12 of the Best Toys for Pugs

I didn’t get the pug fixation until I lived with one. A former roommate had “Arthur,” who’d hang out with me when his mom wasn’t home. He’d make those snorty sounds and cock his smushed-up face at me when I asked him a question. Arthur was a great companion and welcomed my dog, an American Eskimo named Baggins, right into the household. 

At the time, I didn’t know much about short-faced or brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs. Only that they had adorable smushed faces and snorted a lot. However, it was clear that Arthur the pug didn’t need much exercise. A jaunt about the yard or a short walk a couple of times a day suited him fine, and he’d far rather snuggle on my bed. 

If you have a pug dog, you probably know that their short muzzle and head contribute to that noisy, snuffling breathing pattern. They’re also not big on exercise and can overheat quickly, so if you live in a hot and humid climate, you’ll want to minimize outdoor playtime in the summer heat.

However, while pug owners know the pug isn’t a high-energy breed, that doesn’t mean their dogs don’t need mental stimulation and regular playtime. Many dog owners keep a basket of dog toys nearby, making it easy to play tug-of-war, fetch, and other games with your pup. What’s your pug’s favorite toy? 

12 High-Quality Dog Toys for Pugs

Pug enthusiasts know this is a friendly and loveable dog breed. Depending on your dog’s age and preference, the following dog toys offer plenty of enrichment for the sociable pug. Like many small dogs, they’ll enjoy the discovery of their favorite treats hidden in some of these pet-safe and non-toxic toys.

Try a few new toys and see which ones your pug loves.

Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel

This dog toy combines plush toys with an interactive puzzle toy dogs love. Imagine a plush “trunk” with removable stuffed squeaky toys in squirrel form. You can toss the squirrels to your pug for fun and interactive playtime and play hide and seek with the squirrels. When your dog finds one, they’ll chomp on it in squeaky delight because each soft squirrel is also a squeaky toy.   

Hedgehogz Hedgehog Dog Toy

How cute will your pug be nibbling on a Hedgehog chew toy?  These stuffed animals have few seams, which means it’s more difficult to tear them, they make squeaky sounds, and they come in four sizes – from small to XL so you can choose the one you want for your pooch.

Dogwood Alternative Dog Chew Toy

A classic dog chew toy for chewers. All dog breeds love these branch-like dog bones. Unlike real branches, which can come loose and be a choking hazard, this alternative material is safer. It’s also Made in the U.S.A. and comes in different sizes so that you can choose small sizes appropriate for small dogs. 

Petstages Orka Mini Dental Dog Chew Toys – 3 Pack

Pug puppies everywhere go through their teething stage; when they do, they need high-quality chew toys that can withstand those sharp teeth. These mini dental chews fit the small mouth of a pug puppy, and thanks to the multiple textures and ropes, they help scrape off plaque so your pup maintains healthy teeth and gums. 

Petstages Cool Teething Stick Dog Toy

Pug puppies with inflamed gums will appreciate a cold teething toy to cool down their burning gums. You can fill this puppy toy with water and freeze it. Then, offer it to your puppy for their gnawing pleasure. 

Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Carrot Treat-Dispensing Dog Chew Toy

Pugs love this carrot-shaped treat-dispensing toy. Like a kong, it’s hollow inside, meaning you can fill it with your pug’s favorite treats, kibble, or a peanut butter taste. It’s a durable rubber toy Made in the USA and stands up to aggressive chewers. Plus, it bounces, so you can play fetch with your pug if your pug is the fetching type.

Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy

Another great treat-dispensing toy is a blue and yellow ball that you can fill with treats or kibble. As a Level One Nina Ottosson interactive toy, your pug pup will enjoy pawing it around the floor and figuring out how to make a treat fall out. This may become your pug’s favorite toy because we all know pugs love their snacks.  

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Dog Brick Interactive Dog Puzzle

Once your dog masters the Nina Ottosson Level One interactive toy, give them a new challenge with a Level Two game! This game teaches your dog how to flip, slide, and leave the bricks to uncover the treats hidden below. 

It turns out that 15 minutes of mental stimulation can be as tiring as a 30-minute cardio workout! Plus, problem-solving is fun and can reduce anxiety since it gives your dog a positive outlet to focus on. 

Naturals Jute Rope Tug Dog Toy

Jute is a durable plant that makes a pug-friendly rope tug toy perfect for playing a game of tug-of-war. This rope toy is a good chew toy because the texture helps clean your dog’s teeth and gums. 

Invincibles Gecko Plush Dog Toy

The Invincible brand is a plush toy that is tough to tear and has no stuffing. One of the best dog toys, the Dura-Tuff inner lining helps these adorable soft toys stand up to sharp teeth, and while they have a squeaker, there’s no messy stuffing. Your pug can chew, bite, toss, and pounce and the Invincibles will endure the toughest playtime. As a result of their durability, they make great tug toys. 

Squawkers Grandma Latex Rubber Chicken

Rubber toys are a staple in dog play boxes everywhere, but few have the hilarity of a rubber chicken in a bikini. This one squeaks and is makes a great toy for the pug in your life. 

Squeaker Ballz Squeaky Dog Tennis Balls

These brightly colored tennis balls are full of bounce for your dog. They come in packs of four, eight, or more and different sizes, so you can choose the rubber tennis ball combo that best suits your household. 

With so many types of toys to choose from, which will be your pug’s new favorite? Will they go for the stuffed toy? Or is your pug currently interested in chasing a rubber ball? 

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