Best Puzzle Toys for Dogs: Keep Them Busy While You’re Busy With Baby

Last updated: September 29th, 2025

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Life with a baby doesn’t leave much downtime, and your dog might not understand why everything has suddenly changed. Puzzle toys are a simple way to keep your dog entertained, calm, and mentally stimulated while you focus on your little one. The best part? There are endless options to match your dog’s size, energy level, and personality.

Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of different toys, and in this blog I’ll share my top picks (and my dogs’ favorites!) along with tips on how to find the right one for your dog.

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How to Choose Puzzle Toys For Dogs

When you're choosing a puzzle toy, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Consider your dog's size and personality. Many toys come in different sizes, so be sure to choose one that's a good fit for your dog.
• Start easy and build up the difficulty. To begin, use loosely packed food so it falls out easily. Once your dog gets the hang of it, you can make it more challenging by freezing the toy or packing the food in more tightly.
• Prioritize safety. If your baby is not yet mobile, keeping the two separated and supervised should be just fine. Once your baby is mobile, it’s best to give puzzle toys to your dog when the baby isn’t around. 
• Clean up any leftovers. Always check for and clean up any stray food pieces and pick up empty puzzle toys before your baby enters the room.
• Remember that no toy is indestructible. Always supervise your dog while they chew or play, and be on the lookout for small pieces that could become a choking hazard.

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Our Favorite Puzzle Toys For Dogs

We’ve tried out many different puzzle toys for dogs, but here are some of our favorites:

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WOOF Pupsicle

A favorite in our house! You can buy their pre-made Pupsicle Pops, use their treat mixes, or get creative and make your own with the DIY mold. I like to add a little water to the ingredients to create the perfect pupsicle — it keeps my dogs working on it for much longer.

It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and safe for both beginners and pros, which is why it quickly became one of my go-to toys. Freezing extends the fun, and in our home, it usually keeps the dogs busy anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.

For the widest selection of products and great deals, check out the WOOF website and use code DOGMEETSBABY10 for 10% off. 

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Toppl

A durable classic that grows with your dog. Start simple, then make it harder by freezing or stacking two Toppls together. Comes in three sizes and works with treats, kibble, or mixes.

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PETGEEK Automatic Dog Treat Dispenser

A personal favorite for tiring my young dog out without my help. 

It is affordable and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is easy to train - the button works even with a light touch of the dog’s nose or paw. We use it with batteries, but you can charge it via the included micro USB cable. 

Watch how my kids and Hela love this treat dispenser!

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Snuffle Mat

A snuffle mat is perfect for dogs who spend a lot of time on walks sniffing everything. They usually have some sort of ruffled strands or pieces of fabric mimicking grass. Fancier models may also include pockets or compartments. Most are machine washable. If your dog is all about sniffing, it’s worth checking it out. 

We love the High Tail Hikes Snuffle Mat – handmade, sturdy, fun colors, and a favorite for the Dog Meets Baby team. You can use it with kibble or treats. They are not machine washable. 

I also have a smaller AWOOF snuffle mat (machine washable and perfect for traveling!) and a large silicone snuffle mat that’s super easy to clean and works for both wet and dry food. It was perfect for my senior dog, Lola, as it kept her busy and entertained.

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Slow Feeder Bowl

If your dog eats too fast, this is a must-have. A slow-feeder bowl is a serving dish and puzzle toy in one. The built-in ridges turn mealtime into a puzzle, slowing down eating and helping prevent bloating or regurgitation.

My favorite brand for slow bowls: Outward Hound! We have tested almost all of their designs and like them all. Great quality, doesn’t slide, easy to clean. Our two favorites from Outward Hound: this design and this one.

Another brand frequently recommended by the community: MateeyLife Slow Feeder

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Lick Mat

My go-to puzzle toy for grooming, bath time, and Baby TV sessions.  Spread peanut butter, wet food, or yogurt on it. Pop it in the freezer for a longer challenge. Lick mats are easy to prepare, dishwasher-safe, perfect for any dog, and a great way to keep dogs occupied and calm.  

Our household favorites:

1. Buddy Budder (best deal!) - comes with a lick mat and two jars of 100% natural peanut butter in two different flavors!
2. SodaPup Honeycomb - Excellent quality and it stays in place well. It was a personal favorite for my dog Lola.
3. MooonGem - A great 'beginner' lick mat - the design makes it easy for dogs to lick off the food, and strong suction cups keep it from moving.

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Casino Toys

Casino-style puzzle toys are next-level brain games for dogs. Instead of just one step, your pup has to combine multiple actions to unlock the hidden treats. They’re perfect for mental stimulation and keeping clever dogs busy. The best part? There’s a version for every skill level — from beginners just starting out to advanced problem solvers who love a challenge.

Our household favorites:

1. DR CATCH (entry level)
2. Hide N' Slide (level 2)
3. Dog Casino (level 3) - Hela’s favorite!

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SodaPup

When it comes to innovative, heavy-duty toys for power chewers, SodaPup is a go-to brand. Their products are not only built to last but also feature a wide range of cute and unique designs. They have everything from chew toys and treat dispensers to lick mats and slow-feeder bowls. What I love most is that they don't forget about our flat-faced friends; their eTrays, for example, are a game-changer for brachycephalic dogs.

Our household favorites

• Lick Stick: The Lick Stick can be used as a target stick to train loose-leash walking, a must-have skill for stroller walks or babywearing. In the past, I had to use a cooking spoon to train loose-leash walking with smaller dogs so I wouldn't have to bend down, but the Lick Stick is a much better solution.
• Honey Pot: This was my dog Lola's favorite puzzle toy. Its extremely durable and sturdy design makes it a fantastic choice for power chewers.
• Honeycomb Lickmat: Ideal size and texture for all dogs. Very sturdy, Lola’s favorite. More challenging than other lickmats.  

‍Use DOGMEETSBABY to get 10% off on their website.

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Ruffwear 

Our household favorites:

• ‍Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Cone - A great, durable puzzle toy for vigorous chewers. Plus, it doubles as a fantastic fetch toy, designed to bounce erratically for more fun, so you get more bang for your buck. We recently got one for our dog Hela, and it’s perfect for her since she needs sturdy toys that can handle a lot of chewing.
• Gnawt-a-Rock - It’s very easy to load, and the flat surfaces keep it from rolling under the sofa. It’s well-made and sturdy.‍
• Porcini Dog Toy - This is a versatile 3-in-1 toy. The foot works great as an enrichment toy with peanut butter, wet dog food, or wet and dry mixes. The lid doubles as a fun bowl, and together they turn into a kibble-dispensing puzzle. It is sturdy and well-designed.

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Wobbly Puzzle Toys

Our household favorites: 

• If you need something your dog won’t destroy right away, try the Bob-A-Lot Food Dispensing Toy. The large size holds up to 3 cups of kibble and has an adjustable opening to make it more or less difficult.

• Kong Wobbler is another durable puzzle toy, great for beginners. The opening is relatively big and the kibble or treats fall out easily. This food dispensing toy is easy to fill, available in 2 sizes, and the large size holds about 3 cups of kibble.

• Lil' Snoop is another one we like a lot. The standout features are its durability, cleaning is a breeze and it’s available in various sizes. It doesn’t make any noise! They also have a large Snoop and if you want to take the challenge up a notch, add Nooks Happiness. 

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Pickle Pocket

A Pickle Pocket could be a great option for your dog if they like . This was one of Lola’s favorites. Hide small bits of cheese or smelly treats and watch your dog play with it for hours.

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Food Dispensing Balls 

If you have a herding breed dog or one that likes to play with toys, a puzzle toy like the orange Tricky Treat Ball would be perfect. You can fill it with dog food or treats and watch your dog nudge, nose, nibble, paw, and pounce it to get the food. As the ball gets rolled, it dispenses the food. 

Another great option is the yellow TetraFlex that comes in 3 sizes. 

If your dog is a tough chewer, I would recommend this green Treat Dispensing Chew Ball. It is very flexible, holds up well to heavy chewing, and comes in 2 sizes. 

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Kongs (the #1 staple)

We always keep multiple sizes of Kongs around (For our 45-pound chewer Hela, we have the following sizes: M, L, XL, and XXL, red and black). They’re versatile and easy to fill with kibble, wet food, or creative mixes. 

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These toys are great for dogs… and apparently for kids, too. Watch the reel of our kids snacking from puzzle toys while we wait for food. 😉

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With so many options, there’s a puzzle toy for every dog. If you’re expecting, consider adding a few to your baby registry — trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. Check out our Baby Registry for expecting dog parents for more ideas.

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Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. Please contact your veterinarian, a certified dog trainer, or a veterinary behaviorist, if your dog's wellbeing is at risk or your dog's behavior poses a threat to you or other people.

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