29 Things To Keep Your Dog Entertained When You Can't Take Them O-U-T Right This Second

Buzz Feed

23-03-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Sometimes their zoomies schedule doesn't match up with your work schedule, so here are some pup gizmos and gadgets to bridge the gap.
1. A good ol' classic crinkle squeaker to give them lots of fun noise and good-mouth-feel enrichment while you finish up that Zoom call. (Bless the mute option.)
Promising review:"As you can see in my picture Bruce is a problem chewer to say the least.... This duck is noisy and light weight which is nice when my kids throw it around the house it doesn't damage my decor haha. I'll update with life span since I'm sure the duck will lose his squeeker eventually. The no stuffing features will come in handy when that happens. That being said I like the price point on this kind of toy. The durability seems high quality for what I paid. 👍 Good luck little ducky." — Amanda Sanchez
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in lots of styles and multipacks).
2. An internet-beloved Lambchop plushie because why not make their fave toy also your fave toy with a solid dose of nostalgia and — reviewers promise — hardiness that can withstand LOTS of puppy love.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Lambchop is the only toy my Maltipoo loves, and loves to tear apart. Within 30 minutes, Sugar has silenced the lamb by gnawing off the face. I just shove the stuffing back in it, sew it up, and the lamb is ready for another attack. I buy them in bulk because killer reduces them to pulp within a month. That's OK. Being a dog can be boring. Sacrificing these lambs is her greatest enjoyment in life, after belly rubs. Warning: There are five plastic squeakers inside the lamb, which are easily removed by my 8-pound mass murderer. I wouldn't leave her unattended when she's playing with Lambchop." — Dee
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in three sizes).
3. A canine version of your fave Kanoodle Puzzle so you and your furry friend can both enjoy the magic and wonder that is making shapes fit so satisfyingly together. You can twist pieces to make treat-finding a ~little more challenging~ for your pooch to reach. Make it doubly stimulating by hiding the puzzle somewhere in the house for them to sniff out and discover on their own!
amazon.com
If you're after the human version, check it out here!
Promising review:"My 38-pound, 2-year-old corgi loved this dog puzzle toy! It was fun watching him try to solve this brain teaser puzzle, which he played with for about 15-20 minutes. I felt like he was actually being challenged, which provided mental stimulation." — Remy
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
4. A Jolly Ball for all your tugging, throwing, and launching needs. Plus, the ball floats even when punctured, so whether you're heading to the lake or just don't want to sink your hand in the doggy water bowl when it inevitably gets flung in there, this ball is here for you and your pup.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"We have a high-energy, 50-pound Kelpie-Collie who is ball-bonkers and were looking for something new for her to race after. As a puppy, she had a tug-rope that she loved to chase, and the Jolly Ball fit the bill for a replacement. She is absolutely NUTS about this toy and immediately picked up how to play with it. So far, the Jolly Ball has held up to fetch, tug-of-war, and rigorous head-tossing without issue. The rope is woven cotton, and the ball is a thin but durable-seeming rubber. Overall, very satisfied!" — AJ
Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in three sizes and six colors).
5. A bacon-flavored wishbone chew toy if you've got an aggressive chewer on your hands and *don't* want your table legs to suffer for it. This US-made toy helps clean your pup's teeth as they chomp. (And it's flavored with real bacon. Only the best for your bestie.)
Promising review:" Really didn't think our 8-year-old Aussie would like this. We've tried other brands of this sort of thing and she wouldn't give them the time of day. But when our 12-year-old golden died a few weeks ago, we started letting Olivia sleep in bed with us, and we bought her several toys to try to take her mind off her loneliness. She loves this thing! It's definitely in the rotation of her top three things to chew and play with. And it seems to be safe... I've inspected it and despite all her chewing, there are no splinters or sharp pieces. But the main thing is that she really likes it!" — knb53
Get it from Amazon for $10.88+ (available in four sizes and three flavors).
6. A Wild One bolt bite with open ends for hiding treats and two elbows for prime chewing space. This one is recommended for light and moderate chewers to ensure it has the longest lighting bolt life it can!
Wild One
Promising reviews:"This has been my dog's favorite toy the last two years and has held up! He's a mega chewer, known to destroy every toy I've gotten him. This toy however has lasted him and I highly recommend!" — Drue
"A good chew toy for puppies. It's thick and keeps her occupied. My puppy loves chewing on it." — Hannah S.
Get it from Wild One for $13 (available in three colors).
7. A glow-in-the-dark ball to add some neon energy to your pet's toy basket and make it easier to find when it inevitably rolls under the couch. Again.
Promising review:"I initially ordered these because my dog loves to play fetch, especially to get her energy out, but by the time I got home from work it is dark outside. I bought these hoping that we could still play fetch in the dark. Sure enough it was the answer I was hoping for! They are very bright and can be seen in the dark. In order for them to be brightly illuminated and glowing, you have to hold them up to a light for a minute or so, but totally worth it. My dog just likes to just chew on them as well. She is an avid chewer, and the ball has not been damaged yet, and she has been playing with them for over a month. Highly recommend!" — Bruce Hathaway
Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in sizes S–XL).
8. A squeaking bunny burrow puzzle because SPRING IS FINALLY HERE, and that should absolutely be reflected in your pet's play arsenal. (Or tucked into their Easter basket. No judgment.)
Promising review:"Wish I could add a video! She took to this toy immediately and was very interested in the squeaky bunnies. Not too difficult to get to them but not too easy either. Great toy!" — Susan
Get it from Chewy for $14.99.
9. A puzzle treat ball so they can have the best of both worlds: Treats and roly-poly fun. This little boredom buster can hold up to one cup of food, so you'll buy yourself a GOOD chunk of time if you can't take them out just yet.
amazon.com
10. A giggle ball that will delight you both. It rolls around and has four grippers for easy carrying — and it laughs as it moves. Lots of reviewers say this will keep even their puppies entertained for a good long while, so what have you got to lose? Live, laugh, giggle ball.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"This is such a funny toy. It keeps my puppy entertained. It makes the funniest noises; I laugh every time I hear my dog playing with it. At first my pup was kind of scared of it, but now he's super curious and loves to push it around with his nose to hear the sound. It's hilarious!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four styles).
11. A Barkbox rip-and-reveal plushie with a hidden bonus toy on the inside once your dog rips through the first layer. (Spoiler alert: It's a sad cactus, which is hilarious since the outer layer is a happy cactus.)
Promising review:"This product is amazing. Normally my dogs will destroy most of the new toys they get. (Super power chewers) We have had this for a few weeks, and they have not even made it past the first layer. Super durable, and the dogs love it! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!" — Amanda J. Hamilton
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two sizes).
12. A tooth-cleaning toy because pet dental bills are EXPENSIVE, so if they can gnaw away some of their energy and their food buildup, that would be great, thanks.
Promising review:"I was amazed at how much my dog loves this. I spread a little dog toothpaste on it after brushing his teeth and give it to him as a reward. He can't wait to get the reward so he comes running and jumps up into my lap every night when it's time to brush teeth, then spends about an hour chewing and playing with it while I relax and enjoy a Netflix TV episode." — Annie1RN
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four sizes and two styles).
13. A flopping fish toy ~technically~ meant for cats, but reviewers (and pups!) agree that what's good for the goose is good for the gander— er, pupper? When your work call is running late. and they're starting to look at you meaningfully, it's time to break out the flopping fish.
Tap to play GIF
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"Got this for my two-year-old Bernedoodle for Christmas (yes I buy my dogs Christmas presents 😂). Anyway, my dog is very particular about his toys and he LOVES this thing. Hasn't put it down since I gave it to him. It flips and flops every time he touches it. He prances around the house with it flopping in his mouth all day long, he's very proud of his catch." — Melissa Odsather
Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in five different fish).
14. A West Paw treat dispenser if your pet is an aggressive chewer and an aggressive treater. These will hold up to LOTS of hyper-focus while they work on getting to the treats and you work on... literally anything else.
West Paw
Promising reviews:"My dog loves these things. I use the small and large together and fill them with pate dog food, Greek yogurt, etc. and put them in the freezer so they last longer. Not a dent on them and my dog is 75 pounds and can eat a 12-inch monster bully stick in an hour." — Mizzely
"This is hands down the best 'toy' I have gotten for my pup. He is incredibly food-driven, and this will keep him occupied for a solid half hour — I've also used it to help with teething, filling it with yogurt/PB/pumpkin, and freezing it. Even when empty, he loves to toss it around!" — MR20
Get it from Petco for $19.33+ (available in two sizes and assorted colors, chosen by Petco).
15. A soccer ball with grab tabs to get your sporty pup ready for the big leagues, i.e., Air Bud tryouts.
Promising review:"My dog loves this thing. She immediately knew to use the straps to pick it up which I thought was very cute. I did tell her to use the straps and she does fully understand English, so I don't know what I was surprised about. She loves grabbing it by one of the straps and shaking the s*** out of it before bringing it back to me. It's much smaller than an actual soccer ball, probably about 6 inches in diameter." — Jeremy B
Get it from Amazon for $12.79+ (available in a variety of colors and and styles).
16. An interactive treat dispenser designed to roll and bob across the floor and avoid immediate treat capture. If your dog is too smart for their own good, this might just lovingly evade them long enough for you to finish a chore or two before it's time for walkies.
Promising review:"I have been saying 'I should go on Amazon and give this toy a five-star review' since I purchased it in 2016, just over four years ago. Well, today's the day. Purchased when she was only a 4-month-old pup, this is one of Lucy's favorite all-time toys. She loves playing with it when we are busy, when she just wants a snack, or when she just wants to make some good loud rattly noises. Kibble is all she needs in there to keep her happy. She learned quickly to use her head and feet to push it around, though as an impatient pup she tried chewing it open at the top to no avail, henceforth all the toothmarks. This toy is VERY durable; I expect we will never have to buy a new one. The added texture from her chewing helps to collect all the long hair off the carpet too — mine and my daughters — BONUS! At first, she would roll it over the vent and then stand there and do her cute little puppy bark at her lost treats, but soon she learned to gently pick it up and carry it away from the vent to avoid such disappointments. She will also carry it to us to fill it when it's empty. And of course, we do because that face! Oh my goodness, she's so cute." — Ludwig
Get it from Amazon for $11.94.
17. A bite-activated animated toy so they can feel right in their catch-the-small-critter element without actually harming any outdoor animals. This kicks its legs when chomped, so get ready for this to be their new fave toy!
amazon.com
Promising review:"My dog has a tendency to chew through squeaky toys within an hour of receiving them. My dog still has this dragon over a year after purchasing it for him. It has obviously worn down over time, but this dog toy has remained intact so far." — Amanda S.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
18. A two-pack of peanut butter–scented pup bubbles because what better way to bring some merriment to your day and theirs than extending your not-time-for-a-walk-just-yet time with a bubble party? These are nontoxic, allergen-free, and safe for both indoor and outdoor use, so get to poppin'!
Uncommon Goods
19. A tree trunk of squeaky squirrel friends I personally purchased for my dog niece, and while she did eventually demolish the squirrels, it took a long time, AND I could buy the squirrel refill without buying the whole squeaky contraption again. A solid purchase.
Promising review: "We have a boxer mix pup who is wild and stubborn. I have bought her countless toys, bones, etc. She never really holds interest in any. Enter the squirrel log. I won't say she fell in love and plays for hours or anything extreme but she plays with it for a few minutes here and there and goes back to it frequently. She generally destroys everything but instead nuzzles and loves on these little squirrels. I find them all over the house. We put them back in the log, and she immediately gets them out and carries them around again. This dog is generally unimpressed by all dog toys but actually plays with this one, so this pup mama is impressed. For size reference, we ordered the XL. The pup is currently 6 months, 35 pounds, roughly knee-height. It is a good size for her." – Jengy
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (also available in four sizes and a squirrel refill!)
20. A freeze-pop training toy perfect for enriching your pet's crate time or just to give them a delicious licky-stick to keep them occupied until you can take them out for zoomies. Use just like you would a human freeze-pop maker (including throwing it in the dishwasher when it needs a clean!) and get ready for a spring/summer delight your pup is surely going to beg for again and again.
Tap to play GIF
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon
Promising review:"Our puppy loves this! We used it to lure her into her crate and be comfortable spending time in there. The licking is self-soothing, and it is great having something cold for her sore mouth while she is teething. She hasn't been biting or chewing on it, but having something cold has stopped her from chewing up other items! We are also in a humid climate where the average temperatures have been in the high 90s and low 100s so having something cold to cool her off really helps. We purchased other similar items (like lick mats) but they have not worked nearly as well, and they don't have a cover! The cover is key to being able to freeze this and keep it clean between uses." — LadyTodd
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in six colors).
21. A snuffle ball to give your pooch a bunch of enriching options that go beyond "throw, fetch, repeat" to keep them occupied: pulling strings, discovering hidden treats, rolling the ball, and in general, leaving you alone. It's made of high quality natural rubber to withstand lots of chomping.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Perfect for my blind senior poodle with dementia!!! My senior dog with health challenges loves this toy. It's perfect and keeps her stimulated and makes her happy. I can't recommend this toy enough!" — Thinking Woman
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four colors).
22. A Goughnuts chew ring if your pet is pulling out the puppy dog eyes when you bring home doughnuts. Now they can be included with a "goughnut" that is specially designed for extra aggressive chewers. Plus, they have a lifetime warranty, so if your dog manages to sink the unsinkable, this woman-and-fam owned company will replace it for you!
Promising review:"Bought this for my dog who is basically Godzilla to dog toys everywhere. She destroys EVERYTHING that we give her to play with. It took her about an hour to massacre the black extreme Kong toy. Anything with stuffing and squeakers is just a cruel joke. I bought one of the Goughnuts with the mindset of, 'at least chunks of Goughnuts scattered around the living room will be better than stuffing and squeaker bits everywhere.' It has been almost two months now, and this thing still looks BRAND-NEW. She has gone to town on it, to no avail. Her newest ritual is to spend an hour or two licking and chewing it, before giving up and using it as a pillow while she recharges for a new assault. This is seriously THE BEST purchase ever." — Bri
Get it from Amazon for $21.36+ (available in four sizes and five colors).
23. A stuffed heartbeat toy, aka a Snuggle Puppy with a spot for a heating pack so your cuddle-loving pup can have the perfect companion while they wait to join YOU, their ultimate cozy friend. Great for puppies adjusting to not sleeping in a litter and anxious dogs that might be calmed by a heartbeat.
Buzzfeed staffer Hannah Loewentheil says this is her dog's favorite toy — read her full review! You can also find some of our other favorite interactive dog toys here.
"Safe to say, Hudson and his Snuggle Puppy (who we later named Ruby) became fast friends. Wherever Hudson went in our apartment, Ruby went with him. We'd find them snuggling on the floor, on the couch, or in his crate. When we'd go on vacation, Ruby came in Hudson's weekend bag.
When we first got Hudson, I felt terrible leaving him alone because he would whine and cry. But I soon discovered that leaving him with the Snuggle Puppy stuffed animal would calm him down.
Hudson doesn't really care about toys. He has about 20 different stuffed animals we've accumulated over the years, but he only plays and cuddles with one: His Snuggle Puppy."
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in five colors).
24. A silent dog toy because squeakers are GREAT, but so is being able to unmute on your Zoom call without everyone on your team hearing Fido in the background going to town on the loudest toy ever. Your pup can hear this, but YOU can't. Everyone say thank you to science.
Promising review: "This friendly gator immediately became my dog's new favorite toy! He loves a squeak toy as much as the next pup but I work from home so they've sadly been banned from the house. This toy works as advertised! I've tested it from rooms away and he definitely hears it and I do not. The negative reviews here are about the toy being destroyed. Know your dog, have realistic expectations. We're a few scales down but it's holding up just fine!" — Ginny L.
Get it from Amazon for $12.73+ (available in seven styles).
25. A platypus rip-and-reveal squeaky toy if your pup knows that there are 104 days of summer vacation and they need a new sidekick (with secret bonus squeakers inside!) with which to spend it.
Chewy
Promising review:"This is one of the first toys we bought my new pup and long after the outside 'faded away' she still had the inside squeaky balls to play with. She still has them a year later and loved them just as much!" — Gina
Get it from Chewy for $11.99.
26. A sliding treat dispenser puzzle to give your Mensa pup a true challenge while you finish cooking dinner. With a squeaky button at the center and floor grip pads beneath to keep it in place, your four-legged friend will get a lot of mental stimulation and you'll get a lot of relaxation while they're occupied.
Promising review:"I'm shocked at how much my dog enjoys this. We have 1 .5-year-old Shih Tzu that demands a lot of attention and playtime. I've never had luck with products like these, but thought I'd give it a shot. Our puppy loves it and is figuring it out. We just put his regular kibble in it, and he will choose to eat from this when there's a full bowl of kibble mixed with toppings right next to it. When it's empty, he'll sometimes wait by it so we give it to him two or three times a day. It seems to keep him mentally engaged, and he seems less demanding for attention throughout the day." — tim simpson
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
27. A flawlessly designed durable dog ball because when it doubt, throw a quality ball across the room a couple of dozen times to prolong the o-u-t of it all.
amazon.com
Promising review:"This is the best durable ball I have come across. It bounces really well, throws well, but most importantly no matter how hard our dog friend tries it chew it, it does not break which makes it a very safe ball too. The size of the ball is perfect for our dog and she loves to play catch with it and chase after it. Definitely worth the value for the money." — Becky
Get a pair from Amazon for $7.64.
28. A cup o' snuffles with hidden food pockets so they can feel like they have their own pantry of goodies. (YOU CAN HIDE TREATS IN THE VELCRO VEGGIES. I CAN'T.)
amazon.com
Promising review:"This is a favorite toy of my dogs. I pack it full of food and treats for when is in his crate. It keeps him busy and he loves looking for the food. The little slits where the food is put in, stretch out easily so it won't last all that long. Not a great value for the money but he loves the challenge of finding stuff to eat! It makes a noise like crinkling paper, which doesn't bother me as it makes me happy he's happily digging and using his senses as intended." — LoLa
Get it from Amazon for $12.20 (available in six styles including a "pupella" jar and "fursted flakes").
29. And finally, a doggy treadmill if going out really isn't a great option. (We see you spring storms and summer heat!) Made for small to medium-size dogs, this is the perfect solution to getting in some steps for your pooch without having to contend with too-hot cement or muddy walking routes.
amazon.com
The recommended weight is 130 pounds, but it can support up to 200 pounds!
Promising review:"We have a very, very active wire hair fox terrier, and he gets bored in the winter time. When he gets bored, we all suffer because he gets on our last nerve. For Christmas, someone bought him this treadmill, and he loves it. It was very well packaged, everything was there and in perfect condition. The install was very easy, simple and quick. The machine is easy to understand and use, which makes it fun. Our dog was very comfortable with using it, and after that first time or two, he was off running. We only do 10 minutes at a time for now, but he is constantly upping the speed, and we will also up the time. Could not be happier and would strongly recommend this treadmill." — Claudia S.
Get it from Amazon for $339.99.
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.