Top 5 preferred toys for pet owners – and why they buy them

Simple toy options are the most popular among dogs: 7 in 10 owners across 6 countries say chew toys are their pets’ favorites, according to a survey conducted by PETS International and Yummypets – powered by LOOP. 

Dogs also love balls (65%), squeaky (60%), plush (58%) and tug toys (50%), according to owners in Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.

More technological or sophisticated options take a back seat, the survey reveals. For instance, about a quarter of owners say their dogs prefer treat-dispensing toys (26%), and less than a fifth say training options (18%), puzzle/interactive toys (17%) or Frisbees (12%) are their dogs’ favorites.

Cats prefer toys that encourage hunting, scratching and chasing, making teasing wands (66%), scratching posts (65%) and balls (59%) their favorite options, owners say.

Where they buy…

It doesn’t matter if they own cats or dogs, owners usually go to pet specialty stores (69%) to shop for toys, drawn by their variety and expertise in the segment. But online retailers (both pet-specific and general) are also popular, with 62% of owners turning to them. 

While pet shops and online retailers are widespread, other channels show big differences between countries. Discounters, such as Walmart and Target, emerge as strong options, driven by convenience and competitive pricing. But they are significantly more popular in North America (reaching 72% of owners in the United States, for example) than in Europe or South America, with only 15% of Brazilian owners pointing it out as a choice.

Supermarkets, in turn, are a more popular option in European countries than in the other regions surveyed, even though they rank fourth overall in terms of general preference. 

Veterinary clinics are the least common purchasing channel globally, but remain more relevant in Latin America (where more than one-fifth of pet owners in Brazil and Mexico turn to them) than in Europe or North America (where they represent less than one-tenth of purchases). 

… and why they buy

Buyers across all regions value qualities such as safety (71%) and durability (70%), but price (67%) remains a decisive factor at the moment of purchase, especially in big and competitive markets like the US and Canada. 

Interestingly, toys suitable for solo play are influencing the decision of almost half of buyers (47%). Design also matters to 31% of respondents, but mostly for US, UK and Canada owners. And finally, origin, brand and packaging have little weight in consumer decisions, with less than 10% each.

When asked what influences their purchasing decisions, respondents were less unanimous than in previous questions. The only option with a high response rate was product reviews, which influenced the behavior of 57% of owners.

Then, they take into account recommendations from friends or family, as well as packaging or design (34% each), and turn to social media or vet advice (25% each).

Only 18% of respondents are impacted by online ads, and 16% follow store staff recommendations. Despite being generally popular, only 7% of owners make decisions based on pet influencers and celebrities.