Best Toys for Shih Tzu Dogs

Shih Tzu owners know these dogs are a friendly and cuddly dog breed. As small dogs, they’re great for apartment living and less active lifestyles but they still need mental stimulation and plenty of playtime. 

Chew toys, interactive puzzles, and other dog toys offer a fun way to bond with your Shih Tzu puppy through play. They also help your pup build confidence so they maintain the expected happy-go-lucky personality of the Shih Tzu dogs. 

The best toys are a mix of different types of dog toys. Chew toys appeal to your dog’s natural chew first philosophy, fetch toys and balls for more active playtimes, plush toys for snuggling, and interactive puzzle toys for a brain workout. 

Discover your Shih Tzu’s next favorite toy here. 

What Toys Do Shih Tzus Like to Play With? 

Shih Tzus like a variety of toys. Plush toys, chew toys, and interactive rubber toys all have their place. Which types of toys are best for your Shih Tzu depends on your dog’s age and developmental needs. 

For example, most Shih Tzu puppies will appreciate teething toys that are soft on their developing gums. Such toys massage sore gums and offer pain relief for teething puppies. 

Of course, pups of all ages and breeds enjoy peanut butter stuffed Kong toys or other dog food-dispensing toys. It’s nice to have plush toys and tennis balls in the mix too. That way, your pup can pick and choose their favorites. 

Chew Toys for Small Breeds 

According to veterinarians and animal behaviorists, puppies explore the world with their mouths. You see this in puppies who put their mouths on everything first. 

Puppy teething chew toys are excellent for puppies. They promote dental health and relieve the pain of sore gums.  

As your Shih Tzu puppy gets older and their adult teeth develop, most dogs still enjoy a chew bone or other dog chew toy. 

Dogwood Stick & Rawhide Alternative Chew Toy

This classic dog chew toy is branch-shaped and a safer alternative to rawhide. Traditional rawhide can pose choking and digestive issues which makes this “newhide” safer. 

Made in the U.S.A., it’s lead-free and comes in a small size for your Shih Tzu’s tiny mouth. 

Mini Orka Chew 2-Pack

These brightly colored chew toys are perfect for Shih Tzu puppies in their teething stage. Great for dental health, the multiple textures massage sore gums, and those cute canvas streamers can reduce tartar and plaque build-up. Hint: these are for small breeds and not aggressive chewers. 

Petstages Liver Branch Dog Chew Toy

Dogs love beef liver and this chew toy smells and tastes like it. It’s also knobby like a tree branch so those pups that enjoy gnawing on branches will appreciate it too. You’ll appreciate that it’s a safe alternative to actual branches which can splinter and become a choking hazard. 

Rope Toys for Shih Tzus 

Rope toys are classic dog toys for chewing, games of tug, and more. These rope toys offer multi-sensory fun. Two of them are squeaker toys too. 

Ropes A-Go-Go Gator Interactive Tug Toy

How cute will your Shih Tzu be with a gator rope toy? This plush toy uses different fabrics and textures plus crinkle paper stuffing and three squeakers to entice your dog. This multi-sensory dog toy is sure to be a favorite. You can play interactive games of tug and fetch with this dog toy and it comes in other characters too like a dragon. 

Natural Jute Rop Tug Toy

Made of durable jute rope, this rope toy is eco-friendly and Shih Tzu-sized. The looped ends make it easy for you to play a gentle game of tug and fetch with your furry pup. It’s a quiet toy too for when you need your pup to play quietly while you handle meetings. 

Thunda Tugga Leggy Zebra Plush Tug Toy

Make a gift of a long-legged zebra plush toy for your pup. It has a rope on one side and loooong legs for an interactive tug-of-war game. 14 squeakers in the legs (plus more in the head and body) make for one of the best squeaky toys for your Shih Tzu. 

Interactive Puzzle Toys 

There’s a whole world of interactive puzzle toys for your pup’s mental stimulation. Did you know your dog needs mental engagement just as much as physical exercise? It’s true. Thinking is tiring and dogs who use their brains will be ready for a rest. 

Treat Maze Interactive Dog Puzzle Toy

Interactive puzzle toys are boredom-busters. You can hide kibble or treats inside and watch your dog figure out how to solve the maze and get their kibble reward. Excellent for mental stimulation. This treat maze is a level 2 puzzle toy. 

Outward Hound Puzzle Cube

If you’re looking for a beginner-level squeaky puzzle toy, the puzzle cube could be just the thing. A 2-in-1 toy, the rubber cage holds two squeaky tennis balls. You can open it and toss the tennis balls for your pup or let your doggie work out how to release the balls. 

Fetch Toys for Small Dog Breeds 

While toy breeds like Shih Tzus aren’t usually the frisbee fetching type doesn’t mean she won’t enjoy an interactive game of fetch. Toss these guys for your best Shih Tzu and enjoy the fun. 

Outward Hound Hedgehogz

Made of faux fur, this adorable hedgehog toy also has a squeaker for a bit of squeaky fun. Available in multiple sizes. 

Best Friends by Sheri Sherpa Bone

Built-in squeakers entertain some dogs, while others enjoy curling up with a plush toy as a pillow. From napping to a rousing game of fetch, a plush dog toy is a classic. 

Keeping Your Shih Tzu Happy & Healthy

When choosing new interactive toys, you want to think about your dog’s age to choose the right difficulty level. Dog owners know even 10 minutes of interactive play can make your Shih Tzu happy and ready to cuddle. There are many different types of dog toys. Which new toy will be your Shih Tzu’s favorite?