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Shih Tzus are known for being a playful breed that loves their toys, almost as much as they enjoy spending time with their people. Like their fellow toy breeds, they tend toward gentler, paw-heavy play—though just because they’re pint-sized doesn’t mean they won’t throw their whole body into a good game of tug.
In our search for the best dog toys to keep a Shih Tzu engaged, we spoke to three experts: Brett Reynolds, the director of dog care and training at The Dog Stop; Shannen Standiford, a dog trainer and applied animal behaviorist; and Shaina Denny, the co-founder and CEO at Dogdrop.
Best Squeaky Toy: Vitscan Stuffless Dog Toy
At 11 inches, this lightweight squeaky toy is perfectly sized for a Shih Tzu to enjoy. According to Denny, “A good dog toy for Shih Tzus usually involves softer textures and smaller sizes, something they can easily carry and manipulate.”
The stuffingless toy will also entertain your Shih Tzu in several ways. It contains a squeaker in its head and crinkle paper in the rest of its body that provides auditory interest. Plus, it has four small ropes in place of its arms and legs, so it can pull double duty as both a squeaky toy and a rope or tug toy.
Key features:
- Available in six different animal designs
- Machine-washable
- No stuffing inside toy
Best Puzzle Toy for Shih Tzus: Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Toy
This Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound puzzle gives Shih Tzus a mental workout as they figure out how to move the bones aside to get to the treats hidden underneath. This mental stimulation is something that Standiford highly recommends: “Shih Tzus tend to love toys that also offer some sort of mental enrichment since they’re so smart,” she told Rover.
For Shih Tzus who need more of a challenge, there are also level-two puzzles that provide another layer of difficulty. We like this one as a starting point, since it teaches a Shih Tzu to make use of their dextrous paws and dainty mouths before graduating to the next level.
Key features:
- Made with food-safe, BPA-free plastic
- Holds 1/4 cup of kibble or treats
- Available in a larger, blue-colored option that holds 1/2 cup
Best for Puppies: Nylabone Just for Puppies Teething Chew
When it comes to the best toys for Shih Tzu puppies, look for chew toys that can help ease a young dog’s teething pains so that your personal belongings don’t turn into makeshift teething toys. Rather than replacing your favorite pair of shoes, invest in objects they can chew on, like this two-pack of Nylabone chew toys. The nylon material is flavored to make these chew toys irresistible to puppies.
Key features:
- Made of flexible plastic nylon material
- Can be hand-washed
- Not intended for aggressive chewers
Best Rope Toy for Shih Tzus: Otterly Pets Rope Toys
Rope toys are versatile and can be helpful when it comes to maintaining your Shih Tzu’s dental health. This set of rope toys is sized for small to medium dogs and made with cotton fibers that help to massage your Shih Tzu’s gums while they chew.
Key features:
- Contains four small-sized ropes in different designs
- Ideal for tugging and chewing
- Made of durable cotton fibers
Best Chew Toy: KONG Classic
This classic dog toy is a staple in many pet parents’ homes and is among the best chew toys for Shih Tzus. Although it’s stimulating by itself, the KONG can also be filled with small treats, yogurt, or peanut butter, or frozen with treats inside for an extra challenge. KONGs are an especially nice reward (or distraction) for anxious pups during stressful situations, like crate training.
For puppies, the company also makes an even smaller version of the KONG.
Key features:
- Bounces and wobbles when tossed
- Dishwasher-safe
- Made of durable rubber material
Best Ball Toy: Air Squeaker Tennis Ball
Your Shih Tzu may not have the endurance to run a half-marathon, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get excited about burning energy during a game of fetch with you. The smaller size of this squeaky tennis ball makes chasing, fetching, and carrying it comfortable for toy breeds.
Just remember to give your dog plenty of breaks while you’re playing outdoors.
“Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, and like other smush-faced dogs, are sensitive to heat and are inefficient at cooling off after exertion,” warns Reynolds.
Key features:
- Compact size and flexible material helps make the balls easier for dogs to pick up
- Contains squeakers for added fun
- Not intended for chewing
Best Treat-Dispensing Toy: Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble
“Toys that dispense treats or have hidden compartments often engage Shih Tzus’ curiosity,” said Denny. This small-sized wobble ball from Outward Hound is a great choice for a Shih Tzu. Fill it up with training treats or other small snacks through the small holes, and then watch as your dog attempts to move the ball around with their snouts or paws. This makes it a mentally enriching activity as your Shih Tzu figures out how to get the treats to fall out.
Key features:
- Ball both bounces and rolls
- Has two treat-dispensing holes
- Made with BPA-free plastic
Best Plush Toy: Multipet Lamb Chop Dog Toy
There’s always that one toy that gets more love and attention than the rest from your pet. This shockingly popular plush Lamb Chop toy is just that for a lot of dogs. It’s soft enough to cuddle and sleep with, and its built-in squeaker makes it fun for your Shih Tzu to carry around and play with all day.
Key features:
- 10-inch size (also available in an even smaller 6-inch option)
- Made with soft plush material
- Not suitable for aggressive chewers
Best Lick Mat for Shih Tzus: Frisco Silicone Treat Lick Mat (2 Count)
These lick mats from Frisco provide an excellent distraction for bored or anxious Shih Tzus. To use them, simply smear some dog-friendly peanut butter or another spreadable treat over them. Shih Tzus will benefit from the mental stimulation of having to maneuver the treat off the mat with their mouth, and it’s been suggested the repeated licking action can help calm your pet.
Key features:
- Non-skid bottom
- Made of BPA-free silicone material
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe
Best Fetch Toy: Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Tennis Ball Launcher
If your Shih Tzu loves to chase after balls, this handheld ball launcher makes a game of fetch far easier for a pet parent and more exciting for a dog. It offers hand-free ball pickup (no need to touch slobbery balls) and can launch a ball up to 60 feet. It’s designed to be compatible with standard-size tennis balls, but smaller-sized balls can be used as well if they’re easier for your Shih Tzu to retrieve.
Key features:
- Comes with one ball but compatible with other standard-sized or smaller balls
- Ball launches with an easy pull of the trigger
- Intended for outdoor use
Best Interactive Toy: Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel Plush
If your Shih Tzu is active, lively, and enjoys a challenge, an interactive puzzle can be a great toy option for them. This hide-and-seek game with squeaky squirrels is designed with small-sized dogs in mind and will stimulate your pet’s senses as they try to find all three squirrels.
Key features:
- Plush squirrels can be hidden in the trunk or used for a game of fetch
- Contains stuffing; not recommended for chewers
- Also available in a bird, raccoon, or hedgehog design
Best Snuffle Mat: Vivifying Snuffle Mat
A snuffle mat, like this flower-shaped Vivifying one, is another great option to engage a Shih Tzu’s sense of smell with a treat-finding mission. In addition to hiding treats, you can also use it as a slow feeder and place an entire meal of dry kibble within the mat’s felt strips for your dog to find. As a bonus, the mat is machine-washable to make it easier to keep clean.
Key features:
- Made of soft, machine-washable felt material
- Non-slip bottom helps keep mat in place
- Not chew-resistant
Best for Senior Shih Tzus: Lilfrd Dog Enrichment Toy
For senior dogs who need to avoid hard toys, this soft 3-in-1 toy is a great choice that provides mental stimulation as well as fun. It can be used as a treat-dispensing toy by hiding treats in the three built-in pockets and then rolling it up—requiring your dog to figure out how to get the treats out.
The toy also contains a squeaker, so pets can play with it unrolled, too. The long, 26-inch length also makes it an ideal tug toy. Although it contains a chew-resistant lining, this toy is best for seniors who aren’t aggressive chewers.
Key features:
- Contains Velcro tabs to help keep the toy rolled up
- Not for powerful or aggressive chewers
- Also available in a turtle and burrito design
How We Chose
The toys featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with Shaina Denny, Shannen Standiford, and Brett Reynolds. We prioritized high-quality materials, size-appropriate toys, and durable construction. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
