When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.
Looking for the right toy for your Shih Tzu? We’ve compiled a list of the best toys for your Shih Tzu, starting as a puppy and continuing through adulthood. It can be hard to figure out which types of toys are best, especially for smaller dogs. With their unique jaw and facial structure, the Shih Tzu can be tough to pick for.
Because of how unique these pups are, our comprehensive buyer’s guide will walk you through all the factors you should consider when buying an assortment of toys for Shih Tzus. We’ve also handpicked some of our favorite toys to help you keep your pup entertained for hours.
| Puppies | Adults | Interactive | Puzzle |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| KONG Puppy Bone | KONG Classic | Wobble Wag | Outward Hound |
| View on Chewy | View on Chewy | View on Chewy | View on Chewy |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
A Buyer’s Guide For Toys For Shih Tzus
Our buyer’s guide covers all aspects of picking the right toy for your favorite Shih Tzu. There are several different things to consider, especially what stage of life your dog is in. You likely won’t be getting your adult pup the same toy you get a 3-month-old puppy.
A puppy has different toy needs than a fully grown adult dog. Puppies need toys specifically designed for their breed and size. These toys should be smaller and typically also have a firm rubber substance. This way, your teething puppy will get some relief. Below, we look at all the important decision points you should review before introducing your pup to their new toy.
5 Types of Toys
In my guide, I cover five different types of toys that will be a good fit for your pup. Each toy group serves a different purpose, so keep that in mind when making your selection.
Chew Toys
This is pretty self-explanatory. These are the toys that your pup is going to chew on all day until their jaws get tired. You’ll typically want firm rubber or firm nylon if your dog likes to abuse a good chew toy. Make sure it’s durable but not too firm so their teeth don’t get damaged.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys are fantastic for Shih Tzus because this breed is intelligent. These toys make noises or create movement when your dog interacts with them, keeping your pup mentally and physically stimulated.
Retrieval Toys
Shih Tzus aren’t known for going crazy while chasing a ball. But some dogs, even this breed, have a higher prey drive and end up loving a good chase. Balls, as do others like frisbees that are utilized for throw and retrieve, fall into this category.
Brain Games
Brain games are essentially dog puzzles. These toys require your puppy or adult dog to think, and dogs of all ages can usually have fun with them. The setup is to make your dog work for the treat and solve a puzzle to get it.
Treat Dispensers
Instead of solving a puzzle for the food, the treat containers allow you to load up the interior of the toy while your pup gets after it and starts chewing away at it. You can fill these toys with your dog’s favorite treats or human treats like peanut butter.
Material Construction
The materials your toys are made of matter. If you hand your puppy a toy made of rope, it will get torn through quickly unless it’s made of nylon. What’s worse is that your pup may also swallow some of the bits of rope that have come off, creating a potential disaster that will hopefully exit during your puppy’s next poo break.
In the worst case, these rope strings may bind up and put you in a tough spot for an emergency room visit to your vet late at night. This is why making sure the materials your toys are made of is extremely important. As your dog ages, you’ll have far more flexibility in toy materials as long as playtime is supervised.
Some better materials for your puppy include specialized rubber toys for teeth and gums. You can also use puppy-friendly nylon bones. As your dog gets older, other toys like ropes and non-toxic plush toys made of fabric are fine to use. You’ll just need to make sure playtime is supervised. Otherwise, you’ll risk the chance they accidentally ingest something that puts them in the ER.
Did You Know?
Pet insurance can cover emergency vet bills and other unforeseen accidents and illnesses as long as you have a policy in place before health problems arise. See our reviews of the best pet insurance providers to learn more.
Things to Avoid
There are also some things you’ll want to keep an eye out for so that you can avoid costly vet bills. Picking the wrong toy material can have longer-term health impacts on your pup. Make sure you aren’t introducing your pup to any toys that contain BPA-containing plastics. BPA is known to cause health problems and is not safe for dogs.
You’ll also want to avoid toys with smaller pieces your dog may swallow. This way, they can’t become a choking hazard. Also, avoid toys that come apart easily when your dog plays with them. Crazy things can happen. It’s very likely your dog could swallow smaller pieces of a toy, especially if they are puppies.
Due to their jaw alignment, most Shih Tzus are not aggressive chewers due to their jaw alignment, so you won’t need to worry about buying toys that are for hardcore chewers. Heavy chewers require special attention because when they destroy something, they typically ingest it, costing pet owners tons of money at the vet every year.
Budget Considerations
As with any breed, buying dog gear can get expensive. You’ll need to stretch your budget to cover a dog crate, dog food, a dog harnesses, vet bills, and more. When buying the proper assortment of toys, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t break the bank, considering all the other costs you’ll need to prep for. The good news is that, generally, smaller toys are less expensive. It’s not like buying gear for a giant breed, as usually, the bigger the dog, the costlier they are.
Types of Toys For Puppies
Adults have a broader range of toys you can use freely with them. Puppies require a little more thought. We typically recommend that teething puppies have toys that are firm yet have some give to them. This can help relieve teething symptoms but not be too harsh on their gums. Kongs are great for this, as are other firm rubber toys that allow your dog to chew for extended periods of time.
Types of Toys For Adults
Once your pup enters adulthood, it’s time to start using more interactive toys. This includes ropes and brain games. Adult Shih Tzus also love a good game of tug-of-war, and some enjoy fetching balls.
Best Toys For Shih Tzus
Below are our favorite toys for Shih Tzu puppies and adults. We’ve also gone into detail about why we love them for the breed. Our recommendations here are slightly different than other toys we’d typically recommend. They have a different genetic makeup and facial structure than most other dogs. While there’s some crossover (a Kong can likely be used from 3 months on), some options below are better suited for a puppy versus an adult.
KONG Puppy Goodie Bone Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
The KONG Puppy Goodie Bone gives your pup more interaction than a classic KONG. It’s formed in the shape of a bone with open ends at each side of the bone that can hold food inside. This bone is made of a softer rubber, which makes it the perfect companion for teething puppies as they grow and start to lose their teeth.
This toy comes in small and extra small sizes, making it the perfect companion for a Shih Tzu puppy that’s still growing and has yet to reach maturity. If your pup is just starting to lose teeth, this is a great option to help soothe some of that pain.
Key Features
- Best choice for Shih Tzu puppies
- Softer rubber helps soothe gums and teeth
- Open ends are perfect for hiding treats
- Made for puppies up to 9 months old
- Naturally sourced rubber materials
- Recommended by vets and trainers alike
- Made in the U.S.
Price
KONG Classic Small Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
It’s practically impossible to go wrong with a KONG. Because Shih Tzus aren’t known to be aggressive chewers, a small-sized Kong is perfect to keep them busy for hours. KONG does a good job of sizing their toys for all breeds, and the extra small makes a perfect companion for your dog as they enter adulthood. With proper care, the KONG Classic can last for many years.
I like that the KONG classic chew is customized for small dog teeth. There’s also plenty of room to stuff it full of tasty treats. This is one of the few toys recommended by vets and trainers worldwide. It’s also manufactured in the USA.
Key Features
- Perfect for treat stuffing
- Great for chewing and for games of fetch
- Great for relieving separation anxiety
- Irregular bounce pattern will hold attention
- Recommended by dog trainers and vets
- Naturally sourced rubber materials
- Made in the U.S.
Price
- 2 pack: $14.99 ($7.50 / Count)
Nina Ottosson Dog Smart Beginner Puzzle Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
The Nina Ottosson Dog Smart Beginner Puzzle toy is ideal for dogs needing more mental stimulation. Shih Tzus are extremely smart dogs! This means that puzzle toys like this are perfect for keeping them entertained. If your dog is in the puppy stage, getting them to engage with this type of toy may be harder.
This slow feeder toy is a level 1 toy, so you can start your dog off slowly. It’s easy to clean and made of more rigid plastic while remaining BPA-free. It also helps redirect destructive behaviors by keeping your dog occupied and looking for food or treats inside the puzzle.
Key Features
- Stimulates mental activity
- Entry-level dog puzzle
- Great for keeping your dog busy
- Allows for changing of difficulty levels
- Bones can be arranged in different ways
- Great way to make your pup work for kibble
- Should be used under supervision
Price
Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
The Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is an interactive toy that will keep your dog guessing for hours. The Wag Giggle ball makes noise and moves each time your pup interacts with it. It will keep your dog a little more occupied by making noise and allowing your dog to chase after it as they nudge it with their noses or paws.
This toy is great for both indoor and outdoor play. Instead of a toy that’s typically best for indoor use, you have something that you can take with your Shih Tzu anywhere you go. This toy is great for dogs of all sizes. So, this is one that you can test with your puppy at an early age through adulthood. It doesn’t have the same teething relief as the Kong brand toys. It’s still hard to beat and is one of our favorite interactive toys.
Key Features
- Makes a giggle sound when moving around
- No batteries required
- Durable and dog safe
- Phthalate-free vinyl toy material
- Great for all breeds and sizes
- Bright colors for low light conditions
- Sounds different compared to most squeak toys
Price
West Paw Qwizl Small Toy Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
West Paw Interactive makes a number of smaller and firm rubber toys that are specifically manufactured to give you the option of hiding food on the inside. These toys are highly durable, and they float. If your Shih Tzu puppy likes to chase toys into the pool, this might be a perfect fit because it’s unlikely to get lost based on the bright colors.
Believe it or not, if your toy suffers some abuse at the hands of your pup, it’s actually recyclable. You can toss it in the blue bin and feel good about saving the environment one more destroyed dog toy. While puppies can use this, the size makes it more suited for young adult dogs or fully grown dogs.
Key Features
- Treat dispensing dog toy
- Environmentally friendly design
- Recyclable materials
- Durable and safe
- Great for fetching and chewing
- Can keep your dog busy for hours
- Made in the U.S.
Price
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
The Outward Hound hide-a-squirrel is recommended for adult dogs only. This great brain-working toy will keep your pup busy. Because Shih Tzu’s jaw pressure isn’t too intense, the plush squirrels will stand up to use over time. It’s still recommended that you monitor your Shih Tzu while they engage in activity with this toy, just because every plush toy has a shelf life.
Overall, this toy is excellent for keeping your pup mentally stimulated. The squirrels squeak and will give your dog something to search around and find for hours on end. This product gives you an alternative to typical chew and fetch toys. It’s a fan favorite for many breeds.
Key Features
- Provides mental stimulation
- Plush toys that are actually durable
- Squeaky noise drives Shih Tzus crazy
- Should be used only during supervision
- Replacement squirrels are available
- Junior size for smaller breeds
Price
- Starts at $9.99
Need Some Treats For Your Toys?
You’ll want to stock up on goodies to place inside your dog toys. Peanut butter is a fantastic stuffer for rubber toys like KONG and West Paw, which are easy to clean. See our picks for the best (and safest) peanut for dogs. Consider training treats for puzzle toys — they’re the perfect size and not too high in calories. And speaking of calories, Shih Tzus are very prone to weight gain, so you may also want to consider these low-calorie treats.
