Best Cheap Dog Toys (Under $5)
Cheap dog toys don’t have to be poor quality – when you know where to look, you can find amazing dog toys on a budget. Read on to find out which cheap toys offer way more value than their price tag indicates!
We all know that there’s nothing in the world that our dogs like more than playing. (Well, after belly rubs and treats, that is.) Your pup’s inquisitive, goofy and energetic nature needs to be channeled in a creative, safe and entertaining manner. If you don’t help them with that, they’ll certainly find their own way to do so. If you have a particularly mischievous and playful four-legged friend at your side, and you fail to offer them something interesting to play with, you might end up with more work on your hands than you bargained for. When you’re away, your furniture, pillows or other valuables might become a new favorite chew toy for your pupper. Luckily, there’s an easy fix. With a variety of cheap dog toys available on the market, you can easily find a smart and easy solution that will satisfy your dog’s energetic behavior and the need for play – without breaking your budget.
Dog toys have far more benefits to them beyond their entertainment value. Young pups that have teething issues can greatly benefit from quality chew toys–a rubber squeaky or a rope toy is surely a better alternative than the wooden legs of your furniture. Adult dogs can also enjoy chew toys, as they give them a task to focus on. On rainy days when outdoors playtime is not possible, that pent up energy will need to be spent – and a sturdy toy that can be pawed and mauled and bitten to their heart’s content is definitely a precious accessory to have lying around.
To sum it up, it’s clear to any pet parent why an assortment of fun dog toys is something every canine-friendly household should have. An engaging toy will offer much needed mental stimulation for your pet, a fun and safe way to release pent up energy, and something to focus on when you’re not available for play and snuggles. However, some pooches can quickly get bored with their new toy. After a few days of obsessing over it, they’ll forget it ever existed, and constantly providing a fun selection of different toys isn’t always in every pawrent’s budget. Even when you can afford to splurge on your pet’s toys, why not save money by buying more affordable alternatives that are almost as good as much pricier counterparts? Cheap dog toys can be a great solution for easily bored dogs, as their affordable price tag will make it possible for you to provide a greater variety of toys to your pet.
But how can you know which cheap dog toys are worth buying, and which will just be a waste of money? To help you make the right decision and find the toy that’s fitting for both your budget and your pet’s needs, we’ve handpicked the best dog toys with affordable price tags for all those pawrents who are on a tight budget. We’ll help you figure out what to look for, and make sure that each budget-friendly toy you pick will give you good value for money.
1. Editor’s Choice – Hartz Dura Play Bacon Scented Dog Toy
Hartz Dura offers a rubber toy that has a bacon scent – certain to attract any dog. These balls are made from firm natural latex and are bouncy, squeaky and extra durable. They’re filled with foam which makes it float when thrown in the water, so your dog can enjoy playing with this toy indoors and outdoors. As the ball bounces when thrown, you can join in on the fun and play a game of fetch with your furball from time to time.
2. Runner Up – Nylabone Teething Rings
If you’re worried that more parts means less safety, don’t be – this is not the case with these Nylabone teething rings. Made from flexible rubber, they’re interlocked and can’t be separated, making them safe but also super entertaining for a young pooch. They have a perfect design to help teething puppies and are also attention-grabbing when you dangle them in front of your pet. And best of all, they’re bacon flavored – so you already know your dog will go bananas for them!
3. Best Smart Features – KONG Plush Teddy Bear Toy
KONG offers a teddy bear with a variety of smart features to make it easier for you and still fun enough for your pet to enjoy. One of these pawrent-friendly features is minimal stuffing – you don’t have to worry about all the mess if your pet gets the better of this toy. Also worth noticing is the squeaker! Hidden in the back of the toy is a rubber squeaker to make it more fun. But if you happen to get annoyed by the constant sounds, you can simply remove the rubber and change the style of your toy from squeaky to sound off. A seemingly simple design that offers far more than meets the eye!
4. Best for Large Dogs – Pet Qwerks Dinosaur BarkBone
Bone-shaped toys will never go out of fashion – as far as dogs are concerned, that is. These realistic bones are perfect for large dog breeds. The realistic texture helps with avid chewers and can massage the gums and work the teeth. It works great to replace a nasty habit of furniture chewing. The bones also have a bacon scent, making them even more irresistible to dogs. The toy is made from tough and FDA approved materials, making them completely safe to use. They come in several sizes from L up to XXXL, which means they’re a perfect match for those chunkier doggos.
5. Best Bouncy Toy – KONG Squeezz Ball
This is a safe and durable bouncy ball and is perfect for an energetic pooch who loves to bound and chase. What makes the Kong Squeezz ball different from other bouncy balls is the addition of bumps around the ball that make the bouncing erratic and surprising. The ball also has a recessed squeaker, so your dog can enjoy the sound without being able to pull it out! There are many fun colors to choose from, and at this price you can buy one for every pooch in your family.
6. Best Rope Toy – Leaps & Bounds Rope Tug 3 Knot Dog Toy
A tug-of-war rope is one of the best dog toys. They’re durable, efficient, and great at helping your pet release his pent up energy. Perfect for teething pups and strong young dogs, the rope toy can be a world of fun. The rope is tough and durable, and can withstand the incessant gnawing of small to medium-size dogs – which are the size categories this toy is designed for.
7. Best for Power Chewers – Nylabone Original Dura Chew Dog Chew
If your dog is going to chew on his toys, why not make sure those toys are flavored and durable like the original Nyla Bone! This toy has been designed especially for power chewers and has the added benefit of helping to keep your dog’s teeth clean, controlling plaque and tartar. But don’t tell him, as he’ll be having too much fun to even consider this durable toy is also good for him! Instead, let him pick out his favorite from the 3 sizes your pup can choose from.
8. Best for Playing Fetch – ChuckIt! Ultra Ball
Balls offer tons of fun and make a great interactive toy that allows you to have fun with your dog. Despite their simplicity, they’ll never be outdated. ChuckIt! is a well-known brand, and this nifty toy is another great addition to their arsenal. These extra bouncy, soft and squeaky toys are bound to bring a lot of fun in the park or the house. They’re tough and durable while still being flexible, and are also easy to clean. The balls are great for a game of fetch, and they have a textured surface for better grip. They also work perfectly with the ChuckIt! ball thrower if you need a more challenging game. And they also float, so no need to worry if it lands in the water a little out of reach.
9. Best Natural – Petstages Dogwood Wooden Dog Chew Toy
If you prefer natural materials, you’ll love this toy – it’s affordable, long-lasting and completely safe for pooches of all ages to play with. And the best part is that no dog is immune to its tantalizing design – it’s a stick! You might wonder why a store-bought wooden stick is better than a random one you can pick up on your walk. For starters, this one is BBQ flavored, and not dirt-and-bacteria flavored like the one your dog found and brought home. As this has real wood and other “ingredients” in it, it will be much more durable than an ordinary stick.
10. Best for Teething – Nylabone Puppy Dental Toy
Teething is a process that every pup goes through. During this period, they’ll love to get their chompers on anything they can, so it’s a good idea to offer them a fun toy before they discover the furniture. Toys can also help with the teething process, and this dental chew toy is a great example of how that works. Shaped like a bone, this flexible and textured rubber toy will keep your dog’s breath fresh and minimize the pain that’s common for erupting teeth. The toy has a chicken flavor and is covered with nubs that are designed to massage your pet’s teeth and gums for instant relief.
What to look for in cheap dog toys
It’s easy to think that there’s not much to consider when choosing a dog toy. But the truth is, there are a lot of factors that could influence your decision–and a lot of features you should take into account. Different dog breeds will require different types of toys, and you’ll also need to purchase according to your pet’s personality and preferences. Another important thing to take into account is the strength and age of your furball. If you have a puppy whose teeth are erupting, you want to focus on toys that will soothe their gums and offer pain relief in addition to being fun. On the other hand, if you have a senior doggo as your loyal friend, you will want to avoid hard rubber toys in order not to cause injury to their sensitive teeth (if they still have ‘em, that is). That’s where soft fluffy toys come into play – even older dogs love to have fun, and they can do so without discomfort.
Luckily, the toy market is one of the most varied in the pet industry. There’s so much to choose from that you’re bound to find the perfect toy for your pet. From fluffy comfort toys to squeaky rubber bones and thick tug-of-war ropes, your choices are plenty. But you can’t buy blindly, so let’s dig in into the features you need to look for, regardless of the type of toy you’re looking to get:
Size
To avoid any issues, you always want to buy toys that are a proper match for your dog’s size. If you have a large breed dog and you give him a tiny rubber toy, you’re risking that they swallow it, potentially endangering their life and racking up thousands in vet bills in the process. And if you give your tiny pupper a huge rope or toy, they won’t be able to tackle it and have fun. The same thing goes for ball toys. Avoid those that are obviously too small for your dog, that way there’ll be no chance of accidental swallowing during a game of fetch.
Play style
While soft toys might be a perfect choice for seniors with sensitive gums or gentle pooches that prefer plushies to chew toys, there’s a question of durability to consider. If you have an energetic adult dog, a curious teething puppy or an aggressive chewer on your hands, it goes without saying that a soft plushie won’t last long in your household. If you know your pet is prone to destroying their toys, opt for cheap dog toys designed for power chewers.
Cleaning
There’s no doubt that any toy that’s given to your pet will soon become grimy, filthy and smelly – no matter the circumstance. To avoid the accumulation of bacteria that could endanger your pet’s health, you want to go for toys that can be easily washed and disinfected. Some silicon or rubber toys might be washed in the dishwasher, while other cloth-based toys can be machine washed. This makes it easy to clean them on a regular basis. You don’t want your pet to repeatedly chew on the same filthy toys – it’s not just yucky for them, but dangerous as well.
Safety
Cheap dog toys can be as simple as a frisbee, or complex contraptions with many moving parts meant to entice your pooch into play. But the latter might not always be safe. Odds and ends like buttons, cogs and caps can snap off and become a health hazard. That’s why simple is always the best choice – single piece toys. And simple is often cheap, so you’ll reap two benefits at once. However, sometimes cheap dog toys are made from dubious materials, so be sure to check if the toy is actually safe for your pet to chew on before you offer it to them.
Durability
This is perhaps one of the more important factors to consider when buying a dog toy. Durability is important for anything dog related, and most of all toys. They need to be adequately tough in order to withstand the constant beating – the chewing, clawing and throwing around. Quality rubber toys are often very durable, as are thick rope toys. Soft fluffy toys might meet an untimely end in the grip of a strong dog, while hard plastic toys might not be so safe or easy to play with. The trick is finding a toy that offers the best of both worlds, and still has a modest price tag!
Importance of toys and playtime for dogs
Careless owners often overlook playtime and toys, and never really consider their importance. That’s why later down the road they experience a lot of trouble with their pets. Playtime is an efficient way to “tire out” your pet. In addition to being a healthy and efficient way to reduce your pet’s stress and pent up energy, it’s also a great way to strengthen your bond with your four-legged companion. By regularly giving your pet a chance to expend some energy and engage in playtime, you ensure that their needs are satisfied. This way you’ll avoid unnecessary troubles that may come from an unhappy and bored dog, as destructive behavior is often caused by a lack of mental stimulation.
Do cheap dog toys have good qualities?
It might be easy to assume that many cheap products aren’t the best quality, but each of our 10 recommendations above have been tried and tested, and reviewed by many happy customers who boast that they’re durable and great quality toys for their pups.
Can I make a cheap dog toy myself?
There are definitely some dog toys that you can do DIY versions of, particularly things like rope toys and anything with a ball. You can also use items like socks or old kitchen rags to transform into rope toys for your pupper. You certainly don’t have to spend a lot – or anything at all! – to keep your dog happy and entertained.
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A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.
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