Dogs | Enrichment | Toys
Best Squeaky and Plush Dog Toys in Australia
Whether your pup is a gentle snuggler or a squeaker-obsessed maniac, finding the right plush toy makes all the difference. Aussie dog owners know how important indoor toys are during steamy summers and stormy days when the walk is off the table. The four plush toys below cover the full range — an interactive hide-and-seek puzzle, a soft comfort object that becomes a security blanket, a small-dog-sized squeaker, and a reinforced plush built to actually survive a chewer. Each earns its basket spot by being safer, more durable, or more engaging than a basic $5 squeaky toy.
Best Overall
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle
- Engaging hide-and-seek puzzle
- Three squeaky squirrels included
- Not for power chewers
Best Comfort Toy
Multipet Lamb Chop Plush Dog Toy
- Incredibly soft and cuddly
- Iconic, lovable design
- White plush shows every smudge
Best for Small Dogs
KONG Cozie Ali Alligator Plush Dog Toy
- Extra layer for durability
- Right size for small dogs
- Not chew-proof
Best for Tough Chewers
goDog Gators Squeaky Plush Dog Toy
- Reinforced for rough play
- Lasts longer than standard plush
- Higher price point
We tested a heap of plush squeakers across Bruce and a string of foster dogs to find four that genuinely earn their place in a basket. Each addresses a different need — an interactive plush puzzle for clever dogs that need a job, a soft comfort object that becomes a bedtime companion, a properly-sized small-dog squeaker, and a reinforced plush that holds up to actual chewing. After all, enrichment has wide-ranging benefits for dogs, helping prevent boredom and naughty behaviours. Below: what to weigh up before buying, how the four compare side-by-side, and the full notes on each.
What to look for in a plush dog toy
The five things that decide whether a plush toy lasts a season or ends up as fluff confetti by week two. Scroll across to read all five.
Size to the dog
Tiny toys are great for Chihuahuas, but a Labrador might need an extra-large plush to play safely. Match the toy to your dog’s mouth size — most brands offer small/medium/large variants, so pick deliberately rather than going by what looks cute.
The squeaker matters
Some dogs need the squeak to engage, others ignore it. The volume and pitch vary wildly between brands — Lamb Chop is gentle, goDog is loud, KONG Cozie is somewhere in between. If you live in a flat or have neighbours, factor in how much noise you’re willing to tolerate.
Reinforcement vs softness
The softer the plush, the shorter the lifespan with anything but a gentle dog. Reinforced toys (goDog Chew Guard, KONG Cozie’s extra layer) trade a little cuddle-factor for genuine durability. Match the toy to your dog’s chew style, not the other way around.
Watch the first session
Any new plush toy needs supervision for the first 15-20 minutes. That’s when you’ll learn whether your dog cuddles it, plays with it, or sets out to destroy it. Adjust your expectations (and the toy’s solo-time access) based on what you observe.
Clean and replace regularly
Plush toys collect drool, dirt and the occasional backyard incident. Most are machine-washable in a laundry bag on gentle cycle. Replace at the first sign of damage — a torn seam exposing the squeaker is a vet emergency waiting to happen.
At a glance
Our top four picks compared — what they’re best at, key features, prices and where to check.
| Rank | Product | Best for | Key feature | Approx. price | Check price link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
|
Clever dogs that need a job | Plush tree-trunk with three squeaky squirrels hidden in pockets. | ~$25-35 AUD | Check price |
| Best Comfort Toy |
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Gentle dogs; cuddle and bedtime toy | Iconic 11-inch lamb plush with a gentle belly squeaker. | ~$15-25 AUD | Check price |
| Best for Small Dogs |
|
Small breeds; gentle play | 20 cm soft plush with extra inner layer and a single gentle squeaker. | ~$15-25 AUD | Check price |
| Best for Tough Chewers |
|
Dogs that shred normal plush in days | Chew Guard lining and deeply-embedded squeaker for reinforced durability. | ~$25-35 AUD | Check price |
Our picks in detail
What we love, what to watch out for, and who each pick really suits.
Best Overall: Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle
Bottom line — the plush puzzle for clever dogs: taps the hunting instinct without the destruction of a real chase.
If your dog is anything like Bruce — golden retriever with too much brainpower and a habit of inventing his own entertainment — the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel will be an instant hit. It’s a plush tree trunk packed with squeaky squirrel toys that tuck into holes in the trunk. Your dog has to nose, paw and yank the squirrels out to “catch” them, which taps into the natural hunting instinct without any mess.
The plush material is gentle on the mouth and the whole toy is light enough for a game of indoor fetch when the weather has cancelled the walk. The mental engagement is the real value: instead of tearing up couch cushions, your bored pup focuses on rescuing the three squirrels over and over. Hide them around the house for an extended scent-and-find game. The honest caveat: this isn’t built for sustained chewing — supervise dogs who treat plush as snacks, and replace the squirrels as they wear out (they’re sold separately).
| What we love | Areas for improvement |
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Best Comfort Toy: Multipet Lamb Chop Plush Dog Toy
Bottom line — the comfort object for gentle dogs: a timeless plush they’ll carry around like a security blanket.
The Lamb Chop plush has earned a kind of celebrity status in the dog-toy world — same adorable lamb from the old children’s TV show, reincarnated as a soft squeaky dog toy (and our top pick for puppy toys). There’s something timeless about its design that just works for dogs. The 11-inch version is a good medium size for most dogs to cuddle or carry, and the gentle squeaker in the belly draws attention without being so loud it drives you mad.
Many dogs treat the Lamb Chop like a comfort object — carried around the house, brought to bed at night, the kind of toy that becomes a permanent fixture rather than disappearing into the toy basket. Construction-wise it’s all about softness: plush fabric, squishy body, floppy limbs. That makes it perfect for snuggling and light play, but it does mean this is a toy for gentle chewers. Rough play will get through the plush within a week. The white fabric also shows every bit of drool and grass stain, so plan on regular washes in a laundry bag.
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Best for Small Dogs: KONG Cozie Ali Alligator Plush Dog Toy
Bottom line — the small-dog plush that punches above its weight: extra reinforcement, gentle squeaker, properly small-breed sized.
KONG is a brand Australian pet owners trust, and the Cozie Alligator is a terrific pick for smaller dogs who want a cute squeaky friend. The gator is about 20 cm long — just the right size for a Maltese, Cavoodle or other small breed to carry around without it being unwieldy. It’s soft on the outside, designed for cuddling and gentle indoor play, with a cute character design that dogs respond to instantly.
Unlike $2 shop plush toys, the Cozie has an extra reinforcing layer of material inside — not indestructible, but tougher than the average plush. It squeaks from the middle when squeezed (just one squeaker, mercifully not too loud). For a small dog who’s gentle with their toys, this lasts months. The honest caveat: if you’ve got a small dog with a “destroy everything” mentality, this isn’t the toy for them — they’ll work through the reinforcement layer within a couple of weeks. For everyone else, it’s a small-dog favourite that survives the basket.
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Best for Tough Chewers: goDog Gators Squeaky Plush Dog Toy
Bottom line — the plush built to actually survive a chewer: Chew Guard lining, deeply-embedded squeaker, worth the price bump.
If you’ve given up on plush toys because your dog turns them into fluff confetti within a day, the goDog Gator might restore your faith. This one is built differently — it has a special Chew Guard lining inside that acts as a kevlar-style backing to the soft outer fabric. The squeaker is large and deeply embedded in the body, which makes it harder for a determined chewer to isolate and rip out.
It’s a good size with a floppy body and crinkly bits that make it fun for shaking and tossing — Bruce treats his like prey, which is exactly the engagement the design is built for. No plush toy is truly indestructible, but this lasts significantly longer than your average squeaky plush. The fabric feels thicker without being so hard that it stops being fun, and dogs can still get a satisfying squeak out of it. Pricier than a $5 squeaky plush, but the longer lifespan more than balances out the cost over a year, making squeaky play possible even for the canine destroyers out there.
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FAQ
Are squeaky toys safe for dogs?
Yes, squeaky toys are generally safe as long as you choose the right size and quality for your dog and supervise their play. The biggest concern is the squeaker itself — some dogs get determined to “find” and remove that noise-making part. If your dog manages to tear a toy open and pull out the squeaker or stuffing, it becomes a choking or blockage hazard. That’s why it’s important to pick well-made toys that don’t fall apart easily and to keep an eye on your pup during play. At the first sign of damage, retire the toy. Reinforced options like the goDog Gator are designed specifically to survive harder chewers without exposing the squeaker, but no plush toy is fully chew-proof — supervision still matters.
Why do dogs like squeaky toys so much?
Most dogs find squeaky toys exciting because the sound taps into their natural prey drive. In the wild (or, you know, the backyard), a squeak resembles the high-pitched noise a small prey animal might make. So when your dog chomps down and the toy squeals, it’s deeply satisfying — it’s like they “caught” something. Beyond the instinctual side, the squeak is also just plain fun. It’s an immediate reward that their bite or pounce did something interesting. Some dogs also learn that squeaking a toy gets your attention, which adds a social-engagement angle on top. The downside of all that satisfaction: many dogs will work hard to get to the squeaker itself, which is why durability and supervision matter.
How do I clean plush dog toys?
Plush dog toys can get pretty grotty (think drool, dirt, and who-knows-what else), but cleaning them is usually straightforward. Many plush toys are machine washable — just check the tag or product description. A good approach is to put the toy in a pillowcase or laundry bag and run it on a gentle cycle with mild, pet-safe detergent. This helps protect any squeakers or stuffing. Always let the toy air dry completely; a wet toy can grow mould or mildew, especially in our humid Australian weather. If the toy isn’t machine-safe, a hand wash in warm soapy water and a thorough rinse will do the job. Aim for a clean every couple of weeks, and replace any toy that comes out of the wash with damage you didn’t notice before.
What should I do if my dog swallows a toy’s squeaker or stuffing?
If you suspect your dog has swallowed a squeaker or a chunk of toy stuffing, stay calm but act quickly. First, remove any remaining pieces of the toy to prevent further ingestion. Then, call your veterinarian for advice — they may instruct you to come in immediately, especially if it’s a squeaker or large piece of stuffing that could cause a blockage. Watch your dog closely for any signs of trouble: vomiting, choking, gagging, lack of appetite, constipation or diarrhoea, or unusual lethargy. If any of these appear, don’t wait — go to the vet. Small bits of stuffing sometimes pass through without trouble, but plastic squeakers can cause intestinal obstructions that need surgery to resolve. When in doubt, ring the vet.
Can puppies play with squeaky plush toys?
Absolutely — puppies generally love squeaky plush toys, and these toys can be great for keeping a young dog entertained and comforted. That said, you’ll want to pick puppy-appropriate toys. Opt for smaller sized plush toys that fit your puppy’s mouth (many brands make “mini” versions of popular toys). The toy should have a soft texture to be gentle on those baby teeth and gums. It’s also wise to choose toys labelled for puppies or small dogs, as they tend to be a bit more robust than the super-cheap plush options. Always supervise the first few sessions to see how your puppy approaches the toy — gentle chewer or shredder — and adjust the toy basket from there.
Final thoughts
Plush squeaky toys bring a lot of joy to our dogs — there’s nothing like seeing your pup prance around with their favourite squeaker in mouth. The key is choosing the right toy for your dog’s size, chew style and personality, and keeping safety in the mix. Even the best plush toy won’t last forever, especially with an enthusiastic chewer, so factor in replacement costs over time — that’s the trade-off for plush over rubber or nylon.
Rotate toys to keep things fresh and give each one a chance to dry and clean between sessions (nobody likes a smelly soggy toy, and in our humidity things can get funky fast). Most importantly, the RSPCA recommends you always supervise play with toys and remove any that start breaking apart. Bruce has had his favourites over the years — the Hide A Squirrel still gets pulled out monthly, the Lamb Chop is permanently in the bed, and the goDog Gator is the one that lasted long enough to deserve a second purchase. Here’s to many squeaky, tail-wagging play sessions ahead.