Toys For Blind Dogs

Blindness should not stop your dog from playing, so I’m going to be talking about toys for blind dogs in this post.

I often use my senior dog Red and my life with her as an example for many of my articles. Although she is blind and has been since we adopted her almost seven years ago, she doesn’t know how to play, and no amount of effort on my part has gotten her interested.

Having said that, I do have a lot of insight into life with a blind dog, and this topic is of great interest to me, so let’s see what we can learn.

A toy doesn’t have to be marked as suitable for a blind dog. It’s really a matter of trial and error.

Since we know, they rely heavily on other senses like smell and sound, keep that in mind when making your selections. Look around and choose toys that activate those senses.

Remember, blind dogs get bored as easily as any other dog that isn’t getting the proper physical exercise or mental stimulation.

I want to mention one other thing – and this is obvious, but I’ll say it anyway – just like with sighted dogs, not every dog will like the same type of toys.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we participate in). As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

What to Look for When Purchasing Toys for a Blind Dog

When looking for toys for your blind dog, there are certain considerations to keep in mind that may be different when looking for a toy for a dog that can see well.

Focus on the toys that can activate your dog’s other senses like their hearing and smell.

Noise

Toys that make noise will be attractive to a blind dog because they can’t focus on how visually attractive the toy may be. So, find one with a sound that will grab their attention. Avoid toys with only short squeaks.

Instead, find toys with longer squeaks that last for a few seconds or more. You must also keep in mind your dog’s feelings. For example, if they are scared of loud noises, this is something to consider when trying out new toys.

Chew Toy

Even though their sight may be declining, it doesn’t mean they are any less active. When your dog has access to chew toys, they can alleviate boredom and help your dog maintain good oral hygiene.

Scented Toy

Even your blind dog can play a game of fetch, as long as they have scented toys that allow your dog to focus on the scent of the toy rather than sight. To find the best-scented toys for your blind dog, you want to pin down what your dog’s favorite tastes are and find a similar toy.

Interactive Toy

Interactive toys can dispense dog treats and can engage your dog while also rewarding him. If your dog prefers a particular smell, then pack your interactive toys full of treats with that smell to keep him interested.

Sensory Toys

Since a visually impaired dog cannot rely on their sight, their other senses are heightened. Sensory toys are perfect because they engage your dog’s other senses while encouraging them to play and explore.

Here are our top recommendations of toys for blind dogs in each category below:

Treat/Food Dispensing Toys

The one thing I can say is that Red is extremely motivated by food. Not much would stand in the way of her getting her little paws on anything edible if I let her.

A great toy for a blind dog is one that you can stuff with treats. Red’s inability to see in no way affects her finding that food-filled toy and licking every last morsel out of it.

Here are a couple of examples….

Kong

I use a Kong as an example simply because she has one, and it works for her.

But there are so many styles of treat toys on the market, start with one and see how it goes.

Buster Food Cube

Made of bite-proof plastic, fill it with some of your dog’s favorite treats, and watch him have a great time.

If he’s having trouble with it, you might want to try something with a stronger smell – hot dogs if he’s allowed!!

Chew Toys

A great way to relieve boredom and help with oral hygiene, chew toys are fun. It’s a matter of finding the ones your dog will enjoy.

Petstages ORKA Stick

Strong enough to withstand some tough chewing, this will give your dog something to keep him busy.

The different textures massage your dog’s gums and, in conjunction with a regular dental care routine, will help keep his teeth nice and clean.

Scented Toys

Scented toys are another option your dog may like. Depending on how strong the scent, they can be easy or more challenging to locate and a great way to involve your dog and keep her active physically and mentally.

If the scent is quite faint, you don’t want to put it too far away from her because no matter how excited you’re sounding, she will likely get frustrated if she hasn’t found anything.

Hartz Dura Play Bacon Scented Toy

This bacon-scented toy is sure to get your dog’s attention. Bacon is an irresistible scent most dogs love, and the exterior is a durable natural latex, making it bouncy and squeaky.

SPOT Play Strong Scent-Sations Bacon Flavor

This is another scent-infused toy, ideal for the more aggressive chewer. It is also good at massaging your dog’s gums and teeth.

Interactive Toys

Interactive toys with compartments that hold treats, in varying degrees of difficulties, is another example of a toy suitable for blind dogs. Again it uses their sense of smell to draw them to the toy, and to figure out the puzzle.

Outward Hound Interactive Dog Toy

Not the most challenging puzzle toy you’ll ever come across, but that’s why it’s perfect for my dog Red.

She doesn’t need to be able to see anything; she just nudges the parts out of the way to get to the treats she smells.

Noisy Toys

Toys that squeak, have bells, or even balls that make noise when they roll, can entertain your dog.

KONG Squeezz Dumbbell

Easy to squeak, it is durable, nontoxic, approximately 6″ in length, and comes in an assortment of jewel tones.

Grriggles Quackling Plush Toy with Soundchip

This 100% polyester plush toy comes with a chip inside that makes a quacking duck sound. Available in two sizes – Small 5″ and Large 7″.

Tamu Rubber Chicken Squeaky Toy

With every bite, this toy squeaks, making it ideal for your blind dog during playtime. It is also good for fetching, bonding, and calming your dog when he is nervous.

Sensory Toys

Here is a good selection of sensory toys your dog will love.

Sensory Caterpillar

This toy is squeaky and soft and made from all natural rubber. It is textured and squeaky and has a rubber scent. It is good for playing and retrieving and appeals to your dog’s other senses.

Crocodile Sensory Dog Toy

This chew toy is textured and is made from soft rubber that won’t hurt your dog’s teeth, jaws, or mouth. It is soft, has a rubber scent, and is great for playtime.

Hide and Seek

How about a game of hide and seek?

Hiding close by, call your dog. If she’s having a hard time finding you, make a bit of noise to guide her – knock on the wall, for example, and praise her like crazy when she finds you.

A delicious treat is a great reward!! I do this with Red, and the more enthusiastic I sound, the more excited she is when she finds me.

A little advice based on my experience, which I know will differ with every dog… I do this with Red every once in a while, but I don’t drag it out too long because what started as fun just becomes annoying for her.

Gauge your dog’s reaction and adapt accordingly.

Instead of you physically hiding, you could hide a treat very near to her and let her sniff it out. Encourage her by using words like “where is it” or “go find it” to make the game a little more exciting.

The Shell Same

We’re all familiar with the shell game, aren’t we? Hiding a small item under a shell and having to pick which one it’s under.

So, adapt it as a game to play with your dog, which I do. I take a plastic cup, put a smelly treat under it, and encourage her to “find it.”

I did this right under her nose, to begin with, so she’d get rewarded quickly, encouraging her to want to play some more.

I used one cup initially to help her get the hang of it, then increased the challenge by adding another cup, then one more.

You could also try moving the cup(s) a little further away, then a little more just to make it more fun and challenging, but not so it’s annoying or frustrating.

Toys That Talk

Some balls talk when rolled, and there are some plush toys that bark.

If your dog is a chewer, I would be careful since he could destroy the voice box, and you don’t want him swallowing any pieces. If your dog has never been a chewer, it doesn’t mean he won’t start now, so watch him when he’s playing.

As I mentioned, not all toys will be suited for all dogs – your dog may love the sounds, and others may be wary, so see how he gets on.

PetQwerks Talking Babble Ball

Made of tough plastic, it can take a beating from your dog, but still best to supervise him.

The toy is very sensitive, so it will talk not only when played with but even if you walk by. It could be slightly annoying to the humans, but dogs love it!!

Make Your Own Interactive Toy

Grab a muffin tin and some tennis balls and put one in each space. Hide a smelly treat under one of the balls, then tell her to “find it.”

If she’s having too hard a time, put the treat under a few. If that doesn’t work, hide a treat under a cup and let her find it.

Are you crafty?

Actually you don’t have to be terribly crafty for this next idea. You may be able to adapt some of the toys your dog already has by sewing a bell or noise maker inside.

Add Scent to Your Dog’s Toys

To help your dog locate her toy, a drop of essential oil or even a doggie perfume will help.

I am not too familiar with scents and safety, so I recommend you do a lot of research before using them. However, I do know that essential oils like Eucalyptus and Lavender, for example, are used in natural flea control mixtures, so they are safe for use around dogs.

It is a whole other story when it comes to what’s safe if your dog licks.

Which Hand is Holding that Tasty Morsel?

Put a treat in one of your hands close to your dog’s nose, and say “find it” or “where is it.”

Pairing up words to an action will teach your dog what you’re expecting of her. When you say them often enough, just hearing those words will get her excited.

Cat Dancer….for Dogs!

Are you familiar with those dangly cat toys, you know the ones with the long handles with a toy dangling at the end of a string?

Why not buy, or make one for your dog? Add a bell and maybe even a drop of scent and have her chase it as you pull it along the floor.

I know my cats (well, most I should say, some couldn’t be bothered and gave me that look that said, “who are you kidding, you think I’m going to chase after that thing!!) was seriously amused by this, why not dogs as well?

Having just written this, I may try this on my sighted dog Jack and see if he likes it. He may only be motivated if the food was tied to the end of it, but who knows, it’s worth a try!

Treat in a Bag

Rather than buy any more toys, what about putting a treat inside a paper bag and letting her tear her way through it.

Some dogs will chew the paper, which you don’t want to happen, so it may not be the right “toy” for your dog if that’s the case.

Make Your Own “Milk Jug” Toy

Have you ever seen how much some dogs love playing with an empty milk jug? You spent a small fortune on toys, and he’s happiest with that!

Put some small cookies in the jug, leave the cap off, and shake it to attract your dog’s attention.

Once she’s come over, she will smell the food and hopefully start batting it around. Finding food coming out of it will keep her even more motivated to play. If your dog isn’t particularly food motivated, that’s okay because the toy itself will keep her busy.

Benefits of Toys for Blind Dogs

There are many benefits when you choose to give your blind dog toys.

Relationship Building: when your pup has impaired vision, it is important to spend quality time with them. Using different toys, as mentioned above, can help you build a much stronger relationship and bond.
Training: dog toys are also helpful when it comes to training your dog. Allowing them to play with certain toys means they can get close to your hands. This is good for teaching them not to bite in a situation like this.
Have Fun: Playtime is essential for a dog and is one of the times of day he loves the most. So, finding the best toys for your blind dog can engage them to play, avoid boredom, and can keep your dog happy.
Increase Confidence: the right toys can also help increase your dog’s confidence. Dogs with impaired sight are often more timid and cautious compared to their companions, who may be able to see clearly. However, playing with their toys can increase their confidence as they learn to move around more and perform specific actions.

Another Perfect for a Visually Impaired Dog

In addition to all the toys we have mentioned above, here is another item you may want to consider for your visually impaired dog.

Snuffle Mat

This is an interactive training mat that offers your dog some great stress release and mimics the hunt for food they would have while in nature. The Snuffle Mat is a nose work sensory mat, perfect for any visually impaired dog.