9 Eco-Friendly Dog Toys That Aren’t Ruff On The Planet
Dogs can tug at your heartstrings, but they can also tug on the planet—and not in a good way.
While raising a zero waste dog is not for the fainthearted, you can reduce your pets’ pawprints by choosing sustainable pet products.
That’s why we played fetch for the most eco-friendly dog toys for all you responsible pet parents out there.
Brands like West Paw keep us feeling good about replacing our chewed-up toys since their waste free dog toys are both recycled and recyclable.
For nearly indestructible sustainable dog toys for tough chewers, Tug and Go’s are made of recycled fire hoses.
And Beco Pets range of eco-friendly chew dog toys and snuggle toys are for all breeds.
Before you start drooling, bark your way to the end of the article to get the pawfect picture of how we found these sustainable dog toy brands.
So sit, stay, and let’s play with the best eco-friendly dog toys that Gretchen Weinerdog would totally call “so fetch”.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS FOR SUSTAINABLE DOG TOY BRANDS
1. WEST PAW
West Paw’s Durable Eco Friendly Dog Toys
Puzzle, Play, or Chew, West Paw can be your pup’s play guru.
For the most durable sustainable dog toys, check out their Zogoflex® line. Made of a proprietary recycled plastic blend, these bouncy toys are near indestructible.
And if your dog does manage to chew one up, they’ll replace it for free.
They’re also recyclable through their Join the Loop® recycling program—and they’ll become new Zogoflex® or Seaflex™ toys (which also features 12% recycled ocean plastic).
The Puzzle varieties have hollow cavities to stuff nut butter, biscuits, and other treats to keep Fido occupied for hours.
While sustainable soft dog toys often lack in the durability department, theirs don’t.
Their Rowdies may look fuzzy, but the HardyTex fabric features a mesh backing to keep the IntelliLoft® recycled plastic bottle filling inside, where it belongs.
The Big Sky plushies are made from excess fabric from their eco-friendly dog beds combined with the same IntelliLoft® fill.
All products are OEKO-TEX 100 certified non toxic, BPA-free, and phthalate-free.
PS: If you happen to own an eco pet shop, West Paw also sells their eco friendly dog toys wholesale.
About West Paw
Out of all the eco friendly dog toy brands, Montana-based West Paw wants to be “Dog’s Best Friend.”
That’s why all toys, beds, and treats are backed by a Love it Guarantee™.
Founders of the Pet Sustainability Coalition and a certified B Corp to (dog) boot(ie), this family-owned brand manufactures most items in the USA and otherwise works with select ethical international partners.
They’ve recycled 70 tons of material into their Zogoflex® waste free dog toys thus far.
Their local Bozeman community is barking for West Paw, thanks to charitable initiatives like building the area’s largest dog park and helping with home repairs through the Rotary Club.
Available: West Paw
2. BECO PETS
Beco Pets’ Eco Friendly Dog Toys UK
Sometimes it’s hard to find sustainable dog toys for rough chewers, but you won’t be chasing your tail for long, because Beco Pets can make any dog bark for joy.
Their non toxic range will satisfy any pooch (and their caring human).
For plastic free dog toys, they offer durable options made of sustainably tapped natural rubber.
if you don’t mind plastic in recycled form, they offer some made of recycled plastic bottles, like their squeak toys featuring about 15 plastic bottles.
There’s nothing like cleaning up ocean pollution, one game of fetch at a time.
For games of tug-of-war, their organic sustainable dog toys are simply hemp rope.
About Beco Pets
Animal-lovers and friends Toby and George got the urge to create this UK eco friendly dog toy brand by thinking about… bamboo chopstick waste (obviously).
Beco began with the goal of reducing chopstick waste by making dog bowls from byproducts of the bamboo chopstick industry.
Over the years, they’ve expanded their range to make accessories, eco-friendly dog food, toys, and bowls, all made from non-toxic and BPA-free materials like cotton, bamboo, rice husk, food-grade silicone, and recycled plastic bottles.
The Sustainable Pet Coalition continued begging for more and so they started to regularly contribute funds to animal and environment-focused charity groups like Dogs on the Street and the Marine Conservation Society.
Products are made in China in ethically supervised facilities.
Available: EarthHero
3. TAGDOGTOYS
Tug and Go’s Sustainable Dog Toys for Rough Chewers
Fire tested and pet approved, Tug and Go specializes in “industrial strength dog toys”.
What does that mean?
It means tuggable hoops, rings, stuffed toys, tug toys, and chew toys made from repurposed fire hoses, yielding some of the most durable eco friendly dog toys around.
Each hose is thoroughly sanitized, sewn with US-resistant thread, and sometimes combined with cotton rope, upcycled seat belt webbing, and occasionally leather.
About Tug and Go
Tug and Go—or TAGdogtoys as you’ll find them on Etsy—is “helping owners become the heroes their pets deserve”.
Speaking of heroes, they were founded by Shannon Blair, a former US Army Arctic paratrooper and currently a working Boston firefighter and EMT.
All TAG’s low waste dog toys are American-made and handcrafted by Shannon himself.
For each purchase, 10% goes directly to the Sato Project, which rescues abandoned dogs in one of Puerto Rico’s poorest regions.
Available: Etsy
4. HONEST PET PRODUCTS
Honest Pet Products’ Organic Eco Friendly Dog Toys
Even if you have the pickiest of pups, you’re sure to find something from Honest Pet Products that gets their tail wagging.
From sticks to tuggable frisbees, these durable eco friendly dog toys make for some tough competition as “dog’s best friend.”
Since each is made of organic hemp fabric, they’re the best eco friendly dog toys for Spot to be Earth’s best friend too.
About Honest Pet Products
This eco-fetch company started in an unusual way—with a drink coaster.
Honest Pet Products founder Mary Wolff was surprised to find that her Yorkshire Terriers enjoyed playing with a drink coaster more than they did their plastic and polyester toys.
Recognizing that perhaps sustainable and non-toxic materials aren’t only preferred by humans, she set out to make planet-friendly animal products.
Not only are all HPP products made in the USA, but their hemp ethical dog toys are handmade by disabled adults and their wool products by impoverished women.
Available: EarthHero
5. PURRFECT PLAY
Purrfect Play’s Eco Friendly Dog Toys
As their name might suggest, Purrfect Play prioritizes purrfectly natural toys for cats, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have any eco friendly dog chew toys suitable for their canine counterparts!
Their soft eco friendly dog toys include “wooftastic” large and small squeaky toys made from natural hemp canvas.
The toys are stuffed with organic cotton and the squeaky bit is optional. You might consider leaving that out, and not just because it’s made with plastic.
As a healthier alternative to tennis balls (which are treated with fungicide – beware), they also sell natural wool dog balls that are durable and washable, as well as compostable in the end.
About Purrfect Play
Purrfect Play founder Pam decided that she wasn’t a big fan of plastic play toys that came from China. After all, don’t animals have a preference for natural textures and scents?
To try out her theory she started producing toys made from natural hemp, wool, and organic cotton in an Indiana workshop.
If you take a look at some of the shop’s reviews, you’ll find that these are some of the most durable eco friendly dog toys out there.
Purrfect Play also offsets their carbon footprint through a local land preservation fund, are proud members of Green America and American Made Matters, and they’re members of their local environmental council.
As the proverbial cherry on top (that squeaks, of course), they also donate 5% of all sales to no-kill animal rescue organizations.
Available: Etsy
6. WARE OF THE DOG
Ware of the Dog’s Eco Friendly Stuffed Dog Toys
If your “good dog” is eyeing your cheeseburger or bagel and cream cheese, now you can give them one of their own.
Ware of the Dog’s hand-crocheted dog toys are not made for serious chewers, but they take the award for most adorable.
So adorable in fact that it might be difficult watching these toys get destroyed by your pup. Perhaps these would be better suited as sustainable dog toys for poodles and other small breeds…
Even if their toy doesn’t last long, you can feel good about cleaning up its remnants.
All of Ware of the Dog’s eco friendly natural dog toys are made with either 100% recycled cotton t-shirt yarn, 100% organic cotton, or lambswool.
That means they’re swallow-safe and fully compostable, down to the OEKO-TEX Certified non-toxic natural Swiss dyes.
About Ware of the Dog
Ware of the Dog is a luxury dog brand started by NYC-based Jackie Rosenthal. In addition to toys, they’ve got clothing, bowls, and leashes and collars.
For the most conscious of canines, their toys all come from fair trade artisans and craftspeople in countries like Turkey and Nepal.
Ware’s wares are all shipped in packaging made from recycled and recyclable content.
Available: EarthHero
7. SUSTAINAPAWS
Sustainapaws’ Soft Eco Friendly Dog Toys
Sustainapaws’ animal plushies are cute as heck and they’re made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, both the outer material and stuffing.
You’ll find up to 10 recycled plastic bottles per eco friendly stuffed dog toy.
Each of the eco friendly floating dog toys squeak and feature a double-layer fabric body – a resilient choice of sustainable dog toys for tough chewers.
They’re also machine washable (on cold) to keep them looking fresh for longer.
About Sustainapaws
Founders Carmen and Mike are “proud owners of a naughty beagle”, the inspiration behind this sustainable dog toy brand.
In case you didn’t know, Beagles are one of the most common breeds utilized in animal testing because they’re docile, loveable, small, and robust.
That knowledge motivated Carmen and Mike to seek out cruelty free products for their home and personal care routines.
Eventually, Sustainapaws followed.
All packaging is compostable and they offset their carbon footprint by planting hundreds of trees every year.
As they grow, they hope to get their paws into more charitable endeavors.
Products are made in China due to more advanced eco friendly manufacturing technology, but they’ll shift to the UK as soon as the same is available locally.
Available: Etsy
8. KONG
KONG’s Durable Sustainable Dog Toys
KONG is king of the most durable eco friendly dog toys.
They make nearly any toy you could imagine—ropes, bones, puppy toys, and the Classic KONG, a tough-to-destroy rubber chew toy.
You can search for a toy to meet specific criteria, like type of play, features, age of dog, and material.
We like the last function because KONG has both durable sustainable dog toys as well as those that aren’t as Earth-friendly.
Their best eco friendly dog toy is their Classic KONG, made only from USA-souce natural rubber.
For those that want to give toys in the form of time-consuming treats, the Classic KONG can be stuffed with treats. They also sell wild Grade-A elk antlers that have been naturally shed so no elk are harmed.
They also have plush polyester toys, tennis balls covered in a scratchy felt fabric, and PolyTuff toys that are made from undisclosed materials.
We would steer clear of these as far as “good boy toys” go.
About KONG
The origins of KONG take us way back…like 40 years back.
Founder Joe Markham had a deep love for his furry friend Fritz, but wasn’t a fan of his destructive ways. When Fritz turned to destroying sticks and rocks, Joe wanted to find something that was better for him and his teeth.
In a strange turn of events, he noticed that Fritz enjoyed chewing a rubber part from his Volkswagen Bus (it was the 70s, of course). He tried to replicate the part and the Classic KONG was born.
The brand has continued growing and the Classic Kong is now sold in 80 countries, making for eco friendly dog toys in Australia and more.
While it appears their goal is not to be the most eco friendly dog toy brand out there, the durability speaks volumes. Your pup could spend years chewing without a replacement.
Available: Amazon
9. PAWSOME PET TOYS
Pawsome Pet Toys’ Eco Friendly Natural Dog Toys
Hemp fabric is the basis of all of Pawesome Pet Toys’ plastic free dog toys.
Why hemp?
Because it’s anti-bacterial, mold resistant, UV-resistant, good for dogs’ teeth, durable, and, most importantly, grown without toxins and herbicides—making for some of the most sustainable dog toys.
From heavy-duty tug toys to snuggly wool bones, Pawsome makes sustainable dog toys for labradors to chihuahuas and every breed in between.
You’ll find hemp rope and hemp canvas in most products, with stuffed toys featuring additional natural, locally sourced wool stuffing.
If your dog’s breath is anything but playful, check out their natural deer horn chews and toys, ethically sourced post-shed from a local wild deer garden.
About Pawsome Pet Toys
Pawesome Pet Toys is a Latvian-based eco friendly dog toy brand with a global customer-base.
Their 100% natural pet product lineup also features cat toys, collars (including tick repellant ones), leashes, chews, and cat scratchers.
Everything is handmade in Europe using materials sourced there.
Packaging is entirely plastic free.
Available: Etsy
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST ECO FRIENDLY DOG TOYS & BRANDS
We haven’t gone barking mad or anything, but we have spent a considerable amount of time digging through the dirt here.
By which we mean, the dirty world of plastic plushies and toxic tug toys.
Here’s what we sniff out when looking at eco-friendly pet products—which includes everything from bamboo dog collars to sustainable dog toys.
Materials:
Much like we did for organic dog beds, we looked for the same sustainable fabrics we like to wear (or sleep on / in). If we don’t want toxic plastic in our wardrobes we certainly don’t want it in our best friend’s mouth.
First and foremost, that means organic sustainable dog toys featuring materials like wool, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, recycled plastic, and natural rubber.
Second to those are recycled plastics, as long as they’re BPA-free.
It’s worth noting to seek durable materials (i.e. natural rubber, hemp, and recycled fire hoses) since the most durable sustainable dog toys are also just the most sustainable dog toys.
This is especially important if you have bigger, chew-heavy breeds and seek sustainable dog toys for pitbulls or golden retrievers and the like.
Supply chain and labor practices:
We might not always associate a dog toy with the social issues that enumerate product manufacturing these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.
Finding ethical dog toys that are not just sustainable but ethical was important, too.
These ethical dog toy brands are getting the ball rolling for other companies to follow suit by keeping their manufacturing local (many in the USA) and supporting their workers with fair work conditions and fair pay.
Green business practices:
The best eco friendly dog toy brands really run the extra mile for the planet, whether through offsetting carbon emissions or implementing a recycling program for old toys.
Community & charitable giving:
Our precious pup might not always give that rope back when playing fetch, but we’re happy to see that many brands are giving back to their local communities.
Finding shreds of hemp toys scattered around the house is a much better experience when you know that your new purchase will help support an animal, social, or environmental organization.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABLE DOG TOY COMPANIES
We hope we got some tails wagging for these eco-friendly dog toys.
Just remember, owning a pooch is an exercise in responsibility, especially considering their carbon footprint is similar to that of a large SUV.
Which is why it’s important to offset the environmental cost of pet ownership where we can.
If we’re barking up the right tree here and this article made your tail wag, consider passing along this list of sustainable dog toy brands to fellow planet-minded pet parents.
Hello!
Love all the info you share!
I was wondering if you are thinking of maybe making a book someday?
I sometimes have a hard time figuring out how to find the best options for zero waste products etc. as they are so commodified and expensive sometimes and your page and the suggestions and that you explain why and how you shoes those places etc. have been helpful I was just wondering, perhaps selfishly, if you have thought of putting them in book format (ebook or otherwise to save resources)? Thank you so much for all you do!
Thank you Castaneya, very kind of you to say that! Maybe one day!