French bulldogs are playful, curious pups that love having a variety of toys to keep them entertained. With their compact size but strong jaws, finding the right toys that are durable yet safe can be a challenge. As French bulldog owners ourselves, we’ve tested tons of toys to find the very best options to fit this breed’s needs.
In this ultimate guide, I’ll share our top 10 picks for dog toys that Frenchies go crazy for, along with tips on what to look for when shopping. Whether your Frenchie loves to chew, play fetch, or solve puzzles, we have you covered!
Let’s dive in.
Best Dog Toys for French Bulldogs
From years of toy testing with our own Frenchies, we’ve compiled the ultimate wish list of their all-time favorites. Here are the 10 best toys for keeping your French bulldog entertained for hours!
Loobani Spinning Treat Puzzle Toy1. Loobani Spinning Treat Puzzle Toy
Food puzzle toys are fantastic for engaging and stimulating your French bulldog’s mind. One of our top picks is the 2-in-1 Loobani Spinning Puzzle Toy.
This interactive work-to-eat toy offers two fun ways to play. In the first mode, as your pup nudges and rolls the container around the floor, a little bit of food falls out from inside. This makes sure the toy keeps your French bulldog entertained for a long time.
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In the second mode, you can put the container in a bamboo stand and get your dog to roll it around to get the food out. To make things more tricky or easier, silicone plugs are included to change the difficulty level by blocking the hole in the bottle.
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Key features:
- Available in puppy and adult sizes
- Two ways to play – on the floor or stand
- Heavy-duty tipless base design
2. Dog IQ Treat & Mental Stimulation Toy
The “slot machine” is a mind-bending game that really tests the patience of even the most determined French bulldogs. Unlike almost any other traditional dog puzzle, this toy pushes your French bulldog’s smarts and patience to the max.
Perfect for dogs that can’t resist treats and have sharp minds, this puzzle is a hit. It comes with three unique “test tubes” you can pack with snacks or dog food. To get the treats, your dog will have to figure out how to tip the rotating compartments upside down and wait for their reward to tumble out.
This puzzle is a real test of patience, as your dog has to manage to keep everything balanced while the treats rattle around inside, making it a challenging but fun task.
What makes it great:
- Comes in sizes for puppies and adult dogs
- Sturdy weighted base so it doesn’t tip
- Adjustable height for small or big dogs
- Non-slip rubber feet keep it steady as your dog plays
3. KONG Classic Dog Toy
This odd-shaped natural rubber chew toy is a legend in the pet world, and for good reason. Available in different sizes, the durable rubber stands up to serious chewers like Frenchies, and the hollow middle can be stuffed with treats or peanut butter. Our Frenchies go nuts trying to get to the filling! It keeps them busy for ages.
Key features:
- Tough, non-toxic rubber
- The hollow center can be filled
- Engaging irregular shape
4. Petstages Dogwood Stick
This durable nylon chew stick is a safer alternative to real wood sticks. Made by Petstages to be extra tough, our Frenchies can’t demolish it despite their best efforts! The texture cleans teeth, and the real wood scent attracts their interest. It’s a great chew toy to occupy them when left alone.
Key features:
- Extremely durable nylon material
- Real wood smell Frenchies love
- Textured for teeth cleaning
- Small size perfect for Frenchies
- Great for independent play
5. Loobani Puzzle Cube
Food puzzle toys are fantastic for stimulating your French bulldog’s mind. Our favorite is this Loobani cube. Just place kibble inside and watch your clever Frenchie move and slide the sections to reveal the food.
Key features:
- Sliding puzzle box dispenser
- Dispenses kibble or treats
- Stimulates the mind and slows fast eating
- Durable bamboo construction
6. Dog Bounce Ball
The unique multi-layer design gives this ball an awesome bounce and makes it perfect for playing fetch, which our athletic Frenchies love. The bright colors make it easier to spot in the grass. Lightweight and sized right for a Frenchie’s mouth, it’s one of the best balls for the breed.
Key features:
- Ultra-durable rubber exterior
- High bounce from multi-layer interior
- Bright color for visibility
- Lightweight and sized for Frenchies
- Floats in water
7. Hallow-Out Dog Ball
Let’s be real – traditional tennis balls just don’t work well for smoosh-faced Frenchies. Their short snouts make it hard to grip a ball without struggling to breathe! But fetch is paws-down one of the best games for tiring out a high-energy French ie. So, what’s a pet owner to do?
You can choose the game-changing Breathe-Right balls. These genius fetch balls have vents that allow for better airflow, so Frenchies can breathe easier while playing.
The balls come in a convenient two-pack and are available in different sizes. The medium size is about 3 inches wide, which should be a great fit for most French bulldogs.
What makes them great:
- The vented design improves breathing while gripping the ball
- Durable rubber construction stands up to tough play
- It comes in a variety of sizes to suit your Frenchie
8. Flirt Poles
Want to get your French bulldog’s heart racing and joints moving? A flirt pole is the perfect interactive toy for a high-energy game of chase.
The Loobani flirt pole has a braided rope lure attached to a flexible rod and string. You stand safely, holding the handle while swinging and zigzagging the lure near the ground to trigger your Frenchie’s prey drive and get them dashing and leaping to try and catch it.
This smart toy provides fantastic exercise to burn your pup’s excess energy. The thrilling chase and jumps work your Frenchie’s cardiovascular system, legs, and core. And the unpredictable pole movements keep their brain engaged.
Key features:
- Braided fleece lure for chasing/biting
- Works your Frenchie’s body and brain
- Fantastic owner-dog interactive play
- Improves focus and impulse control
So, if your athletic French bulldog has the energy to spare, a flirt pole is the perfect backyard toy for a game of high-intensity prey drive chase they’ll love!
9. Squeaking Toy
Every French bulldog should have a quality stuffed animal in their toy box. With its cute design, built-in squeaker, and soft plush fabric, this Frisco toy hits all the marks. It’s the perfect size for a Frenchie to carry around and great for gentle games of tug and fetch. The squeaks add extra fun!
Key features:
- Adorable plush cow design
- Soft, durable polyester fabric
- Squeaker inside
- Perfect petite size for Frenchies
- Great for interactive play
10. Plastic Bottles
Pretty much every French bulldog parent agrees – Frenchies totally freak out over empty plastic bottles! They go bonkers for that crinkly texture and crackly sound. It’s like catnip for cats! Just make sure to toss the cap and any small pieces first so playtime is safe.
With a simple plastic bottle, you can keep your French bulldog entertained for hours. And reduce waste at the same time – win-win!
Next time you finish a bottle of soda or water, give it a quick rinse and let your Frenchie go to town batting, chewing, and pouncing on their new favorite ghetto toy. Recycling never sounded so good!
How to Choose French Bulldog Toys?
Every French Bulldog is unique, and choosing toys for them is not a one-size-fits-all situation. To pick the best toys for your furry companion, here are some key aspects to keep in mind:
1. Size and Age
French Bulldogs are smaller in size compared to larger breeds like the English Mastiff or Newfoundland. When selecting a toy, avoid anything too large or heavy, which might be hard for them to handle and potentially cause injury. Also, steer clear of very small toys that pose choking risks. Consider their age as well since dogs have varying needs through different life stages. For example, chew toys are great for teething puppies, while adult dogs might prefer toys that offer mental engagement.
2. Level of Activity
While French Bulldogs are typically lively, their energy levels can vary based on factors like age, health, history, and personality. For a highly active dog, choose robust toys that can endure vigorous play or interactive toys for constant entertainment. For less active dogs, soft toys or puzzle toys may be more appropriate.
3. Individual Preferences
Every dog has its own likes and dislikes. Some may favor silent toys, while others might prefer noisy ones. Some might choose plush toys over balls. To discover what your French Bulldog enjoys, try offering a variety of toy types and observe which ones they engage with most.
4. Safety First
Safety is paramount when selecting toys for your French Bulldog. Avoid toys with small, detachable parts that could be swallowed, and opt for those made from safe, non-toxic materials. It’s also important to pick durable toys that won’t easily break apart during play.
FAQ
1. Should I give my Frenchie plush toys?
Some Frenchies can handle soft plush toys gently. But for aggressive chewers, they might be unsafe. Monitor your individual Frenchie; if plush toys get destroyed immediately, opt for rubber or nylon instead.
2. Are tennis balls safe to fetch toys for French bulldogs?
Veterinarians actually advise against tennis balls for this breed because the abrasive fuzz can wear down teeth over time. Use a rubber fetch ball instead.
3. What toys are unsafe for French bulldogs?
While shopping for Frenchie toys, steer clear of anything with:
- Small, loose parts that could detach and become a choking risk
- Long strings or ropes that Frenchies might swallow and cause dangerous intestinal blockages
- Squeakers or stuffing that determined chewers will rip out and ingest
- Toxic materials like lead paint, which is sometimes found in cheap dog toys
- Sharp objects like real bones, antlers, or plastic that can injure their mouth
4. How do I choose the right size toy for my Frenchie?
Measure the width of your Frenchie’s mouth to find toys that fit comfortably without being too tiny. Their short snouts mean toys can’t be too long.
Final Words
We hope this guide gave you tons of great ideas for stocking up your Frenchie’s toy box with their new favorites. Just remember to pick a variety – chewers, plush pals, brain games, fetch toys – to keep their bodies and minds entertained.
The right toys can be total game-changers for Frenchies prone to anxiety, boredom, or destructive chewing tendencies. So get ready to curb those behaviors and see your happy pup thrive!
Be sure always to supervise playtime and check toys for damage regularly. Safety first!