This Interactive Dog Toy Dispenses Treats and Will Keep Your Pet Occupied for Hours

© Image by Chris Winsor - Getty Images

By Lindsey Murray, Juliana LaBianca, Good Housekeeping

We know if you could, you'd play with your pet all day long. But of course, many of us have other responsibilities, which means that sometimes, Fido has to keep himself occupied. Fortunately, there are lots of incredible interactive dog toys that can help him do just that — and experts say they're some of the best on the market for both physical and mental exercise.

"As a trainer, many of the hyperactivity and destruction problems my clients struggle with can be resolved by adding mental exercise to their dog’s daily routine," says Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover.com. "But ‘mentally-stimulating’ activities aren’t things like chess and crossword puzzles. For a dog, it’s mostly just simple, fun games with their owner, like puzzle toys."

To help you find the best interactive dog toys to keep your pup entertained and engaged, we asked expert trainers for their favorite toys and toy brands. These fun games — from treat balls to automatic ball launchers — will keep dogs busy while boosting their mental and physical skills. Some even reward them with the best kind of prize: treats.

Kong Classic

© Kong

When you bring a new pup home, make sure this is his first toy. Not only will it last for years, but you can stuff it with treats or peanut butter to help with training.

iFetch Ball Launcher

© iFetch

Even the most energetic pet owner gets tired of playing catch around the clock. Enter iFetch: It's pricey, but this gadget will throw your pup a ball until she physically can't run any more (the biggest human challenge there is!).

AïKiou AIK-001-BG Activity Food Interactive Feeder for Dogs , Green

© AiKiou

iDig

© iFetch

my dog Rossi loves to dig. I stuff it with is food, his toys, his blankets and even when he’s got it all out, he keeps on digging till he falls asleep. Out of all the toys, this by far makes him the most tired and happy. I think we both love this toy! - ellis

Babble Ball

© Babble Ball

If she perks up every time she hears another animal on TV, she'll get a kick out of this toy. The motion activated ball chirps, grrs, and croaks at her while she barks and chases it around.

GameChanger Disk

© Game Changer

Maggie and Rossi love this but each of them plays with it in a totally different way. That’s part of the appeal of the Game Changer – you can make it easier or more difficult for your dog as they flip, roll, throw and dig at the the toy to free treats from its holes. This is one of the stronger toys we have that’s holding up well with years of use. Pro tip: be sure to use treats or kibble small enough to fit through the holes or you will have a very frustrated pup. I break up their Ziwi into pieces and it works great!

Idepet Dog Toy Ball

© Idepet

Kong Wobbler

© Kong

Nina Ottosson Treat Maze

© Nina Ottosson

Who says learning can't be fun? With the Treat Maze Interactive Dog Toy, you can stimulate your pup's brain and have a blast at the same time. This dog puzzle is a long-standing, paw-some tool for dog parents and dog trainers—it may even help beat unruly behavior and teach new skills to your furry friend. This toy packs in hours of fun, and contains no extra pieces, making clean up for this dog game a breeze. Your pup will love the reward for a job well done, and you'll love watching him put on that doggy thinking cap!

Hide-A-Squirrel

© Outward Hound

Stuff this plush toy with tiny squirrels for your dog to sniff out. Once he masters the game, the little stuffed animals are perfect for fetch.

Ballistic Hide 'n Treat

© Kong

While this isn’t a super difficult treat toy, the pups love it. I wouldn’t give it to a strong chewer, but for the small-to-medium crew and puppies it’s a huge hit!

Nina OttossonTreat Dispenser

© Nina Ottosen

Or, try this easier version for your younger pet. The scent holes and removable bones make it easier for him to sniff out his reward.

Busy Buddy Calming Toys

© Pet Safe

For the anxious dog, this toy does double duty. It challenges her by slowly releasing kibble as she rolls and soothes her at the same time with a calming chamomile scent.

Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy

© StarMark

Fill this wobbling toy with treats or kibble, then set the opening as big (easy) or small (challenging). Hand it over to your pup and watch her push it around to make the treats fall out.

Mad Scientist

© Trixie

Okay, so it's not exactly chemistry, but your dog will have to figure out how to flip these treat-filled beakers for his experiment to be a success.

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