Best toys for a Chihuahua
A Chihuahua's small size means toy sizing matters more here than for most breeds — a toy made for a larger dog can be too big to grip or carry comfortably, while their genuinely tiny mouth and commonly crowded teeth make dental-friendly chew options worth choosing deliberately rather than as an afterthought.
Why size and dental health both matter
Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds, and toys sized for a medium or large dog are often simply too big for them to pick up, carry or shake the way dogs naturally like to play with a toy. Look for toys specifically described as suited to toy or small breeds rather than assuming a 'small dog' label on a generic toy covers it.
Dental crowding is a genuinely common issue in Chihuahuas because their jaw is small relative to the number of teeth it holds, which can make some dogs less keen on very hard chews that put pressure on crowded teeth. A softer plush toy or a chew specifically designed with dental health in mind is often a better everyday choice than a hard chew aimed at a bigger, more robust jaw.
What tends to suit the breed's temperament
Many Chihuahuas are alert, food-motivated and enjoy toys that involve a bit of squeak or crinkle, which taps into their naturally inquisitive nature. A small plush toy with a squeaker is a reliable favourite for a lot of Chihuahuas, giving them something satisfying to shake and carry around.
Some Chihuahuas are also more nervous or reactive than bigger, more robust breeds, and a comforting toy to carry or a gentle tug toy sized to their strength can suit that temperament better than something designed for rougher, more boisterous play.
What we stock that fits
From our toy range, look for smaller plush and squeaky toys sized appropriately rather than anything marketed generically as 'small dog', which can still be oversized for a breed this small. Our dental care range includes chews and dental toys aimed at supporting healthy teeth and gums, which is worth considering given how common dental crowding is in the breed.
Whatever you choose, supervise play with any toy that has a squeaker or small parts, since a determined Chihuahua can sometimes work a squeaker free faster than a bigger dog would.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Kowloon All Senses Branch Bone Bacon
A 15cm bacon-scented rubber branch bone, for chewing, fetch and dental play
£4.19
Whimzees Toothbrush Daily Dental Dog Chew
A vegetarian daily dental chew for dogs, shaped like a toothbrush
From£0.69
Kingdom Fruit Rope Dog Toy
A plush fruit-shaped rope toy with a squeaker in both the head and the body
£6.99
Pedigree Dentastix Light Daily Dental Chews Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs
£2.35
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Dentalife Dental Oral Care Dog Chicken Chews
DENTALIFE chicken dental chews with medium-dog and large-dog variants
£1.65
Durables Toy Crocodile
A crocodile dog toy from Red Dingo's Durables range: a 150g character toy for fetch, tug and carrying about, backed by Red Dingo's five-year guarantee.
£20.49
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo Dog Toy
A junior-sized Tuffy hippo built in bonded layers with webbed, multi-row stitched seams, light enough for smaller dogs and puppies, that floats and is machine washable.
£18.99
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Daily Dog Dental Treats
The daily dental stick people ask for by name, sized for small, medium or large dogs
From£2.35
Sportspet High Bounce Glow in the Dark Balls
Sportspet High Bounce glow in the dark dog balls: charge them in daylight and keep playing after the sun goes down.
From£4.99
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Dental Chews Small Dog
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews for small dogs over the label age limit
£2.35
Common questions
- Why does toy size matter so much for a Chihuahua?
- Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds, and a toy sized for a medium or large dog can be too big for them to grip, carry or play with comfortably. Choosing toys specifically suited to toy or small breeds makes play more enjoyable and appropriate for their size.
- Are hard chews bad for a Chihuahua's teeth?
- Chihuahuas commonly have crowded teeth because of their small jaw size, and very hard chews can put uncomfortable pressure on crowded teeth for some dogs. A softer chew or a toy designed with dental health in mind is often a better everyday choice, and your vet can advise on your dog's specific dental situation.
- What kind of toys do Chihuahuas usually enjoy most?
- Many Chihuahuas respond well to small plush toys with a squeak or crinkle, which suits their alert, inquisitive nature, along with gentle tug toys sized to their strength. Individual preference varies, so it is worth trying a couple of different types.
- Is it safe to leave a Chihuahua alone with a squeaky toy?
- It is safer to supervise play, especially with any toy containing a squeaker or small parts, since a determined small dog can sometimes work these free. Remove any toy that becomes damaged or has a part exposed rather than leaving it for unsupervised play.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.