10 Best Electronic Dog Toys

Worried your dog is bored out of its mind? Dogs feel it more than we give them credit for, and the right kind of stimulation keeps a dog steady in both mood and shape. Below are 10 interactive toys worth a look, with enough detail to help you land on one.

The CleverPet is the one I would put at the top. It works a dog’s brain and holds its attention for long stretches, even when nobody is home, and you can track how your pet is doing from wherever you are.

Reviews of the Best Electronic Interactive Dog Toys

A down, understimulated dog can slide into real health problems. You might be doing everything right and still come up short on the mental side. The electronic toys here push past what a plain toy offers because they pull in sight, sound, and touch all at once. Here are the ones that stood out.

1. CleverPet: Game Console for Dogs

This is one of the smarter puzzle toys on the market. It costs more than most, but it earns it: your dog taps lit pads to play a game, and the toy drops a treat for getting it right. The color puzzles keep changing, so there is always a new one to crack.

It does not take long for a dog to connect the pads with snacks. String enough correct taps together and the game levels up.

Hook the CleverPet Dog Toy up to your Wi-Fi and you can follow its progress and how much it has eaten. The app runs on iOS and Android, so setup takes a couple of minutes.

Next to other toys in this class, it does run loud. If the plan is to leave it on while you are out, though, that hardly matters.

Pros

• Engaging puzzle toy that your dog can easily understand.
• Will challenge your dog to act smarter by leveling up.
• Stays stable.
• You can monitor your dog’s progress.

Cons

• More expensive than other interactive dog toys.
• Might be too noisy for some dog owners.

Click here to learn more and check the price on the CleverPet website

2. Pet Fitness Robot: Interactive Treat Dispenser & Companion for Dogs & Cats

A robot might sound like overkill, but for a bored dog it can be exactly the fix. This pet robot shakes and vibrates its way around the room, which most dogs find hard to ignore.

It is built to grab and hold attention, and you can pair it with your phone to follow your dog’s progress, set how long it runs, and adjust how it plays.

Active dogs get the most out of it. The robot tosses treats as it goes, which turns play into a steady stream of positive reinforcement.

A toy like this can help your dog overcome separation anxiety. Its sensors map out the room, and if it takes a tumble down a step or two, it rights itself and keeps going.

The IPX4 rating means it shrugs off the occasional accident, including the kind a dog leaves on it, so it holds up over time. It runs about four hours on a charge, longer if you dial back the settings. With a big dog, snap on the protective case or it can crack.

Pros

• Fitness robot that keeps your dog active.
• Can be connected to the phone.
• Engages your dog by tossing out treats.
• Uses sensors to create a map of the surrounding environment.
• Has an IPX4 rating.

Cons

• The battery needs regular charging.
• The protective case is essential if you have a bigger dog.

3. Wickedbone Smart Bone: Automatic & Interactive Toy for Dogs

Dogs already love a good bone, but this one talks back. It reacts differently depending on what your dog does. Install the app and you can either drive it yourself or let it respond on its own to how your dog is moving and feeling.

The Wickedbone Smart Bone suits a clever, busy puppy that never sits still. It feels solid in the hand, though heavy chewers will probably win in the end. The price stays reasonable, and the food-grade polycarbonate body goes easy on teeth and claws. It tops out at 11 feet a second and answers your commands from up to 60 feet away.

The tires and cover pop off for cleaning or swapping. An hour on the USB cable buys you about 30 minutes in app mode or two hours running on its own, which falls short if you are gone all day.

Pros

• Affordable interactive bone.
• Can be controlled using your smartphone or could interact smartly based on your dog’s actions.
• Food-grade materials.
• Easy to clean.

Cons

• Doesn’t last for long.
• Not suitable for destructive chewers.

4. iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs

A dog will chase a ball until your arm gives out, so when you are not around to throw it, this toy steps in. The iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers comes in two sizes, and each launcher ships with three balls, though a plain tennis ball works just as well once those wander off. It is a fun thing to do together, but plenty of dogs figure out the mechanics and run the game solo.

Set the throw to 10, 25, or 40 feet based on how fit your dog is, or switch on the random setting to keep it guessing. It runs off rechargeable batteries or an AC adapter and works indoors or out, though a slick floor can stretch the distance a ball travels.

Sharper dogs learn where the ball comes from and just camp there to block it. The battery also drains quicker than you would like.

Pros

• Launches balls to keep your dog physically stimulated.
• Can be used by the dog on its own.
• Comes with replacement balls, and you can use any similar-sized ball.
• Adjustable distance.
• Rechargeable batteries.

Cons

• Doesn’t hold the charge for too long.
• Some dogs will figure it out soon, and won’t find it interesting.

5. Sikoon Wicked Ball

Think of this as your dog’s plain ball, leveled up. It has three activity settings and a little compartment for treats to keep things interesting.

One hour of charging gets you up to eight hours of play. The Sikoon Wicked Ball sets up in seconds, and built-in sensors steer it away from the tight corners you would otherwise have to fish it out of.

Even on the lowest setting it can come on strong for some dogs, so start there and turn it up only if your dog asks for more.

With an IPX67 rating it handles land and water alike and rinses clean under the tap. A button to release treats on demand would have helped hold a dog’s interest, though.

Pros

• Easy to use treat ball.
• Can last up to 8 hours.
• Three different settings.
• Built-in sensors.

Cons

Short on time? Jump straight to the Furbo treat-tossing camera →

• The lowest setting can be too much for some dogs.
• Some dogs might not be interested in this toy.

6. Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball Interactive Dog Toy: Electronic Ball that Talks & Makes Noises

You do not need to spend a fortune here. This one picks up on your dog’s breath or the vibration of it walking past, then switches on and demands a game when you cannot be the one to play.

Your dog will be tempted to play with the Pet Qwerks Talking Interactive Pet Toy until it loses interest and wanders off, at which point the ball shuts itself off until next time. The high-impact ABS shell takes a beating and lasts. Three sizes are on offer, each with its own set of sounds and one-liners.

For a blind dog or one with weak eyesight, the sound alone makes this a great pick. It is also handy for an overweight dog, since it gets them moving without any treats in the mix. The plastic is not made for chewers, though, and a determined one could swallow a shard.

Pros

• Affordable and available in three sizes.
• Doesn’t need any setup.
• Offers physical training without any treats.
• Suitable for blind dogs.

Cons

• Can get activated by any other movement.
• The plastic construction isn’t suitable for chewers.

7. Pet Qwerks Animal Sounds Babble Ball Interactive Dog Toy

This ball plays a run of animal noises to keep a dog occupied while you are out. It stays cheap and comes in three sizes, so you can match it to your dog’s age and build.

The Pet Qwerks Ball holds up well thanks to solid ABS, but that same plastic gives out under a serious chewer. Movement or breath sets it off, so there is no app to fuss with.

The mix of animal sounds works for puppies and for dogs that cannot see well. No treats come out, so it stays weight-friendly. One tip: dab a bit of silicone caulk over the small opening on the back to keep slobber off the batteries.

Pros

• Affordable ball that comes in three different sizes.
• Can be activated without your intervention.
• Engaging dog toy that works for puppies as well as blind dogs.
• Helps you manage your dog’s weight.

Cons

• Not suitable for chewers.
• Dog slobber can damage the batteries unless you seal the opening at the back.

8. Hyper Pet Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Dog Toy

Here is another cheap toy that buys you hours of entertainment. The Hyper Pet Doggie Tail Dog Toy is built to trigger a dog’s chase instinct, and a simple on-off button gets it going.

Toss it or give it a shake and your dog is off after it. Each random burst runs about 10 seconds, so a quick throw keeps the chase alive.

Once your dog tires out, it powers down on its own to spare the battery. It plays indoors or out, so it travels with you. A big dog, though, will likely chew through it fast.

Pros

• Stimulates your dog’s natural chasing instincts.
• Moves randomly to keep your dog entertained.
• You can throw it in multiple directions to keep your dog fit.
• This dog toy switches itself off to save the battery.
• Can be used inside and outside the house.

Cons

• Not suitable for bigger dogs.

9. GoBone Interactive App-Enabled Smart Bone for Dogs and Puppies

Pairing it with your phone takes no time. The smart bone tunes itself to your dog’s age, weight, breed, and play style so it pulls them in more often.

The GoBone Smart Bone resists slobber and gives a dog several surfaces to gnaw on. If yours is a hard chewer, the outer shell swaps out.

Every part a dog actually mouths is FDA food-grade. They come off easily for a quick clean when they get grubby.

A full charge keeps it rolling for up to eight hours, and a built-in tutorial helps your dog warm up to it. That said, even maxed out, it can feel a touch slow for a really high-energy dog.

Pros

• Slobber-resistant body.
• Rolls on multiple surfaces.
• Made of easy to clean food-grade materials.
• Pairs with your smart device to activate the toy.
• Performance can be adjusted based on your dog’s traits.

Cons

• The highest setting might still be slow for some active dogs.

10. PetSafe Ricochet Electronic Dog Toy

Two toys play off each other to keep a dog going for hours. Chase one and the other squeaks from 30 feet away. Leave them idle for 60 minutes and both shut off on their own.

Even a busy chewer has a hard time wrecking these, the materials are that tough. The Petsafe Ricochet Electronic Interactive Dog Toys keep a dog working in body and mind, since it never knows where the next squeak will come from.

The soft rubber coating works for puppies and big dogs alike. It also makes a decent hide-and-seek toy, tuck one behind a chair and the game gets trickier.

Not every dog cares for the noises, and a few are spooked by them. When the ball bounces, the plastic core can get loud on a hard floor.

Pros

• A combination of two toys to keep your dog entertained.
• Provides physical and mental stimulation.
• Suitable for puppies and older dogs.
• The soft rubber coating is durable.

Cons

• Some dogs might be scared of the noise.
• The bouncing ball might produce a loud sound, especially when it hits a hard floor.

Final Thoughts

Electronic toys simply give a dog more ways to stay entertained.

If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, this kind of stimulation can do real good for its mental and emotional footing.

With this range of toys to pick from, there is almost certainly one here that clicks for you and your dog.