Has your dog had dental trouble? Did they lose some or all of their teeth? Dogs with no teeth still need to play! They need relief from boredom, some sort of mental stimulation, and of course, fun and activity. And just because they don’t have all of their teeth doesn’t mean they don’t love to play with toys. The key is finding toys that are suitable for a dog without teeth.
In this article, we list the ten best toys for dogs who don’t have teeth. We’ll talk about why we chose them, what’s good about them, and any drawbacks to these toys. But first, let’s talk about why your dog needs toys.
Why Your Dog with No Teeth Still Needs Toys
All dogs need to play and be entertained. A bored dog can quickly turn into an anxious and destructive dog that causes problems. No dog lover wants to see their canine BFF dig a hole in the couch, defecate on the carpet, or make a big mess because they’re bored or upset. By keeping your pooch entertained, you can help them be calmer, use up extra energy, and be happier, healthier pets.
But how do you do this if your dog has few or no teeth? There are plenty of toys that your dog can play with, even if they have no teeth. Let’s look at some of the critical characteristics of these toys.
Best Characteristics of Toys for Dogs with No Teeth
We set out to find the ten best toys for dogs with no teeth. Here are some of the characteristics we looked for:
Toys that catch a dog’s attention.
If you want your dog to play, you’ll need a toy that is eye-catching and exciting. Consider toys that make noise, light up, or move. Toys that are brightly colored or have some sensory input will help to keep your dogs attention, too.
Toys that are easy to carry.
If your dog has little to no teeth, it will be hard for them to grip toys. So look for easy-to-carry toys, such as long, under-stuffed plushies or toys that are made from soft rubber. They’ll be able to carry them around without hurting sensitive gums.
Toys that use paws and noses, too.
To engage your dog, try to find toys that use other body parts, such as their paws and noses, to solve puzzles, make noise, or find treats. Then they won’t be stressed because they can’t chew.
Toys with hidey-holes for treats.
Purchase toys with hidey-holes where you can put treats that are easy for your dog to eat. These little games of hide and seek will keep your pup busy as they try to seek out the delicious treats.
Toys that are gentle on remaining teeth or sore gums.
If your pup is currently going through dental problems, they may have sore gums or trouble chewing. Look for softer toys that are easy on their gums.
Things to avoid:
Tug of War Toys.
Tug of war toys may not work for your pup with no teeth, so avoid these. Pulling toys or rope toys could dislodge remaining teeth or rub on sensitive gums.
Rawhides and hard to chew toys.
Rawhides are very hard to chew, and a dog with no teeth could easily choke if they manage to gum off a large piece. It’s probably best to avoid these altogether. Hard rubber toys may encourage your dog to chew too hard, injuring sensitive gums.
1: ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz
ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz Toys are available in fox, raccoon, and squirrel designs. The long, floppy shapes are easy for your toothless dog to pick up and carry. Each toy has three squeakers, too, to make it easier for your dog to make noise.
What we liked:
- Toys are easy to pick up and carry
- Plenty of squeakers
- Comes in a three-pack
- No stuffing to fall out
What we didn’t like:
· These toys may wear out quickly.
2: Octopus Dog Toy.
The octopus dog toy is great because the bright colors will attract your dog’s attention. If your pup can’t chew hard enough to squeak the squeaker, don’t worry. The tentacles are filled with crinkle paper instead of stuffing, so they’ll make a rewarding sound anytime the toy is picked up, carried, or stepped on. The tentacles give your dog multiple ways to pick up the toy.
What we liked:
- Crinkly tentacles make it easy to create noise
- Octopus head is easy to pick up
What we didn’t like:
- Squeaker may be challenging to activate
3: Sensory Caterpillar.
If your aging pooch has failing senses, you may want to get them the sensory caterpillar. The soft rubbery texture feels good on gums and also attracts the attention of dogs who can’t see well. These toys are made to the same standards as children’s toys, so they would be safer to have around small children. However, these are on the small side, so they may work better for smaller-sized dogs.
What we liked:
- Rubbery texture engages multiple senses, so it’s great for dogs with poor vision, as well
- Gentle on gums but stimulating
- Made to rigorous standards
What we didn’t like:
- Won’t stand up to aggressive chewers (i.e., other dogs in the house)
4: Senior Squeaky Dog Toys.
Senior Squeaky dog toys are made from extra soft and pliable rubber. These squeaky toys are great for older dogs or dogs who may have teeth issues. These retro-inspired dog toys are brightly colored with squeakers that are easy to use. However, they simply won’t stand up to a dog that is an aggressive chewer. If you have multiple dogs in the home, you may want to purchase extra toys.
What we liked:
- Extra soft rubber is easy on gums
- Fun, retro look with bright colors
- Easy to squeak
What we didn’t like:
- Won’t stand up to aggressive chewers
5: PetZone IQ Treat Ball.
If your dog can eat soft treats, you might want to invest in a treat ball. There’s no chewing required to get to the tasty nibbles out of the ball. Instead, your dog will learn to roll the ball to the right spot to release the treat, keeping them engaged. Getting treats from the IQ Treat Ball will also slow down your dog’s feeding, keeping them from gulping their food. Keep in mind that if your dog can only eat wet food, this toy may not be appropriate.
What we liked:
- Engages the dog’s whole body, such as nose and paws
- Slows down feeding
What we didn’t like:
- Not suitable for dogs that can only eat soft or wet food
6: Nina Ottosson Interactive Puzzle Game Dog Toy.
If your doggy needs to be more intensely occupied, these puzzle games are perfect. Your dog will learn to slide, push, and open compartments to reveal hidden treats. These puzzles are made of BPA-free plastic and are considered to be food-grade material.
This toy will definitely keep your dog engaged and busy. However, it may be difficult for some dogs to learn all multiple actions to get the treat. If needed, try an easier version first. Also, an aggressive chewer may attempt to chew through the toy rather than solve the puzzle.
What we liked:
- Keeps dogs occupied longer
- Dogs learn engaging skills
- Compartments can hold wet food as well as treats
What we didn’t like:
- Compartments are very small
- Could be difficult for a pet to learn these skills
7: Sushi or Waffle Interactive Puzzle Toy.
Keep your dog entertained with the sushi and waffle interactive puzzle toy. You can use this toy as a slow-feeder, as well, to prevent your dog from gulping his food. Fill the small containers with the appropriate food, and your dog will move the sliders to find the tasty tidbits. This plastic toy can be hand-washed, so it should work just fine for a dog that needs wet food, too.
It will keep your pup busy without placing demands on their mouth.
What we liked:
- Washable and can be used for wet food
- Works as a slow feeder while keeping dogs entertained
- Clever design
What we didn’t like:
- May not hold enough food for larger dogs
8: Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad.
These brightly colored pads can stick to the wall or the floor. They are made of food-grade, BPA-free plastic. In addition, each pad has multiple textures to engage your dog’s senses and hold their attention longer.
To use, fill the pad with peanut butter or pureed dog food and place it on the wall or the floor. Your dog will lick the pad to remove the food.
The Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad is a unique way to feed your dog if they don’t have teeth. It will keep them occupied as they try to get every last bit of delicious food from the pad. You may want to incorporate these toys in bath time if the dog does not like being bathed. These pads are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Retails for $13.99.
What we liked:
- Allows dogs to lick, rather than chew, for treats
- Can stick to walls or floor
- Dishwasher safe
What we didn’t like:
- Food must be thin, like peanut butter, to work
- If used on wall, food must be sticky and could be messy
9: Woodland Friends Dog Toy.
Dogs such as terriers were initially bred to hunt and dig prey from burrows. You can tap into this instinct to keep your dog busy and engaged with the Woodland Friends Dog Toy even if your little dog doesn’t have teeth.
Each stuffed toy has several holes in the stump. Put a stuffed squirrel in each stump and let your pup pull them out! The squirrels each have a squeaker to attract their attention.
Although your dog may not have teeth, they should still be able to grasp and gently tug on the squirrels to find them, although you may need to help them with the squeak! These stuffed toys contain stuffing and are soft, so they aren’t made for dogs that are aggressive chewers.
What we liked:
- Engages dog’s natural hunting instincts
- Provides hours of fun hide and seek
What we didn’t like:
- Dogs with no teeth may struggle to squeak the squeakers
- Not intended for large breeds
10: WEOK Puppy Heartbeat Toy.
If your dog’s health problems are causing anxiety, you might want to try a puppy heartbeat toy. This toy simulates a heartbeat so that your anxious or worried dog can snuggle up to it and not feel so alone. Unfortunately, this toy is not suitable for an aggressive chewer because it could dislodge the heartbeat module. However, an older dog with no teeth may find comfort by the soothing heartbeat. Retails for $28.99.
What we liked:
- Provides comfort to lonely or anxious dogs
- Great for cuddling
What we didn’t like:
- Heartbeat module could become dislodged from the toy
- Not safe for aggressive chewers