Boredom Busters: These Dog & Cat Toys Can Boost Retail Sales in 2026

The dog and cat toy categories are constantly evolving, and they’re both experiencing dynamic shifts driven by consumer values, changing lifestyles and product innovations.

In 2026, pet retailers have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the trends by aligning their product mix with emerging consumer demands and merchandising their toy offerings in ways that will increase engagement and customer loyalty.

Pet toys to focus on for 2026 include interactive, durable and mentally stimulating designs, with top trends including puzzle feeders and eco-friendly materials.

Sustainability matters with today’s pet parents, and today’s pet toys reflect that. Eco-conscious products are no longer a niche concept; instead, they’re expected by consumers. From recycled fabrics to biodegradable materials, the eco-conscious pet parent is looking for more than just cute and colorful.

Pet parents have come to associate sustainability with brand ethics and, therefore, they are willing to pay a premium for toys that minimize environmental impact. Examples of sustainability innovations to consider include toys made from recycled ocean plastics, natural latex and compostable packaging.

Pet parents are also realizing the benefits of mental stimulation. Therefore, they are seeking toys that do more than entertain. That means the product needs to stimulate the pet’s mind, reinforce learning and prevent boredom. Interactive puzzle toys challenge dogs to think, sniff and work for their reward. These toys reduce boredom, anxiety, and even destructive behaviors.

In 2013, SodaPup launched its first product in the Can Toy, a durable rubber treat dispenser and chew toy. A few years later, the brand started producing nylon chew toys in 2019. This started SodaPup down the road that resulted in it evolving into an enrichment-focused company, which is how it has played a major role in the creation of the enrichment product category in 2022.

SodaPup’s products are designed to engage dogs both mentally and physically, offering interactive play and feeding experiences with treat-dispensing toys, durable chews and enrichment products that promote healthy feeding habits.

In recent years, with support from a strong social media following, SodaPup has developed a wide range of enrichment products, including slow feeder bowls, mats and lick sticks, developed a proprietary material called PUP-X and expanded its line of Honey Bone Nylon Chew Toys, which are designed for dogs who love to chew and promote healthy dental habits.

All SodaPup products are made in the United States from non-toxic, FDA compliant materials. With a focus on canine enrichment, SodaPup’s products are designed to enhance the physical and mental well-being of dogs through interactive play.

According to SodaPup Founder Adam Baker, a trend that started in 2025 and is gaining momentum this year is the return-to-work trend.

“All the people that got pets during the pandemic are returning to work, leaving their dogs at home alone for the first time,” Baker said. “This is creating loneliness and separation for dogs, and perhaps some “acting out” behaviors that can be challenging on their relationship. It also produces guilt for the pet parents.”

He points to this as the reason for the growing “enrichment as necessity” trend, where such products as food-based enrichment puzzles are no longer a niche luxury. Thus, enrichment products are quickly moving into the mainstream.

“The challenge is to create enrichment products that dogs can be left with unsupervised, while home alone,” Baker noted. “SodaPup is addressing this durability requirement in novel ways. For example, we have developed two products lines of nylon enrichment products that we call eChews (enrichment chews) and eCoins (enrichment coins).  Made from the same material as durable nylon dog bones, these products are designed to incorporate food.  Whereas traditional lick mats can be easily chewed up if not supervised, our eChew and eCoins are built to take a licking and keep on ticking.”

Another brand that designs toys that mentally stimulate pets is Starmark Pet Products, which has been a world leader in pet education for more than 30 years, with its dog training and boarding center being recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the world by providing practical training solutions and luxury boarding services. This understanding of dogs and hands-on knowledge finds its way into the development of the pet products that the brand creates and sells throughout the U.S. and in over 45 countries. This includes treats and toys that are made in Texas at Starmark’s FDA- and APHIS-approved manufacturing facility.

“What may look like a simple toy can often be much more to our pets,” said Emily Benson, Marketing Director at Starmark. “Play is a vitally important part of a well-rounded life for our pets that provides mental stimulation, stress relief, and an outlet for energy. Interactive toys deliver all these things for our pets while they learn problem solving skills, as well as build confidence as they continue learning and developing those skills.”

Starmark’s pet products reflect the way dogs learn and have fun, and create mental stimulation and interactive play toys, training tools and treats.

Starmark expects a lot of focus on purpose-driven toys that are also economically conscientious. Even as many pet owners continue to feel financial strains, they still want to provide enrichment for their pets.

Toys that engage pets in puzzle solving or other mentally stimulating activities have been building popularity as pet owners are seeking ways to alleviate boredom in their pets and provide more fulfilling lives for them. These toys provide additional value when they are long-lasting and can be paired with treats to encourage return sales with the retailer.

Starmark’s Everlasting Bento Ball, Everlasting Sprocket and Treat Dispensing Chew Ball are among its top selling toys. Both the Bento Ball and Sprocket utilize Starmark’s Everlasting Treats that must be chewed to be removed. In addition, the Everlasting Treats are designed to mimic the hardness of natural bone, so they grind down slowly and, according to Benson, dogs love the flavor. Meanwhile, the Chew Ball can be filled with small treats or kibble, and it features “fingers” at the openings to prevent food from falling out too easily.

Unlike dogs, felines have a finicky side that can create frustration for cat parents. However, when it comes to tried-and-true toys for cats, wands and catnip have proven to be two formulas for success.

Cat toys are designed to make playtime feel like a feline hunting adventure. Wand toys, which stimulate that instinctual behavior of stalking, hunting and pouncing, often require a human being to keep a cat engaged, thus enhancing the human-animal bond. Such brands as Vee Enterprises have become recognized for their modular wand systems that feature interchangeable ends (feathers, fabric, etc) to keep playtime fresh and fun, while also enabling the cat to exercise and help manage its weight and reduce stress levels.

However, plush toys that contain catnip are a popular category that provides a cat to remain entertained when it’s on its own. Yeowww! is an expert brand when it comes to catnip toys, with its imaginative plush creations – ranging from their newest toys like Daisy’s Flower Tops and Mo Betta Fish to cult favorites like the Banana, Stinkies Sardines or their Butterflies – all packed with plenty of organically grown catnip to satisfy the cravings of any feline.

Packed with potent, U.S.-made catnip and finished with playful, giftable designs, these catnip toys stand out on the shelf and encourage repeat purchases. Their compact size, bright seasonal look, and trusted quality make them adorable impulse buys and highly giftable add-ons for spring endcaps, countertop displays, and themed cat sections.

Cats are drawn to a variety of textures, materials and sounds; therefore, felines find more interest in crinkly toys and those made with fabric that they can dig their claws into.

Coastal Pet Products has become a go-toy brand for its Turbo Track line of cat toys. The toy is easy to assemble, and the pieces feature a simple twist-lock design that allows for an infinite number of track configurations.

In the past, toy sales typically relied on shelves featuring plenty of options in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. However, having the right inventory is only part of a successful strategy. The proper displays will create maximum impact on the store merchandise.

What do toy manufacturers feel are the important factors when it comes to encouraging shoppers to make a toy purchase? According to Benson of Starmark, blocking toys by type (e.g., fetch toys or treat dispensing toys) tends to help customers find what they are looking for and compare their options. Displaying accompanying treats with their toy counterparts makes an easy reference for customers. Shelf and counter displays also can help call out new or promotional sale items, so they aren’t lost in the regular inventory set.

Demo stations or interactive displays are an effective way to increase sales by letting customers touch and test textures or other features. Iin addition, instead of grouping toys by pet category, some retailers have gotten creative by organizing by play style or using educational signage to effectively call out such topics as “heavy chewers,” “brain boosters,” “pair with treats,” “eco-friendly” or “recycled materials.”

A proven theme among toys that sell are those with fun themes and designs – from pop culture references to spoofing food or iconic human products. When looking to bolster or promote these offerings, savvy retailers turn to social media to discover what’s trending for holidays or that particular season. This comes in handy as seasonal assortments often help independent retailers stand out with timely, giftable, story-driven products that feel new and exciting.

And one thing that social media has shows, offering “the next big thing” that’s blowing up on social media can help a store stand out from its competition.

Baker has gained a reputation with SodaPup having a broad product offering that allows retailers to differentiate their toy assortment. And with several of his SodaPup products becoming viral sensations on social media, he notes that pet parents often discover his brand on TikTok and Instagram. Therefore, if there are multiple brick-and-mortar retailers in a specific geographic area, they most likely do not carry the exact same variety of products.

“We introduce more new products than our competitors and make them available to Indie retailers in real time,” he added. “We don’t wait for trade shows to launch. Because Indie retailers are more nimble than large retailers, they often get a ‘first mover’ advantage with our products – carrying new items that other, larger retailers won’t consider until their next annual buying cycle.”