The best toys for a pug
The best toys for a pug are ones that give them something to do without needing a long, high-energy chase to enjoy — think food puzzles, softer chew toys and short bursts of tug or fetch rather than anything built around sustained running. A pug's flat face makes hard breathing during exercise more of an effort than it is for most dogs, so toys that reward brain over lungs suit the breed well.
Why low-intensity play suits a pug
Pugs are a brachycephalic breed, meaning their shortened muzzle makes breathing during exertion noticeably harder work than it is for a longer-nosed dog. That doesn't mean a pug shouldn't play — it means the best toys are ones that don't rely on prolonged hard running to be fun.
Warm weather makes this more pronounced, since pugs also struggle to cool themselves as efficiently as other breeds. A toy that keeps a pug engaged while lying down or standing still, rather than sprinting flat out, suits the breed for more of the year than one that only works at full pace.
Puzzle and enrichment toys
A snuffle mat or a treat-dispensing puzzle toy plays to a pug's strengths — they're food-motivated dogs, and working for a treat by nosing or nudging a puzzle is genuinely tiring for them without a single lap being run.
These also help slow down a pug that eats quickly, which is common in the breed and can contribute to wind or an upset stomach. Rotating two or three puzzle toys rather than leaving one out permanently keeps a pug interested rather than the toy becoming background furniture.
Chew toys and short bursts of play
A sturdy but not overly hard chew toy suits a pug's jaw and gives them something to settle with for a while, which many pugs enjoy as much as active play. Very hard chews aren't ideal for any dog's teeth, so something with a bit of give is generally the safer choice.
Short sessions of tug or gentle fetch, kept to a few minutes at a time rather than a long continuous game, fit a pug's exercise tolerance better than an extended chase. Watching for heavy panting or the dog wanting to stop is the simplest way to judge when a play session has run its course.
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.
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
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
Remote-Controlled Jumping Ball Dog Toy
A self-rolling, light-up ball that jumps and rolls to keep dogs entertained. A paw-shaped remote sets three activity gears, so both small and large dogs can chase and play. Rechargeable and tough against chewing.
From£19.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs
A large inflatable ball too big for a dog to pick up, with a bite-resistant double-layer shell that slow-deflates if punctured, for high-drive chasing and nudging.
£23.99
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Durables Toy Crocodile
The crocodile from Red Dingo's Durables line: solid hardware, hard-wearing materials and a five-year manufacturer guarantee, which is rare enough to be the reason to buy.
£20.49
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
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo
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
No-Stuffing Crinkle Plush Dog Toy
A cuddly stuffing-free plush lion with built-in crinkle and dual squeakers to keep small and medium dogs entertained. Less mess if chewed open, and the soft body is machine washable for easy cleaning.
£10.99
Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw
Meet the Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw — one of the toughest dog toys we stock. Tuffy build their toys in multiple bonded layers with several rows of stitching and protective webbing on the seams, so they stand up to serious chewers far better than an ordinary plush. They float, and they’re machine washable (air dry).
£13.99
Chase Buddy Boredom Busting Dog Toy
A sturdy chase toy for dogs left alone for short spells, redirecting the energy that turns into barking, pacing and chewed skirting boards into active play.
£23.99
Common questions
- Why does my pug get out of breath so quickly during play?
- Pugs are a flat-faced, brachycephalic breed, and their shortened airway makes breathing during exertion harder work than it is for most dogs. It's normal for a pug to tire from exercise sooner than a longer-nosed breed would.
- Are puzzle toys actually good exercise for a pug?
- Yes, mentally if not physically. Working out how to get a treat from a puzzle toy is genuinely tiring for a food-motivated breed like the pug, and it doesn't demand the sustained running that hard breathing makes difficult for them.
- Should I play fetch with my pug?
- Short bursts are fine for most healthy pugs, but keep sessions brief and watch for heavy panting or the dog slowing down and wanting to stop, rather than pushing for a long, continuous game of fetch.
- Are hard chew toys safe for a pug?
- A chew with some give is generally a gentler choice for any dog's teeth than a very hard one. If you're ever unsure whether a specific chew is suitable for your pug, a vet can advise on what's appropriate.
Related
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.