Top 10 Best Treat Dispensing Dog Toys
If you’d like to keep your dog happy and entertained while you do other things, you’ll need good toys. Treat-dispensing toys can keep your dog busy for hours, especially if you have a food-motivated pet. These puzzle-like toys slowly dispense treats, keeping your dog from devouring its food too quickly and providing plenty of entertainment. But you’ll want to pick a sturdy, easy to clean, and challenging toy. So how do you find the right model?
We bought and tested dozens of dog toys. Our favorite models made it onto this list of the 10 best treat-dispensing dog toys available in 2022. For each toy, we’ve written a detailed review, looking closely at price, design, durability, treat compatibility, ease of cleaning, and more. And if you still have questions, take a look at our comprehensive buyer’s guide, which will walk you through your options and help you make a great choice. Your dog will be enjoying its new toy in no time!
The 10 Best Treat Dispensing Dog Toys
PetSafe Twist ‘n Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – Best Value
If you’re shopping for value, you may be interested in the PetSafe BB-TNT-XS Twist ‘n Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, which we found to be the best treat-dispensing dog toy for the money.
This inexpensive dog toy, which weighs a mere 2.4 ounces, comes in four sizes, so it will suit many dog breeds. It works with hard and soft treats, including peanut butter, and has two adjustable halves so you can customize the difficulty level. This toy is made of non-toxic, BPA-free rubber latex and has a treat meter that dispenses treats randomly. The Twist ‘n Treat can be washed on the top shelf of your dishwasher.
We found that this dog toy had a strong, unpleasant smell and was made of less durable rubber. It doesn’t come apart and can be difficult to fill. At this price point, though, it offers great value.
- Doesn’t come apart
- Strong rubber smell
- Less durable
- More difficult to fill
- Choice of four sizes
- Compatible with hard and soft treats
- Inexpensive and great value
- Lightweight
- Non-toxic, BPA-free rubber latex
- Adjustable difficulty
- Dishwasher-safe
Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispensing Ball – Best Overall
Our overall favorite dog toy is the Pet Zone 2550012659 IQ Treat Ball, which is durable, highly entertaining, and easy to clean.
This 2.4-ounce treat ball comes in two sizes and is designed to work with dry treats. It’s made of hard plastic, and you can adjust the treat-dispensing difficulty by spinning an interior disc. The ball easily comes apart for cleaning, though it can be tricky to reassemble. This toy also comes with a guide to help you shop for compatible treats or kibble.
This treat ball is fairly sturdy, though it may not last if your dog is a heavy-duty chewer. The plastic can be loud on hard floors, and the ball isn’t dishwasher-safe. This ball is also somewhat more expensive, though we found that its many convenient features justified the price.
- Somewhat more expensive
- Can be loud on hard floors
- Not dishwasher-safe
- May be difficult to reassemble
- Comes apart for simple cleaning
- Adjustable difficulty
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Choice of two sizes
- Comes with a treat size guide
West Paw Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – Premium Choice
If you have room in your budget, you may prefer the West Paw 564 Zogoflex Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, which is pricey and heavy but durable, entertaining, and fully guaranteed.
This 11-ounce dog toy comes in three colors and two sizes. It’s made in the USA and conveniently dishwasher-safe. This toy floats, so it can be a fun water toy, and it’s fully recyclable through the company’s dedicated program. We found this toy very durable, and it comes with an impressive 100% guarantee against dog damage. West Paw is a Certified B Corporation that’s committed to responsible, sustainable business practices.
We did find that this toy could be hard to fill, and it inconveniently doesn’t come apart. It’s also more expensive and bulky than you may prefer.
- Pricey and bulky
- Can be hard to fill
- Doesn’t come apart
- Dishwasher-safe
- Made by a Certified B Corporation
- Choice of three colors and two sizes
- Made in the USA
- Very durable and floats
- Dedicated recycling program
- 100% guarantee against dog damage
Outward Hound Treat Dispensing Toy
Our least favorite model is the Outward Hound 67326 Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble Dispensing Toy, which is low-cost and lightweight but unattractive, difficult to clean, and challenging to fill.
This 5.3-ounce dog toy comes in two sizes and has two treat-dispensing holes. It has a cheap-feeling design and is made of BPA-free, food-safe plastic. This toy can be wiped clean but doesn’t come apart and isn’t dishwasher-safe. It only works with dry kibble and small treats.
When we tried this toy, we found that the plastic was fairly sturdy but it didn’t bounce, making it a less fun toy. It’s hard to clean and fill and doesn’t work well with peanut butter or other soft treats.
- Hard to fill
- Not compatible with peanut butter or soft treats
- Difficult to clean and not dishwasher-safe
- Doesn’t come apart
- Doesn’t bounce
- Less attractive and cheaper-feeling design
- Two treat-dispensing holes
- Sturdy BPA-free, food-safe plastic
- Low cost and lightweight
- Choice of two sizes
- Works with dry kibble and small treats
Vitscan Dog Treat Dispensing Toy
Vitscan’s Dog Treat Dispensing Toy is another inexpensive option that includes three treat balls. Unfortunately, they’re somewhat flimsy and cheap-feeling.
This package includes three three-inch balls, including a puzzle treat ball, a spiked ball with a squeaker, and a third ball that’s both squeaky and treat-dispensing. The spiky ball is designed to help keep your dog’s teeth clean, and all three are made of non-toxic rubber.
We found that these balls had a strong rubber smell, and the squeakers fell out quickly. They’re also not very sturdy overall and don’t hold up well to chewing.
- Somewhat flimsy and cheap-feeling
- Squeakers fall out quickly
- Strong rubber smell
- Don’t hold up well to chewing
- Three balls, including treat-dispensing and squeaker options
- Inexpensive
- Made of non-toxic rubber
Starmark TCEFBL Treat Dispensing Chew Ball
The Starmark TCEFBL Treat Dispensing Chew Ball is inexpensive and lightweight but can be hard to fill.
This 3.2-ounce ball rolls, bounces, and floats. It comes in two sizes, and you can choose which openings to cut based on the difficulty you’re looking for. This latex-free ball is conveniently dishwasher-safe and seems fairly durable overall. It can hold one to two cups of treats.
This ball doesn’t disassemble, making it challenging to fill and difficult to hand wash. The soft rubber tabs that are designed to keep treats in aren’t very durable, making the ball less effective as a treat dispenser.
- Doesn’t come apart
- Difficult to fill
- Less durable rubber tabs
- Rolls, bounces, and floats
- Dishwasher-safe
- Inexpensive and lightweight
- Can choose which openings to cut
- Comes in two sizes
- Very durable overall
- Latex-free
Milk-Bone Interactive Treat Dispenser Toy
The Milk-Bone 7910000559 Interactive Dog Treat Dispenser Toy is low-cost and fairly lightweight but isn’t durable and doesn’t hold treats well.
This seven-ounce dog toy comes in two sizes and a choice of ball or tumbler shapes. It’s designed to work with Milk-Bone’s mini treats and includes a bag of 20. This toy is made of non-toxic plastic and is highly affordable.
When we tested this toy, we found that the included treats were too small and fell out easily. The toy as a whole isn’t especially durable and can’t handle even light chewing. It won’t last long and isn’t very entertaining.
- Not very durable and can’t withstand chewing
- Treats fall out easily
- Not very entertaining
- Choice of two sizes and two designs
- Inexpensive and lightweight
- Includes 20 Milk-Bone mini treats
- Made of non-toxic plastic
Wisedom Dog Treat Ball
Wisedom’s Dog Treat Ball is a natural rubber option that is gentle enough for weaker teeth but doesn’t dispense treats well and is difficult to clean.
This 4.8-ounce toy comes in three designs, including a flying ball and a UFO shape. It bounces and has bristles to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. The soft natural rubber is great for older dogs with weaker teeth.
We found that this treat ball could be frustrating for dogs, as the holes are too small for treats to come out easily. It’s not dishwasher-safe and doesn’t disassemble, making it difficult to clean. The soft material also won’t hold up to teething or chewing, and the price is a bit higher than you may prefer.
- Difficult to clean and not dishwasher-safe
- Doesn’t come apart
- Not sturdy enough for teething or chewing
- May be frustrating, with very small treat-dispensing holes
- Somewhat pricey
- Good for dogs with weaker teeth
- Choice of three designs
- Lightweight, soft natural rubber
- Bounces and has tooth-cleaning bristles
Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball
The Omega Paw OMP-009 Tricky Treat Ball is affordable and compact. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel very durable.
This 3.84-ounce treat ball comes in three sizes and has one opening for treats. The soft plastic material is very quiet on hard floors, making it a good choice if you’re noise-sensitive.
When we tested this ball, we found that it had an unpleasant chemical smell. It can be harder to clean, as it doesn’t come apart and isn’t dishwasher-safe, and the single opening makes it somewhat more difficult to fill with treats. We also found that the plastic shredded easily, so this toy isn’t a great choice if your dog likes to chew.
- Can be difficult to fill
- Less durable plastic shreds easily
- Doesn’t come apart
- Harder to clean and not dishwasher-safe
- Unpleasant chemical smell
- Low cost and lightweight
- Choice of three sizes
- Soft plastic is quiet on hard floors
Titan Busy Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Titan 33LGAM Busy Bounce Treat Dispensing Dog Toy is an irregularly-shaped rubber toy that’s designed to bounce erratically. It works with many types of treats but isn’t durable and can be hard to clean.
This eight-ounce toy comes in two sizes and is made of bouncing, FDA-approved non-toxic rubber. It works with peanut butter, dog biscuits, and dental treats. This toy is also conveniently dishwasher-safe.
When we tested this toy, we found that it did bounce unpredictably and was good for chasing. The rubber isn’t durable and comes off in chunks with even light chewing. The toy doesn’t come apart, making it harder to fully clean, and the treat hole is too large, so many treats fall out too quickly.
- Less durable rubber falls apart easily
- Doesn’t disassemble
- Treats fall out too easily from large hole
- FDA-approved non-toxic rubber
- Bounces irregularly and good for chasing
- Fairly lightweight and inexpensive
- Multiple sizes
- Works with many types of treats
- Dishwasher-safe
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Treat Dispensing Dog Toys
Now that you’ve read through our list of the best treat-dispensing dog toys, it’s time to make your choice. But with so many different types available, which should you buy? Keep reading for our handy guide to the available options.
Material
- Dog toys are typically made of either rubber or plastic. Natural rubber toys bounce well and are soft enough for older dogs with weaker teeth. However, they’re also less durable, may have a strong smell, and often can’t hold up to chewing. If you’re allergic to latex, toys made of real rubber may also be irritating.
- Plastic toys may be sturdier and can be hard or soft. Keep in mind that hard plastic balls may be loud on hardwood or linoleum floors. Plastic dog toys may also be easier to clean and are often dishwasher-safe.
Shape
The first big decision you’ll want to make is what shape you’re looking for. Would you like a round toy that will bounce and roll, or would you prefer something more irregular? Are you interested in tooth-cleaning bristles, multiple treat-dispensing holes, or a tug-of-war-friendly shape?
Treats
- What kind of treats does your dog like? Most treat-dispensing dog toys are compatible with dry treats like small biscuits or kibble. If you choose this type, you’ll probably want to pay attention to the size of the treat-dispensing holes. The holes will need to be a bit larger than the treats so your dog will be able to get them out. But if they’re too large, the treats will fall out quickly and your dog won’t be entertained for long. Some dog toys include appropriately-sized treats or guides to the types of treats that will work. If you’re not sure what kind of treats to buy, you may want to look for these features.
- If you prefer to treat your dog with peanut butter or other soft foods, you’ll want a dog toy that is designed for it.
Difficulty
Many treat-dispensing dog toys are designed to work as puzzles. These toys will take your dog some time to figure out, keeping it entertained for longer. If you’d like to keep your dog interested in its new toy for longer, you may want to look for toys with adjustable difficulty levels. This may be a rotating ring or an adjustable treat-dispensing hole. With some dog toys, you’ll be able to cut the openings yourself, customizing the toy to your dog.
Cleaning
To keep your dog healthy, you’ll probably want to clean its toys regularly. Toys that hold food are especially likely to grow mold, which is unhealthy for your dog and may develop an odor. To make the cleaning process easier, you may want to purchase a dishwasher-safe toy or one that can be taken apart for thorough handwashing.
Guarantees
Most of the dog toys we reviewed don’t come with a warranty or guarantee. Many of these toys are low-cost, so they’re not a big risk, but if you opt for a pricier model, you may appreciate a guarantee. Our premium pick, the West Paw 564 Zogoflex Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, comes with a great guarantee against dog damage, so you’ll be protected if your dog manages to destroy its new toy.
Final Thoughts
- The results are in! Our favorite treat-dispensing dog toy is the Pet Zone 2550012659 IQ Treat Ball, a sturdy, fun toy that offers adjustable difficulty. If you’re shopping on a budget, you may want to try the PetSafe BB-TNT-XS Twist ‘n Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, which is inexpensive, adjustable, and fully dishwasher-safe. If you’d prefer a premium toy, the durable, recyclable West Paw 564 Zogoflex Treat Dispensing Dog Toy could be a great option, especially given its impressive 100% guarantee.
- Your dog deserves a fun treat-dispensing toy, and you deserve one that’s easy to clean and reasonably priced. Fortunately, quite a few dog toys fit these requirements. We hope that our list of the 10 best treat-dispensing dog toys, complete with in-depth reviews and a comprehensive buyer’s guide, helps you find a great toy quickly and easily. Keeping your dog entertained doesn’t have to be difficult