The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a graceful and gentle pooch. On the one hand, he offers the attentiveness that toy dogs give. On the other hand, he is part sporting Spaniel and an energetic dog who needs plenty of stimulation to keep him happy. And what better way to keep him stimulated than with a bunch of new dog toys?
When you are getting ready to welcome a Cavalier pup into your life, you’re prepping your home with all the best things for him. Or maybe your King Charles is bored with his current toy box, and it’s time for an update. You’ve come to the right place.
This guide will provide all the information you need to find the best dog toys for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Plus, we recommend a variety of specific toys, making it super easy for you. So, let’s delve a bit deeper into what makes a dog toy fit for a King.
At A Glance: Top Toys For Cavaliers
Best For Fetch
Blue Chuckit! Ball Launcher
Best For Chewing
Westpaw Treat Dispensing Toy
Best Plush
Frisco Monkey Durable Rope
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Buyer’s Guide
Type Of Play
Just because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is cute doesn’t mean they all play in the same cutesy way. Some like to fetch a ball, and some enjoy tugging a rope to shreds. Some like to chew, and some prefer to use their clever canine brain to sniff out treats. And some Cavaliers might like to play in more ways than one. So, you need to think about how your pooch likes to play and base your toy choice around this favorite toy type.
If your Cavalier likes to fetch, you should choose an object you can toss, such as a frisbee or a ball. If he likes to play in the grass, you might want to pick a brightly colored toy that you can see from a distance. If he likes to tug and interact with others, a tug-of-war rope toy is a fantastic option. A simple chew toy is the best pick for those who chew everything in sight. And for those who like to test their brains or go mad for snacks, find a challenge with treat-dispensing toys. Many of the toys we have chosen combine different play types.
Durability
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a graceful pup but with an active streak. You probably want to buy something more than just a cutesy plush toy for super energetic Cavaliers, as it might not last all that long. Instead, a tougher toy is the order of the day to ensure that it lasts longer than a few minutes. But if your Cavalier is a big softie, plush toys are fine.
Durability comes down to the quality of the toy you pick and the toy’s material. If you buy a cheap toy from the dollar store, you cannot expect it to last long. So, by spending a little more on a dog toy and picking a better quality one, you’ll get a lot more out of it and better value for your money.
Materials
Durability can also determine just how safe it is. Unfortunately, some companies out there use dangerous materials to make dog toys so that they can make a profit. So it is down to you to sort the bad toys from the top quality ones. Here are the safest and best materials to choose from.
Rubber
Rubber is one of the most commonly used materials in the dog toy world. It is safe and satisfying to chew, especially for teething puppies and anxious pooches. It offers pain relief and stress reduction. And it is also long-lasting and fun to play with. It is particularly excellent for tough chewers.
Rope
This is another popular material for dogs. It is also durable and long-lasting. The rope fibers also help with your Cava’s dental hygiene. A rope toy is popular with dogs who like to play tug of war with other four-legged friends or their favorite humans.
Nylon
Nylon is a nice material choice for dog toys, and it comes in two forms. The first is the hard form that is commonly used in chew bones and toys. Nylon is much safer than natural bones and wooden sticks and longer-lasting too. It can also be shaped with ridges to help with dental hygiene. And it can be flavored with tastes like bacon and peanut butter to keep your pup interested. Nylon also comes in a softer form. This is used in better-quality plush toys as it is more durable than polyester.
Polyester And Plush
Polyester and plush are used for soft toys. And soft toys are only an option for gentle players who do not chew their toys. It is a better option for those sweet Cavaliers who love to cuddle their toys at night. Or seniors who love to fetch at home but find rubber or rope too heavy or hard to pick up with their mouth. Extra care needs to be taken with polyester toys because they are not as long-lasting as other materials. The stuffing material inside, along with objects such as squeakers, can pose a choking hazard when the toy eventually deteriorates.
Safety
Safety comes first. Thankfully, most high-quality toys are made so that fun does not have to be compromised. For this reason, you need to choose a high-quality toy that is safe for your pooch and avoid the cheap options. Unfortunately, there are many brands out there that happily make and sell unsafe dog toys to make more of a profit.
Stick to better-known brands with high ratings, which increases the likelihood that the toy is safe. Look at the pictures of the toy to get a feel for it. Read the description and understand what material it is made from. This way, you’ll get a better understanding of whether it is high quality or not. If the toys are made from a material not listed above, research it using independent sources. The rubber should always be 100% natural, plastic BPA-free, and with as few or no rims and seams as possible.
Size
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is part of the toy breed group but at the larger end of the toy dog scale, so he is likely to need a small toy. But some toys only come in medium or large, and some come in extra-small. When it comes to size, you need to read the product description. And there, it usually tells you what breed or size pooch the toy is suited to.
Getting the sizing is very important. If it’s too big, your Cavalier might not want to play with it. And if it’s too small, he might accidentally swallow it. Always pick the right size or one size larger. Never pick something too small. As a safety measure, measure your Spaniel’s mouth to ensure that he at least cannot swallow it whole. Every toy and brand sizes its products differently, so never assume either.
Best Dog Toys For Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
We’ll tell you our favorites and why we love every choice that we’ve made. We’ll highlight their best features that might appeal to you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. So, in no particular order, here they are.
Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone
- Bacon butter flavor.
- Made in the United States.
- Ergonomic design for grip.
- Satisfies natural urge to chew.
- Soothes teeth and gums.
- Great for chewers.
Benebone is a well-known brand in the dog chew toy world, and their toys are made in the USA with USA-sourced materials and ingredients. This option is made from real bacon, making it a super yummy toy for those Cavaliers who can’t resist yummy treats. The chew toy contains flavor grooves throughout the entire toy, and the bacon taste remains until the last chomp.
It is made from durable nylon, so it lasts much longer than traditional chew toys. And it is much safer. If your Cavalier is an anxious pup or a naughty one, this toy makes a great option for him to keep his mind occupied. We like this chew toy because it is ergonomically designed, making it easier to grip and chew.
We love that this toy is the best option for Cavaliers who love to chew anything and everything. Why choose a sock to chew when you could chomp on this bacon-flavored toy?
Chuckit! Classic Launcher
- Great for games of fetch.
- Cover a greater distance with throws.
- Fits Chuckit! balls and tennis balls.
- Lightweight plastic handle.
- Reduces arm stress on the thrower.
- Hands-free ball pickup.
- Made in the United States.
Most dogs love to chase after things, and the Cavalier, with his Spaniel genetics, is bound to be one of those dogs. Chuckit! has a great range of balls and launchers, and we have chosen the sports option for the Cavalier. The sport option comes with a two-inch ball, which is the best size for your small pooch. It is soft but bouncy, like a tennis ball, and it is brightly colored so that you can see it on the long grass. It’s safe to say that this toy is not intended for indoor use.
This pack comes with one ball to get you started, and we like that you can buy balls separately when you need to replace them. This toy is fantastic value for your money. The sport option also benefits you because the launcher is ergonomically designed with an extra comfortable rubber grip. The launcher allows you to throw up to three times further without any extra effort from you. It also means hands-free ball pickup, so no more slobbery hands during walkies.
We love that this toy is the best option for Cavaliers who love to run and chase things to bring back to you. This sports launcher toy means you get extra throwing power to get the most out of their exercise.
ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide & Seek
- Durable plush toy.
- Perfect for medium to large breed dogs.
- Hide-and-seek puzzle toy.
- Squirrels squeak.
- Machine washable.
- Keeps dogs entertained for hours.
- Great for inquisitive breeds.
This toy option is the best pick for Cavaliers who like to bury and dig their toys, as well as those that go mad for plush squeaky toys. This toy is made up of a hollow plush log and three chipmunks. Hide the chipmunks in the trunk and watch your Cavalier enjoy hours of fun releasing the animals and chucking them around. It is also machine washable, making it a breeze to clean.
Why not place a few yummy treats inside the trunk for added excitement or simply get him going the first few times? The chipmunks can also be hidden around the home for stimulating nose work play. This toy is larger, but it does not put your small pup off playing with it because it is soft. Plus, this means bigger chipmunks to have fun with. Extra chipmunks can be added for even more fun.
We love that this toy offers a variety of sounds, textures, and shapes for a stimulating play session. This toy is cute but also challenging, and the squeaky chipmunks satisfy his Spaniel prey drive.
Outward Hound Puzzle Toy
- Puzzle toy for brainy dogs.
- Provides plenty of mental stimulation.
- 4 Layers of rotating discs.
- Can be used by dogs of all sizes.
- Can hide treats inside each level.
- Can increase or decrease difficulty levels.
- Not recommended for unsupervised play.
This option is for the brainier Cavaliers out there or those who like to work for their food with stimulating puzzles. Out of the four difficulty levels (one being easy, four being extremely challenging), this toy is level two. Making this a great starter puzzle for most Cavaliers. Thankfully, with the option to hide yummy treats inside, he should never get bored with it.
This interactive toy has four rotating discs, and your pup has to twist each layer in different directions to reach the yummy goodies. To make it more challenging, each layer has added compartments in which you can hide treats. Suppose you think your Cavalier needs to progress to something more challenging. In that case, you can feel proud watching him progress through the difficulty levels with the other toy options. This toy comes with a 30-day limited warranty, and it is made from safe polypropylene, which is easy to clean.
We love that this toy is the best option for those intelligent Cavaliers who need an extra challenge to stimulate their clever brains. He’ll have to get his thinking cap on for this one.
West Paw Qwizl Chew Toy
- Made for aggressive chewers.
- Two different sizes.
- Hollow middle section for treats.
- Provides mental stimulation.
- Made of recyclable plastic.
- Crafted with non-toxic materials.
- Made in the United States.
This toy is another treat dispensing option, but it holds onto dental sticks and other long treats. It is a rubber toy that provides satisfaction when chewing. It can reduce anxiety in stressed pooches and offer pain relief for teething pups. The rubber is flexible but tough enough so that it can withstand the toughest of Cavalier chewers. And it should keep them out of trouble and away from chewing your shoelaces.
The cut-out design means that your pooch is able to taste and smell the treat constantly, making it more enticing for prolonged solo play. The twisty design makes it easy to grip, and it also offers an erratic bounce for those who like to play fetch. It is colored brightly for easy visibility outdoors, and it can be cleaned easily, too. This toy comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so it should last much longer than your average treat-dispensing toy.
We love that this toy is the best option for Cavaliers who are tough chewers and need to satisfy their jaws with durable, tough rubber.
Frisco Monkey Durable Rope
- Budget-friendly.
- Great for games of Tug-o-war.
- More durable plush toy.
- Built-in rope for durability.
- Minimal stuffing.
- Soft outer shell.
- Not recommended for unsupervised play.
Frisco is known for its budget-friendly yet quality dog toys. This pick is a plush toy for gentler pooches, with an exciting squeaker inside for those excited by squeals. With the Spaniel’s prey drive, this is bound to be a big hit with most Cavs. The inner rope is placed inside each limb for added durability. Plus, it can be used as a tug of war toy for gentler dogs. It is great for both interactive activities and solo play.
It can be used as a soft fetching toy for inside fun and can even double up as a cuddle buddy. The ultra-soft plush material is perfect for snuggling. Minimal stuffing is another added safety feature, which reduces the chances of it becoming a choking hazard. This is a versatile toy that most Cavaliers love and it is designed for small to medium-sized canines.
We love that this toy is the best option for those Cavaliers who love to play tug of war thanks to the inner rope design. It is also a versatile option for those who love multiple play types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have some questions about what toy to get your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Below are the most commonly asked questions that should clear things up.
What types of toys are best for my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
When it comes to playing type preferences, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. All Cavs are different. Some like to chase and fetch, thanks to their Spaniel genes. And some are only interested in play if there is a treat involved. Some are super soft in their play, and some are surprisingly tough chewers who happily chew all day long. The type of toy you choose for your Cavalier is how he likes to play. So, as mom and dad, only you can answer that.
Is one toy enough for my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The short answer here is no. Toys are not a luxury, they are a necessary part of his everyday life that provides physical and mental stimulation. Your pup becomes bored, destructive, and depressed without adequate mental stimulation. A variety of toys keep his mind challenged, so having access to more than one toy is necessary for his well-being. It’s also a great idea to rotate the toys throughout the week to last longer and keep him interested.
Are some materials dangerous for my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Yes, some companies produce low-quality and unsafe toys for your dog to make a profit without any concern for the safety of all dogs out there. Some materials are dangerous for dogs, so it’s essential to understand these. 100% natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, rope, cotton, nylon, and polyester are safe for your Spaniel. And when these safe materials eventually break down, they also pose a threat, so you’ll need to replace them when they do.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, that’s everything you need to know about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and what toys you should pick for him. Yes, he might be a cute toy pup, but he has a streak of Spaniel energy that needs satisfying. And toys play a huge part in this satisfaction.
Thanks to our buying guide, you are now armed with the knowledge you need to pick the best toy for your Cavalier. And, with the recommendations above, you can be certain that each is fun, great value for money, and safe for your perfect pup. Pick a few toys that you know he’ll play with and feel as spoiled as a King.
