PlayfulPets

Free toy guides for dogs and cats

Every pet plays differently.

Our guides explain what your dog or cat is up to and what to look for, then pick a few safe, hand-picked toys that fit, each with a safety note and an honest downside.

Find your guide Dog guides Cat guides
  • 24 free guides
  • Sourced safety notes
  • Never ranked by commission
Dog guide · 6 picksToys for dogs who destroy everythingCat guide · 4 picksIndoor enrichment toys for bored cats

How our guides work

Every guide covers one thing your pet does, from shredding toys to sulking at home alone.

  1. 1

    Start with your pet

    Each guide opens with why your dog or cat does it: chewing, boredom, nerves, age or size.

  2. 2

    Know what to look for

    Sizes, materials and the safety rules vets agree on, in plain words you can use in a store.

  3. 3

    Choose from a short list

    A few toys we'd actually buy, each with why we picked it, a safety note and an honest downside.

Find your guide

Choose your pet, then what they’re like. Chewers, climbers, worriers and couch potatoes all welcome.

Browse by

6 of 24 dog and cat guides

Dog guideToys for dogs who destroy everythingRead the guide6 picks · 6 min read
Cat guideIndoor enrichment toys for bored catsRead the guide4 picks · 7 min read
Dog guidePuzzle toys for bored dogsRead the guide4 picks · 6 min read
Cat guideToys for cats who bite, pounce and ambush anklesRead the guide4 picks · 7 min read
Dog guideCalming toys for anxious dogsRead the guide4 picks · 6 min read
Cat guideScratchers and scratching posts cats actually useRead the guide4 picks · 6 min read

What every pick includes

We read the vet and shelter advice so you don’t have to, then pick only toys that pass our standard. Here’s a real one, part by part.

  • Safety first. Right size, no pull-out parts, nothing hard enough to crack teeth.
  • Built to last. We say who a toy suits instead of calling anything indestructible.
  • A real job. Chasing, foraging, puzzling, chewing, or playing with you.
  • Never ranked by commission. Every pick lists a downside, and what we earn never sets the order.
Read our full standard

Our top pick · Everyday pick

KONG Extreme Dog Toy

1Why we picked it

The toughest rubber in KONG's classic line, hollow so you can stuff it with food or freeze it, and sold in five sizes up to 6 inches for dogs over 85 lb. Cornell's canine health center names KONG toys among its suggested chews.

2A safety note

Safety note

Pick by your dog's weight and size up if they're between sizes, as KONG advises. Freeze fillings for a longer job, and take it away if the rubber starts to split.

3An honest drawback

Recent reviews report bottoms splitting sooner than older versions did, and a determined power chewer can still wreck one in weeks.

4When we last checked

Last reviewed Sep 29, 2026

From Toys for dogs who destroy everything

Just for fun

Play is the point. A few things to try with your pet, no shopping involved.

What's your pet's play personality?Five quick questions, then a card to share. Demolition Expert, Puzzle Genius or Midnight Hunter?Take the quizSee it like your dogEver lose the red ball in the grass? Dogs see color differently. See toys the way they do.Try the viewMoose, a big cream golden retriever, sits grinning at the door while his wagging tail sweeps across the floor and launches Noodle, a small ginger chihuahua mix, into the air with a heavy-lidded, unimpressed look.PlayfulPets comicsMoose, Pickle and friends. Newest: “You’re home!”Read the comics

Ready when your pet is.

13 dog guides and 11 cat guides, all free to read.

Dog guides Cat guides