Best toys for a maltipoo
Maltipoos are small, usually under 6kg fully grown, so the toys that suit them best are ones properly sized for a small mouth rather than scaled-down versions of toys made for bigger dogs. Soft squeaky toys, small rope toys and gentle puzzle feeders tend to work better than anything designed with a bigger, stronger chewer in mind.
Why size matters more than toughness here
A maltipoo's small jaw and delicate teeth mean the priority with toy choice is usually size and softness rather than extreme durability, which is the opposite of what matters most for a large, powerful chewer. A toy sized for a labrador is a choking and swallowing risk for a dog this small, even if the toy itself is well made.
Small toy and companion breeds are also more prone to dental crowding and tooth loss than larger dogs, so a toy with genuinely soft, appropriately sized textures, rather than anything hard enough to crack a small tooth, is worth prioritising over a toy marketed purely on toughness.
What tends to work well
Small plush toys with squeakers, soft rope toys sized for a small mouth, and gentle puzzle feeders that dispense treats without requiring much force all suit the breed's size and temperament. Maltipoos are typically playful and food-motivated, so a treat-dispensing toy can hold their attention for longer than a plain squeaky toy alone.
Soft dental chews designed for small breeds can help support teeth that are more prone to crowding and plaque build-up than in a larger dog's mouth, though a chew of any kind is a support for dental health rather than a substitute for a vet check.
Keeping playtime safe
Check any toy for small parts, such as squeakers, stuffing, or plastic eyes, that could come loose and be swallowed, particularly with a small dog who can swallow a piece that a larger dog would only chew on. Supervise new toys until you know how your dog plays with them.
Replace anything that has started to fray or come apart rather than letting your dog continue with a toy that's no longer intact, and rotate a small selection of toys to keep a food-motivated, easily bored breed interested in what's available.
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
Guru Distracto Pod Bone
Medium Guru suction treat pod for paste-based distraction on hard surfaces
£5.19
Kingdom Fruit Rope Dog Toy
A plush fruit-shaped rope toy with a squeaker in both the head and the body
£6.99
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
Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat
An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.
From£13.99
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
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
Ancol Orva Puzzle Ring
A 30 x 3.5cm dog puzzle ring for treats or paste, with a built-in lick mat
£21.99
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
Ancol Orva Puzzle Wheel
A 35 x 4cm dog puzzle wheel that dispenses treats during supervised play
£21.99
Common questions
- What size toys are right for a maltipoo?
- Look for toys specifically sized for small or toy breeds, since maltipoos are usually under 6kg fully grown and a toy made for a larger dog can be a genuine choking risk. Check the size guidance on the product rather than assuming a smaller-looking toy is automatically safe.
- Do maltipoos need soft or tough toys?
- Generally soft rather than extremely tough, since the priority for this breed is a toy sized and textured for a small, delicate mouth rather than one built to withstand a powerful chewer. Hard toys marketed for tough chewers are more likely to be uncomfortable or risky for a maltipoo's teeth.
- Are puzzle toys good for maltipoos?
- Yes, many maltipoos are food-motivated and playful, so a puzzle feeder or treat-dispensing toy that doesn't require much force to work can hold their interest well, particularly on days when a long walk isn't possible.
- How do I stop my maltipoo from swallowing small toy parts?
- Check any toy for squeakers, stuffing or plastic parts that could come loose, and supervise a new toy until you know how your dog plays with it. Replace anything that starts to fray or come apart rather than letting your dog continue with a toy that's no longer intact.
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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.