The best toys for a Labrador
Labradors are strong, enthusiastic chewers with a genuine retrieving instinct, so the toys that hold up best are tough rather than delicate, and anything that involves fetching or foraging tends to get used far more than a toy that just sits in a bowl. Their food motivation also makes puzzle and slow-feed toys unusually effective for this breed specifically.
Why the standard advice matters more for this breed
Labradors are one of the more powerful chewers among popular pet breeds, and a toy that would happily last a smaller or less driven dog for months can be destroyed by a determined Labrador in an afternoon. Choosing genuinely durable toys is not just about value for money — a toy that breaks into small pieces is a swallowing risk, so durability is a safety question here as much as a practical one.
Their retrieving background also means a lot of Labradors get real, lasting satisfaction from a toy that can be thrown and brought back, in a way that some other breeds simply are not as motivated by.
Tough chews for a strong jaw
Rubber toys built for heavy chewers and natural chews with real substance tend to outlast anything softer or hollow. Rotating two or three tough options rather than leaving one out permanently keeps a Labrador interested for longer and reduces the wear on any single toy.
Check chew toys regularly for cracks or chunks missing, since even a durable toy eventually wears down under a strong, consistent chewer, and a damaged one is worth replacing before it becomes a hazard rather than after.
Fetch and retrieving toys
A dog bred to retrieve tends to get more lasting enjoyment from a ball, a floating toy, or a solid retrieving dummy than from novelty toys with a lot of squeak and not much substance. This is also one of the more efficient ways to tire out a young, high-energy Labrador without needing an unreasonably long walk.
Look for a size genuinely suited to an adult Labrador's mouth rather than something built for a small breed, since an undersized toy is more easily swallowed by a dog this size.
Using food-motivation to your advantage
Labradors are famously food-driven, which makes puzzle feeders and slow-feed toys unusually effective for this breed — both as mental enrichment and, for a breed genuinely prone to weight gain, as a way of making a meal or treat last far longer than a straight bowl would.
A snuffle mat or a treat-dispensing toy turns a few minutes of eating into ten or fifteen minutes of genuine mental work, which is a good trade for a breed that is often more interested in food than almost anything else on offer.
Beds and kit 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
Silicone Slow Feeder Dog Bowl With Mat
A silicone slow-feeder bowl set into a spill-catching tray mat. The ridged centre slows fast eaters and aids digestion, while the raised mat keeps food and water mess off the floor. Soft, non-slip and easy to wipe clean.
From£13.99
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
Common questions
- Why do Labradors destroy toys so quickly?
- Labradors are among the stronger, more determined chewers of the popular pet breeds, and a toy built for a lighter or less driven chewer often cannot withstand the pressure. Choosing toys specifically marketed as durable or for heavy chewers, and checking them regularly for damage, helps them last.
- Are puzzle feeders worth it for a Labrador specifically?
- Yes, arguably more than for most breeds, because Labradors are unusually food-motivated and prone to weight gain. A puzzle feeder slows eating down and turns a meal into mental exercise, which suits this breed's temperament particularly well.
- What size toy should I buy for an adult Labrador?
- Choose a size genuinely intended for a large breed rather than a medium or small one, since an undersized toy is easier for a Labrador's mouth and jaw to swallow whole or bite through quickly. Check the packaging's size guidance rather than judging by eye.
- Do Labradors need fetch toys specifically?
- Not strictly, but many get more lasting enjoyment and exercise value from retrieving toys than from other types, given their breeding. A solid ball or retrieving dummy is a reasonable starting point if you want a toy that reliably holds their interest.
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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.