The Best Types of Toys for Bored Dogs

Imagine your home from your dog's perspective: the conversations you can't understand, the strange voices coming from the TV, and that bright, pocket-sized rectangle your pet parent spends so much time looking at. While we have countless ways to pass the time, our furry friends' options are far more limited.

Dogs do indeed get bored, and they need to keep their bodies and minds active throughout the day. When they don't get this essential stimulation, many furry friends resort to digging holes in the yard, chomping furniture, and taking part in other destructive (and potentially dangerous) activities. Fortunately, we've listed some ideas that can be literal gamechangers! Keep your pooch happy, occupied, and entertained with these exciting types of toys for bored dogs.

What are the best toys for bored dogs?

There’s no single best toy, since boredom shows up differently from one dog to the next. The strongest lineup covers three categories:

1. Long-lasting chew toys for dogs who settle into a good chewing session
2. Treat toys for dogs motivated by food
3. Energizing play toys for dogs who need to burn physical energy before their mind will
   settle

Most bored dogs respond well to having at least two categories on hand, since what eases boredom on Monday can get ignored by Wednesday.

How can I tell if my dog is bored? 

Boredom in dogs usually shows up as behavior directed at something, rather than nothing at all: chewing furniture or shoes, digging in the yard or in couch cushions, excessive barking at not much in particular, pacing, or a sudden spike in attention-seeking like nudging and pawing. A bored dog is often perfectly calm the moment a person or a toy shows up, which is a useful clue, since a dog working through separation anxiety usually doesn’t settle that easily. If the behavior only happens when you’re gone and includes howling, drooling, or attempts to escape, read the boredom versus separation anxiety distinction below before assuming it’s just boredom.

Are chew toys a form of enrichment? 

Yes. Enrichment means giving an animal something that engages its natural instincts and takes real mental or physical effort, and chewing is one of the strongest natural instincts a dog has. A chew toy that holds a dog’s attention for 20 minutes is doing the same job as a puzzle feeder or a training session: it occupies the brain along with the mouth. That’s why chew toys show up in enrichment guidance right alongside food puzzles and scent games, not as a lesser substitute for them.

Does chewing help relieve boredom? 

Yes, in a pretty direct way. Chewing gives a dog’s brain something repetitive to lock onto, the same way squeezing a stress ball or fidgeting with a spinner helps a person burn off restless energy. A dog with nothing good to chew on will find something anyway, which is why so much boredom-driven destruction ends up on furniture, shoes, and baseboards. Giving that instinct a real outlet is often the fastest fix for boredom-driven chewing. 

Long-Lasting Chew Toys 

Dogs love to chew. Not only is it a natural instinct, but teething, hunger, and yes, boredom, are some of the most common reasons why your furry friend seems to chew everything in sight. Chew toys provide a safe, healthy way for bored dogs to release their chewing energy. After all, engaging, flavorful dog chew toys offer a far more attractive chewing outlet than socks or shoes. In addition to redirecting destructive behaviors, long-lasting chew toys are designed to stand up to ongoing chew sessions. You can find many options made from materials appropriate for your dog’s size and strength, allowing them to chew to their heart’s content. All the while, chew toys with textures like ridges and nubs help clean teeth as your pup chews to boost their dog dental routine. 

What toys are best for bored power chewers? 

A dog that demolishes a chew toy in one sitting hasn’t actually resolved their boredom; they’re just out of options again 20 minutes later. Power Chew toys, built from durable nylon for the most aggressive chewing styles, are the better fit here, since they’re designed to hold up over repeated sessions rather than one. Rotating two or three different Power Chew shapes and flavors also helps, since even a serious chewer tends to lose interest in the exact same toy faster than a new one.

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Satisfying Treat Toys 

Munching something delicious is a tried-and-true boredom buster. Dog treat toys are long-lasting chew toys with wells or holes you can fill with spreads, kibble, or any other dog-friendly snack you choose. These toys for bored dogs will challenge your furry friend and give them much-needed mental stimulation as they chew their way to the treat inside. There’s no telling how much time will pass before they find their tasty reward. 

And here’s the best part: the amusement doesn’t stop when your dog finally gets to the snack. Treat time turns into chew time as your pup pivots their attention to the enticing toy. Many treat toys also feature flavor throughout for an extra level of entertainment. 

Energizing Play Toys 

Whether the fun is happening indoors or outdoors, play toys can turn any uninterested dog into a game seeker. Sports balls and other objects that squeak, bounce, soar, or float are effective
ways to keep your best friend actively engaged. Find toys that are made from versatile materials or include extra features so you can experiment with multiple play patterns. Play toys are great for boredom and preventing zoomies, and your pup might just tire themselves out enough to follow up playtime with a good nap. That’s not a bad way to wrap up the day. 

More Ways to Entertain a Bored Dog 

The fun can continue after your dog’s playthings go back in the toy chest. Try these physical and mental activities to prevent dog boredom and spice up your pooch’s schedule.

Quick & easy games: Simple activities like “find the treat” and fetch are great crowd-pleasers among furry friends. Mix in some creative dog exercise ideas to keep activity time fresh.

Satisfying jobs: Many dog breeds were bred to perform tasks, and the instinct to work lives on in canines today. Teaching your dog an easy job like bringing in the newspaper or retrieving the remote will make them feel rewarded and appreciated. 

Sports: In addition to playing with sports-related toys for bored dogs, you and your pup can train for dog games and competitions such as agility and tracking. Once your dog gets the gist of each activity, up the intensity by encouraging them to work faster. 

Outdoor bonding activities: Nothing clears the mind like a refreshing trip outside.  Take your dog along for a run, hike or bike ride when the mood strikes.

Routine changes: Making little tweaks to your dog’s routine can have a bigger impact than you think. Take a different walk route with new sights and sounds, prepare a new dog snack, or leave the TV on when you’re not home to awaken your pooch’s senses to new experiences. 

What’s the difference between dog boredom and separation anxiety? 

Although boredom is often to blame for behaviors like destructive chewing and digging, they can also stem from separation anxiety. This typically occurs when a dog feels extreme distress after being left alone for a significant period, and it is especially common in shelter dogs and dogs who have been abandoned before. If your dog barks or howls repeatedly, paces around, or tries to escape when left alone, they may be experiencing separation anxiety rather than plain boredom. Talk to your veterinarian for advice if you suspect this is the case; a toy rotation won’t fix a dog that’s genuinely distressed, and treating anxiety as boredom can waste time a dog actually needs help with. 

Which chew toys do trainers recommend for boredom-driven trouble? 

The criteria trainers point to are consistent regardless of brand: a chew strength appropriately matched to the dog, a shape that holds up over repeated sessions instead of one sitting, and enough variety in the toy box that a dog doesn’t lose interest in the same three shapes. Nylabone’s Boredom category groups products built around that same idea, informed by input from trainers alongside veterinarians. Beyond any single brand, those three criteria (matched strength, durability, variety) are what to look for when a dog is getting into trouble specifically
because they’re understimulated. 

Boredom: Busted! 

Something as simple as a new toy can make all the difference for a lackadaisical pup. The best toys for bored dogs keep the enjoyment going and can turn a “blah” day into a memorable, joy-filled experience for both of you. Just be sure to supervise your dog during playtime, put toys away when playtime is over, and take toys away if they become damaged. What about those times you can’t be home to ease your dog’s boredom? Follow these must-know tips for leaving your dog home alone.