Choosing the wrong toy for a Maltese means either a destroyed toy within minutes or a toy that gets ignored. Getting it right means a fulfilled, calmer, better-behaved dog.
Malteses need 45–60 minutes of activity plus 15–20 minutes puzzle enrichment. The toys below are selected to cover every angle of that need: physical play, mental stimulation, chewing, and calm-down enrichment.
Disclosure: We earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our rankings.
Quick Comparison: Best Toys for Malteses
| Toy | Price | Type | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone | $20.99 | chew | 🥇 |
| Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle | $14.99 | puzzle | 🥈 |
| KONG Classic Dog Toy | $13.99 | chew | 🧠 |
| LickiMat Classic Soother Slow Feeder | $12.99 | puzzle | 🎾 |
| Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle | $14.99 | puzzle |
Understanding What Malteses Need in a Toy
Malteses rank #59 in canine intelligence (Fair) — this directly affects toy choice. High intelligence means puzzle toys at Level 2+ difficulty are appropriate and necessary.
Chew rating needed: Moderate — Standard rubber (Kong Classic, West Paw) durability is usually sufficient for Malteses.
Size matters: Malteses need correctly sized toys — toys designed for large breeds are often too heavy and awkward. Small breed sizing ensures safe grip and engagement.
The 4 toy types every Maltese needs:
- Chew toy — satisfies natural chewing drive, promotes dental health
- Puzzle/enrichment toy — mental stimulation that tires dogs as effectively as exercise
- Fetch/interactive toy — physical exercise and bonding
- Calming toy (lick mat/slow feeder) — decompression, anxiety relief, relaxation
Our Top Picks
1. West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone — Best Overall for Malteses
$20.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best eco-friendly toy — great for moderate chewers
Why Malteses love it:
- Eco-friendly USA-made
- Replacement guarantee
- Floats in water
Watch out for:
- Not for extreme power chewers
- Can crack under sustained biting
Usage tip: Rotate this toy weekly — novelty is the biggest driver of sustained engagement.
2. Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle — Best Chew Toy
$14.99 | ★★★★★ 4.5/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best introductory puzzle toy — great mental workout without frustration
Features:
- Level 2 difficulty
- Treat compartments
- Non-slip base
Chew safety rule: Inspect this toy weekly. When the outer layer is significantly worn or cracked, replace it — fragments can cause intestinal blockages.
3. Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle — Best Mental Enrichment
$14.99 | ★★★★★ 4.5/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best introductory puzzle toy — great mental workout without frustration
Features:
- Level 2 difficulty
- Treat compartments
- Non-slip base
Getting started: Begin with easy challenges and lower the difficulty if your Maltese gets frustrated. Build up over 2–3 weeks. Malteses are quick learners — expect them to solve Level 1 puzzles within 5–10 minutes.
4. LickiMat Classic Soother Slow Feeder — Best Fetch/Interactive Toy
$12.99 | ★★★★★ 4.6/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best calming tool for anxious dogs — game-changer for grooming & vet visits
- Calming licking action
- Spread peanut butter or yogurt
5. LickiMat Classic Soother Slow Feeder — Best Calming Enrichment
$12.99 | ★★★★★ 4.6/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best calming tool for anxious dogs — game-changer for grooming & vet visits
Best uses for Malteses: During baths, vet visits, thunderstorms, or any time your dog needs to calm down fast. Spread with peanut butter, plain yogurt, or wet food and freeze for extended engagement.
Toy Rotation Strategy for Malteses
Dogs engage more with toys that feel new. Here’s how to maximise your toy investment:
Keep out at all times: 2–3 toys maximum — chew toy + one other Rotate weekly: Swap in different toys from your collection — out-of-sight toys become exciting again after a week Toy box: Keep 8–12 toys total in rotation
Monthly assessment: Remove any toy that’s:
- Cracked or broken into pieces
- Has loose parts or stuffing accessible
- No longer engaging your Maltese
Maltese Toy Safety Guide
What to avoid completely:
- Rawhide without supervision (choking and blockage risk)
- Cooked bones (splinter and puncture risk)
- Toys with small detachable parts for a small breed
- Cheap imported plush with minimal stitching
Supervision rules:
- Always supervise new toys for the first session
- Inspect weekly — damaged toys come out of rotation immediately
- Size check — if it fits entirely in their mouth, it’s too small
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many toys should my Maltese have? A: 8–12 in rotation. Too few = boredom and destructive behaviour. Too many out at once = indifference. Rotate weekly to maintain novelty and engagement.
Q: My Maltese destroys every toy. What actually survives? A: Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle is specifically rated for moderate chewers. KONG Extreme (black rubber) and Goughnuts products are the industry standard for indestructible toys.
Q: How long should my Maltese play each day? A: 45–60 minutes of activity plus 15–20 minutes puzzle enrichment. This should include a mix of physical play and mental enrichment — puzzle work tires dogs as effectively as running.
Q: Are puzzle toys worth it for Malteses? A: Yes — especially for intelligent Malteses. Under-stimulated smart breeds develop anxiety, destructive behaviour, and attention-seeking habits. Puzzle toys are a cost-effective solution.
Q: What’s the best toy for separation anxiety? A: The lick mat (LickiMat Classic Soother Slow Feeder) stuffed and frozen is the most consistently effective tool. The licking action physically reduces cortisol. Use a stuffed KONG Extreme as a backup.
Q: At what age should puppies start with toys? A: From 8 weeks. Choose soft rubber toys for teething puppies — avoid hard nylon until adult teeth are fully in (around 6 months). The KONG Puppy line is specifically designed for developing teeth.
Q: Can toys replace exercise for Malteses? A: No — but they can supplement it significantly. Puzzle enrichment reduces the total exercise needed for a calm, balanced dog by an estimated 20–30%. They’re tools, not replacements.
Our Verdict
Every Maltese needs at minimum: a quality chew toy, a puzzle toy, and something for fetch or interactive play. The combination of physical and mental exercise produces a fundamentally calmer, better-behaved dog.
Start with West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone as your foundation, add Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle for daily mental enrichment, and Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle for chewing sessions.
More Maltese guides: