10 Best Motion Activated Dog Toys (2024 Update)
Every dog owner is always looking for the next best toy to keep their pup active and happy. If your dog has strong jaws, a penchant for chewing, and an instinct to hunt, your house is probably filled with ripped-up plush toys, chewed-up rubber bones, or toys abandoned under the couch because your dog has grown bored of them.
Another common problem faced by dog owners is separation anxiety. If your dog hates being left alone, she might chew your belongings, scratch at doors, or bark loudly, potentially disturbing your neighbors.
Looking for a solution to keep your dog occupied and entertained for hours? Need an engaging toy to help alleviate your dog’s separation anxiety, stress, and loneliness? Motion-activated dog toys are the answer.
These toys move so your dog can chase and hunt them. These toys provide a greater mental stimulus than regular toys and allow your dog to participate further in playing. This is great for your dog’s physical and mental health, leading to a happy pup and happy human.
But what motion-activated dog toys stand out from the rest? Dog toys have come a long way and there are some stellar options on the market. These are the motion-activated dog toys we’ve determined will best keep dogs of all sizes and temperaments entertained and engaged.
VARRAM Dog Fitness Robot
If your dog gets bored easily, investing in the VARRAM Dog Fitness Robot is a fantastic option. This smart toy rewards your dog with treats as he engages with it and lets you use an app to schedule his play and rest times when you are not home.
How It Works?
This wheeled toy zooms around the house, encouraging your dog to chase and play. It provides 16 different play modes to interact with your dog and keep him engaged and interested. It uses AI to autonomously drive and can easily navigate your home while avoiding obstacles.
You can also control it manually if you choose.
Design
This robot is white, cylindrical in shape, and supported by two wheels that propel it across the ground. It is made of durable polycarbonate and is certified water and chew-resistant.
Cheerble Wicked Ball Toy Interactive & Automatic Ball
This unassuming little blue ball has the potential to keep your dog occupied for hours once it is turned on. Users have noted how quickly their dogs grew interested in the Wicked Ball.
How It Works?
The Wicked Ball has three interactive modes to choose from based on your dog’s play style: gentle, normal, and active. Once you select your mode, your dog is ready for the chase.
It is designed to avoid obstacles so that the ball will not get stuck behind a couch or lost under a bed. It can be opened and closed to select the mode and is great for playing both indoors and outdoors. It also has a long-lasting rechargeable battery that guarantees hours of fun.
Design
This blue ball is designed with curved ridges and flashing lights to further stimulate your dog mentally. It is made of durable polycarbonate but should not be played with by super aggressive chewers.
BENTOPAL Motion Activated Dog Toy
The BENTOPAL Motion Activated Dog Toy provides an upgraded game of fetch for your pooch. When it’s turned off, it looks like a simple blue ball, but it’s so much more than that.
How It Works?
This interactive ball bounces and rolls on its own, providing unexpected and exciting movements for your dog to play and chase. Some notable features include its reminder feature, motion-activated sensors, auto-fetch setting, touch-to-wake aspect, and long battery life.
Design
The BENTOPAL Motion Activated Dog Toy is a round blue ball. It also provides visual stimulus for your dog by lighting up in different shapes and colors.
PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher
This Automatic Ball Launcher is perfect for pets whose preferred game is fetching. This automatic launcher hurls balls across the yard and provides an excellent source of exercise for your furry friend, ensuring they get their daily game of fetch even when you’re busy.
How It Works?
Simply load the balls into the ball launcher and they will automatically launch across the room or yard. The launcher throws the balls between 8-30 feet, which you can control through the distance setting. If you’re out in a field, you can expand the launch further, and you can make it smaller if you’re playing fetch indoors.
Safety
We’ve opted to include safety features for the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher because some pet owners are concerned about safety risks for themselves or their pets while using an automatic ball launcher.
However, this ball launcher has multiple sensors, including a front motion sensor that prevents both humans and pets from being pelted with a tennis ball. It can sense motion up to seven feet in front of it and will not launch the ball until the area is clear.
It also includes a fifteen-minute break after fifteen minutes of continuous play to make sure your pup doesn’t get too exhausted while playing. Finally, it makes an alert noise to alert you and your pet when a ball is about to launch. Safety is of utmost priority with this toy!
NEILDEN Upgrade Interactive Squeaky Dog Toys
Need for something cute and fun? Look no further than the NEILDEN Upgrade Interactive Squeaky Dog Toys. These cute plushy critters are more durable than you’d think.
How It Works?
This interactive plush dog ball automatically shakes when it detects motion and simulates the sound of a dog barking to engage your dog with audio. Its shaking allows your dog to pounce and chew on it without the risk of tearing it to bits like it would a plush toy.
PETGEEK Interactive Dog Bone
This enrichment bone provides your dog with built-in programming that causes the bone to rotate, spin, and keep your dog busy for hours.
How It Works?
Internal programming makes the PETGEEK Interactive Dog Bone automatic in its movements. The specific patterns it moves in keep your dog stimulated and entertained. It provides an excellent source of exercise and helps your dog become smarter through puzzle games.
All you need to do to activate it is put it on the ground and tap it.
Interactive Floppy Fish Dog Toy
This fun, shark-shaped plush is more than it appears. It flops, wiggles, and bounces to give your dog an epic struggle to capture it.
How It Works?
Each shark contains a motion sensor inside it that can sense when your dog approaches and cues it to start flopping like crazy. It also provides further stimulation through an internal squeaker. This toy is also USB chargeable.
LIDLOK Interactive Dog Toy
Have an active dog? Luckily for you, the LIDLOCK Interactive toy has an active mode. It will also keep your dog interested for hours because you can stuff this toy with peanut butter, treats, or dog toothpaste to further pique his interest.
How It Works?
Set this toy on your preferred mode: normal shaking mode and active mode. Once your dog approaches the toy, it starts shaking for five minutes straight and stays charged for three hours with a USB cord.
Babble Ball
If your dog needs more mental stimulation tha physical, the Babble Ball is a great choice. Rather than the motion activation causing the ball to bounce or shake like many of the other options on this list, the Babble Ball is motion activated to talk.
How It Works?
When the Babble Ball senses your dog approaching, it will begin flashing light and speaking eighteen different phrases. This toy is great for dogs who are blind or deaf because it allows them to play using their remaining senses. This ball can still allow your dog to be active, though, because your dog can push and chase it just like a regular ball.
BARHOMO Interactive Plush Dog Toy
The BARHOMO Interactive Plush Dog Toy is the perfect match for a prey-focused dog. Its furry tail shape mimics the motions of a small animal to engage your dog in hours of playtime.
How It Works?
Two modes, normal and active, let you adjust this toy depending on your dog’s level of play and whether you are indoors or outdoors. This plush, motion-activated toy bounces and spins around on the floor to encourage your dog to chase and pounce on it.
Endless Hours of Fun Await!
We hope we’ve helped you find your next high-quality, countless hours of playtime purchase! No matter which toy you choose, your dog is guaranteed to have a great time.