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Do Dogs Like Toys With No Stuffing?

Written by: Deanna deBara

November 20, 2018

One of the most popular dog toy categories is, without a doubt, the Plush Toy. These miniature stuffed toys are the perfect size to fit in your pup’s mouth (or use as a makeshift pillow!). And when your dog finds one that they love, chances are they’ll either carry it with them everywhere or rip it to shreds.

So dogs love toys with stuffing – but do they like toys without stuffing, too? If you want to add to your dog’s collection but can’t stand one more stuffed toy (or if you’d prefer to have toys that aren’t ripped to smithereens), what can you get for your pup that he’ll love just as much?

Why Do Dogs Like Toys With Stuffing?

German shepard with plush toy

Before we dive into whether dogs like toys with no stuffing, let’s talk about why, exactly, they love Plush Toys so much.

Some pups like stuffed toys because they’re easy to destroy. They can rip the Plush Toy apart and tear out the stuffing – which might be a mess for you, but is incredibly fun for them. Some dogs, like Labrador Retrievers, love Plush Toys because they play to their genetic predisposition. Labs were bred to retrieve and carry ducks for their owners, so a Plush Toy can appeal to their inherent “retrieve” instinct. Some dogs may also form an affectionate bond with their plush toy if they didn’t get enough time with their mother or littermates as a young puppy.

Dachshund Wiener Destroying BarkBox Plush Toy

There are a lot of reasons pups like toys with stuffing. But the question is – do dogs like toys with no stuffing, too?

And the answer is: yes, absolutely.

Toys Without Stuffing That Dogs Love

If your dog has enough stuffed toys to last a lifetime and you want to mix things up, there are plenty of other options they’ll love. For example:

Fetch Toys

Yorkie with fetch toy

Dogs love to play fetch. All that running and chasing helps them stay exercised and entertained. Plus, it helps them work off any excess energy (which is great for helping them relax when playtime is over).

While you could, in theory, play fetch with a stuffed toy, there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned Fetch Toy (like a ball!) to get your pup going. Try the “Best Balls Ever” or something more durable with the “Orbee Glob Ball.”

Tug Toys

Bulldog With CornCob BarkBox Tug Toy

For many dogs, tug of war is at the top of their list of favorite past times. Some Tug Toys have stuffing, but ones like the “Shuck ‘n Chuck Corn Cob” and the “Venus Fly Tug” don’t – and your little tugger will love them just as much if not more.

Super Chewer Toys

Dog with chew toy

Dogs love to destroy stuffed toys. But they won’t give your pup the same type of chewing satisfaction as a Super Chewer Toy.

Super Chewer Toys are great for a dog with active chompers. Whether they’re hard rubber or made of bacon and nylon, they’re incredibly durable. That means your dog won’t be able to destroy them in two minutes flat (a big win for you). Their durability will provide your dog with hours of chew-centric entertainment (a big win for them as well).

If your dog has a reputation for ripping through Plush Toys like they’re going out of style, Super Chewer Toys like “Max The Marching Penguin” and the Benebone Pawplexer are a great alternative.

Thinker/Puzzle Toys

Dog with puzzle toy

The toys that are the most fun for pups are the toys that engage their brain and their body—which is why they love Thinker Toys so much. Thinker Toys force your dog to work through a puzzle in order to get a reward (typically a treat). Because they engage your pup’s problem-solving skills, thinker toys are inherently more challenging (and fun!) than other toys—making them a favorite stuffing-free toy option for dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Check out the “Dog Hide ‘N Slide Puzzle” for something really difficult or the “Dog Tornado Puzzle” for something a bit easier.

Give Your Dog The Super Chewer BarkBox

Pup with Super Chewer Bark Box

If you want to make sure your dog has plenty of toys he loves, you’ll definitely want to check out the Super Chewer BarkBox. With Super Chewer, you’ll get a carefully curated selection of 2 super durable toys, 2 bags of treats, and 2 meaty chews every month. And because every delivery is tailored to your dog’s size and tastes, you’ll only get products he’s sure to fall head over paws for.

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Written by: Deanna deBara

November 20, 2018

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INNOVATIVE DOG STUFF, EVERY MONTH.

A themed collection of BARK-designed toys, treats, and chews.

INNOVATIVE DOG STUFF, EVERY MONTH.

A themed collection of BARK-designed toys, treats, and chews.