Best toys for a whippet
Whippets are sprinters with a strong chase instinct, so the toys that suit them best split into two quite different groups: something that moves fast for a proper chase and tug session, and something soft to settle with afterwards, since whippets are also notably big on comfort and rest between bursts of activity. Their thin skin and lean build are worth keeping in mind when choosing anything with a rough texture or hard edge.
Toys for the chase instinct
A whippet's whole build is designed around a short, explosive sprint, and a lure or flirt-pole style toy that can be dragged or flicked to move unpredictably taps into that instinct far more effectively than a toy that just sits still waiting to be picked up. Rope tugs and toys with a squeaker also tend to hold a whippet's interest during an interactive game, since the instinct being satisfied is chase and catch rather than simply chewing.
Fetch toys that are easy to spot at speed and gentle on the mouth on landing suit the breed's flat-out running style better than anything heavy or hard-edged, which matters given how thin a whippet's skin is compared with a more robustly built dog.
Comfort toys for downtime
Whippets are known for spending a large part of the day curled up and asleep between short bursts of activity, and a soft plush toy or comfort item in their bed is genuinely well used by this breed rather than being an afterthought. Look for something soft rather than a toy built for aggressive chewing, since destructive chewing is not typically what a whippet is after from this kind of toy.
A snuffle mat or simple puzzle feeder is also worth having for quieter moments, giving a whippet something mentally occupying that does not require the same energy as a chase game, which suits a breed with high bursts of energy but long periods of rest in between.
What to avoid
Avoid anything with sharp plastic edges, coarse rope that could rub, or toys designed for heavy, sustained tugging against a very strong chewer, since a whippet's thin skin marks and grazes more easily than a stockier breed's does during rough play. Supervise tug games and stop before they become too forceful.
Toys that are too small are also worth avoiding, even though whippets are a slim breed, because a narrow mouth does not mean a small throat — choking risk depends on the toy's size relative to the whole dog, not just how slender they look.
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
Guru Pet Company Guru Squeaking Rope
Guru squeaking rope dog toys in two distinct tug-and-sound designs
From£9.49
Ancol Orva Puzzle Ring
A 30 x 3.5cm dog puzzle ring for treats or paste, with a built-in lick mat
£21.99
Common questions
- Do whippets need a lot of toys?
- Not a large number, but a mix of a couple of interactive chase toys and one or two soft comfort toys covers what this breed actually uses. Whippets tend to have short bursts of high energy followed by long rest periods, so toys that suit both halves of that pattern work better than a big pile of one type.
- Are whippets destructive chewers?
- Generally, no — whippets are not typically known as heavy chewers compared with some other breeds, and tend to prefer chase and comfort toys over aggressive chewing. Individual dogs vary, so supervise a new toy the first few times to see how your own whippet treats it.
- Can whippets play tug safely?
- Yes, in moderation, using a toy with a comfortable grip and keeping the game gentle rather than forceful, since a whippet's thin skin is more prone to grazing than a stockier breed's. Stop the game before it becomes too rough and supervise young or excitable dogs closely.
- What size toy is right for a whippet?
- Choose a toy sized for the whole dog rather than assuming small because whippets look slim — a narrow build does not mean a small throat, and an undersized toy can still be a choking risk. If in doubt, size up rather than down.
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.