Summer is here, and with it (hopefully!) comes long sunny days and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun with your furry friend. Here you will find our best dog toys for Summer 2024. With the warm weather it’s essential to keep your dogs cool whilst still providing them plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise. Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach, a park adventure or a simple back garden play session, the right summer toy can make a big difference.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the best summer toys for dogs, from water toys to ball launchers and everything in between. So let’s dive in and find the perfect toys for your canine companion.
Our Summer Dog Toys Top Picks
1) Sprinkler Pad for Dogs
The Pecute Sprinkler Pad is a great way to keep pets (and kids!) cool and entertained during those hot summer days. It is made from tough, eco-friendly PVC with an anti-slip surface, making it durable but also safe. Simply hook it up to a garden hose for hours of fun.
- Perfect way to keep you and your pet cool
- Kids will love it
- You will definitely get wet!
2) Cooling Chew Toy
Keep your dog cool this summer with a freezable chew toy. Made from non-toxic materials filled with purified water, its durable design promotes dental care whilst keeping your dog busy. Simply freeze it for a few hours to provide a soothing relief on those hot days; it can even hold treats for those canine friends that need a little extra temptation.
3) Self-Moving Dog Toy
This interactive dog toy has three modes which will automatically engage your dog. This self moving toy can roll, shake and even bounce stimulating your dogs chasing instinct even when you need a break. The LED lights further stimulate your furry friend, making it the ideal toy for keeping energetic pets entertained.
- Watching your dog's face when it first sets off!
- Watching your dog's face when you have to recharge!
4) Bungee Tug Toy
This bungee tug toy is perfect for outdoor play encouraging solo play which keeps dogs entertained for hours. It’s elastic design creates a sling shot action that combines a dog’s favourite two games – tug-of-war and fetch, all without straining your own arms.
- Great exercise
- Hours of fun - no batteries required!
5) Chill Out Octopus Plush Toy
The Chill Out octopus
- Great fun wet or dry
- Tough chewers may cause damage
6) Snuffle Mat
This interactive toy fights boredom, keeping dogs engaged and mentally stimulated. Engage your dog’s senses by hiding treats amongst the durable polar fleece tassels. Perfect for calming your dog after a long energetic day, this toy is a must-have!
- One of the best snuffle mats we've ever come across!
- As with all mats will require cleaning to maintain hygiene
7) Automatic Ball Launcher
This automatic ball launcher is the perfect toy for those ball-crazed dogs! Enhancing patience and intelligence through interactive play, this toy lets your dog enjoy their favourite game independently. It even features adjustable launch distances making it perfect for any back garden.
- Great for those with bad elbows
- Better distance than other cheaper options
- Not the cheapest launcher on the market
8) Kong Classic Dog Toy
The KONG is a classic dog toy which every household should own! It’s unpredictable bounce makes play exciting and enhances physical development. It is ideal for stuffing with your dog’s favourite treats like kibble or peanut butter. And if that hasn’t persuaded you, it is even dishwasher safe, making cleanup so much easier!
- One of the most loved - and bought - dog toys of all time
- You probably already have one!
9) Dog Pool Float
Ginkago’s inflatable dog pool float is designed for dogs to comfortably lounge on the pool with the rest of the family – no-one will get left out now! Lightweight and foldable, it’s ideal for travelling. The paw-friendly material ensures durability without punctures and keeps your dog cool in the summer heat.
- Great for dogs that can't swim but want to enjoy the water
- Never leave dogs unattended
10) Bucket and Spade Plush Toys
Fed up of the dog stealing the bucket and spade on beach days? Then these
11) Nerf Tennis Ball Blaster
Get ready for high-flying fun with the Nerf Tennis Ball Blaster. This interactive dog toy is perfect for outdoor fetch games, which keeps both you and your furry friend entertained. It provides plenty of exercise for your dog and much target practice for yourself.
12) Dog Water Sprinkler
This two in one dog toy provides both a water source for your dog but also as a playful fountain. Simply connecting to your tap, a gentle stream of water can be activated by one push of your dog’s paw. Designed for long-term outdoor use, this toy can provide a playful way for your dog to stay cool in the sun.
13) Kong Belly Flop Lobster
The Kong Belly Flop Lobster engages and excites curious dogs due to its unique belly-spinning action. Made from soft yet durable material, it offers long-lasting play and even features a squeaker for added excitement. It also floats in the water, making it the perfect toy for dry and wet play!
- As durable as we've come to expect from Kong
- Great for tug, throw & catch
14) Football with Grab Tabs
This dog football toy features nylon tabs making it perfect for fetching and tug-of-war. It’s lightweight and buoyant, suitable for water play and made from durable materials. This football is ideal for indoor and outdoor play and will keep your dog entertained for hours.
- One of our favourite toys
- No version for extra small dogs
15) Owner and Dog Matching Hats
Although this is not a toy, this product is perfect for those stylish owners who love matching their dog’s outfits. This pet dog cap ensures comfort and protection from the sun but also makes you stand out during summer parties.
- Could anything be cuter than matching headgear?
- Dogs aren't really meant to wear hats...
- Maybe just a bit embarrassing
Veterinary Expert Top Summer Dog Toy Picks
Katie Jones, Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN): “These toys are tried and tested by myself and my two lovable pups Ronnie and Rae. Toys have always been difficult in our house; with Rae being a hyperactive German Shepherd that LOVES to chew and destruct any toy in sight; and Ronnie not having any interest in anything but sleep or food. It’s been very hard to find toys to keep them both entertained for long enough to create a bit of a distraction.”
Snuffle Mats
Snuffle mats are designed to enhance training with your dog. They are also just an excellent game for in the home! Spreading food within the strands of the snuffle mats allows your dog to use their senses to retrieve it; stimulating the brain and preventing boredom.It makes meal time fun and interactive; it initiates sniffing and foraging parts of the brain to make the task pleasurable for the dog. And don’t forget that snuffle mats help other dogs by:
- Relieving stress
- Providing mental stimulation for those dogs on restricted exercise
- Encouraging slower eating habits for those with no manners
- One of the most varied snuffle mats
- Great quality
The Kong Wobbler
I don’t think there is a favourite dog toy list that doesn’t include a Kong toy. Now, as many Kong products as there are out there, or new toys that have been created based on these, nothing beats the Kong Wobbler! This toy is a fun, unpredictable game for dogs and it is made of a near indestructible material. We use this during some meal times, filling the Kong with kibble and letting the dogs chase it around the living room to get their food.
The bottom of the toy is weighted and rounded making it unpredictable and very wobbly. This is so the dogs have to follow their nose and also use their paws to try and win. The only problem I find with the Kong Wobbler is that it won’t last through hard chewing. So is best to remove after meal times. Also if your dogs are excitable like mine then your skirting boards will take a bit of a beating as it gets thrown into them!
- Every dog should have one!
- Great quality as you expect from Kong
Splash Mats
For warmer days that aren’t too hot but still need some cooling factors, a personal favourite of mine is a large water splash mat. It’s a large circular mat that connects to the outside hose and fires water through small holes out the outer rim; creating a sprinkler for the dogs to play in. Although not really a toy, I do consider this mat a game. My dogs absolutely love to try and catch the water in their mouths, running in circles whilst keeping cool. There are many versions of this toy online. Although I got ours from Amazon just before the heat wave (thank the skies for next day delivery!)
Homemade Dog Toys (DIY!)
If you, like me, are a lover of the bigger breeds, you will know the pain of buying a ‘SUPER TOUGH & INDESTRUCTIBLE’ dog toy for top prices, to get it home and find it in 1000 pieces after taking your shoes off. Over the past couple of years I have spent hundreds on dog toys (one of the perks of dogs). So recently I have found the making my own enrichment games for the dogs has been a life saver to keep them occupied when buying new toys isn’t an option. Here are my favourites:
1. The egg box: Placing a few treats into an egg box and closing the lid. Then leaving of the floor and allowing the dog to fight it open and retrieve the food
2. The towel ring: Opening up a tea-towel and scattering some treats inside. Then rolling it up and tying the two ends into a knot; allowing the dog to sniff and try attempt to open it (The tighter the knot, the harder the game)
3. Hide-and-seek: I personally play this one on the empty patio by making the dog wait and hide treats in pretty obvious places. Then allowing her to sniff them out. This can be under empty and upside down plant-pots, or simply on top of a step. This game is great as it is also a very good training session for sit and wait.
Enjoy The Summer!
The important thing to remember is that no toy is indestructible. So always be sure to watch your dog during play time. And remove any small bits that they may have ripped apart to avoid choking hazards. If your dog is known for eating foreign materials then it is safer to not use weaker toys or easily broken materials. If you think that your dog may have swallowed part of a toy then please speak to your local vet for further advice.
And most of all remember to have fun and make the most of Summer with your dogs…because it’ll be Winter before you know it!
VetHelpDirect are excited to partner with Tails.com to offer its readers 75% off all new subscriptions.
*We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you
Discussion