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Yorkshire Terriers have a high prey drive and a lot of energy. This means they need regular mental and physical exercise to keep them from going stir crazy and getting themselves into trouble. Keeping a few good Yorkie toys available to your pup can go a long way toward meeting this need. We’ll review the best toys for Yorkies in this guide.
In this guide:
- Top Yorkie toys: At a glance
- 15 best toys for Yorkies (reviews)
- What types of toys do Yorkies like to play with?
- What should I look for in a Yorkie dog toy?
- Frequently asked questions about Yorkie toys
Top Yorkie toys: At a glance
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15 Best Toys for Yorkies
Sometimes you want a toy that you can use to play with your Yorkie. Other times you need a toy that will occupy them while you are away or busy. The challenge is finding toys that will hold your Yorkshire Terrier’s attention and that are small enough for their petite size. We’ve organized our top picks into different categories below.
Click a category to jump to that section:
- Interactive toys
- Puzzle toys
- Companion toys (for anxiety)
- Chew toys
- Toys for teacup Yorkies
- Balls and exercise toys
Best interactive toys for Yorkshire Terriers
Interactive toys provide mental stimulation and exercise for your Yorkie. Because your dog is mentally engaged, there’s less of a chance of them experiencing separation anxiety or acting out with destructive behavior due to boredom.
What we like
Wickedbone teases and taunts, captivating your dog’s attention and bringing out their prey-driven nature. We like that the bone operates automatically when we are busy, but can also be switched to manual operation when we want to play with our pup.
What we like
Our Yorkie, Max, LOVES this interactive toy, and we think yours will too. His prey drive kicks in when he hears the noise, and we’re not quite sure if he knows it’s not real. Games of hide and seek provide hours of entertainment. Oh and the “barking” sound? It’s a soft, playful bark that is hardly irritating—we don’t think you’ll mind it.
What we like
This ball beckons dogs to come play, even as they walk by. Pups are sure to be lured into play and won’t get bored with the Babble Ball.
Best puzzle toys for Yorkshire Terriers
Puzzle toys can occupy your dog’s attention when you can’t. Some of the options keep pets engaged without the need for treats, which are recommended as a Yorkie’s daily calorie intake is quite small. Here are a few puzzle toys that are sure to keep your dog busy for a while.
What we like
We love that the squirrels are small enough to fit into our 5-lb. Yorkie’s mouth. He loves to find and chew on the internal squeaker. The holes are just the right size to make it somewhat challenging to get the squirrels out of the trunk, keeping Max busy. The tree trunk can also be used to hide a treat ball amongst the squirrels.
What we like
We love that instead of just giving our pup a treat, we can keep him busy and stimulated for a bit with this puzzle toy. We also love that this toy is washable. Once your pup figures this puzzle out, you can swap it for one of the other Nina Ottosson advanced puzzles.
What we like
Your pup will have to exert some physical activity to bob this treat-dispensing toy. Adjustable openings will keep your smart pup going a bit longer to release their favorite snack.
Best companion toys for anxious Yorkies
Having a lonely pup or a Yorkie that suffers from separation anxiety is unsettling. There are a few toys that may calm them and help them feel less alone.
What we like
There’s a lot of helpful tech packed into the Furbo Interactive Dog Camera. We love that it alerts you of potential danger while also giving you the ability to comfort your lonely pet (or have your pet comfort you!) when you can’t be at home with them. We love that you can virtually pop in, say hello to your pet and even toss them a treat.
With an optional subscription, you can also have event-triggered video recording, which lets you discover what you’re missing in your dog’s day or find out what triggers your dog to bark. 60-second highlight reels are downloadable for memory making.
What we like
Transitioning to a new home or new schedule can be hard. The Snuggle Puppy can help calm a lonely or anxious puppy when you can’t be around to do it. We like that this has a pulsing heartbeat and warming pack to help dogs reduce anxiety. It’s also the perfect companion if you’re currently crate training your Yorkie puppy.
What we like
Instead of giving just any blanket to your pup, why not opt for a blanket with a heartbeat! Not only is the fabric soft and cozy, but the heartbeat insert can make a world of difference for a lonely dog missing her little mates or owners.
Best chew toys for Yorkie puppies
Yorkshire Terriers are naturally curious, and Yorkie puppies, even more so. They like to sniff, lick, and chew anything they can get their paws on. So, they’ll need toys that satisfy this need to explore.
Yorkshire Terriers also tend to do a lot of chewing as part of the puppy teething process and as they develop their bite. Toys not only provide an appropriate chewing outlet but also encourage appropriate brain development and body coordination. Here are a few of our favorites.
What we like
Nubs feel good on teething puppy gums, and even better when frozen.
What we like
We like this toy bundle as it’s a great starter kit for the new dog owner. It’s a great way to get a variety of toys without spending a lot of time or money.
What we like
These puppy rings are edible, safe to digest, gentle on delicate teeth, and provide a safe outlet for strong chewing urges. The ring shape is easy for floppy puppy paws to hold onto, and they are available in several different flavors.
Best teacup Yorkie toys
Here are some mini toys, petitely sized for mini Yorkshire Terriers. These toys are small enough that even the littlest furballs can get their teeth around them. Why should the big dogs have all the fun?
What we like
Any toy that can entertain a dog and clean its teeth at the same time is a win in our book.
What we like
At 1.5 inches, the XS is the perfect size ball for fetch with even the smallest Yorkies.
What we like
We can keep our Yorkshire Terrier busy for a while by stuffing peanut butter or one of his other favorite treats into his Kong. For a different experience, or to satisfy a teething puppy, try freezing the treat inside of the kong before offering it to your pup. If you like Kong’s toys, you can also sign up for their monthly box subscription, so you’ll always have new toys on hand as your dog grows and wears out the old ones. Right now, you can get 25% off a one-year subscription.
Best Yorkie balls & exercise toys
Exercise is an important part of your dog’s life. Every dog needs a few toys that get their heart rate up and legs moving. Here are a few of our favorite Yorkie-tested exercise toys.
What we like
Pups like the bumpy texture of this ball. The internal squeaky toy and lights will make the game of fetch even more fun.
What we like
We like the Hol-ee Roller ball as it serves several purposes. Stuff a treat inside and it becomes a slow-dispensing treat ball. It also makes a great ball for bouncing and fetching as it’s small enough that even a Yorkie puppy can mouth it.
What we like
Dogs love tug-of-war! ZippyPaws is made with a durable rope that provides you and your pup with hours of tug-of-war and fetch. The squeaker toy makes it a fun chew toy as well!
What types of toys do Yorkies like to play with?
Due to their heritage of being vermin hunters, Yorkies tend to have a strong prey drive. They enjoy seeking, chasing, and playing with anything that piques their curiosity. There are many toys that will satisfy their natural prey drive and keep their mind engaged. With this in mind, Yorkies play well with toys that:
- Provide interaction: Toys that make noise—particularly animal noises—or move erratically entice dogs to play and encourage their natural prey instinct. Just be aware your pup may not realize it’s a toy!
- Provide mental stimulation: Yorkies are an intelligent dog breed, and this intelligence comes with a price. Dogs that get bored will get into mischief. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pup’s brain engaged.
- Provide physical exercise: Yorkies need a moderate amount of exercise to stay healthy and happy. It can be as simple as a game of fetch or tug-of-war; these toys get your pup’s energy out. After all, a tired pup is a good pup.
- Provide an outlet for aggressive chewers: Dogs love to chew! With a chewing toy, dogs can satisfy their need to chew without ruining your shoes and furniture.
- Provide comfort: Just like us, dogs need comfort. Soft toys can help dogs feel relaxed at night or when they are feeling anxious.
>> Read more: Yorkie Games: What Do Yorkies Like to Do for Fun?
What should I look for in a Yorkie dog toy?
- Dental abrasion: Whether a yak stick or a nubby chew toy, certain toys can be helpful in cleaning the plaque and tartar off of your dog’s teeth.
- Easily washable: Most toys need to be regularly washed to get rid of any remaining food or bacteria that can live on their surface.
- Durable materials: Opt for toys that have long-lasting materials, so you won’t need to regularly buy replacements.
- Appropriately sized: Just like everything else for Yorkies, their toys need to be in proportion to their size, or they won’t be fun for your pup.
- Non-toxic and healthy: Look for labels that indicate the materials used are non-toxic to your pet. If it’s an edible toy, look for real-food ingredients like apples and sweet potatoes.
>> Read more: What Are Good Treats for Yorkies? Best Picks & Homemade Tips
Tips for playing with your Yorkie
- Any toy that mimics your dog’s instinct to hunt down and chase after prey is probably going to be a favorite. This could be a toy that bounces erratically, a battery-operated toy that allows for a good chase, or a squeaky toy that sounds like a small animal.
- Find a few toys that interest your dog that are not food-based. With their small size, it can be easy to over-feed them with toys that need treats.
- If you choose to give your pup a food toy, choose one that forces the dog to eat it slowly (as there likely won’t be a second treat to follow); this could be a puzzle toy, a peanut butter-stuffed Kong, or a Yak stick.
- Provide clean water during playtimes. Yorkies tend to be driven and relentless, so take breaks for water and rest. Breaks will help them avoid overheating or becoming dehydrated.
- If your pet is acting too aggressive with a toy, remove the toy and work on rewarding them for appropriate behavior.
- Changing up the toys your dog has access to can help keep them interested. Keep a variety of toys on hand but only make about a third of them available each day.
- Reserve the toys that get your dog’s excitement going for earlier in the day and calmer toys closer to bedtime.
>> Read more: Yorkie Supplies: All the Stuff You’ll Need to Bring Your Puppy Home
Frequently asked questions about Yorkie toys
What types of toys are best for Yorkies?
There are a variety of Yorkie toys that are appropriate for different occasions. Some toys satisfy the need to chew while cleaning the dog’s teeth. Puzzle toys provide cognitive stimulation that’s necessary for this intelligent breed. Due to a strong prey drive, interactive toys will entice your pup to engage in play.
Toys that provide exercise are also great for Yorkies as they tend to be an energetic breed. These can be high tech or as simple as a ball or tug-of-war rope. Still others help comfort them when they’re left alone or going to sleep. You’ll want a good mix of toys that are appropriately sized to suit all your dog’s needs.
Are any toys dangerous for my Yorkie?
Toys with sewn-on pieces, such as buttons, or toys that won’t stand up to heavy chewing are not a good idea. Sharp broken edges may injure your pet. Toys with squeakers are common favorites, but make sure you don’t let your dog get access to the squeaker or they may swallow it.
Regularly inspect the toys for sharp edges and fragile seams and get rid of any that are falling apart. Additionally, avoid toys that have fluids or filler that could be released if punctured. Consumable chew toys need to be regularly inspected as they get smaller to avoid choking.
How much playtime should my Yorkie have each day?
At least 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise is needed. This exercise can come in a variety of forms including a game of fetch, tug-of-war, play with an interactive toy, a walk, or a combination of activities.
Some Yorkies, like my pal, Max, do better with a bit more exercise, so it can also depend on the individual dog. Watch for signs of boredom, restlessness, and even excessive barking to determine if your dog needs more exercise.
How do I teach my Yorkie to fetch the ball and release it?
It will probably be first nature for your dog to retrieve the ball, but giving it up is a different story. Choose a command word, like “drop,” and have a low-calorie bite-sized treat on hand to reward them when they release the ball. Repeat this process, along with copious amounts of praise, until releasing the ball comes naturally. To learn more about this technique, read our guide on Yorkie training.
