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Puppy puzzle toys are some of the handiest and best tools in a new pet parent’s toolkit. For one, they offer enrichment and foster fundamental canine skills like foraging, sniffing, and problem-solving. Plus, they’re an easy way to banish puppy boredom—and the destructive tendencies that come with it.
If you have a high-strung puppy, puzzle toys can help release excess energy, especially when you need to limit their activity (like after a spay or neuter). They’re also great for relieving situational anxiety by providing a distraction and promoting soothing behaviors like licking and chewing.
With so many puppy puzzle toys available, it’s not always easy to know how to pick the right one. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our favorites, from stuffable puzzle toys to treat-dispensing balls. We’ve also loosely ordered them from easiest to hardest, so you can choose the best puzzle toy for your puppy’s current skill level. Let the games begin!
- Best Overall: KONG Puppy Toy
- Best for Wet Food: Lickimat Tuff
- Best for Chewing: KONG Teething Stick
- Best for Crate Training: Diggs Groov Dog Training Toy
- Best Puzzle Bowl: Outward Hound Slo Bowl
- Best Hide-and-Seek for Big Dogs: Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel
- Best Hide-and-Seek for Small Dogs: ZippyPaws Aliens in UFO
- Best for Frozen Food: West Paw Toppl
- Best for Nose Work: Awoof Snuffle Mat
- Best for Foraging: Apasiri Plush Snail and Chicken
- More Toys
Best Overall: KONG Puppy Toy
This puppy version of the KONG chew toy is made for growing chompers, using the gentlest natural rubber out of all the brand’s lines. It’s also a great starting point for teaching good chewing habits and for introducing food-based enrichment. Stuff it with soaked kibble, peanut butter, or treats to keep your new friend busy eating or licking.
The puppy KONG can also be a helpful tool for crate training and separation anxiety—the unique shape keeps them engaged for lengthy periods of time while they’re retrieving what’s inside. Bonus: The KONG is dishwasher-safe and comes in various sizes. So as your puppy grows, their new favorite toy can grow along with them.
Key Features:
- Soft, natural rubber specifically made for puppy teeth and gums
- Simple design for introducing food enrichment
- Sizes vary from extra-small to large
- Bouncy material makes it ideal for fetch
Best for Wet Food: Lickimat Tuff
Like the KONG chew toy, lick mats are a great, straightforward option to keep your puppy engaged for longer periods of time (like on a Zoom call or when guests are over). Just spread your dog’s favorite wet treat or meal on the mat and watch them lick to their heart’s content. Lick mats not only help distract your dog when you’re busy, but they can also keep them occupied during stressful events like vet visits, baths, and storms.
And while no lick mat is indestructible, the Tuff series has a better chance of standing up to sharp puppy teeth with its chew-resistant design. Just make sure to monitor your puppy while they use it.
Key Features:
- Ideal for raw or wet food and lickable spreads
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Dishwasher safe
- Comes in three designs with different textures
Best for Chewing: KONG Puppy Teething Stick
Puppy-safe chew toys can help you and your pup get through the challenging teething stage. Offering a twist on the classic design, this KONG stick toy features soft ridged rubber to soothe puppy teeth and gums. It also has an inner crevice and outer ridges that can be stuffed with your puppy’s favorite spreads.
Ideal for pups up to nine months, this beginner-level toy can also help clean your pup’s teeth while they chew.
Key Features:
- Combines a chew stick with a stuffable puzzle
- Soft rubber soothes sore teeth and gums
- Outer stuffable ridges also help clean teeth
- Available in small, medium, and large sizes
Best for Crate Training: Diggs Groov Dog Training Toy
Designed specifically for crate training, the Diggs Groov puzzle toy was made for the brand’s Revol Dog Crate, but it also securely attaches to most wire crates. Like a lick mat, this beginner-level toy helps create a soothing effect (much needed when working on intentional separation for the first time).
A shell is included, so you can put your spreadable treats in the freezer without the mess. And while this small but mighty puzzle toy is a bit pricy for its size, it’s hard to deny the impact—lots of satisfied reviewers have found it integral to crate training.
Key Features:
- Works with most traditional wire crates
- Lickable design helps reduce crate anxiety
- Includes shell for freezing spreads
- Comes in a variety of colors
Best Puzzle Bowl: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl
This puzzle bowl by Outward Hound is an easy way to appeal to young learners by adding simple enrichment to mealtime. Available in a selection of maze patterns, this straightforward toy offers a versatile choice for various puppies—big, small, and even flat-faced.
The puzzle bowl also has more room for full meals than other puzzle toys on our list, with the small size holding 3/4 cup of dry dog food, the medium holding two cups, and the large holding four cups.
Key Features:
- Available in a variety of patterns, sizes, and colors
- Great for dry or wet dog food
- Made of BPA-free, dishwasher-safe plastic
- Includes non-slip pad at the bottom
Best Hide-and-Seek Puzzle for Big Dogs: Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel
Unlike the other options mentioned above, this wildly popular plush puzzle toy doesn’t require treats, which makes it a strong choice for play-motivated puppies with low food drives (or just about any pup who loves a plush). Young dogs derive pleasure from hunting, sniffing, and pulling out the squeaky squirrel toys.
Available in an extra-large (or “ginormous”) size, the Hide-a-Squirrel includes a large tree trunk with six squirrels—meaning it can accommodate even the biggest pups. It can’t, however, necessarily accommodate the most powerful jaws, as is the trouble with most plush toys, so we recommend supervising play closely.
Key Features:
- Hide-and-seek puzzle toy that doesn’t require food/treats
- XL size is great for big puppies
- Squeaky and plush
- Can buy replacement squirrels if the originals get worn out or lost
Best Hide-and-Seek Puzzle for Small Dogs: ZippyPaws Aliens in UFO
Also known for interactive burrow toys, ZippyPaws offers a wide range of plush hide-and-seek puzzles in fun shapes and designs—like this UFO toy. Great for smaller puppies, the compact size offers three squeaky toys that can be hidden or thrown around in a game of fetch.
For even more options, ZippyPaws has a fun burrow toy line that features cute food-themed plushies in the same three-toy design.
Key Features
- Compact hide-and-seek toy for smaller breeds
- Comes with three squeaky toys
- Available in a wide variety of styles
- Interactive design
Best for Frozen Food: West Paw Toppl
If you have a puppy that easily cleans out stuffable puzzle toys or lick mats, you can take things to the next level by freezing wet food and spreads. With a cup-like shape and a large open interior, the West Paw Toppl makes frozen food a bit easier to access than the KONG’s smaller opening.
Rubber teeth protrude from the bottom, similar to a slow feeder—so you can also use it with kibble and treats. To increase the difficulty of the toy, lock two different sizes together.
Ideal for moderate chewers, some users reported that their dogs gnawed off the edges, so it’s best to keep an eye on your pup if they tend to bite down hard with their razor-sharp teeth.
Key Features:
- Cup-like shape with a large open mouth
- Favors wet, spreadable, and frozen treats
- Made of gentle rubber that’s easy on puppy teeth
- Ridges at the bottom add an extra challenge
- Comes in two different sizes that can be locked together
Best for Nose Work: AWOOF Snuffle Mat
Puppies are notorious for gobbling down their food. Snuffle mats not only help slow down chow hounds, but they also introduce your pup to basic nose work at an early age. Offering a smaller size that works well for most puppies, this snuffle mat can be laid out flat or drawn up on the sides like a slow feeder bowl. The non-slip cloth on the bottom helps to hold it in place while your puppy sniffs for treats, and the drawstring can shrink the mat into a small storage bag—perfect for transporting around.
When fully open, this snuffle mat measures 18 inches in diameter. But when the sides are up, it only spreads out about 10 inches. If you have a larger breed, a wider mat might be more suitable.
Key Features:
- Size: 18 inches in diameter when fully open
- Non-slip base
- Hand washing recommended
- Snuffle strips made of felt
Best for Foraging: Apasiri Plush Snail and Chicken
These fun plush puzzle toys combine a snuffle mat with a treat-dispensing toy. The long squeaky bodies have three holes that can be filled with treats and rolled up, encouraging your hunty pup to perfect their foraging skills. At 26 inches long, these plushies also make great tug toys after all the scavenging is done.
Reviewers note that while the squeakers don’t always have the longest life, the toy’s thick, high-stretch material makes it a top choice for heavy chewers.
Key Features:
- Combines snuffle mat with treat dispenser
- Measures 26 inches and includes three treat holes
- Can be rolled up for snuffling or extended for tug
- Durable design with high-stretch cotton and thick velvet
Best Treat Dispenser for Beginners: Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble
This treat-dispensing ball is listed as a “level-one” puzzle since it only requires a one-step action from your pup. Just fill the ball with treats and let your puppy paw it around to get their snacks out of the two holes.
Pet parents like the simplicity of the treat ball, which provides a good balance of drawing pups into puzzle toys without overwhelming them. Some reviewers have noted, however, that the treats come out quickly, which is expected from an easier design. For pups ready for more advanced toys, consider moving on to puzzle toys for mature dogs.
Key Features:
- Made specifically for beginners
- Two holes can be filled with treats
- Easy design to set puppies up for future puzzles
- Recommended for indoor use
Best Puzzle Ball: JW Pet Hol-ee Roller Toy
While still at a beginner level, the JW Hol-ee Roller takes things up a notch, encouraging your pup to problem-solve a bit more. The open design lets you get creative with the goodies you put inside. Stuff it with different treats, chews, or even smaller toys. Then watch your puppy roll, chew, tug, and work to get them out.
Crafted from stretchy, non-toxic rubber, this puzzle ball is gentle on sensitive puppy mouths and growing teeth (though not recommended for super chewers). Plus, it cleans up easily—it’s dishwasher-safe.
Key Features
- Bendy but sturdy puzzle ball
- Made of soft, non-toxic rubber
- Can be stuffed with treats or toys
- Comes in various colors and sizes (from mini to jumbo)
- Dishwasher-safe
Best for Wobbling: Starmark Bob-A-Lot (Verified Review)
If you need extra help exercising your puppy while they’re waiting to be fully vaccinated, the Starmark Bob-a-Lot can burn some energy during mealtime. A popular and durable choice that comes in two sizes, this puzzle toy has a high-quality rubber bottom that creates a fun wobble.
In particular, we like that the adjustable valves make it easy to increase or decrease the difficulty. While the heavier design is known to take knocks from rambunctious puppies, our testers have found it can be quite loud—something to consider if you’re an apartment dweller or sensitive to noise.
Key Features:
- Small holds 1.5 cups of dry dog food
- Large size holds up to 3 cups
- Adjustable difficulty level
- Weighted anti-slip bottom
Best Interactive: Fable’s The Game (Verified Review)
For puppies that are sensitive to noise and may need quieter play, The Game by Fable is similar to the Bob-a-Lot but has a slightly softer silicone exterior. Grooves at the top let you smear wet dog food and spreadable treats, so your pup can bop it, spin it, and lick it.
Coming in a one-size-fits-all model, The Game has multiple settings that change the complexity of the slow feeder. Our test pup found it significantly more challenging than the Bob-a-Lot but equally sturdy. And while it is one of the most expensive puzzle toys on our list, reviewers note that the quality and construction are top-notch.
Key Features:
- Top fins for spreadable treats
- BPA-free silicone design for softer play
- Has multiple complexity settings
- Capacity: 1.5 cups of dry food
Best for Bouncing: Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball
For pups who need a little more difficulty and movement, the Tricky Treat Ball levels up the challenge with a smaller treat-dispensing hole and an uneven surface that makes for unpredictable bounces. Unlike the Treat Tumble ball mentioned above, this puzzle toy dispenses treats one by one when rolled and bounced, making your pup work a little harder while they bat it around the house.
Pet parents have noted, however, that this ball isn’t the best choice for intense chewers. But it’s a great puzzle toy for young dogs who like to play fetch and need to release some pent-up energy.
Key Features:
- Unique texture provides a fun bounce
- Dispenses treats one by one when rolled
- Smaller treat-dispensing hole
- Available in three sizes
Best for Chasing: Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispensing Ball (Verified Review)
The most challenging ball-style puzzle on our list, the IQ Treat Ball has an adjustable opening that lets you increase or decrease the difficulty by three levels. Available in two sizes (3 inches and 4 inches), the largest puzzle ball holds about 1/4 cup of food.
This treat-dispensing toy isn’t as durable or quiet as some of the rubber slow-feeder balls on the market, but we like that the clear design gives pups a preview of the goodies inside. We also found it to hold Rover test pup Roo’s attention for about 30 minutes during her energetic adolescent months, giving her human a much-needed breather.
Key Features:
- Gives your puppy a mental and physical workout
- Clear design entices beginners to play
- Adjustable difficulty level
- Easy to take apart and clean
Best for Tugging: PetSafe Busy Buddy Tug-A-Jug
The Tug-A-Jug by PetSafe has a lot to offer, with a rubber chew toy, rope toy, and food dispenser all rolled into one. The rope element is especially unique in the world of puppy puzzles—making it a great entry point if your pup is a fan of rope and tug toys.
The jug itself is large and holds quite a few treats (up to 2 cups of kibble, ideal for large breeds), though they’re not the easiest to get out. Some users find the difficulty level of this toy is pretty high and can cause frustration in dogs. But for puppies who like a serious challenge, this toy may be what it takes to keep their brains engaged.
Key Features:
- Unique rope tug
- Textured chew toy
- Treat-dispensing jar
- High level of difficulty
Best for IQ Training: Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle Toy
As puppies grow, they become more independent, and their brains are ready to work in new ways. So how do you keep their busy minds entertained? Enter dog treat puzzle boards.
The Outward Hound line by Nina Ottoson boasts an extensive puzzle board collection categorized by difficulty levels. These puppy puzzle toys are high quality, get great reviews from dog parents, and are an all-around puzzle toy go-to.
The Tornado puzzle toy, in particular, marks the beginning of the intermediate level for many pups. It’s ideal for dogs who are ready to advance to a higher level since it introduces two obstacles between your puppy and their reward. It’s also a great first step toward building skill sets for more complicated toys in the puzzle board line.
Key Features:
- Four spinning layers
- Bone blocks increase the difficulty
- Good for dogs of different sizes
How We Chose
The puppy puzzle toys featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We chose puppy puzzle toys based on durability, play style, and difficulty level. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.
Further Reading
- The 15 Best Toys for Puppies, From New Babies to Rambunctious Youngsters
- The 13 Best Puppy-Safe Chew Toys that Will Save Your Shoes
- Are Puzzle Toys Really Good for Dogs? What the Science Tells Us
- Do Frozen Dog Toys Really Help Teething Puppies and Hot Dogs?
- The New Puppy Checklist: Essentials for New Pet Parents
