Do you spend lengthy spells away from home worried about your dog getting bored and restless?
There are other ways to minimize unwanted behavior, and treat-dispensing dog toys are a great solution.
Recommended by dog trainers and vets, like Sit Means Sit Dog Training, these toys allow you to pile your pup’s favorite kibble, treats, and dry dog food inside, and then this food is slowly released as he plays with the toy.
Now, the first thing this does is keep your dog mentally stimulated rather than being confronted with a bowl heaped with treats.
It can also be healthy for your dog in the long run. Chopper & Otis give some great tips on how to choose the right treats to stuff in a toy.
We decided to put the best treat-dispensing toys to the test. We compared reviews of 35 treat-dispensing toys, then chose the top 20 to test on our dogs.
We narrowed down the list to 11 favorites and 3 honorable mentions that we think your dog will love.
Before you go buying a bunch of toys, make sure your dog knows how to clean up with our guide for How to Teach a Dog to Put its Toys Away!
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: KONG Classic Dog Toy | Kong is the king of treat dispensing dog toys with its unbeatable brand heritage, variety of styles, sizes, and colors that don’t require a lot of space to play with. | Check Price |
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Best for Small Dogs: StarMark Bob-A-Lot | Sweet, petite, and perfect for the smaller pup in your home. This interactive toy has a non-slip base and weighted bottom to challenge your dog. | Check Price |
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Most Eco-Friendly: West Paw Zogoflex Treat Dispensing Dog Toy | Zogoflex is made from recycled material and designed for the aggressive chewer in your household. Not only is it great as a dispenser, but its ergonomic design makes it a great toy. | Check Price |
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Best for Smart Dogs: Our Pets IQ Treat Ball | The Our Pets IQ Treat Ball is a great treat dispenser and a great slow feeder. The adjustable disc made it easy to increase the puzzle difficulty as the dog learns to play. | Check Price |
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Best Treat Capacity: Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball | An oversized dog dispenser that can give your dog hours of play during those times when he’s home alone. It’s about quality with a bargain for your bored pup. | Check Price |
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Best for Simplicity: PetSafe Busy Buddy | PetSafe is one of the big names in the game of pet items. This unique bone design begs your dog to play with it, and the treats are a bonus! | Check Price |
How We Narrowed Down the Best Treat Dispensing Dog Toys
We considered some of the top brands known for their durability, sturdiness, and ability to handle chewing for this test.
We started with the top of the line. Made in the USA from globally sourced materials, Kong is a legend in the treat dispensing game and comes with a satisfaction guarantee.
Vets and trainers around the world recommend this gold standard.
We also looked into other pet treat innovators like StarMark, who made our list twice.
Starmark distinguishes itself through its Academy, which trains students in the art and science of dog training.
They also run an Animal Behavioral Center, which trains rescue dogs, trains in companion obedience, and donates products and services to needy dogs.
We also considered dog toys suitable for all life stages, including seniors and teething puppies.
With this in mind, we made sure that plastic products did not contain BPA, phthalates, or other toxins harmful to canines.
We also considered durability an important factor when choosing toys to avoid choking and other issues.
Finally, we searched the internet for top pet products dog owners everywhere love for their furry little friends.
We looked at Amazon Choice products and other top toys from online retailers like Amazon and Chewy.
Read our related article on How to Clean Dog Toys With Ease. When it comes to treat dispensing toys, you’ll need to keep them clean to avoid buildup and bacteria. Here’s how!
Best Treat Dispensing Dog Toys
1. Best Overall: KONG Classic Dog Toy
Product Ratings
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Sturdiness | 5/5 |
| Chew Proof | 5/5 |
Dimensions: 4 x 2.75 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 7.84 ounces | Brand: Kong | Material: Plastic | Dogs: All Breeds
What We Liked
- Unbeatable brand heritage
- Comes in a variety of sizes for a variety of dogs
- Fill with a variety of treats or kibble
What We Didn’t Like
- Sizing issues for some customers
- Sizing changes from previous models
- Can have a strong rubber odor
The classic red rubber toy, which also comes in black, has lots of fun uses for your dog, not least of which is the ability to accommodate his favorite treats and food inside.
Our overall favorite treat dispensing dog toy comes from the industry legend KONG, specializing in making toys just like this for decades.
This chewing toy also performs a valuable role in keeping those canine teeth sparkly clean and healthy. The KONG is nice and gentle on your dog’s gums, too.
When we threw this toy, it bounced unpredictably so that our pups could keep on their toes.
We found that KONG has changed the sizing on these toys, so we’d suggest you look into this closely if you have an old model and you’re looking to replace it.
It’s well worth double-checking those sizes.
Have you got a super-smart pooch always in need of an extra challenge?
We found the right challenge! Pop the KONG in the freezer for 4 hours before handing it over. That ramps up the difficulty level.
If you want to keep your dog stimulated while giving him the chance to savor his treats and kibble instead of wolfing it down, this treat dispensing dog toy from KONG is a must.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY2. Best for Small Dogs: StarMark Bob-A-Lot
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 5/5 |
Dimensions: 6 x 6 x8.5 inches | Weight: 1 Pound | Brand: StarMark | Material: Plastic | Dogs: Small Breeds
What We Liked
- Made from lightweight rubber
- Weighted bottom encourages play
- Accommodates most dog food
What We Didn’t Like
- Not ideal for larger dogs because it’s easier to break
- Harder to fill with treats
- Dirt and dust stick to the plastic
We loved this toy, and it makes a neat fit for smaller breeds, but larger dogs and aggressive chewers might tear it apart.
Interactive toys are a great way to give your dog some physical and mental stimulation at the same time as feeding him.
We thought that this lightweight rubber toy from StarMark has a non-slip base and a weighted bottom that will allow your dog to play and slowly release the treats or kibble you stuffed inside.
This unit is designed to house most types of dry dog food and kibble, so you’ve got all bases covered.
We found some openings at the top and bottom of this toy that open and close to fine-tune the difficulty setting.
See how your pup gets on at the easiest level first, then work your way up.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY3. Most Eco-friendly: West Paw Zogoflex Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 5/5 |
| Chew Proof | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 7 x 5.5 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 5.29 ounces | Brand: West Paw Design | Material: Plastic | Dogs: Small breeds
What We Liked
- Free of BPA and phthalates
- Comes in three colors
- Made from recyclable materials
What We Didn’t Like
- Some dogs might take this dispenser apart
- Pricier model
- Not all treats work well with this toy
West Paw’s wide selection of dog toys and food dispensing toys are made from proprietary Zogoflex, a recyclable, rugged, durable, and canine-friendly material.
We found this an excellent match for an aggressive chewer! It held up under the pressures of tough pups.
This makes a great way to distribute your dog’s food and treats at feeding time. When he’s done eating, you can use this toy to play fetch and catch.
It also floats for added versatility.
We thought that the ergonomic design of the toy makes it easy for dogs to grasp, whether he’s looking to eat, play, or both.
This cute design is eye-catching! We loved the aqua blue, granny smith yellow, and tangerine orange colors!
The toy is made from materials free of phthalates, BPA, and other toxins that might harm your precious pup.
These materials are recyclable, too, making the West Paw an eco-friendly dog food dispenser from a brand you can rely on.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON4. Best for Smart Dogs: Our Pets IQ Treat Ball
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 3/5 |
Dimensions: 4.38 x 4 x 4 inches | Weight: 4 ounces | Brand: Our Pets | Material: Plastic | Dogs: Large breeds
What We Liked
- Great alternative to a slow-feed bowl
- Comes in 2 sizes to suit most dogs
- Engages dog’s brain while promoting slow feeding
What We Didn’t Like
- Sometimes difficult to get food out
- Some reports of small dogs getting this material stuck in their teeth
- The dispenser can sometimes come unscrewed during playtime
Does your dog tend to bolt his food down and suffer from digestive problems?
If so, introducing a slow feeder in the form of a treat ball like this example from Our Pets can help slow your dog down.
We chose a pair of sizes to suit our hounds and then filled the play ball with his favorite kibble or treats.
As with all treat-dispensing toys, this ball is a great idea if you spend hours away from home. You can be confident he’ll spend hours with this thing.
We loved that inside the ball, an adjustable disc allowed us to manipulate the difficulty level. If your dog is anything like ours, he’ll soon be accessing his food on the lower levels and ready for enhanced stimulation.
Clean-up couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is blitz the ball with some soap and hot water, and you’re good to go.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY5. Best Treat Capacity: Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 5 inches | Weight: 9.88 ounces | Brand: Omega Paw | Material: Vinyl | Dogs: Large breeds
What We Liked
- Suitable for all life stages
- Keep your dog entertained for hours
- Easy to fill with many sizes of foods
What We Didn’t Like
- Build quality could be improved for longevity
- Can have a strong odor
- Large treat hole can let out too much at once
Do you leave your dog at home while you’re at work and worry that he gets bored and restless?
If so, this treat ball from Omega Paw is a smart investment.
We loved that the oversized ball is made from a forgiving vinyl built to withstand some serious punishment from large dogs.
This ball works well for all life stages and breeds, whether you have a small teacup puppy or a larger adult dog.
As with all cheaper dog treat dispensing toys, we found that you’ll take a slight hit on build quality in pursuit of a bargain.
If you have an especially feisty canine, like us, we’d suggest looking at some of the more rugged dispensers we review.
This ball is easy to stuff with your dog’s favorite snacks and treats.
That way, when you head off to work, you know he won’t have eaten all his treats in seconds flat.
The ball comes in 3 sizes to suit, so think about the size of your pup and how aggressively he plays, then choose the right-sized ball to suit.
Watch him be entertained for hours with periodic rewards as his treats tumble out.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY6. Best for Simplicity: PetSafe Busy Buddy Waggle Dog Toy
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 3/5 |
| Chew Proof | 5/5 |
Dimensions: 3 x 7 x 3 inches | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Brand: PetSafe | Material: Rubber| Dogs: Medium and Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Sizing is good for most dogs
- Adjustable for kibble sizes and rate of delivery
- Dishwasher-friendly for easy cleaning
What We Didn’t Like
- Strong smell that dissipated after a while
- Harder to clean due to the shape
- Harder to get the treats out, becoming possibly frustrating
The highly reputable PetSafe makes a broad cross-section of accessories and equipment for your dog, with the Busy Buddy one of the jewels in the crown.
What do you get for your money?
We loved this waggling toy, shaped like a conventional bone. It gave our dog a taste of the wild with the added twist of technology.
The Busy Buddy was designed for dogs from 25 to 65 pounds giving us a great deal of freedom.
This purple marvel came in sizes for small and medium to large dogs.
When our dog grabbed this toy, the ends started compressing, so he was encouraged to chew.
We found that this helps keep his teeth in great shape while he tries to work out the treats you’ve stored inside.
We loved how easy it was to keep clean!
Made from dishwasher-safe and completely non-toxic materials, the Busy Buddy will be your dog’s new best friend
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY7. Best for Senior Dogs: West Paw Zogoflex Dog Puzzle Treat Toy
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 2 x 5.3 x 2 inches | Weight: 5.64 ounces | Brand: West Paw | Material: Plastic | Dogs: Small Breeds
What We Liked
- Designed to accommodate all types of treats
- Suitable for aggressive chewers
- Easy for your dog to grasp and chew
What We Didn’t Like
- The material is hard which makes it difficult to chew for some dogs
- Pricier model than others we tried
- Difficult to fill with some sizes and shapes of kibble
Next up comes another entry from the West Paw line with this dog puzzle treat toy designed to stimulate your pup even if you’re away from home for hours.
We liked that this is another toy shaped like a bone.
It’s made to cope with the demands of seriously aggressive chewers, and it’s our favorite treat dispensing dog toy in this regard.
We appreciated the ergonomic design, which means our dog should easily grasp this toy between his teeth and, once it’s there, he’ll enjoy a slow supply of all his favorite treats.
The proprietary Zogoflex material is a hard, non-toxic plastic that’s remarkably durable and super-simple to keep clean.
Once again, we loved that it came in aqua blue, granny smith yellow, and tangerine orange.
When our pups finished playing and munching, we were able to throw this bone in the dishwasher and were ready to roll.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON8. Best for Teething Dogs: Bojafa Teething Balls
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 3/5 |
| Chew Proof | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 2.8 inches | Weight: 5.3 ounces | Brand: Bojafa | Material: Rubber | Dogs: Medium and Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Helps promote good dental hygiene during play
- Fresh mint scent to help freshen breath
- Rugged and puncture-resistant
What We Didn’t Like
- Too large for smaller dogs
- The smell may not be pleasing to all pets or owners
- The ball is flexible which makes it easy for larger dogs to flatten and destroy
Keeping your dog’s teeth and gums clean and stimulated is key. After all, he can’t stay on top of dental hygiene himself, can he?
These teething balls from Bojafa work equally well for cats and dogs. The non-toxic natural rubber is hard-wearing, even if your dog is a pretty aggressive chewer.
We found these balls in blue and green that are lightly scented with mint.
The ridges will help minimize plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth as he chews away without hurting his tender gums.
Made from eco-friendly materials that don’t have any toxins like PVC, we liked that we could do our part for our dog’s health and the environment.
Not only are these balls very reasonably priced, but you also get a pair in the pack giving you unbeatable value from a household brand.
Rugged and built to last, you shouldn’t find that your dog punctures these either.
The only real complaint we could find among a wealth of positive feedback came from owners of smaller breeds claiming that these balls were too large for their dog.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON9. Most Durable Treat Ball: StarMark Treat Dispensing Chewball
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 5/5 |
Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 7 inches | Weight: 2.4 ounces | Brand: StarMark | Material: Rubber | Dogs: Medium to Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Remarkably rugged dispenser for aggressive chewers
- Fill with all types of dog food
- Safe to pop in the dishwasher
What We Didn’t Like
- Smaller pieces of kibble fall through holes
- Batteries are required for the toy to work
- The updated model is different than the original
The aptly-named Chewball is probably the most durable and hard-wearing dispenser on our shortlist.
StarMark makes very affordable and neatly designed dog accessories like this treat dispensing dog toy.
We found this a go-to option if you have an aggressive chewer in the house. We were able to choose from a medium or large toy.
The smaller measures 2.75 inches across, while the larger model has a 4-inch diameter making this easy to choose the right size.
We were able to fill this dispenser with our dog’s favorite fare.
One word of warning, though, we found that small pieces of kibble tend to come tumbling out of the toy.
Once dinnertime and playtime are done, we grabbed this dispenser and threw it in the dishwasher, so it’s ready to go again tomorrow.
Made by a company with dog training academies, you’re buying into a wealth of expertise and brand heritage at a very reasonable price.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY10. Most Stylish Dispenser: Buster Food Cube
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 4 x 2 x 6 inches | Weight: 8 ounces | Brand: Vo Toys | Material: Plastic | Dogs: Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Made from durable and sturdy hard plastic
- Multiple compartments for food
- Dishwasher-friendly
What We Didn’t Like
- It may not be fun for all dogs to play with
- The center food container is difficult to remove
- Some reviews thought that the hard plastic was too hard for their pets
The Buster Food Cube is a great way to inject some fun into feeding time if you have dogs in the house.
This large cube is designed for your dog to roll over and play with. As he does so, treats will be liberally dispensed.
This is not a challenging game for your dog to play, but it will naturally slow him down as he eats, promoting superior digestion.
There are various colors to choose from, so if the orange of this cube doesn’t sit well, you can choose from an array of colors to suit.
We loved how simple the cube was.
Getting started with the Buster Food Cube is as simple as loading the compartments with kibble, treats, and dry dog food, then letting your dog do the rest.
We found that we could use normal cleaning products on this dispenser or put it safely in the dishwasher.
Because this dispenser is not demanding for your dog to use, you might find he loses interest rapidly.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY11. Most Adjustable: Busy Buddy Twist and Treat Dispenser Dog Toy
Product Ratings
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Chew Proof | 3/5 |
Dimensions: 2 x 5.3 x 2 inches | Weight: 9 ounces | Brand: West Paw | Material: Rubber | Dogs: Small Breeds
What We Liked
- Made with natural rubber
- Safe to place on the top shelf of the dishwasher
- Adjustable difficulty to challenge your dog
What We Didn’t Like
- Not great for aggressive chewers
- Can have a chemical odor that is off-putting to some dogs and owners
- Some types of treats may get stuck inside
As we reach the end of our search for the best treat dispensing dog toys, the Busy Buddy Twist-and-Treat is well worth your further investigation.
It comes in 3 sizes, all vibrant purple to bring some fun into playtime. The variety is very fetching!
The rolling ball makes a nifty toy for our pup in its own right. We filled it with his favorite treats, kibble, and snacks to add a layer of entertainment.
We were able to tweak the size of the openings to adjust the rate of treat delivery, making this a more interesting toy for our pup.
If your dog is a heavy chewer, you should look at one of the other treat dispensers we review that’s designed for aggressive chewers.
This might end up getting destroyed! When playtime is over, you can wash this treat dispenser on the top shelf of the dishwasher.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWYComparison Chart
| Products | Overall Rating | Comfort | Durability | Chew Proof |
| Best Overall | 5.0 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Best Runner Up | 4.8 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| West Paw Zogoflex Treat Dispensing Dog Toy | 4.7 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Our Pets IQ Treat Ball | 4.4 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball | 4.5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| PetSafe Busy Buddy | 4.6 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| West Paw Zogoflex Dog Puzzle Treat Paw | 4.6 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Bojafa Teething Balls | 4.4 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| StarMark Treat Dispensing Chewball | 4.7 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Buster Food Cube | 4.6 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Busy Buddy Twist and Treat Dispenser Dog Toy | 4.6 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
The Winner
The clear winner for us was the Kong Classic Dog Toy.
This gold standard meets all requirements for a treat dispensing dog toy for dogs of all ages, stages, and types.
We still feel that Kong is the best and our dogs agree.
Read More: The Best Indestructible Dog Toys. Is your dog a heavy chewer? These toys stood up to the most destructive dogs and won.
How to Choose the Best Treat Dispensing Dog Toys
According to PetMD, treat-dispensing toys should be durable. We thought that this was one of the top characteristics, too.
Here are some things we considered when comparing the best treat dispensing dog toys:
- Durability: We checked that any plastic toys have no BPA, no phthalates, and no other toxins harmful to canines. This should always be clearly listed, and all of the toys on our shortlist are completely safe in this regard. The materials should last as well and provide hours of playtime.
- Sturdiness: We considered aggressive chewers. Many treat-dispensing toys will be too fragile and eminently unsuitable for certain dogs. The same is true for a larger breed with super-powerful jaws.
- Chew Proof: We looked at how chew-proof the toys are since they can be a hazard to aggressive chewers. Keep your eye on your pup when they start playing with their new dog dispensing toy to ensure they are safe.
As with all new equipment introduced to a dog, we initially found some resistance to treat-dispensing toys.
We suggest starting with some high-value treats that smell strongly and can be cut up into tiny pieces.
Always start slowly and then ratchet up the difficulty level if your dog starts to master the game and accesses his treats too quickly.
Pack plenty of patience and be prepared to try more than one treat dispensing dog toy. Once you get the right fit, he’ll be engrossed for hours and hours.
If you have an aggressive eater and are working with a treat dispenser, you may want to consider slow feeder dog bowls or an automated dog feeder.
These products can help you control your dog’s food intake.
Read More: Can You Donate Used Dog Toys? If your dogs ignore certain toys, a shelter dog would LOVE to have them. Learn more!
Honorable Mentions
Here are 3 toys that our dogs like during testing, but we chose to recommend better options in each category.
1. KONG – Stuff-A-Ball – Durable Rubber – Considered for Dental Hygiene
We couldn’t resist adding another Kong toy to the list.
The Stuff-A-Ball is unique because it contains strategically designed Denta-Ridges to help clean your pup’s teeth and gums.
This is a top-of-the-line way to improve dental hygiene.
The Kong rubber is easy on your dog’s teeth and should help to keep plaque from accumulating, too.
The Denta-Ridges may be tough on dogs with dental problems, and there are other choices for dogs who need some cleaning.
2. Chew King Premium Treat Dog Toy – Considered for Tough Chewers
Are you often left feeling guilty when you leave your dog at home for extended spells?
You can go at least some way toward soothing that feeling if you give your dog this Chew King Premium Treat Dog Toy.
Even the most curious dogs should be kept entertained with this ball.
Load in some treats, kibble, or pet food, and watch as your dog starts playing with the rolling ball.
There are better options than the Chew King because it doesn’t work for aggressive chewers.
3. KONG – Puppy Binkie – Considered for Puppies and Senior Dogs
Kong is giving dog owners a way to start puppies off on the right paw.
This one didn’t make our list because it was limited to mostly puppies.
Puppies love to chew, and the Kong pacifier provides them with a soft rubber pacifier to do exactly that.
This toy is for pups up to 35 pounds and up to 9 months of age.
Even with the Puppy Binkie being for puppies, you might want to consider it for your senior dog.
