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If you have a Chihuahua, you might be familiar with the challenge of finding toys that will not only hold their attention but will also stand up to some tenacious chewing.
Dr. Sabrina Kong, dog trainer and veterinarian, points to a Chihuahua’s style of play as the best clue about what they’ll like. Though most don’t need extensive exercise, many Chihuahuas love a toy they can chase or one that allows them to interact with their pet parent. Their intelligence and curiosity makes them a great fit for puzzle toys, and squeakers speak to a moderate prey drive.
Size is also a key consideration. Chihuahuas need toys small enough for them to handle—but not so small that they could pose a choking hazard. A good choice in size and texture can have unexpected benefits, too: since toy breeds are especially prone to oral disease, the right toy can help promote good dental hygiene. With Dr. Kong’s help, we’ve rounded up our favorites.
Best Stuffed Squeak Toy: Lambchop Plush Squeak Mini
This wildly popular squeaky lamb plush toy comes in several sizes, including a mini size that’s well-suited to tiny mouths. This polyester plush is small and light enough to carry around, and though it’s not especially durable, it’s both affordable and appealing to tiny predators, featuring both the chewing and playing experience that Dr. Kong recommends.
Our small chewers have loved their lambs, though we know we need to keep a vigilant eye out for the inevitable day when the squeaker becomes visible. We’ve learned to keep a ready supply of lambchops on hand.
Key Features:
- Made from durable polyester materials
- Increase stuffing and squeaker
- Mini size is ideal for small mouths
To Consider:
- Made for light to moderate chewers
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Best for Teething Puppies: Four-Pack Puppy Ball
If you’ve got a puppy, chances are you need a chew toy. This four-pack of solid rubber balls features a range of play and chew experiences to keep your Chihuahua busy. Each of these balls features a different texture, is BPA-free, and offers different movement and bounce patterns to challenge your pup. Plus knobbed rubber promotes good dental health.
Variety packs are particularly useful for puppies, since they help you get a fix on what textures, materials, and sizes your buddy gravitates toward.
Dr. Kong of We Love Doodles notes that Chihuahuas especially love to chase—which makes this set of balls a good way to help your new pup break the ice.
Key Features:
- BPA-free rubber
- Four different chewing and playing experience
- Includes features for good dental health
Best Crinkle Toy: Crinkle Plush Octopus Toy
If you have a Chihuahua who likes auditory feedback when they play, this colorful two-pack toy features the crinkle that some dogs crave and includes the ever-coveted squeaker. If you’ve got a serial chewer, these soft toys contain no stuffing (read: no fluff to vacuum up) and are well-sized for small and toy breeds. Whether your dog likes to chew, to fetch, or to interactively play, these high-quality polyester toys can be good options for entertainment.
Key Features:
- Made from polyester
- Includes a squeaker, but no stuffing
- Great for fetch, tug-of-war, or chewing
To Consider:
- May not stand up to an aggressive chewer
Best Plush for Chewers: Checkers Bruto with Chew Guard
Dr. Kong notes that Chihuahuas in particular need a safe outlet for their chewing tendencies. The plush goDog Checkers Bruto provide lots of texture for your dog to explore, with reinforced seams, Chew Guard Technology for committed chewers, and a crinkle per square. This toy is also a great option for dogs who like to cuddle with their toys and is appropriately sized for a Chihuahua.
Key Features:
- Reinforced seams and Chew Guard Technology
- Includes a squeaker
- Ideal for cuddlers
To Consider:
- While no toy is chew-proof, the manufacturer does offer a one-time replacement
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Best Toy for Dental Care: Nylabone FlexiChew
This Nylabone two-pack includes small bones that are appropriately sized for Chihuahuas (up to eight pounds) and feature bacon and peanut butter flavors. These bones include ridges and nubs that work well to promote good dental health in small dogs and puppies. They are made from flexible materials for a safe chewing experience.
Key Features:
- 2-pack with bones appropriate for toy-sized dogs
- Features bacon and peanut butter flavors
- Helps to promote good dental health
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Best Senior Chew Toy: Nylabone Silver Collection Chew
This Nylabone is made especially for senior dogs. It features a shape that is easy to hold between paws and is made from Gumabone material to provide a gentle chewing experience. As senior dogs are typically less aggressive chewers, this bone may not hold up to a committed chewer. It features senior-friendly ridges and nubs to massage gums and help clean teeth. This bone comes in sweet potato and turkey flavors and is best for dogs under 25 pounds.
Key Features:
- Senior-friendly and easy to hold
- Features senior-friendly ridges and nubs
- Made from Gumabone material for a gentle chewing experience
To Consider:
- Best for dogs under 25 pounds
- Best for dogs who are not aggressive chewers
Best for Aggressive Chewers: MewaJump Chew Toy For Aggressive Chewers
This toy packs a lot of punch and checks a lot of boxes for Chihuahuas. It features a rubber body, crinkle fabric, and a squeaker. Made mostly from natural rubber, this toy’s texture can help to keep teeth clean and stands up well to even aggressive chewers. According to Dr. Kong, a Chihuahua’s strong chase instinct may be best satisfied by a toy that has an unpredictable bounce. If this sounds like your dog, the MewaJump Chew might be a good choice for you.
Key Features:
- Stands up to aggressive chewers
- Features natural rubber, crinkle fabric, and a squeaker
- Good for interactive or independent play
Best Squeak Ball: Hartz Duraplay Bacon Scented Balls
Similar to the MewaJump Chew, these durable latex balls from Hartz have unpredictable motion when bouncing, which Dr. Kong notes can be a good quality in a toy for a Chihuahua. Each one squeaks, but the various shapes provide different interactive play experiences. These toys are ultra-light, making them ideal for small dogs. As an added bonus, these toys float and are easy to clean with soap and water. Lastly, these are bacon-scented.
Key Features:
- Multi-shapes for different chewing experiences
- Bacon-scented
- Ultra light for small dogs
To Consider:
- No toy is entirely chew-proof
Best Interactive Toy: Nylabone Chew & Treat Toy
Here’s another great option that checks a lot of boxes: chase, fun motion, and treat dispensing. This stuffable Nylabone is a great option to promote independent play. Made from natural rubber, this bouncy toy has an unpredictable motion to keep your dog engaged, and it can be filled with your Chihuahua’s favorite treat. This toy also includes raised rubber nubs to help promote good dental and gum health. This toy comes in petite size, which is great for dogs under 15 pounds.
Key Features:
- Stuffable with your dog’s favorite treats
- Made from natural rubber
- Great for independent play and entertainment
- Available in petite size
Best Plush Puzzle Toy: Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel Plush
Dr. Kong stresses that a Chihuahua is an intelligent breed who may respond well to puzzle toys. This plush and interactive toy is a gentle introduction to puzzle toys generally, and it works well on little pups with stronger prey drives. Just hide one (or three) squeaky squirrels in the plush trunk and let your pup go to town pulling them out and tossing them around.
Though the squirrels aren’t the most durable plushes we’ve seen, they are conveniently replaceable.
Key Features:
- A great soft puzzle option
- Easy on teeth and gums
- A great option for independent play
- Great for dogs with a hunting instinct
To Consider:
- May not be ideal for an aggressive chewer
Best Puzzle Toy: Aelflane Treat Dispensing Puzzle
The Aelflane interactive puzzle is a strong option for Chihuahuas who are motivated by food. With its slow-release mechanism, this toy can provide extended play to slow the pace of eating and ease digestion. This toy is not a chew toy, so you’ll want to keep an eye on play sessions to make sure your dog hasn’t gone into destructo-mode. That said, we’ve found the toy relatively sturdy, and the rubber ends go a long way to protecting your baseboards.
Key Features:
- Great for dogs motivated by food
- A good puzzle toy for independent play
- Made from sturdy materials and natural rubber
- Uses a slow-feed mechanism
To Consider:
- May not be ideal for committed chewers
Best Stuffing-Free Plush: Best Pet Supplies Crinkle Toy
This popular soft toy features a squeaker but no stuffing. It’s gentle on teeth and gums, which makes it good for gentle chewers of all life stages, and it comes in multiple sizes and colors. We liked the reinforced stitching and fabric and have found it a good choice for Chihuahuas who like to cuddle (and maybe chew a bit).
Key Features:
- Soft and reinforced fabric and stitching
- A squeaker, but no stuffing
- Shape and materials good for interactive or independent play
To Consider:
- May not hold up against committed chewers
Best Lick Mat for Chihuahuas: LickiMat Classic Buddy
Lick mats can be a huge help when it comes to alleviating Chihuahua boredom or anxiety—and they can even promote some degree of dental health, depending on how much chewing your pup likes to do. Spread your dog’s favorite soft treat across the top, then give it to them when they need a reward or distraction from their least favorite activities (like bath time).
This particular mat works well with spreadable treats like dog-safe peanut butter, and we’re especially pleased to find it dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Key Features:
- Helps to decrease boredom and anxiety
- Works well with kibble or spreadable treats
- Promotes good oral health
Best Rope Toy: Mammoth Rope Toy
If you’re looking for a good interactive toy for your Chihuahua, this durable rope toy from Mammoth is designed for small dogs and small mouths. These are tight, braided ropes with knots that help to promote chewing and dental health, suitable for both independent and interactive play. Dr. Kong recommends that pet parents carefully inspect toys, particularly ones that will suffer wear and tear (like a tug-of-war rope), to be sure that loose pieces will not present any hazards as they break apart over time.
Key Features:
- Tightly braided ropes, with knots at the ends
- Great for interactive and independent play
- Monitor closely for wear and tear
How We Chose
We selected the Chihuahua toys featured here 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 veterinary and training experts. We prioritized suitable size, durability, and Chihuahua appeal in our selections. 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.