Nothing tempts us more than a cute dog toy. When we see something new at the pet store, we know our pup will love, we have to bring it home. And, of course, our canines need gifts on their birthdays, at Christmas, and for their Gotcha Days. Throughout the year, the toys pile up. Before you know it, the floor of your living room resembles a dog toy explosion. (They might be multiplying when you’re not looking) Your pup’s in playtime heaven, but you’re not as thrilled with the clutter. Time to bring in some dog toy storage.
Storage Solutions
Dog toys are important. You provide important enrichment for your pup with their different toy selections. As they play, they get exercise – even if they’re not running through the park or backyard. And every kind of toy offers a different form of enrichment:
- Chew Toys: Whether you offer marrow bones or toys with textured surfaces, your dog gets dental care
- Fetching Toys: Frisbees, tennis balls, and other small toys are perfect for chasing back and forth
- Puzzle Toys: Intelligent pups crave mental engagement, and puzzles get their brains working
- Stuffed Toys: Soft toys work equally well for chasing, tossing, or comfort
Odds are, your dog has multiple toys from every category. You want them to have the best, and you want to discourage unwanted behaviors, should they end up bored. This means you face a landmine of dog toys every time you walk across the living room. And when the lights are off? How often have you tripped on a squeaky toy? Or a half-chewed bone? You’re desperate for dog toy storage – to save your poor feet.
Trimming the Toy Army
Dog toy storage does more than collect the tidal wave of canine fun into one place. (Though, arguably, that’s enough to want one) When you pick out a storage option, you accomplish a lot of things at the same time:
- You eliminate the risk of injury to you and your family members.
- The clutter drops.
- Your dog’s toys start to last longer.
- Some dogs learn to clean up their toys, returning them to the dog toy storage.
- Some storage options help you keep leashes, collars, and clothing, too.
It’s one handy box that checks a lot of boxes. (Get it?)
Preparing for Dog Toy Storage
Of course, before you dump all of your canine’s precious toys into dog toy storage, you want to do a little prep work. After all, how long has your kiddo collected toys? Do you know how many toys have scattered through the house? (Are you even sure WHERE all of them are?) You need to take a thorough inventory, and then you need to consider making some cuts.
Your dog probably has a few top favorites. They’re the toys that come out ALL the time. You know them on sight (or sound). Our girl tends to rotate a little, but her absolute favorite is her rainbow pegasus. (No idea why; almost every toy makes the same squeak)
While your dog loves certain toys, the toy might not be holding up so well. When toys fall apart, you need to consider replacing them. Stuffing can cause a foreign body if your dog happens to ingest it. For plastic toys, broken edges can splinter. That’s a possible perforation!
Look through all of the toys and remove (or replace) the broken ones. Dirty toys need cleaning. (Make sure you follow the washing instructions on tags) This way, you only tuck clean, safe toys into the dog toy storage.
Choosing Dog Toy Storage
You like to keep things neat and organized. (I understand completely) Dog toy storage is a simple way to prevent ankle-turning on a squeaky toy. And you have every option, from simple to elegant, cute to personalized. So long as you’re corraling all of those toys in one place, you’re good to go. Just keep a few things in mind when you start shopping:
- Size: You sorted all of your dog’s toys, so you know how many there are and how LARGE they are. Dogs come in different sizes, and their toys reflect that. You want to make sure the dog toy storage you pick can hold your kiddo’s toys.
- Material: Do you have a chewer? Cute as that storage might be, you don’t want your dog turning the box or basket into a new chew toy. Look at the materials carefully and make sure you choose one your dog won’t gnaw to pieces.
- Durability: You want your dog to understand their toys live in the dog toy storage. And they’re going to paw through the storage to find the toy that strikes their fancy. Make sure your choice holds up to the digging.
The Best Dog Toy Storage
If you’re like me, you start hyperventilating when the dog (and cat) toys explode through the house. It’s more than the possible trip hazard; you like a clean, orderly house. You don’t want to deprive your dog of their beloved toys, though. Dog toy storage is the perfect compromise. Your pup knows precisely where to find their toys at all times, and you only have to cope with a few squeaky hazards. And if you can train your dog to return the toys when they’re done, you’re gold! (Our girl isn’t there yet. She prefers watching us put her toys away)
The Best Basket Dog Toy Storage
There’s something clean and classic-looking about a woven basket. A dog toy storage basket in the corner doesn’t appear out of place. And your pup knows immediately the basket belongs to them – especially if you add personalization. (Okay, maybe they can’t read their name, but it’s still cute) So long as you don’t have a chewer, baskets make excellent dog toy storage options. Chewers find the twiggy texture an unavoidable temptation.
Despite the delicate look of hyacinth fibers, Bone Dry’s Hyacinth Pet Storage is actually durable polypropylene. The bone shape immediately communicates to your dog that this dog toy storage belongs to them. You can choose from three different sizes, accommodating pups of all breeds and their toy collections. If you need to clean things up, a damp cloth works perfectly.
Downsides? You definitely want to skip this dog toy storage if your canine has ANY chewing tendencies. It won’t hold up to curious teeth. Also, it does tend to “shed” fibers with the digging process. Make sure you have a vacuum handy.
The Good
- Durable polypropylene
- Bone shape
- Available in 3 sizes
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Sheds fibers with digging
If you want a more classic look, Bone Dry’s Pet Storage does the trick. Once again, you get durable polypropylene in a traditional woven style. When you want to secure everything for company, the latch locks with a faux leather strap. You can still choose from three different sizes, and the carrying handle in the top makes it easy to move around the house. A damp cloth will make cleaning time a piece of cake.
The downsides? This is NOT a good dog toy storage for chewers. The weave AND the strap invite too much trouble. And while attractive, the strap is more decorative than practical. If you’re looking for a secure closure for your dog toy storage, consider putting something else on top of the box.
The Good
- Durable polypropylene
- Bone shape
- Available in 3 sizes
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Strap better as decoration than practical use
Do you prefer genuine wicker? You CAN find a wicker basket! Throw in a personalized liner, and you have the perfect dog toy storage. The cotton liner protects the wicker from getting dirty, and it’s completely washable. Meanwhile, you get an adorable basket you can display with pride. And you won’t break the bank, even pairing the two together!
So what’s the downside? Well, the chewer thing (again). Also, the two aren’t sold together, which is kind of annoying. And while adorable, the basket’s on the small side. You could probably fit ONE toy for your giant dog in there. So unless you want to create a nifty display of dozens of baskets (which COULD get interesting!), this is a better option for small dogs.
The Good
- Durable wicker
- Personalized cotton liner available
- Liner machine washable
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Basket and liner sold separately
- Too small for large or giant breeds
The Best Collapsible Dog Toy Storage
Maybe you want a little more functionality out of your dog toy storage. Perhaps you’d like to take the storage with you when you travel (your friends and family will appreciate that). Or you could decide you only want to break the box out when company’s expected. (I applaud your ankle’s durability – or your gymnastic ability) A collapsible dog toy storage may work better for you. You can pop it open when you want to clean things up, then fold it out of the way the rest of the time. It’s a convenient storage solution – in more ways than one!
Yup, Bone Dry appears again. Their Paw Patch Bin comes in round or rectangle shapes, all with an adorable paw print on the side. You can choose from seven different colors to coordinate with your personal preferences. The heavy-duty canvas holds up to digging paws, and the sturdy rope handles allow you to haul the dog toy storage wherever you need. When you’re finished, simply collapse the bag down and tuck it out of the way. If the bag needs freshening up, you can wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Downsides? The bag lacks the internal structure to hold it upright. So until you fill it with dog toys, it’ll fall over. Also, the handles present a temptation for chewers (and the canvas won’t hold up to them, either). And while the canvas is sturdy, the lining isn’t – it’ll tear easily.
The Good
- Heavy-duty canvas
- Rectangle or round shapes
- Available in 3 sizes
- Available in 7 colors
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Won't stand upright on its own
- Liner tears easily
If you want collapsible dog toy storage with internal support, DODYMPS works well. Sturdy cardboard holds up the sides of the lightweight canvas. And if you don’t want the cute dog on the side, you can choose from TEN other animals. The canvas resists water and mold, keeping your dog’s toys safe and sound. When you’re finished with the box, the cube folds flat to tuck out the way. And you can wipe it down with a damp cloth to keep things clean.
The downsides? The felt animal WILL tempt chewers, so be careful. And, unfortunately, you only get one size option. You might need to get more than one if you have a larger dog. We have a similar style for our dog’s toys (we do need two), and they hold up even when she digs for the toys at the bottom.
The Good
- Canvas over cardboard
- Available in 11 animal patterns
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Only 1 size
Does your dog have ALL the toys? Gimars provides plenty of space, with a nice collapsible feature to their dog toy storage. The 26-inch long box features sturdy jute fabric with a wireframe and plastic inserts to prevent unwanted collapse. They also add waterproof coating, so your dog can accidentally drool into the box without any worries (or you can wipe it down with a cloth for easy cleaning). Handles on the sides make it easy to carry the dog toy storage around if needed. And when you’re finished, the entire thing collapses flat.
So what is the downside? While sturdy, jute fabric won’t resist chewers. Watch them around the handles and fabric.
The Good
- Waterproofed jute fabric
- Wire frame with plastic inserts
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Only 1 size
Winifred & Lily also uses the tough jute fabric, with a touch of faux leather, for a more classic look to their dog toy storage. You can choose from an embroidered or printed texture in four different colors. Convenient handles on either side make it easy to move your pup’s toys from room to room (or even into the car). And you only need a damp cloth to clean things up.
Downsides? Still not a great choice for chewers. (Sorry – they’re a tough group!) And while the rim is supported with a wireframe, the sides aren’t. So it collapses when not full of toys for support.
The Good
- Jute fabric
- Embroidered or printed texture
- Available in 4 colors
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Won't stand upright on its own
- Only 1 size
The Best Plastic Dog Toy Storage
Chewers get a bad rap when it comes to dog toy storage. Almost every material falls apart when chewed! And while plastic still shouldn’t get gnawed on, it holds up better than fabrics, fibers, and wood. So if you have a teething puppy or a kiddo that uses their teeth on everything that enters the house, plastic might be your best bet. You may still get a few ornamental teeth marks, but the odds of needing to make a trip to the vet for a potential foreign body goes down (and THAT’S a key feature!).
You can’t ask for more iconic than a giant dog bone for your dog toy storage! OurPets also provides food-grade plastic (if you wanted to store food in it instead of toys) in their construction, soothing concerns over contamination for your chew-happy canine. You have two sizes to choose from, and the large can hold THIRTY POUNDS! The top features a nifty handle for you, and the seams come together nicely. When it comes to cleaning, you can’t get easier than plastic – wipe everything down, and you’re good to go!
Downsides? As you can double this dog toy storage with food, it’s lightweight. So expect to find it migrating through the house with just your dog’s toys to weigh it down. And while plastic is a better material for dogs to chew on than others, don’t expect this to be chew-proof! There’s no such thing out there, and you’ll end up disappointed.
The Good
- Food-grade plastic
- Bone shape
- Available in 2 sizes
- Cleans with a damp cloth
The Bad
- Watch chewers
- Lightweight
The Best Wooden Dog Toy Storage
Maybe you want a different look for your home. Something more rustic? Wooden dog toy storage might do the trick. While a terrible idea for chewers (please, please don’t do it!), you can go for a sleek wooden box if your dog keeps their teeth to themselves. You WILL need to consider how best to clean your storage, though. Wood and water don’t always mix well. Ensure you read through the dog toy storage care thoroughly, so you don’t end up with mold growth near your pup’s toys.
College View Crafts offers a unique wooden dog toy storage. The pawprint shape allows your dog to pull one toy out of the bottom while you restore unwanted options into the hinged top. You get five colors to choose from, and you can even personalize the toy tower for your kiddo (they’ll put FOUR names on there for free!). They use genuine pine lumber and make each dog toy storage by hand.
Downsides? If your dog wants a particular toy, they may need to empty the entire tower, defeating the dog toy storage point. Also, it only comes in one 21-inch high size. So it won’t work for large or giant dogs.
The Good
- Pine lumber
- Tower shape with pawprint opening
- Hinged lid
- Available in 5 colors
- Personalizable
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Only in 1 size
- Dogs can only pull 1 toy at a time
Sometimes, simple works best. Woodlore Cedar offers a basic dog toy storage in sweet-swelling cedar. You won’t need to worry about household pests crawling into your dog’s favorite toys! The sturdy slats hold up to your dog’s searching for their toy (or they can peer through the slats without any trouble). You can easily carry the box around, and the clean lines look attractive in any setting.
The downside? This dog toy storage only comes in one size, and it’s definitely on the small side. So unless you’re looking for a new dog toy for your kiddo, you’ll want a different option for the bigger dogs in your life.
The Good
- Cedar
- Natural insect-repellant
The Bad
- Not good for chewers
- Only in 1 size
Toy Land
I’ve almost sprained an ankle on a dog toy, walking across the living room in the middle of the night. Odds are, you’ve had a similar experience. You don’t want to ban dog toys from the house, but you also can’t face another medical bill. Dog toy storage solves the problem – and so easily. Your dog gets to keep their cornucopia of fun, and you clear away the clutter on the floor.
Whether a shoebox (which our cat toys go into) or an elegant toy box, storage rescues everyone. Give it a try!
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