fun game but, don’t go and buy a ball thrower as these can lead to damaged hips when the dog accelerates and then stalls suddenly. And with balls, if you do decide you will be a ball-throwing dog partnership (blog piece coming soon) it’s important to instil a boundary of ‘game over’ so you don’t end up with a possessive pup.
I know, I’m sounding like a bore, but it’s coming from a place of care.
If you decide to buy a few balls, invest in a few sturdy and colourful tennis balls or other fetching toys designed to be easy to grasp and carry in their mouths. Consider using balls specifically made for dogs, as they are more durable than regular tennis balls. These will be too big for some puppies though so look to find ones of a suitable size.
- – Chuckit! Air Fetch Dog Ball Durable Rubber Dog – BREATHE EASY: The hollow, lattice-like design facilitates breathing and airflow into the dog’s lungs while running and fetching – LIGHTWEIGHT: Means they are easy to grab, and they float.
Rope Toys: Rope toys are excellent for Labs because they provide a combination of chewing and interactive play. They’re great for tugging games and can help with teething discomfort. Make sure to choose rope toys made of durable, non-toxic materials.
– Pet Impact, Puppy Rope Toys, Chew Ropes for Puppies from 8 weeks, – This company was started by two vets and as you can imagine when it comes to rope toys that they designed, they don’t disappoint. Soft rope means that you will avoid injuries and they are made out of recycled material.
– MEKEET Puppy Boredom Rope Toy, Cotton Natural Teeth Cleaning Chew Rope Dogs Ball Knot Training toy – One toy but still immersive for the pup.
– KONG – Scrunch Knots Squirrel – Internal Knotted Ropes and Minimal Stuffing for Less Mess
– KONG – Floppy Knots Fox – Internal Knotted Ropes and Minimal Stuffing
Squeaky Toys: Labs often enjoy toys that make noise. Squeaky toys can be particularly entertaining for them. Look for squeaky toys that are made to withstand chewing and have secure squeakers to avoid any potential choking hazards.
– Nocciola Dog Squeaky Toys with Double Layer Reinforced Fabric – Fun set.
– – HugSmart Pet – Spiky Monster | 2 – in -1 Plush and Squeaky Spiky Ball for Dog – The puppies have loved carrying these around in their mouths.
Water Toys: Many Labradors love water, so toys designed for water play can be a big hit. Floating toys or toys that can be thrown into the water for retrieval can make their playtime in the pool or at the beach even more enjoyable.
– Everlasting Starmark 078062 Fantastic Foam Ball on A Rope, clear – Lightweight, soft on tooth and gums – floats on water. May be a bit big for the puppy to begin with.
– Chuckit! Amphibious Bumper Dog Toy with Rope Fetch Water Toy – Medium – Soft on teeth and gums.
Random other types:
– Petface (Little Petface) Freddi Cord, Plush Puppy Dog Toy – These come in different characters and don’t last forever, but pups love them.
– Petface Orla the Octopus Plush Dog Toy, Large – (Crinkle) The pups loved this when they were little, and when Boris (older pup) sees it, he always tries to steal it. The right amount of snuggle sound and weirdness with all those legs!
– Cute No Stuffing Duck with Soft Squeaker – (Mild crinkle) Pups love this to lean on, chew on, and carry around. Best kept indoors though.
– ZippyPaws – Spencer the Crinkle Monkey Dog Toy, Squeaker and Crinkle Plush Toy – Very similar to the duck – I would buy one or the other – not both.
– Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle, XL – A rather addictive plaything. This toy introduces him to the joys of hunting and retrieving a safe, soft, squeak able toy treasure. When we used to leave the pup in the cage for separation practice, I would pop some kibble inside this toy he loved pulling the little squirrel out and rummaging. This comes in a variety of different sizes; all provide fun and entertainment.
In conclusion
There is a world of toys available for you to purchase for your puppy to engage with, but that doesn’t mean that all are suitable for them. With all toys, do a safety check before you let pup have it.
Remember, always supervise your Labrador puppy while they are playing with toys, especially if they are prone to chewing. Regularly inspect the toys for any signs of damage or wear and replace them if necessary to ensure your puppy’s safety.