Survey Reveals Dogs' Favorite and Least Favorite Toys: Insights from 358 Owners

Survey of Dogs' Favorite and Least Favorite Toys

A fascinating survey conducted by Eight Inc., a Tokyo-based company specializing in pet foods, asked 358 dog owners to share their insights on the toys their pets love and those they avoid. This research provides valuable hints for anyone interested in choosing the right toys for their furry friends.

Key Findings

Approximately 90% of surveyed owners confirmed that their dogs have favorite toys. Interestingly, 42% reported that their pets dislike certain types of toys. This disparity suggests that dogs may be more likely to show strong preferences that are easily remembered compared to toys they dislike but do not interact with.

Favorite Toys

The survey results reveal that the top favorite toy among dogs is the classic ball, with 157 votes. Balls stimulate natural instincts, encouraging dogs to chew and chase.

The complete ranking of favorite toys is as follows:
1. Ball - 157 votes
2. Stuffed Toy - 68 votes
3. Rope - 45 votes
4. Noise-Making Toy - 35 votes
5. Bone Toy - 19 votes
6. Durable Chew Toy - 7 votes
7. Dolls - 6 votes
8. Towel - 5 votes
9. Frisbee/Boomerang - 5 votes
10. Pull Toys - 5 votes

Among the toys that ranked below ten include items like Lego (4 votes), ring toys (3 votes), and various unconventional items like a Rubik's Cube and socks. These results suggest preferences for toys that facilitate interactive play between dogs and their owners or allow pets to engage independently.

Least Favorite Toys

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the survey asked owners to identify toys their dogs seem to dislike or show little interest in. Here, the most commonly cited item was noise-making toys, which received 25 votes. The reasons for this could lie in dogs' sensitive hearing, which may be overstimulated by electronic or mechanical sounds.

The least favorite toys ranked as follows:
1. Noise-Making Toy - 25 votes
2. Ball - 14 votes
3. Stuffed Toy - 13 votes
4. Rope - 12 votes
5. Doll - 12 votes
6. Educational Toy - 10 votes
7. Moving Toy - 10 votes
8. Hard Toy - 6 votes
9. Snake Toy - 5 votes
10. Sharp Toy - 5 votes

Notably, noise-making toys manage to straddle both lists, showing up as a disliked option yet ranking fourth among favorites. This contradictory behavior highlights that while many dogs are averse to loud sounds, some still appreciate softer sounding toys that produce gentle noises, indicating the importance of the sound's nature in determining a dog's toy preference.

Conclusion

The implications from this detailed survey emphasize the individuality of dogs when it comes to play. What delights one dog might utterly dismay another. Owners should pay close attention to their pets' reactions as they choose toys, ensuring that they provide enjoyable and engaging options.

The survey, executed on May 27, 2025, sheds new light on the dynamics of canine playtime. For those interested in further information, the full survey results can be viewed on the Eight Inc. website.