Labs are known for their boundless energy and their great love of play of all kinds.
And while they can often be amused by very simple games, adding some great for them dog toys into the mix at playtime will not only help keep them happy and well-exercised but can help provide them with the mental stimulation these smart dogs crave as well.
With all of this in mind here is a look at seven of the best dog toys for Labrador retrievers.
1. Best Dog Toy Overall: Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy
This challenging interactive treat toy will entertain your dog for hours. Simply insert your dog’s favorite dry food or treats into the toy and as your dog plays with Bob-a Lot, it will dispense treats keeping your furry pal focused and entertained.
This engaging, versatile toy is a great choice for energetic Labs. It is designed to wobble wildly when pushed, prodded or shoved, but not to fall down, just like the Weeble toys of old. The balanced and weighted base keeps Bob-a-Lot 'grounded' but when it is tipped in the right way, dogs are rewarded with a treat.
Almost any kind of treat can be added to the toy and the difficulty level of the puzzle can be varied with relative ease, so that once your Lab thinks they have the game all figured out you can change things up and start a new one. It's a great way to exercise both their body and their brain.
Pet parents who have purchased this toy for their dog report that it really can give Labs a mental and physical workout, as it bobs quickly and quite erratically and dogs have to think quickly and move quickly to figure it out.
Customers also say that the toy is durable and filling it with treats - and adjusting the dispensing difficulty level - is straightforward and easy.
Many of the positive reviews even state that the Bob-a-Lot has become their fur kid's favorite toy of all and that it can keep them occupied in solo play for hours.
2. Top-Rated: KONG Tires Dog Toy
Roll in the playtime with a tough toy optimized for extra-tough tossing, chasing, and fetching with the KONG Tire dog toy.
A tire is a great shape for a playful Lab to interact with but playing with - and chewing on - the real thing is neither practical or safe.
The KONG Tires Dog Toy, which is a very popular choice with pet parents of all kinds of dogs, mimics the look, function and feel of a real tire but in a smaller, easier to manipulate, dog safe form.
The KONG Tires Dog Toy comes in several different engaging colors and its 'treads' make it easier for dogs to grip and pick up.
While the toy boasts the durability that all KONG toys are known for it is not so rigid that it is too hard to play with and has a nice, bouncy action that can make all kinds of games fun.
The tire can also be used as a treat dispensing puzzle toy, as it's 'inner tube' can be stuffed with the treats of your choice.
Those who have purchased the tire agree that it is as durable as hoped, and can stand up to even power chewing dogs.
The puzzle element is popular as well, as the level of difficulty is just hard enough that a lively Labrador will have to work to get their treats, but not so hard that they get frustrated and abandon the toy.
3. For Aggressive Chewers: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Luna Ball
The LUNA ball is best for aggressive chewers. It glows in the dark, it can dispense treats, it bounces, floats and keeps your furry pal in great shape.
This dog ball toy offers a lot, even though at first look it seems rather simple. As its name suggests this glow in the dark orb looks like a rather attractive full moon, but it is in fact a very durable, but also very bouncy ball that is designed to be the ultimate addition to a game of fetch, either on land or water.
The ball also features a treat spot, which allows dogs to puzzle themselves goodies out as they play, adding an extra element of engagement. It is also infused with peppermint oil, a soothing but energizing scent that many dogs love.
I have one of these for my dog and I fill it with small training treats. Luna however, is designed to be a ball toy, not a chew toy, and while it is quite durable both the manufacturer and many online reviewers advise against letting your dog use it to chew on.
Other pet parents report that the ball is engaging, and fun for their dogs to play with an some dogs, their pet parents report have actually had the same ball for years.
Although this is not, as we mentioned, a chew toy some reviewers do state that if play does lead to a power chewer trying to chew the ball it stands up to that rather well until it can be retrieved and put away until the next play session.
4. Best Toy for Chasing: Ruff Dawg Indestructible Ball Dog Toy
The heavy duty Ruff Dawg Indestructible rubber balls come with a Lifetime Guarantee. They float, bounce and are pretty darn-indestructible!
We should begin here by stating, as the manufacturers of this dog toy this toys claim to be “indestructible”. But in reality there is no such thing as an indestructible dog toy. But according to many online reviews this engaging ball toy does come really close to it.
This brightly colored ball is designed to replace flimsy and easy to damage tennis balls in games of catch or fetch both in and out of water, as its brightly colored exterior is waterproof and it floats very well. The hard construction of the ball makes it very hard to bite, leading to the indestructible tag in the name.
Online reviews from pet parents overwhelmingly agree that the ball is very, very tough and some pet parents whose dogs can usually destroy any ball very quickly are pleased - and even surprised - that the Ruff Dawg ball has survived intact for months.
Many also remark positively on how well the ball bounces, making it a lot of fun to play with for both dogs and their humans. The perfect dog ball toy for your high-energy Labrador retriever.
5. Budget Buy: Ethical Pet Skinneeez Raccoon Stuffingless Dog Toy
Your pet will love the new, exciting sound, and this extreme stuffingless durable squeaker 23-inch Raccoon dog toy.
Many labs - like lots of other dog breeds thrive when they have access to a variety of different kinds of dog toys including one that can act as a cuddle buddy at nap time as well as an engaging toss or tug toy as a part of more active play.
The challenge for pet parents when it comes to this type of dog toy however is finding one that their Lab will not reduce to a messy pile of stuffing in just a few hours.
The stuffing free Skinneeez Raccoon toy solves that latter problem as there is no stuffing to be removed. But although it does lie rather flat it is soft to the touch and does make a comforting cuddle buddy even for larger dogs like Labs.
It's longer, durable torso also makes it very well suited to a game of tug of war and the fact that it also squeaks can make those games even more engaging
Many of those who have purchased the 23" Ethical Skinneeez Stuffingless Dog
Toy have great things to say about it. Many find that it is longer lasting and more durable than most soft dog toys and while in some cases the raccoon's squeak did not last very long as it remained in one piece it was still safe for play and most dogs did not seem to mind that it was not 'talking' anymore.
6. Best Interactive Toy: KONG Jump'N Jack Dog Toy
Looking for a great interactive toy for you and your dog to play with? Here it is! It also helps clean his teeth and massages gums.
KONG toys are famed for their durability and the Jump'N Jack Dog Toy lives up to that reputation according to most online reviewers. If you have ever played jacks you'll recognize right away what this toy resembles and why it has its name.
Each 'arm' of the tough rubber toy makes it easy for both dogs and humans to grasp and catch, and as durable as it is it is also lightweight enough to travel quite a distance when used in a game of fetch.
That's not all the Jump'N Jack offers though. It also makes a great, durable chew toys and even features special grooves that help clean a puppy's teeth and dislodge any trapped food as he chews.
Pet parents who have purchased the KONG Jump'N Jack generally agree that the toy is both durable and engaging.
Different dogs use it in different ways, some preferring to use it in solo play as a chew toy, while others enjoy its bounciness in a game of fetch.
And a few reviewers even suggest that if dog toothpaste is added to the ridges of the toy it makes its tooth cleaning abilities even more efficient and effective.
7. Best Cuddle Toy: Frisco Skinny Plush Squeaking Raccoon Dog Toy
This is another plush cuddle toy that is designed to be a little more durable than most and better stand up to the often very energetic play of the average Lab.
It is rather plush and has a nice fuzzy feel - making it an excellent naptime cuddle buddy choice, but its minimal stuffing and longer length allows it to be used as a fun tug of war toy as well. It also features two squeakers for added engagement during play.
Online reviews are positive in terms of the toy's durability with many reporting that the raccoon lasts longer than many other stuffed dog toys and that even the squeakers have unusually long lifespans.
Some pet parents also comment on how well it stands up to a rougher game of tug and how much their Lab enjoys the raccoon as a cuddle buddy too.
Lab Dog Toys Buying Guide
The dog toys on this list are just a handful of those that are available, there are, of course, many more and many of them are as much fun.
When buying toys for your Lab though try to keep both their personal play style and their energy levels in mind.
Dogs like labs are a very lively smart dogs ups will definitely benefit from great throw and tug toys while those who love to chew will benefit from a good durable interactive chew toy that also has a puzzle element, as that will help stimulate their active, inquisitive minds as well.
Take Note
Always supervise your Lab when he gets a new toy.
Usually the biggest key when shopping for the best dog toys for your energetic lab is that it is a durable choice. As larger dogs Labs do tend to be 'harder' on their toys than smaller dogs, and as most Labs do love to chew - especially when they are younger - any chew toy should be as tough as possible.
It should be noted - again - however, that an indestructible dog toy really does not exist and that any toy that becomes damaged or broken should be removed from your dog's toy box and retired and replaced!
Finally, there are many good deals on Amazon for quality cheap dog toys by looking through their discounted best-selling dog toys, and if you're on Amazon Prime you can have further savings on shipping and handling costs.
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Have you had good luck with one of the toys on this list or have any recommendations for other great toys for Labs? Tell us in the comments section below!
