Top 10 pet toys, according to experts

THUNDER BAY – If you are among the majority of households in Canada that owns a pet, you most likely know that it is extremely important to keep your pets busy.

With the holiday season in full swing, many owners want to ensure their animal sidekicks aren't left out of their gift-giving traditions.

TBnewswatch spoke with three different pet stores about their top picks for pet gifts for the 2023 holiday season.

According to both Thunder Pet and Pet Valu, Kongs are an extremely popular gift choice for dogs this holiday season.

The hollow rubber toys can be stuffed with treats, most commonly peanut butter. The toys are intended to provide mental stimulation for dogs, and can be helpful when crate training, for example.

Meanwhile, Ren’s Pets says stuffies are another top choice. The store stocks some plush toys that resemble creatures like squirrels and foxes that are meant to satisfy a dog's hunting instinct.

In terms of cats, the top toy for felines this year is the SmartyKay Concealed Motion Cat Toy. It replicates the movements of hidden prey and encourages healthy acitivies for your cat. 

The growing pet toy market offers a seemingly endless range of choices. NBC reported the top pet toys this year are:

1. Hide-a-Squirrel puzzles
2. Kong Wubba
3. Gold Dog Dragon
4. Squishy Flert pole
5. Kong Classic