Mabel the staffy cross laying on her white bed on the wooden kitchen floor

The 13 best Easter eggs, treats, toys & puzzles for dogs guide 2026

*There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I genuinely believe in or that I would consider for Mabel.*

Why Easter is the one holiday Mabel takes personally

I’ll be honest with you, I absolutely love Easter. Mini eggs in particular. I’ve always been one of those people who marks the seasons not by the weather but by what’s on the shelves in the supermarket.

The second Cadbury Creme Eggs start appearing next to the checkout, or easter eggs at the top of aisles in Tesco, I know Christmas is over and spring is coming. When the full mini Eggs displays go up, that’s basically my version of the first robin. Similar to our best dog advent calendar guide, we wanted to explore the best easter eggs, treats, toys & puzzles for dogs.

Easter chocolate is, in my opinion, the best chocolate of the year and I will not be taking questions.

Dog Dad

Friends have long since stopped asking whether I’ve started on the Easter eggs yet, and moved straight to asking how many bags of mini eggs I’ve already been through and how many Easter eggs I’ve already eaten.

How can I share that Easter experience with my dog safely?

The problem, of course, is that real chocolate is genuinely dangerous for dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine compounds that dogs can’t metabolise the way we can, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid heart rate, seizures, and in serious cases, far worse. Easter is one of the most common times of year for accidental chocolate ingestion in dogs, given how much of the stuff tends to be lying around the house.

Chocolate poisoning in dogs increases by 50% over Easter according to the Kennel Club

Statistics released in 2025 show that cases of chocolate poisoning in dogs increase by 50% over Easter, compared to an average month. 

The Kennel Club

The good news? There’s a brilliant and growing range of dog-friendly Easter eggs, treats and toys that means Mabel doesn’t have to just sit there watching me eat Mini Eggs while she gets nothing. From carob eggs wrapped in proper Easter foil to Easter bunny-shaped treats and enrichment toys, there’s genuinely no reason your dog needs to miss out and no reason for you to feel guilty enjoying yours while they look on.

How many UK dog owners buy their dogs something for Easter?

According to research by Warburtons, reported by Dogs Today Magazine in December 2025, 25% of UK dog owners buy their dog something for Easter. That’s one in four owners marking the occasion with a gift or treat for their dog, which tells you everything about how much pets have become part of the family for people across the UK.

What is carob and why is it safe for dogs?

Before we get into the products, it’s worth spending a moment on carob as it’s the ingredient that makes every dog Easter egg on this list possible, and it deserves a proper introduction rather than just being labelled ‘the dog-safe chocolate alternative’ and left at that.

Where does carob originate?

Carob comes from the pods of the carob tree, an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin, think the rocky hillsides of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and North Africa. The pods are long, dark brown, and leathery when ripe. Inside, a naturally sweet pulp surrounds the seeds. It’s this pulp that gets dried and ground into carob powder, which is what you’ll see listed on the ingredients of every dog Easter egg in this guide.

Why is carob safe for dogs when chocolate isn’t?

Real chocolate is toxic to dogs because of theobromine and caffeine. Stimulants that dogs metabolise far more slowly than humans, allowing them to build up to dangerous levels in the body. Carob contains neither theobromine nor caffeine.

The flavour profile is different, slightly earthier and naturally sweeter than chocolate. But it’s close enough that a dog who has never had real chocolate won’t know any different. Mabel has had carob treats before, including some Star Wars ones shaped like the Empire logo, and she went for those with exactly the same enthusiasm she brings to everything edible. (The Empire may have lost the Galactic Civil War, but it was a hit in our kitchen.)

Nutritional benefits of carob

Beyond simply being ‘not toxic’, carob actually brings some genuine nutritional positives to the table:

  • Naturally sweet โ€” the sweetness comes from naturally occurring sugars (mainly sucrose, fructose and glucose) rather than added sweeteners, though carob treats still contain added sugars in most commercial recipes so portion control still matters
  • Source of B vitamins โ€” particularly B2 (riboflavin) and B6, which support energy metabolism and a healthy coat and skin
  • High in fibre โ€” carob contains both soluble and insoluble fibre, which can support healthy digestion and help regulate bowel movements
  • Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants โ€” carob contains tannins and flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties that may support immune health
  • Contains calcium and phosphorus โ€” both important for bone health, particularly relevant for growing puppies and senior dogs
  • Low in fat โ€” carob powder is naturally low in fat, which makes it a better base for treats than cocoa butter-heavy chocolate
  • No oxalic acid โ€” chocolate contains oxalic acid, which interferes with calcium absorption. Carob doesn’t, making it nutritionally gentler

A word of caution. While carob itself is a positive ingredient, commercial dog Easter eggs are still treat products and they contain added sugars, fats, and in most cases milk derivatives. The carob is good; the overall treat should still be given in moderation. Think of it like giving a child a piece of fruit cake: the fruit has genuine nutritional value, but it’s still cake. Carob Easter eggs are a treat, not a meal supplement. Stick to appropriate portions for your dog’s size (see the FAQ section below for guidance).


Best Easter eggs, treats and toys for dogs 2026 – our picks

Our PickProductPriceWeightBest ForWhy We Love It
๐Ÿฅš Best Carob Easter EggRosewood Easter Egg (60g)ยฃ360gClassic giftingThe original dog Easter egg. Foil-wrapped, gift-boxed, carob-based. Simple and exactly right.
๐Ÿงบ Best for Easter Egg HuntsRosewood Mini Easter Eggs x4 (80g)ยฃ680gEaster egg hunts, multiple dogsFour individually foil-wrapped eggs in a gift box. Hide them around the garden.
๐Ÿซ Best Everyday TreatRosewood Choc Mini Eggs (85g bag)ยฃ385gTraining, scatter feedingResealable bag of carob mini egg shapes with added vitamins A, D3, E and spirulina.
๐ŸŽ‚ Best Artisan TreatThe Barking Bakery Easter Woofinsยฃ6.99VariesGifting, pampered dogsYoghurt-iced cupcake treats with a bone biscuit. The most giftable item on the list.
๐Ÿงฉ Best PuzzleTrixie Roly Poly Snack Eggยฃ1013cm tallMental enrichment, slow feedingEgg-shaped wobbling treat dispenser. Adjustable difficulty. Useful year-round, not just Easter.
๐Ÿฅ Best Plush ToyRosewood Chirpy Chick Easter Dog Toyยฃ8.23Approx. 18cmInteractive play, dogs not food-motivatedSqueaky Easter chick plush. Soft, seasonal, and perfect for dogs who prefer play over treats.

๐Ÿฅš The best Easter eggs for dogs 2026

These are the carob-based Easter eggs that let your dog have the full Easter morning experience โ€” foil, gift box, and all. All are made with carob instead of cocoa, meaning no theobromine and no danger. The differences come down to ingredients, size, price point, and where you can get them.

Easter Eggs for Dogs – Quick comparison

ProductPriceFree FromSuitable FromBest For
1. Rosewood Easter Egg (60g)ยฃ3Cocoa, wheat, gluten3 monthsAll dogs โ€” classic first choice
2. Rosewood Mini Easter Eggs (x4)ยฃ6Cocoa, gluten3 monthsEaster egg hunts
3. Pets at Home Easter Eggยฃ2.50โ€“ยฃ6Cocoa, artificial colours/flavours3 monthsBudget buyers, easy to source
4. Rosewood Easter Bunny (60g)ยฃ4Cocoa-free, gluten-free3 monthsBunny shape fans, gifting, Easter photos

1. Rosewood Easter egg for dogs โ€“ 60g

Rosewood Bunny and Boop dog friendly easter egg for dogs

The best all-round Easter egg for dogs

Price: ยฃ3
Weight: 60g
Suitable for: Dogs over 3 months old (small, medium and large breeds)
Key ingredients: Various sugars, oils and fats, milk and milk derivatives, carob powder (5%)
Free from: Cocoa, wheat, gluten

Why People Buy It

This is the one that started it all for many UK dog owners. The Rosewood Easter egg for dogs ticks every basic box. It looks like a proper Easter egg (foil wrapped, presented in an Easter-themed box), it’s made from carob rather than cocoa so it’s completely safe for dogs, and it covers all bases from small to large breeds. People buy it because they want to give their dog that authentic Easter morning moment. Something to unwrap and enjoy alongside the family without any of the worry.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Dog-safe carob recipe โ€” no theobromine, no caffeineHigh in sugar (as with all carob ‘chocolate’ treats)
Cocoa, wheat and gluten free โ€” great for sensitive tummiesContains milk derivatives โ€” not suitable for lactose-intolerant dogs
Traditional Easter egg presentation with foil and gift boxOnly 60g so large breeds will get through it very quickly
Suitable for all breeds from small to largeNot grain-free (if your dog needs a grain-free diet, check the Bunny treat instead)
Widely available โ€” Amazon, Jollyes, pet storesShould be stored in a cool, dry place and consumed within 7 days of opening
Affordable at under ยฃ3.50 
Can be broken into pieces for portion control 

Why It’s Great

The Rosewood Easter Egg is the gold standard entry point for the dog-friendly Easter egg market. It’s the equivalent of the Cadbury Creme Egg โ€” simple, familiar, and makes your dog feel properly included in the Easter tradition. For most owners, this is the go-to choice.


2. Rosewood mini Easter eggs for dogs โ€“ 80g (Pack of 4)

Rosewood dog friendly mini easter eggs x 4 perfect for easter egg hunts

๐Ÿพ Best dog-friendly eggs for Easter hunts

Price: ยฃ6

Weight: 80g (4 small eggs)

Suitable for: Dogs over 3 months old

Key ingredients: Various sugars, oils and fats, milk and milk derivatives, carob powder (5%), emulsifier, natural flavouring

Free from: Cocoa, gluten

Why People Buy It

The concept is immediately brilliant: mini eggs that are completely safe for dogs. If you’ve ever watched your dog’s nose twitch at the smell of a bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs at Easter, you’ll understand why these sell out so quickly. People buy them because they’re perfect for setting up a dog-friendly Easter egg hunt, hide the four mini eggs around the garden or living room and let your dog sniff them out. They’re also great for dogs who do better with smaller, controlled portions, and they make a fun alternative to a single large egg.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Pack of 4 โ€” perfect for Easter egg huntsContains milk and milk derivatives โ€” not suitable for lactose-intolerant dogs
Vibrant Easter-themed foil and gift box presentationHigh sugar content โ€” keep portions reasonable
Dog-safe carob recipe โ€” cocoa and gluten freeFour eggs may disappear quickly with a food-motivated dog!
Can be fed whole or broken into smaller piecesNot suitable for puppies under 3 months
Suitable for all dog sizesShould be consumed within 7 days of opening
Fun way to give dogs mental stimulation through an egg hunt 
Resealable for portion control 

Why It’s Great

These are genuinely one of the most creative dog Easter products on the market in 2026. The idea of hiding four mini eggs around the garden and letting your dog sniff them out is brilliant mental enrichment โ€” it turns a treat into an activity. For dog owners who love setting up enrichment games, this is a must-have at Easter. Mabel would absolutely demolish these in about thirty seconds flat if given the chance, so the hunt would be over before it started โ€” but the joy on her face would be worth it.


3. Pets at Home Easter egg for dogs

Pets at Home small dog friendly easter egg 50g
Pets at Home medium dog friendly easter egg (100g)
Pets at Home large dog friendly easter egg (200g)

๐Ÿพ Best budget Easter egg for dogs (Small 50G)

Price: ยฃ2.50โ€“ยฃ6 (range of sizes)

Suitable for: Dogs over 3 months (small, medium, large)

Key details: Made with carob, low lactose, 30% less sugar than 2023 recipe, no artificial colours or flavours, made in Lancashire

Why People Buy It

Pets at Home is the UK’s biggest pet retailer, and their Easter egg range is always the most accessible starting point for most dog owners. The 2025/2026 recipe improvement โ€” 30% less sugar compared to previous years โ€” makes this an even better option than before. It’s also low in lactose, which makes it gentler on dogs with sensitive stomachs. People buy it because they can grab it on a weekly shop or alongside other Easter supplies without having to make a special trip.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Widely available โ€” in every Pets at Home store and onlineStill relatively high in crude oils and fats (42.5%) โ€” keep portions sensible
Range of sizes from ยฃ2.50 (small) to ยฃ6 (large)Less widely available online compared to Amazon
30% less sugar than previous years โ€” improving recipeSome sizes sell out quickly around Easter
Low lactose โ€” gentler on sensitive tummiesBasic packaging compared to gift-oriented competitors
No artificial colours or flavours 
Also available as an egg hunt treats pack 
Made in Lancashire โ€” supporting UK manufacturing 
Suitable from 3 months old 

Why It’s Great

The Pets at Home Easter egg is the easiest Easter win for most dog owners. It’s accessible, affordable, and the reformulated recipe with less sugar shows the brand is actually listening to what owners want. It also comes in multiple sizes so you can match it to your dog โ€” which is something the competitors don’t always offer at this price point.


4. Rosewood Easter bunny โ€“ 60g

Rosewood dog friendly chocolate easter bunny (60g)

Best bunny-shaped carob Easter treat for dogs

Price: ยฃ4

Weight: 60g

Shape: Full bunny-shaped carob chocolate treat

Composition: Various Sugars, Oils and fats, Milk and milk derivatives, Derivatives of vegetable origin (carob powder)

Free from: Cocoa-free, gluten-free

Suitable for: Small, medium and large dogs and puppies over 12 weeks old

Why People Buy It

This is the Easter egg alternative with an Easter-specific twist โ€” instead of a classic egg shape, itโ€™s a full bunny-shaped carob chocolate treat. Same safe carob recipe as the Rosewood Easter Egg, same cocoa-free and gluten-free credentials, but shaped into a bunny rather than an egg. For owners who want something that looks unmistakably Easter-themed rather than just a chocolate egg, the bunny format is a brilliant choice. People also buy it because it photographs beautifully โ€” a carob bunny on the kitchen floor next to the dog is a very specific kind of Easter morning photo that basically writes itself. At 60g itโ€™s a similar size to the classic Rosewood egg, and it comes in the same trusted Rosewood packaging that UK dog owners recognise.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Bunny shape is more Easter-specific than a plain eggHigher sugar and fat content โ€” treat only, not everyday food
Cocoa-free and gluten-free โ€” safe carob recipeContains milk derivatives โ€” not suitable for dairy-intolerant dogs
Trusted Rosewood brand โ€” same quality as their Easter egg rangeSmaller 60g size โ€” less value per gram than the Choc Mini Eggs bag
Brilliant for Easter morning photos โ€” iconic bunny silhouetteNot as widely stocked in physical stores as the Rosewood egg
Suitable from 12 weeks โ€” good for younger puppies 
Great companion to the Rosewood Easter Egg or Mini Eggs bag for a full Rosewood Easter set 

Why Itโ€™s Great

The Rosewood Easter Bunny is the product for owners who want all the carob chocolate appeal of the classic Rosewood egg but with something that looks more distinctly Easter. The bunny silhouette is immediately recognisable, itโ€™s the same trusted carob recipe from the same brand, and at 60g itโ€™s the right size for a proper treat without going overboard. Pair it with the Rosewood Mini Eggs for an Easter morning that covers all the bases โ€” the bunny for the big reveal, the mini eggs bag for the rest of the weekend. Mabel would have ears first.


๐Ÿพ The best Easter treats for dogs

Beyond carob Easter eggs, there’s a growing range of Easter-themed treats that are genuinely high quality โ€” often with real meat, functional ingredients, and far more nutritional value than a straight carob egg. These are the ones to reach for if you want to go a step further.

Easter Treats for Dogs โ€” Quick comparison

ProductPriceKey IngredientsFree FromBest For
5. Rosewood Choc Mini Eggs (85g bag)ยฃ3Cocoa, gluten, artificial colours3 monthsTraining rewards, egg hunts, sharing
6. Denzelโ€™s Chocolate Buttons (Carob & Peanut Butter)ยฃ12Carob 4%, peanut butter 20%, pea flourGrain-free, 100% natural, plastic-freeDogs who love peanut butter; everyday Easter treat
7. Pooch & Mutt Easter Lamb Treatsยฃ22.99
(ยฃ3.28 per pack)
Lamb, chicken, spring greens, probioticsGluten, dairy, grain, soyHealth-conscious owners, egg hunts
8. The Barking Bakery Woofinsยฃ6.99Yoghurt icing, baked biscuit baseArtificial additivesGifting, pampered dogs

5. Rosewood Choc Mini Eggs for Dogs โ€“ 85g Resealable Bag

Rosewood dog friendly mini egg treats in resealable bag (85g or 150g)

๐Ÿฅš Best mini egg treat bag for dogs | Available on Amazon

Price: ยฃ3

Weight: 85g (also available in 150g)

Format: Loose mini egg-shaped treats in a resealable bag

Key details: Carob-based, cocoa-free, gluten-free, no artificial colours; added vitamins (A, D3, E) and dried spirulina; assorted outer shell colours with crunchy biscuit centre

Composition: Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Oils and fats, Milk and milk derivatives, Minerals, Dried Spirulina

Suitable for: Dogs and puppies over 3 months

Why People Buy It

This is a different product to the Rosewood Mini Easter Eggs gift box (Product 2) โ€” and it’s worth being clear about how. That product is four individually foil-wrapped eggs in a gift box, designed for the Easter morning unwrapping moment. This one is a bag of loose mini egg-shaped treats: bite-sized, crunchy, perfect for scattering in the garden for an egg hunt, using as training rewards throughout Easter weekend, or simply handing out one at a time as the day goes on. The resealable bag is key here โ€” you’re not giving it all at once, you’re dipping into it over time. People buy this because they want a supply of Easter-themed treats that works like an everyday treat bag, not a one-off gift. The added vitamins and spirulina also make it feel a step above a purely novelty product.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Resealable bag โ€” portion out over days rather than all at onceContains milk and milk derivatives โ€” not for dairy-intolerant dogs
Bite-sized format perfect for training rewardsTreats are still sugar-containing โ€” portion control remains important
Ideal for scattering in an Easter egg huntLess of a ‘gift’ feel than the foil-wrapped egg box
Added vitamins A, D3 and E โ€” more than a basic carob novelty treat85g bag doesn’t go far with larger dogs โ€” consider the 150g size
Dried spirulina adds a nutritional bonusNot wheat-free (contains biscuit centre from vegetable derivatives)
Cocoa-free and gluten-free 
No artificial colours โ€” assorted shell colours from natural sources 
Available in 85g and 150g sizes 
Consistent Rosewood quality โ€” same brand as the eggs and Easter Bunny treat 
Great alongside the gift box eggs for variety 

Why It’s Great

This is the product that turns Easter into an event rather than a moment. Where the gift box egg is the big reveal, this bag is everything that comes after โ€” the training rewards on the Easter walk, the treats scattered around the garden for a proper nose-work hunt, the one you hand over when Mabel does something brilliant. The added vitamins and spirulina mean you’re not just feeding her novelty sugar; you’re giving her something that does a small amount of actual good. Buy the gift box for the theatre of Easter morning, and keep this bag for the rest of the weekend.


6. Denzelโ€™s Easter Chocolate Buttons โ€” Carob & Peanut Butter Easter Dog Treats

Denzels easter chocolate buttons and easter lamb nibble treats

๐Ÿซ Best soft-baked carob Easter treat for dogs | Available on Amazon and denzels.co.uk

Price: ยฃ12

Format: Soft-baked carob & peanut butter buttons โ€” Easter limited edition

Key ingredients: Pea flour, peanut butter (20%), dried carob (4%), sunflower oil, tapioca starch

Free from: Grain-free, 100% natural, plastic-free packaging

Made in: UK

Suitable for: Dogs from 16 weeks. Grain-free and natural โ€” check for peanut sensitivity before feeding

Why People Buy It

Denzelโ€™s have essentially made a dog version of a chocolate button, and the execution is exactly what youโ€™d expect from them: 20% peanut butter, carob instead of cocoa, soft-baked so theyโ€™re easy to eat, grain-free, plastic-free. Itโ€™s the kind of thing you throw in the basket alongside the Denzelโ€™s Easter Egg โ€” the egg is the main event, the buttons are the dayโ€™s treats. Or you use them as rewards for an Easter egg hunt. Dogs who are peanut butter-motivated (which is most dogs) are going to be completely obsessed with these. The carob gives you the chocolate-button look without any of the theobromine risk. There is a version of Easter Sunday where you sit on the sofa with your Mini Eggs and Mabel gets the buttons. Thatโ€™s a good Easter Sunday.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Soft-baked โ€” easy for dogs of all sizes to eatContains peanuts โ€” not suitable for dogs with peanut sensitivity
20% peanut butter โ€” genuinely irresistible to most dogsHigher price point than basic carob shapes
Grain-free, 100% natural, plastic-free packaging 
Pairs perfectly with the Denzelโ€™s Easter Egg for a full Denzelโ€™s Easter haul 

Why Itโ€™s Great

They work brilliantly as Easter egg hunt prizes, as training rewards over the long weekend, or just as something to hand over while you eat your own Easter chocolate. The peanut butter flavour is Denzelโ€™s at their most crowd-pleasing. Good Easter. Good dog. Good buttons.


7. Pooch & Mutt Easter lamb treats (7 packs at 120G each)

Pooch & Mutt easter lamb & spring treats

๐Ÿพ Best Easter egg hunt meaty treats for dogs

Price: ยฃ22.99 (ยฃ3.28 per pack)

Key ingredients: Lamb, chicken, spring greens, probiotics

Free from: Artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, gluten, beef, soy, dairy, non-GM

Suitable for: All dogs and puppies with sensitive tummies

Why People Buy It

Pooch & Mutt is one of those brands that’s earned genuine loyalty from health-obsessed dog owners โ€” and for good reason. Their limited-edition Easter lamb treats are specifically designed for Easter egg hunts, making them perfect for setting up a garden or indoor hunt for your dog. The recipe is brilliant for Easter too: lamb (classic Easter Sunday meat), chicken, and spring greens โ€” properly seasonal. The inclusion of probiotics means you can feel good about giving them as a reward without worrying about gut upset.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Formulated with probiotics for gut healthMore expensive than basic carob eggs
Seasonally inspired recipe (lamb for Easter!)Limited seasonal availability โ€” buy early
Grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-freeNot the traditional ‘chocolate Easter egg’ experience
Perfect small size for Easter egg huntsSmaller treat size may not satisfy larger, more food-motivated dogs
No artificial additives 
Resealable bag to keep treats fresh 
Suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs 
Trusted brand with strong UK following 

Why It’s Great

If you’re going to do an Easter egg hunt for your dog, these are the treats to use. The small size is perfect for hiding around the garden, the lamb and spring greens recipe is genuinely festive, and the probiotics mean you can scatter fifteen of these around the lawn without worrying about an upset stomach in the car on the way home from your Easter walk. Mabel would find all fifteen within about four minutes, but what a four minutes it would be.

8. The Barking Bakery Easter Woofins

Barking Bakery Easter Woofin cupcake treat

๐Ÿพ Best artisan Easter treat for spoilt dogs

Price: ยฃ6.99

Packaging: 100% recyclable, food-grade pod with minimum 80% recycled plastic

Key features: Mini-iced, handmade, yoghurt topping, spring-themed decoration, crunchy bone biscuit finish

Why People Buy It

The Barking Bakery occupies a unique space in the dog treat market: they make dog treats that look genuinely beautiful. The Easter Woofins are mini cupcake-style treats iced with the brand’s signature yoghurt topping and finished with a cute crunchy bone biscuit. People buy them partly because they taste great for dogs, but also partly because they photograph brilliantly for Instagram and make wonderful Easter gifts. If you’re giving a dog Easter gift to a friend’s dog or to a dog parent who loves their pet like family, this is the one.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Handmade and beautifully presented โ€” perfect for giftingMore expensive than basic carob eggs
Yoghurt icing and spring decoration make them genuinely specialShorter shelf life as fresh/artisan product
Available at major retailers including Amazon, Pets at Home and OcadoEaster range sells out quickly โ€” order early
Fully recyclable, sustainable packagingNot suitable for dogs with dairy sensitivities due to yoghurt topping
Mini cupcake format makes them feel luxuriousSmaller treat โ€” may disappear in one happy gulp for larger dogs
Great for Instagram photos (let’s be honest) 
Different from every other product in this guide 

Why It’s Great

The Barking Bakery Woofins are the most giftable item on this entire list. They’re what you buy when you want to go beyond a standard carob egg and give a dog (or a dog owner) something that feels genuinely special. They’re also a great option if you enjoy doing holiday flat lays and photos with your dog. Easter morning with a Woofin in front of the dog’s Easter basket? That’s a photo.


๐Ÿงฉ Easter Toys & Puzzles for Dogs

Not every dog is treat-motivated and even those that are will benefit from some play and mental stimulation at Easter. These Easter dog toys and puzzle feeders are the perfect companion to a carob egg, or a brilliant standalone gift for dogs who go mad for toys. If you are looking for general toy recommendations you can find our recommendations in our best dog toys for staffies article

Easter Toys & Puzzles for Dogs โ€” At a Glance

ProductPriceMaterialSuitable ForBest For
9. Trixie Roly Poly Snack Egg treat dispenser puzzleยฃ10PlasticAll sizes โ€” 4 difficulty levelsMental enrichment, meal enrichment, Easter egg hunts
10. Surrey Feed Latex Cracked Eggยฃ9.99Natural latexSmall to medium dogsFetch & interactive play
11. Rosewood Chirpy Chick Easter Toyยฃ8.23Soft plush, squeakerAll sizes (supervised)Novelty Easter gift, cuddly dogs
12. Pets at Home Easter Forage Egg & Treatsยฃ5Plastic egg + biscuit treatsDogs over 3 monthsEnrichment, nose work, egg hunts
13. Pets at Home Bella Bunny Toy & Treats Gift Setยฃ5Plush + crinkle + biscuit treatsDogs over 3 monthsGift sets, in-store convenience

9. Trixie Roly Poly Snack Egg Treat Dispenser Puzzle for Dogs

Trixie roly poly easter egg shaped treat dispenser puzzle

๐Ÿงฉ Best Easter egg-shaped treat dispenser puzzle for dogs | Available on Amazon

Price: ยฃ10

Brand: Trixie โ€” established German pet brand, making pet products since 1974

Size: 13cm tall. Weighted base โ€” wobbles but doesnโ€™t tip over

Difficulty: 4 removable plates with adjustable openings โ€” customise difficulty from beginner to advanced

Fill with: Dry kibble, small treats, or the Denzelโ€™s Chocolate Buttons from product 8

Includes: Training guide with tips and tricks for daily use

Why People Buy It

An egg-shaped treat dispenser at Easter is almost too on-theme, and the Trixie Roly Poly delivers properly. The design is genuinely egg-shaped โ€” wobbling and rolling around on its weighted base like a weeble while treats gradually fall through the plates. The four removable plates mean you can start easy (great for beginners or puppies) and increase the difficulty over time as the dog gets the hang of it. Trixie have been making dog activity toys since 1974 and the build quality shows โ€” the base locks solidly, the plates clip in properly, and nothing falls apart mid-play like cheaper alternatives. People buy this because they want an Easter gift thatโ€™s genuinely enriching rather than just seasonal novelty: their dog works for every treat, gets mental stimulation, slows down if theyโ€™re a fast eater, and has something that lasts all year rather than just Easter weekend. Fill it with kibble for a meal, or with small treats from your Easter haul for a themed enrichment session. Mabel would be spinning this thing around the kitchen floor within thirty seconds of first contact.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Egg-shaped design โ€” perfect Easter themingPlastic only โ€” no soft or plush element
4 adjustable difficulty levels โ€” grows with the dogCan be noisy on hard floors as the egg spins and rolls
Solid Trixie build โ€” plates click in properly, base locks securely 
Genuinely useful year-round โ€” not just an Easter novelty 

Why Itโ€™s Great

The Trixie Roly Poly earns its place on this list twice over: once because itโ€™s shaped like an egg (obviously), and once because itโ€™s genuinely one of the best treat dispensers available. Fill it with Denzelโ€™s Chocolate Buttons or the Rosewood Choc Mini Eggs and you have an Easter morning for the dog that runs longer than five minutes. The wobbling roly-poly movement keeps dogs engaged far longer than a static puzzle, and the adjustable difficulty means it works for complete beginners and experienced puzzle dogs alike. If youโ€™re buying one toy from this list thatโ€™s both Easter-themed and useful beyond Easter weekend, this is it.


10. Surrey Feed Latex Cracked Egg Dog Toy

Surrey Feed latex cracked egg dog toy

๐Ÿงฉ Best latex squeaky Easter toy for dogs | Available on Amazon

Price: ยฃ9.99

Material: Natural latex

Size: Approx. 10cm x 8cm x 8cm

Features: Built-in squeaker, cracked egg design with chick detail

Suitable for: Small to medium dogs. Supervise during play โ€” not suitable for strong chewers

Why People Buy It

A cracked egg with a chick peeking out is about as Easter as a dog toy can get. The Surrey Feed latex cracked egg is a simple, well-executed squeaky toy that does exactly what it promises โ€” gives dogs something Easter-themed to carry, squeak, fetch, and generally be delighted by. The natural latex material has the right kind of give for satisfying squeaks, and at 10cm itโ€™s a good size for small to medium dogs to carry without it being a mouthful. People buy this because they want a seasonal toy that doesnโ€™t overthink it โ€” just a fun, affordable, properly Easter-themed squeaker that their dog will love. Mabel would have the squeak out inside ten minutes, but sheโ€™d look very pleased with herself while she was doing it.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Instantly recognisable Easter design โ€” cracked egg with chickNot suitable for strong chewers or large dogs
Natural latex โ€” satisfying squeak and good bite feelSqueaker likely to be extracted quickly by determined dogs
Compact 10cm size โ€” great for fetch and carryingSmaller brand โ€” less known than Rosewood or Pets at Home
Affordable โ€” great value as part of a dog Easter basket 

Why Itโ€™s Great

The latex cracked egg is the toy for dogs who are motivated by squeaking things repeatedly until you beg them to stop. Itโ€™s purely a play toy โ€” no treats, no enrichment, just a very satisfying squeak and a fun Easter shape to carry around. Pair it with a Rosewood carob egg and youโ€™ve got a complete Easter morning covered: something to eat and something to play with. Compact enough to throw indoors on a rainy Easter weekend. Mabel would treat this like a personal challenge.


11. Rosewood Chirpy Chick Easter Dog Toy

Rosewood chirpy chick plush dog toy

๐Ÿพ Best Easter novelty plush toy for dogs | Available on Amazon and Notcutts

Price: ยฃ8.23

Material: Soft plush with spring print bow tie, built-in squeaker

Brand: Rosewood โ€” the same brand behind the Rosewood Easter eggs and treats in this guide

Suitable for: All sizes (supervised play recommended)

Why People Buy It

Rosewood has nailed the Easter dog toy brief here. The Chirpy Chick is an adorable chick character with a spring-print bow tie โ€” it’s specifically Easter rather than generically springtime, and it looks genuinely lovely. People buy it because they want a proper Easter gift that photographs well and feels festive, rather than just a generic squeaky toy in seasonal packaging. The Rosewood branding also means buyers know exactly what they’re getting โ€” quality plush construction from a brand they already trust from the eggs and treat products.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Genuinely Easter-specific design (chick, not just a colourful egg)Plush toy โ€” not for aggressive chewers or power chewers like Staffies
Spring print bow tie adds lovely detailSupervised play recommended
Trusted Rosewood brand โ€” consistent with other Rosewood products in this guideSqueaker may be found quickly by determined dogs
Built-in squeaker for interactive playBow tie detail could be a target for chewing โ€” monitor during play
Available at Notcutts as well as Amazon โ€” good for in-store shoppers 
Soft plush material great for cuddling 
Makes a brilliant Easter gift presentation alongside a Rosewood carob egg 

Why It’s Great

The Rosewood Chirpy Chick is the toy that completes a proper Rosewood Easter bundle โ€” carob egg, mini eggs, Easter bunny treat, and then this little chick to play with afterwards. It’s also the most giftable toy on this list: it looks adorable, it’s clearly Easter-themed, and it comes from a brand that dog owners already recognise and trust. We’d pair this with the Rosewood carob Easter egg for the perfect dog Easter hamper.


12. Pets at Home Easter Forage Egg & Treats for Dogs

Pets at home easter forage egg and treat set

๐Ÿพ Best Easter enrichment toy with treats | Available exclusively at Pets at Home

Price: ยฃ5

Contents: Easter egg toy with hidden chicken-flavoured biscuit treats inside

Key details: Squeaky interactive Easter egg toy with chicken-flavoured crumbly biscuits; no added sugar, no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives; suitable for dogs over 3 months

Ingredients (biscuits): Wheat Flour, Potato Starch, Chicken Powder (14%), Corn Oil, Wheat Protein, Pea Dietary Fibre

Suitable for: Dogs over 3 months old

Exclusive to: Pets at Home in-store and online

Why People Buy It

This is the product that bridges the gap between toy and treat in one clever Easter package. The concept is simple but brilliant: a squeaky Easter egg toy with treats hidden inside that the dog has to seek out and be rewarded with. It taps directly into a dog’s natural foraging instincts โ€” the same instinct that makes them sniff every inch of the garden when you let them out โ€” and packages it in a seasonal Easter format that feels genuinely festive. The chicken-flavoured biscuits are free from added sugar, artificial colours and preservatives, which puts them a step above a lot of mass-market treats. People buy this because they want enrichment and play in one product, without needing to buy separately.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Combines enrichment toy and treats in one product โ€” great valueContains wheat โ€” not suitable for dogs with gluten sensitivities
Chicken-flavoured biscuits with 14% chicken powder โ€” decent ingredient qualityOnly available at Pets at Home โ€” not on Amazon or other retailers
No added sugar, no artificial colours, flavours or preservativesTreats are biscuit-style, not as nutritionally rich as meat-based alternatives like Pooch & Mutt
Squeaky toy element keeps the dog engaged beyond just the treatsThe toy component is simpler than a dedicated enrichment toy
Perfect for setting up an Easter egg hunt in its own rightStock may sell out in-store close to Easter weekend โ€” buy early
Suitable from 3 months โ€” great for puppies celebrating their first Easter 
Available in-store at Pets at Home โ€” no wait for delivery 
Exclusively Pets at Home branded โ€” reassuring own-brand quality control 

Why It’s Great

This is the product I’d reach for if I wanted a single, self-contained Easter gift that does everything โ€” plays, enriches, treats, and looks the part. It’s also the one to put in front of people who want to walk into Pets at Home on Good Friday and come out with something genuinely good, without pre-planning an Amazon order. The forage element is a real positive: making a dog hunt for their reward, even briefly, is far more mentally stimulating than just handing them a treat. It’s exactly the kind of product Easter dog gifting should be.


13. Pets at Home Easter Bella Bunny Toy & Treats Gift Set for Dogs

Pets at Home bella bunny treat and toy gift set

๐Ÿพ Best Easter gift set for dogs | Available exclusively at Pets at Home

Price: ยฃ5 (50g treat pack included)

Contents: Bella Bunny plush dog toy + chicken-flavoured biscuit treats

Toy features: Internal squeaker and crinkle texture โ€” designed to spark curiosity and provide extended play

Treats: Chicken-flavoured crumbly biscuits โ€” no added sugar, no artificial colours or preservatives

Suitable for: Dogs over 3 months old

Exclusive to: Pets at Home in-store and online

Why People Buy It

Sometimes you want an Easter gift that looks like a proper Easter gift โ€” something that’s nicely packaged, clearly themed, and feels special when you hand it over (or put it in front of the dog on Easter morning). The Bella Bunny gift set does exactly that job. The bunny character is genuinely adorable, with both a squeaker and a crinkle texture built in, giving dogs two different types of sensory stimulation from one toy. And then there are treats alongside it, so you’re giving play and reward in one box. It’s the Easter equivalent of a gift set โ€” the kind of thing you buy when you want to feel like you’ve really marked the occasion, rather than just grabbing a single treat.

โœ… ProsโŒ Cons
Gift set format โ€” toy and treats together, ideal for giftingPlush toy not suitable for power chewers โ€” supervised play recommended
Bella Bunny design is genuinely Easter-specific and adorableOnly available at Pets at Home โ€” not accessible via Amazon
Squeaker and crinkle texture combined โ€” extended play engagementTreats are wheat-based biscuits โ€” not ideal for dogs with grain sensitivities
Chicken-flavoured biscuits included โ€” no added sugar, no artificial additivesGift set format means you’re paying for packaging as well as product
Suitable from 3 months โ€” inclusive across age rangesStock in-store may be limited close to Easter โ€” worth buying ahead
Perfect for Easter morning unboxing with the dog 
Exclusively Pets at Home โ€” easy to pick up in-store without ordering online 
Great for dog owners who want everything in one purchase 

Why It’s Great

The Bella Bunny gift set is the answer to ‘I want to get my dog something really nice for Easter’ โ€” it’s the one that looks special, feels considered, and gives the dog both something to play with and something to eat. Easter morning with Bella Bunny in front of the dog while you unwrap your Mini Eggs? That’s the vibe. Mabel would be straight into the crinkle texture before the squeaker had a chance.


How to set up a dog friendly Easter egg hunt

One of the best things you can do with your dog at Easter is set up a proper egg hunt. Here’s how to do it:

  • Use the Rosewood Mini Easter Eggs or the Pooch & Mutt Easter lamb treats โ€” both are specifically sized for hiding
  • Start easy: place treats in obvious spots so your dog understands the game before making it harder
  • Use your garden if you have one, or scatter them around different rooms indoors
  • If you have a snuffle mat or puzzle toy, incorporate that as one of the ‘finds’
  • Always supervise โ€” you don’t want your dog finding something in the garden they shouldn’t eat
  • Count your treats before and after to make sure everything has been found
  • Follow it up with a proper walk โ€” a well-stimulated dog is a happy dog

Easter Safety for Dogs: What to Watch Out For

Easter is genuinely one of the most dangerous times of year for dogs when it comes to food hazards. Here’s what to keep well out of reach:

  • Human chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine โ€” toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous.
  • Hot cross buns: Contain raisins and currants, which can cause kidney failure in dogs
  • Xylitol: Found in some ‘sugar-free’ sweets and some chocolate โ€” extremely toxic to dogs
  • Easter lilies and spring bulbs: Tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are all toxic to dogs if ingested
  • Easter grass (decorative fake grass in baskets): Can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed
  • Foil wrappers from chocolate eggs: Can cause blockages โ€” bin all foil immediately

If your dog has eaten any human chocolate or any of the above: call your vet immediately. Have the wrapper to hand so they know the type and quantity consumed. Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop.

Dog friendly Easter eggs for FAQs

Can dogs have Easter eggs?

Dogs absolutely cannot have human Easter eggs โ€” the theobromine and caffeine in real chocolate are toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness or worse. However, dogs CAN have dog-specific Easter eggs made from carob, which is a naturally sweet, cocoa-free alternative from Mediterranean carob tree pods. Carob contains no theobromine, is naturally sweet, high in fibre, and actually has some beneficial vitamins and minerals. Every product in this guide is made with carob rather than cocoa.

What Easter eggs are safe for dogs?

Dog-safe Easter eggs are those made from carob instead of cocoa, and which are free from xylitol (an artificial sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs). The products on this list โ€” including Rosewood, Hatchwells, Pets at Home’s own range, and Webbox โ€” are all formulated to be safe. Always check the label and look for ‘cocoa-free’ and ‘carob’ on the ingredients list. Avoid any ‘dog chocolate’ product that contains cocoa or isn’t from a reputable pet brand.

Are dog Easter eggs made from chocolate?

Not real chocolate, no. Dog Easter eggs are made from carob โ€” a plant-based ingredient that looks and tastes somewhat similar to chocolate but contains none of the toxic compounds (theobromine and caffeine) found in real cocoa. Carob is naturally sweet, low in fat, and has been used in dog treats for decades. It’s entirely safe for dogs in appropriate portions. The key thing to remember is that even carob treats are high in sugar, so treat them as occasional indulgences rather than everyday food.

What happens if a dog eats a chocolate Easter egg?

Eating real chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs. Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include agitation, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drinking and urination, rapid breathing, muscle tremors and, in severe cases, seizures. The severity depends on the type of chocolate (dark chocolate is most dangerous), the amount consumed, and the size of the dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, call your vet immediately โ€” don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Have the wrapper ready so the vet knows the type of chocolate and the approximate quantity.

Where can I buy dog Easter eggs in the UK?

Dog Easter eggs are now widely available across the UK. Pets at Home stocks their own range in-store and online. Jollyes stocks Rosewood and their own range. Amazon stocks Rosewood, Hatchwells, and other brands with fast delivery. Ocado stocks The Barking Bakery range. Supermarkets including Morrisons and Sainsbury’s often stock Webbox Easter eggs. Independent pet shops frequently stock Hatchwells and Rosewood. Most of these start appearing from mid-February onwards and can sell out by the week before Easter, so order early.

What is carob and is it safe for dogs?

We’ve covered carob in detail in the dedicated section above, but the short answer is: carob comes from the pods of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), native to the Mediterranean. Unlike cocoa, it contains no theobromine or caffeine โ€” the compounds that make chocolate toxic to dogs. It’s naturally sweet, high in fibre, contains B vitamins, calcium and phosphorus, and is low in fat. It also lacks the oxalic acid found in chocolate, which interferes with calcium absorption. Carob is completely safe for dogs in appropriate quantities, though commercial carob treats still contain added sugars and fats, so treat them as occasional indulgences rather than daily food. See the ‘What Is Carob’ section above for the full breakdown.

Can puppies have dog Easter eggs?

Most dog Easter eggs from brands like Rosewood, Hatchwells, and Pets at Home state they’re suitable for dogs over 3 months old. Puppies younger than this should not be given Easter eggs or carob treats as their digestive systems are still developing. For puppies over 3 months, give very small amounts and always break the egg into tiny pieces rather than giving the whole thing at once. If your puppy has a sensitive stomach or is on a specific diet, check with your vet before introducing any new treats. The Pooch & Mutt Easter treats are a good option as they contain probiotics to support gut health.

Can I give my dog white chocolate instead of carob?

No. While white chocolate contains lower levels of theobromine than dark chocolate, it still contains the chemical and is exceptionally high in fats and sugars. These can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Carob remains the only safe ‘chocolate-style’ option for dogs.

What are the best Easter toys for dogs?

The best Easter dog toys fall into two categories: Easter-themed novelty toys and interactive enrichment toys. For novelty, options like the Surrey Feed Latex Cracked Egg, the Rosewood Chirpy Chick, and the Petface Easter Egg plush are all soft, squeaky and great for interactive play. For enrichment, egg-shaped puzzle feeders and snuffle toys provide mental stimulation that outlasts any carob egg. The Rosewood Mini Easter Eggs work brilliantly as part of an Easter egg hunt game. A combination of a treat egg and a toy is the ultimate Easter gift for most dogs.

Happy Easter from me and Mabel! ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅš

If you found this guide useful, feel free to share it with other dog owners who might not know their dogs deserve an Easter egg too. And if you’ve tried any of these products with your dog, drop a comment below and let me know what your pup thought!

Best dog advent calendar guide 2025

Best Dog Advent Calendar 2025: The Ultimate Christmas Countdown Guide

Christmas is coming, and let’s be honest our four-legged friends deserve just as much festive spoiling as the rest of the family. If you’re anything like most UK dog owners, you’ll want to include your pup in the countdown to the big day. And what better way than with the best dog advent calendars 2025 has to offer?

What are the best dog advent calendars for 2025? – Quick TLDR comparison

Dog advent calendarPriceType of dog advent calendarBest for
Pets at Home Christmas Advent Calendar for Dogsยฃ2.50The best cheap dog advent calendarBest for budget-conscious owners
Pets at Home meaty treats Christmas advent calendarยฃ5.00The best meaty treat cheap dog advent calendarBest for budget-conscious owners
Scrumbles natural hypoallergenic dog advent calendar ยฃ8.00The best hypoallergenic dog advent calendarBest for dogs with sensitive stomachs and puppies from 8 weeks
Good Boy chewy treat advent calender with rawhide-free recipe ยฃ9.99The best low fat dog advent calendarBest for dogs who love chewy treats, rawhide-sensitive dogs or on a low fat diet
Pooch & Mutt pigs in blankets advent calendarยฃ9.99The best dog advent calendar overall for most peopleBest for dogs who love meaty treats and all breeds from 12 weeks
Lily’s Kitchen Doggy Advent Calendarยฃ10.00The alternate best dog advent calendar for most peopleBest for dogs needing energy for walks and calming for bedtime
Woof Club Naturals raw treats advent calendarยฃ25.99The best dog advent calendar for big dogsBest for large dogs, raw feeders and dogs over 12 weeks
The Herbal Dog Co luxury pampering advent calendarยฃ30.00The best dog grooming advent calendarBest for pampered pooches, show dogs and dogs who are groomed at home by their owner

How Much Do UK Dog Owners Really Spend on Christmas Treats?

According to a recent Opinium survey of 1,000 UK cat and dog owners conducted for Insureyourpaws.co.uk in June 2024, UK dog owners spent an average of ยฃ72 on birthday and Christmas presents for their furry friends in 2024. What’s more striking is that 46% of pet owners buy their pets Christmas or birthday presents, with nearly one in four pet owners prepared to invest up to ยฃ150 in their dog’s holiday happiness.

The Best Dog Advent Calendars of 2025

1. Pets at Home meaty treats Christmas advent calendar

Best for budget-conscious owners

Price: ยฃ5.00
Number of treats: 24
Includes: Turkey, chicken, salmon, and duck meaty treats, no artificial flavours or preservatives
Fat content: Chicken treat (5%), duck treat (5%), chicken with duck and turkey treat: (2%), chicken and salmon treat: 2%;

Why People Love It: Budget-conscious pet parents flock to this option because it offers excellent value without compromising on safety. The variety of flavours (turkey, chicken, salmon, and duck) keeps dogs interested throughout December.

Pros:

  • Very affordable at ยฃ5
  • Variety of flavours to prevent boredom
  • No artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives
  • Suitable for dogs from 3 months
  • Widely available in-store and online

Cons:

  • Treats are smaller than some premium options
  • Basic packaging compared to luxury calendars
  • May not last long for large, treat-motivated dogs

Why It’s Great: When you want to include your dog in the festivities without breaking the bank, this is your go-to option. The multi-flavour approach means even fussy eaters will find something they love.

There is also a dog-safe chocolate version at ยฃ2.50, which is perfect for smaller dogs or puppies. So you can treat your pup even if money is tight it also has 30% less sugar and 15% less packaging than the previous year. (Although it is 42% crude oils and fat.)


2. Scrumbles natural hypoallergenic dog advent calendar

Best for dogs with sensitive stomachs and puppies from 8 weeks

Price: ยฃ8.00
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 (178 reviews)
Number of treats: 48-72 (2-3 per window)
Includes: Chicken softies, Calming turkey nibbles, Christmas softies with slippery elm, hypoallergenic and gluten-free
Fat content: Turkey nibbles 12% of ingredients (fat content), chicken and duck softies 16.5% of ingredients (chicken fat 5% and fat content 11.5%), Christmas softies at 16.5% of ingredients (chicken fat 5.5% and fat content at 11%)

Why People Love It: This hypoallergenic dog advent calendar is for the health-conscious dog owners. They appreciate Scrumbles’ commitment to natural, hypoallergenic ingredients. The inclusion of Slippery Elm (a natural prebiotic) specifically targets sensitive stomachs, making this ideal for dogs with digestive issues.

We actually already buy Mabel the calming turkey nibbles regularly and give them her before bed . She has also had the chicken and duck ones previously as well and enjoyed them.

Pros:

  • Contains Slippery Elm for digestive support
  • Hypoallergenic and gluten-free
  • Mix of treats (chicken Softies, calming turkey nibbles, Christmas Softies)
  • Suitable for puppies from 8 weeks
  • No added sugar
  • 100% recyclable packaging
  • 1% donated to environmental causes

Cons:

  • Only 2-3 treats per window
  • May be too small for large breeds
  • Limited availability can make it hard to find

Why It’s Great: If your dog has a sensitive tummy or allergies, this is the calendar you’ve been searching for. The variety of treat types (including calming bites) adds an extra dimension to the daily surprise.

Buy this product every year for our pooch. Each window has more than one treat inside and the treats are fresh. Item arrived well packaged and no damage. Prompt delivery from this seller.
Recommend this item and seller. Product worth buying, Thankyou x

Amazon customer

3.Good Boy chewy treat advent calender with rawhide-free recipe

Best for dogs who love chewy treats, are rawhide-sensitive or are on a low fat diet

Good Boy chewy treat dog advent calendar (Rawhide free recipe)

Price: ยฃ9.99
Reviews: 3.7 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Number of treats: 24
Includes: Chewy chicken treats (16% chicken), rawhide-free recipe, low in fat
Fat content: Chicken treats (2%)

Why People Love It: Good Boy has been a trusted British pet brand for decades, and this calendar perfectly captures what they do best. Simple affordable treats that dogs genuinely love. Pet owners appreciate the rawhide-free formula, which makes these treats safer and easier to digest than traditional rawhide chews. The chewy texture keeps dogs occupied, and the chicken flavour is universally appealing. At ยฃ9.99, it is a good mix of affordability, whilst offering decent quality, especially if your dog likes chewy treats.

Pros:

  • Affordable at ยฃ9.99
  • Rawhide-free recipe (safer and more digestible)
  • 16% real chicken content
  • Chewy texture dogs love
  • Very low in fat at only 2%
  • Good for dogs with rawhide sensitivities
  • Suitable for dogs from 3 months
  • Widely available (Amazon, pet stores, supermarkets)
  • Trusted British brand
  • Keeps dogs occupied longer than soft treats
  • Simple, straightforward ingredients

Cons:

  • Contains corn starch as main ingredient
  • Lower meat content (16%) compared to premium options
  • Contains vegetable glycerin
  • May not be suitable for dogs with corn allergies
  • Chewy texture may be too hard for senior dogs with dental issues
  • Basic festive packaging
  • Some dogs finish them quickly despite chewy texture
  • Not as nutritionally rich as premium calendars

Why It’s Great: The rawhide-free formula addresses a major concern many dog owners haveโ€”traditional rawhide can be hard to digest and poses choking risks. These chewy treats provide the satisfaction dogs crave from chewing without the risks. The 16% chicken content gives them genuine meat flavour, and the low-fat formula means you can treat daily without guilt. The chewy texture also means treats last longer, making them more satisfying than soft bites that disappear in seconds.

My dog Louie loves these, brought one last Christmas and have got another ready for this Christmas.
Linda Wickens

4. Pooch & Mutt pigs in blankets advent calendar

Best for dogs who love meaty treats and all breeds from 12 weeks

Price: ยฃ9.99
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 (797 reviews)
Number of treats: 48 (2 per day)
Includes: Pork protein treats with collagen and probiotics, grain-free formula
Fat content: Crude fat content (4.5%)

Why People Love It: This calendar taps into the nation’s favourite Christmas dinner side dish, pigs in blankets! Dog owners are drawn to this because it’s both festive and functional, offering two treats behind each door (48 treats total). People appreciate that it’s not just tasty but also supports their dog’s health with added collagen and probiotics.

Pros:

  • Two treats per day (48 total) instead of one
  • High protein (27%) for energy and muscle growth
  • Contains collagen for skin and coat health
  • Probiotics for digestive support
  • Grain-free formula
  • Suitable for all breeds from 12 weeks
  • Excellent value at under ยฃ10

Cons:

  • Strong meaty smell (though dogs love it!)
  • May be too rich for dogs with very sensitive stomachs
  • Sells out quickly each year

Why It’s Great: This calendar strikes the perfect balance between affordability and quality. The addition of functional ingredients like probiotics and collagen means you’re not just giving empty-calorie treats. It’s festive, fun, and actually benefits your dog’s health, all for less than a tenner.

This is the one we have bought for Mabel our Staffy cross and Winston a chocolate labrador.

Pooch n Mutt Advent Calendar: A Paw-sitively Festive Treat!

My dogs absolutely adore this advent calendar! Every morning, the excitement is palpable as they eagerly await the unveiling of the day’s tasty treat. The treats keeps them engaged and ensures they enjoy every single day leading up to Christmas.

Pros:

Keeps dogs excited: The daily treats build anticipation and excitement throughout the run up to Christmas. Of
High-quality ingredients: Made with natural ingredients, ensuring a healthy and delicious treat.
Cons:

Can be pricey: Compared to other advent calendars, it may be a bit more expensive.
Overall:

Despite the slightly higher price point, the Pooch n Mutt Advent Calendar is a fantastic way to spoil your furry friends during the Christmas period. The combination of delicious treats and the anticipation they create make it a worthwhile investment.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I hope this helps

Mrs B


5. Lily’s Kitchen Doggy Advent Calendar

Best for dogs needing energy for walks and calming for bedtime

Price: ยฃ10.50
Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Number of treats: 24
Includes: Breaktime biscuits (peanut butter & banana) and bedtime biscuits (chamomile & passion flower), all natural ingredients
Fat content: Breaktime biscuits (9%), bedtime biscuits (8%)

Why People Love It: Lily’s Kitchen has built a reputation for quality, and this calendar lives up to it. Pet owners love the dual-purpose treats: energizing breaktime biscuits for morning walks and calming bedtime biscuits for evening relaxation.

We buy Lily’s Kitchen dry dog food for Mabel and can vouch for the quality of this. As previously she was having some stomach issues with her previous dog food.

Pros:

  • Two types of treats serving different purposes
  • Natural ingredients including peanut butter, banana, chamomile, and passion flower
  • Suitable for dogs from 4 months
  • Beautiful festive packaging
  • Breaktime biscuits provide energy for winter walks
  • Bedtime biscuits contain calming herbs
  • Brand known for ethical sourcing

Cons:

  • Slightly higher price point
  • Biscuits may be hard for senior dogs with dental issues
  • Some dogs may not enjoy herbal flavours

Why It’s Great: The thoughtfulness behind this calendar sets it apart. Morning treats energize, evening treats calmโ€”it’s like a wellness routine wrapped in festive fun.

This is so nice our furry recipient will love it. Many thanks.
Sally Doo


6. Woof Club Naturals raw treats advent calendar

Best for large dogs, raw feeders and dogs over 12 weeks

Price: ยฃ25.99
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 (75 reviews)
Number of treats: 24
Includes: Air-dried raw treats including turkey, venison, duck, beef liver, rabbit ears, pork snout, gourmet sausage, and full bull pizzle, 100% natural
Fat content: Bull Pizzle (7.1%), Beef Liver; (11.48%), Duck Meat; Fat (33.8%), Chicken Neck; (15%), Fish Skin Finger; (0.3%) Rabbit Ear;(21.5%) Lamb Meat; (33.8%), Rabbit Meat; (26.1%) Venison Meat; Fats 1.5% 100% Chicken & Pork Sausage; (26.8%) Pork Snout; (1.5%)
Turkey Meat; (25.5%)

Why People Love It: This is the calendar for dog parents who feed raw or want to introduce raw treats. The variety is exceptionalโ€”from turkey and venison to duck, sausage, pork snout, rabbit ears, beef liver, and even a full bull pizzle for Christmas Day.

Pros:

  • 100% natural, air-dried raw treats
  • Incredible variety of proteins and treat types
  • High protein content
  • Naturally low in fat
  • Perfect for larger dogs with big appetites
  • Christmas Day surprise is a full bull pizzle
  • No additives or preservatives

Cons:

  • Expensive at nearly ยฃ26
  • Raw treats can be messy
  • Strong smell may not suit all households
  • Only suitable for dogs over 12 weeks
  • Size may be too large for small breeds

Why It’s Great: This is the Rolls Royce of dog advent calendars. If you want to give your large dog a truly indulgent Christmas countdown with restaurant-quality treats, this is it.

My large Golden Retriever devoured almost every treat (he’s not keen on fish skins, so only gave those in the calendar a token chew). It was lovely to see his eyes light up when it was time to open his calendar each day. The size of the treats was enough to get him chewing rather that ‘woofing’ them down. He especially loved the sausages. This was such a big hit, that this calendar will definitely be on my shopping list next year.

Naomi


7. The Herbal Dog Co luxury pampering dog grooming advent calendar

Best for pampered pooches, show dogs and dogs who are groomed at home by their owner

The Herbal Dog grooming and pampering advent calendar

Price: ยฃ30.00
Number of products: 12
Includes: 12 limited edition herbal shampoos (candy cane, gingerbread, pumpkin spice), plus Wormwood Protect and Flea Protect vials, vegan and cruelty-free

Why People Love It: This isn’t your typical treats calendarโ€”it’s a beauty advent calendar for dogs! People who love grooming and pampering their pets adore this unique concept. The 12 days of festive-scented shampoos turn bath time into a Christmas experience.

Pros:

  • Completely unique concept (beauty products, not treats)
  • 12 limited edition herbal shampoos
  • Festive scents (candy cane, gingerbread, pumpkin spice)
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Includes Wormwood Protect and Flea Protect
  • Makes dog smell amazing for Christmas visitors
  • Perfect for show dogs or pampered pooches

Cons:

  • Expensive at ยฃ30
  • Only 12 days instead of 24
  • Requires bath time (not all dogs enjoy it)
  • Not suitable for dogs who hate being washed
  • Products rather than treats may disappoint some dogs

Why It’s Great: For the dog who has everything (treats-wise), this offers something genuinely different. Your pup will smell divine throughout December, and you get practical grooming products.

Dog advent calendar FAQs

Are dog advent calendars safe for puppies?

Yes, most dog advent calendars are safe for puppies, but age suitability varies by brand. Many calendars are suitable from 8-12 weeks old (like Scrumbles from 8 weeks and Pooch & Mutt from 12 weeks). However, always check the specific age recommendation on your chosen calendar. Puppies have developing digestive systems, so look for calendars with:

  • Natural ingredients
  • Probiotics for digestive support
  • Grain-free options
  • Small, appropriately-sized treats

If it’s your puppy’s first Christmas, start with calendars specifically labelled as suitable for puppies and consider breaking treats into smaller pieces.

What ingredients should I avoid in dog advent calendars?

When choosing the best dog advent calendar, avoid these harmful ingredients:

  • Chocolate (cocoa/theobromine) – Toxic to dogs
  • Xylitol – Artificial sweetener that’s deadly to dogs
  • Grapes and raisins – Can cause kidney failure
  • Excessive sugar – Leads to obesity and dental problems
  • Artificial colours and preservatives – Can trigger allergies
  • Wheat and grains – If your dog has sensitivities

Look for calendars that clearly list natural ingredients and avoid those with vague terms like “meat by-products” or “animal derivatives.”

Can I give my dog treats from an advent calendar every day?

Yes, but moderation is key. Follow the 90/10 rule: 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from balanced dog food, with treats making up only 10%. Most advent calendar treats are designed for daily giving, but consider:

  • Reducing their regular treats or slightly decreasing food portions
  • Adjusting for your dog’s size and activity level
  • Ensuring fresh water is always available
  • Watching for digestive upset or weight gain

If your dog has health issues, consult your vet before introducing new treats.

Are dog advent calendars worth the money?

Absolutely! Dog advent calendars offer excellent value when you consider:

  • Cost per treat: Often cheaper than buying individual treats
  • Variety: Exposure to different flavours and brands
  • Convenience: All-in-one festive solution
  • Experience: Creates a daily bonding ritual
  • Excitement: Dogs genuinely get excited about the routine

Budget options like Pets at Home (ยฃ4.99) make it accessible for everyone, while premium calendars like Woof Club (ยฃ25.99) offer restaurant-quality treats. There’s an option for every budget.

What’s the best dog advent calendar for sensitive stomachs?

For dogs with sensitive stomachs, we recommend:

  1. Scrumbles Natural Dog Advent Calendar – Contains Slippery Elm (natural prebiotic) specifically for sensitive digestion
  2. Lily’s Kitchen – Natural ingredients with no artificial additives

Look for calendars that are:

  • Grain-free
  • Limited ingredient
  • Probiotic-enriched
  • Free from artificial additives
  • Made with single protein sources

Can large dogs have advent calendars designed for all sizes?

Yes, but you may need to adjust quantities or choose calendars with appropriately-sized treats. For large and giant breeds, consider:

  • Woof Club Naturals – Specifically designed for larger appetites
  • Multiple calendars – Buy two smaller calendars
  • Doubling up – Give treats from two doors at once
  • Supplement with extra treats – Add additional Christmas dog treats to make it more substantial

Smaller treats from all-size calendars work perfectly fine for large dogsโ€”they’ll just finish them faster!

Are there dairy-free dog advent calendars?

Yes! Many calendars are naturally dairy-free:

  • Woof Club Naturals – Raw meat treats, dairy-free
  • Scrumbles – Several treat varieties are dairy-free

Always check the ingredient list if your dog has a dairy intolerance. Avoid calendars with:

  • Cheese flavouring
  • Yogurt coating
  • Milk powder
  • Whey

When should I start my dog’s advent calendar?

Traditionally, advent calendars start on December 1st and run through Christmas Eve (December 24th), giving you 24 days of treats. However, some calendars are 12-day versions for the 12 days before Christmas.

Pro tip: Store your calendar somewhere your dog can’t access it! Dogs have been known to help themselves to all 24 days at once if given the opportunity.

Can I make my own dog advent calendar?

Absolutely! DIY dog advent calendars are a wonderful way to personalize the experience:

  1. Buy an empty advent calendar or use small boxes/bags
  2. Fill with your dog’s favourite treats from their regular brand
  3. Include small toys, dental chews, or even activities (like a walk to a new park)
  4. Mix in some of the Christmas dog treats mentioned above
  5. Number each compartment

This option is perfect if your dog has very specific dietary needs or if you want to control exactly what they receive.

What’s the difference between dog advent calendars and human ones?

Dog advent calendars differ in several crucial ways:

  • No chocolate: Real chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs
  • Dog-safe “chocolate”: Often made with carob, which looks and tastes similar but is safe
  • Smaller portions: Sized appropriately for canine consumption
  • Meat-based options: Many feature real meat treats
  • Digestive support: Often include probiotics or prebiotics
  • Safety tested: Specifically formulated for canine digestive systems

Never give your dog a human advent calendarโ€”even a small amount of chocolate can be dangerous.

Other dog friendly seasonal lists

If you haven’t had your chocolate fix and want some more dog friendly seasonal content, we have also listed our 13 favourite easter eggs, treats, toys and puzzles for dogs in 2026.

Dog Friendly: 5 best dog friendly things to do in Ingleton

Nestled in the stunning Yorkshire Dales, Ingleton is an absolute gem for dog owners looking for adventure. With dramatic landscapes, fascinating caves, and welcoming pubs, this charming village offers plenty of tail-wagging experiences for you and your four-legged friend.

We recently explored Ingleton with our staffie cross Mabel, and I’m excited to share our favourite dog-friendly discoveries. Whether you’re after scenic walks, historical landmarks, or simply a good pub meal with your pup by your side, Ingleton has something special to offer. Mabel particularly enjoyed saying hello to the cows and sheep every morning.

Mabel the Staffie Cross looking at a curious sheep in Ingleton
Mabel the staffie cross looking at cows in Ingleton

Walking the Ingleborough Estate Trail, exploring Ingleborough Cave and eating in The Sawmill Cafe

One of the highlights of our Ingleton adventure was visiting Ingleborough Cave and exploring the 1.25 mile estate trail. The cave itself is a spectacular natural wonder, first discovered in 1837 and the best part, it is dog-friendly! Your pup can join you as you wander through the stunning limestone formations and underground chambers.

The Ingleborough Estate Trail is perfect for stretching those doggy legs, offering beautiful woodland walks and open paths with incredible views. What makes this spot particularly brilliant is that it’s a fantastic option even when the weather isn’t playing ball. The estate trail has areas of tree cover that provide shelter from the elements, and of course, the cave tour keeps you completely dry indoors.

Mabel the Staffie Cross on the Ingleborough Estate trail

That said, it’s worth noting there’s a small chance of flooding in the cave after heavy rainfall, so it’s always worth checking ahead if the weather’s been particularly wet. But on a typical day, this is an all-weather winner that Mabel absolutely loved โ€“ though she was more interested in the interesting smells than the geological formations!

Mabel the staffie cross at the entrance of Inglebroiguh cave

If you’ve got kids with you, there’s also the Mimpish Squimbie Family Trail that you can follow as you explore the estate โ€“ a fun scavenger hunt that keeps little ones entertained while the dog explores.

After your walk, pop into The Old Sawmill cafe, which is also dog-friendly. I enjoyed a delightful bacon breakfast bap that hit the spot perfectly after our cave adventure. Dog Mom got a cured gammon ham and cheddar cheese panini with fries. It’s the ideal place to warm up with a hot drink and refuel before heading off on your next adventure.


Walking the Janet’s Foss Waterfall Trail at Malham

The Janet’s Foss waterfall trail near Malham is an enchanting walk that’s perfect for dogs. This relatively short 2km trail takes you through ancient woodland to a beautiful waterfall that’s steeped in folklore. Legend has it that Janet’s Foss is named after the Queen of the Fairies, who supposedly lived in a cave behind the cascading water. Whether you believe in fairy tales or not, there’s definitely something magical about this spot.

Map of walks at Malham

The waterfall itself is stunning, and there’s a lovely paddling pool at the base where brave dogs can take a dip. Mabel was fascinated by the water and spent ages investigating the edge, but true to form for our water-averse staffie cross, she had absolutely no intention of actually getting in! If your dog is a water lover though, it’s a perfect spot for a refreshing splash. Just make sure to bring a towel. The woodland path is well-maintained and offers plenty of interesting sniffs for curious noses.

A word of warning though โ€“ be careful with Google Maps when heading from Ingleton to Malham. We ended up on some ridiculously narrow country roads which were a nightmare to navigate. Instead, stick to the main routes via the A65, and you’ll have a much more pleasant journey. Trust me, your nerves (and your paintwork) will thank you!

Once you’ve finished the walk, treat yourself at The Old Barn tea room in Malham village. This lovely dog-friendly spot is perfect for a post-walk refreshment, and their cakes are absolutely delightful. I couldn’t resist the red velvet cake, and it did not disappoint โ€“ moist, perfectly sweet, and the ideal reward after exploring the countryside. Mabel approved of the dog-friendly atmosphere and appreciated the water bowl while I indulged!

The Old Barn Tea Room in Malham sign
The inside of the dog friendly Old Barn Tea room in Malham

Visit the Ribblehead Viaduct

Mabel the staffie cross underneath Ribblehead viaduct

No trip to the Ingleton area is complete without a visit to the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. This magnificent Victorian engineering marvel stands proudly against the backdrop of Whernside and Ingleborough, creating one of those picture-perfect moments that’ll have your Instagram followers drooling with envy.

Film buffs will be thrilled to know this is where scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot and you can almost hear the Hogwarts Express thundering across! The viaduct is even more impressive in person, with its 24 arches stretching across the valley. It’s completely free to visit, and there’s a car park nearby (though it can get busy during peak times).

There is also The Station Inn for those who would like to enjoy a pint or some pub food after visiting the viaduct. Their website clearly states they are dog friendly on the banner at the top. We didn’t have time to stop, however I would have loved to have tried the Steak and Ale pie!

Mabel the staffie cross looking at Ribblehead Viaduct

Eat and Drink at The Masons Arms

After all that walking, you and your furry friend will have worked up quite an appetite. The Masons Arms in Ingleton is the perfect spot to refuel, and they’re wonderfully welcoming to dogs.

We stopped in for lunch and were immediately impressed by the warm, friendly atmosphere. The staff were brilliant with Mabel, making sure she had fresh water and even giving her a fuss. The service throughout our visit was top-notch. Attentive without being intrusive, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to relax with a pint and a hungry dog at your feet.

Now, let’s talk about the food. The steak pie is absolutely fantastic โ€“ proper comfort food done right. The pastry was golden and crispy, and the filling was packed with tender meat in a rich gravy. It’s the kind of meal that hits the spot perfectly after a day of Yorkshire Dales adventures. They’ve got a good selection of other hearty pub classics too, and the portions are generous.

Chocolate brownie with ice cream at Masons Freehouse Ingleton

The Masons Arms strikes that perfect balance of being a proper local pub while also being genuinely welcoming to visitors and their dogs. It’s these kinds of places that make a trip truly memorable.

Dog friendly sign on wall of Masons Freehouse in Ingleton

Ingleton Waterfall Trail

While we didn’t manage to tackle the famous Ingleton Waterfall Trail during our visit due to the weather, it’s definitely on our list for next time. This classic 4.5-mile circular walk is one of the most popular dog-friendly trails in the Yorkshire Dales, taking you past a series of spectacular waterfalls through ancient oak woodland and limestone gorges.

The trail includes some steep steps and can be slippery when wet, so it’s worth waiting for decent conditions. There’s a small admission fee to access the trail, which goes towards maintenance of the paths and facilities. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads throughout due to the terrain and wildlife.

From what we’ve heard from fellow dog walkers, it’s absolutely stunning and well worth the effort. We’ll definitely be back to give it a proper go when the weather’s more cooperative!


What’s NOT Dog Friendly in Ingleton?

White Scar Cave

Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in the actual White Scar Cave, so you’ll need to leave your pup behind for this one. This is because of the size of the netting in the cave. If you’re keen to explore caves with your dog, Ingleborough Cave (mentioned above) is your best bet.

It’s always worth checking ahead if you’re planning to visit any specific attractions, as policies can change. But overall, Ingleton and the surrounding area offer far more dog-friendly options than restrictions!

While Ingleton is wonderfully welcoming to dogs, it’s worth noting a few attractions where your furry friend won’t be able to join you, despite what generative AI models like Chat GPT will try to tell you.


Final Thoughts

Ingleton proved to be a brilliant destination for a dog-friendly adventure. From underground caves to dramatic viaducts, and from fairy-tale waterfalls to hearty pub grub, there’s so much to explore with your four-legged companion.

Mabel gave Ingleton four paws up, and we’re already planning our return visit to tackle the Waterfall Trail. If you’re looking for a dog-friendly destination in the Yorkshire Dales that offers variety, stunning scenery, and a warm welcome, Ingleton should definitely be on your list.

Have you visited Ingleton with your dog? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

Dog Friendly: Yappy Days Doggy Day Care Sowerby Bridge Review – Oct 2025

As dog owners, finding the right daycare for our beloved four-legged family members can feel overwhelming. This is particularly true when your dog is a rescue like our staffy cross, Mabel. We were naturally more hesitant about leaving her with strangers. After discovering Yappy Days in Sowerby Bridge, it’s been a game-changer for both us and Mabel. This Yappy Days review covers our experience with this fantastic doggy daycare facility in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax.

Located conveniently next to Sowerby Bridge train station, Yappy Days has become Mabel’s second home. After months of using their services, we can confidently say this is more than just a dog daycare in Halifax. It’s a place where dogs are genuinely cared for as individuals. Mabel cannot wait to get out of the car to go and play, her tail helicoptering and dragging me out of the car!

Spoiler alert: Yappy Days is an outstanding doggy daycare that puts dog welfare above profit!

Yappy Days Doggy Day Care Review

9.3 out of 10
Cleanliness
9 out of 10
Flexibility
10 out of 10
Communication
9.5 out of 10
Facilities
9 out of 10
Pricing
9 out of 10

Pros

Owner puts dog welfare above profit

Fast communication

Great location with parking and nearby Sowerby Bridge

Extended opening hours for drop off before work

In house groomer

Cons

The road it is on can become congested due to parked cars of nearby industrial units

Only available weekdays

Is Yappy Days Right for Your Dog?

Yes, absolutely! Yappy Days welcomes all breeds and sizes, creating a safe, stimulating environment where dogs can socialise, play, and relax. Their flexible approach means they’ll work with you to find the best solution for your dog’s individual needs, whether that’s a full day, half day, or gradual introduction program.

Pros

Professional qualifications and expertise

Yappy Days holds impressive professional credentials that set them apart from many other daycare facilities:

Institute of modern dog trainers logo
Level three qualification in professional day care and boarding delivered by Institute of Modern dog trainers badge
Calderdale council 4 out of 5 star rating for daycare for dogs awarded to Yappy Days Sowerby Bridge
Calderdale council license for daycare for dogs awarded to Yappy Days Sowerby Bridge
  • Level 3 qualification in Professional Day Care and Boarding delivered by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
  • Day Care for Dogs license from Calderdale Council with a 4 out of 5 star rating
  • 2nd highest star-rated business in Sowerby Bridge
  • 2nd highest rated dog daycare in Halifax
  • Above average rating – their 4-star rating is significantly higher than the Calderdale average of 3.4 stars (out of 38 licensed dog care businesses, last updated September 2025)
List of ratings for dog day care, home boarding, and animal boarding highlighting Yappy Days as 4 out of 5 stars and is higher than the average for Calderdale which is 3.4

These credentials aren’t just paperwork – you can see the professional expertise in action through their understanding of canine psychology, proper safety protocols, and their ability to handle dogs with varying temperaments and needs. The combination of formal qualifications and genuine passion for dog welfare creates the perfect environment for your furry friend. You can see the list of current animal license holders on the Calderdale website.

Owner John genuinely cares about dog wellbeing over profit

What sets Yappy Days apart is owner John’s authentic commitment to each dog’s individual needs rather than simply maximising bookings.

Yappy Days owner John Lyons holding his beagle Louis at the doggie day care facility in Sowerby bridge

The facility tour and meet-and-greet session before Mabel’s first day showed John’s genuine interest in getting to know both dog and owner. Both my partner and I visited Yappy Days to check out the facility, where we were given a comprehensive tour and John took the time to ask if we had any questions or concerns. He took time to understand Mabel’s personality, energy levels, and any worries we had about leaving her. The walls are adorned with photos of all the regular dogs, a lovely touch that shows how much he values each furry client as an individual.

Photo wall of the dogs who go to the doggie day care

This became clear from our very first interaction when John insisted we start Mabel with half days to help her build confidence and settle in properly. Given that Mabel is a rescue, this gentle approach was exactly what we needed. Rather than pushing for immediate full-day bookings, he prioritised her comfort and wellbeing.

The spacious 600+ square feet facility includes thoughtfully designed chill-out areas where more anxious or tired dogs can retreat, alongside a large, clean open play space for more energetic pups. This attention to different temperaments and needs demonstrates John’s deep understanding of canine behaviour and welfare.

Now, months later, Mabel can barely contain her excitement when we arrive as she practically leaps out of the car to see John and the team. Which speaks volumes about how welcome and happy she feels there.

Perfect location next to Sowerby Bridge train Station

The location couldn’t be more convenient for commuters. Situated right next to Sowerby Bridge train station with parking available directly outside, it makes the morning drop-off routine seamless. You can drop off your dog, and either park on Holmes Road if there is space, or park in Sowerby Bridge station car park before jumping on the train. I’ll typically set off from home between 07:45AM and 08:00AM, drop Mabel off at 08:15AM and then get on the train to get into Leeds just after 09:00AM.

Extended opening hours (7:00 AM – 6:30 PM)

The 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM operating hours are genuinely helpful for working dog owners. Early morning drop-offs mean you’re not stressed about getting to work on time, while the extended evening hours provide flexibility for those with longer commutes or unexpected work delays. This extended schedule shows they understand the realities of modern working life.

Reasonable, transparent and flexible pricing structure

The average cost in the UK for dog day care appears to be between ยฃ20 and ยฃ40 according to The Blue Cross and The Guardian.

Yappy Days falls into this bracket at ยฃ28 per day currently.Pricing is transparent, reasonable, and refreshingly flexible. Unlike many daycares that lock you into specific weekly commitments, Yappy Days allows you to book as needed without long-term contracts. This flexibility is perfect for shift workers, freelancers, or anyone with variable schedules. The rates are competitive for the Yorkshire area, and the value is exceptional considering the level of individual care provided.

Outstanding communication and daily updates

John and his team’s responsiveness is remarkable. Emails sent after 6 PM requesting next-day drop-offs are typically answered within hours. This level of communication provides real peace of mind – you know your messages are seen and your dog’s needs are understood.

The average response time to my emails is 47 minutes. With over half answered between 5 and 34 minutes.

If one email which took longer was excluded, the average response time drops to 35 minutes overall.

Data from 17 emails sent over a 6 month period.

What really sets them apart is the personal touch at pickup time. John and the team are always happy to spend 5-10 minutes chatting about how your dog has been that day – what they’ve enjoyed, who they’ve played with, any funny moments, or if there’s anything you should know about. This isn’t a rushed handover; it’s a genuine conversation between people who clearly care about your dog’s wellbeing and happiness.

5 star Google review from Anna Glendinning

5 star Google review from Rose GM

If Yappy Days wanted to make this even better, they would look at something similar to kids nurseries, where you could get the following via a text/email :-

  • What activities your dog has done today
  • A photo of your dog playing
  • Which other dogs your dog seems to get along with
  • Something that might have been worked on training wise

Example

What has Mabel done today at Yappy Days?
Today, Mabel has enjoyed playing tug of war with John and Louie.

Who has Mabel played with today?
In the morning Mabel was playing with Louie.
In the afternoon she played with Theo and they were both chasing balls.

What can Mabel work on at home?
Mabel is currently jumping up a lot. We are actively trying to deter her from this by coming down to her level to give her attention and turning our back on her if she does jump up.


Cons

Busy road can cause traffic delays

The main drawback is that the location on Holmes Road can get quite congested. This is due to a combination of reasons:-

  • People parking on Holmes Road and then using the train station to get to work
  • Employees coming to work at the nearby manufacturers like Dugdale

People parking on the right hand side essentially narrows the road into one lane, meaning between 08:00-09:00 and 17:00-18:00 the road can be fairly busy. Morning drop-offs during peak commuting times may add 5-10 minutes to your journey. While not a major issue, it’s worth factoring in some extra travel time, especially if you’re catching a specific train.

Only available weekdays

Yappy Days is only open Monday to Friday, which means there’s no weekend daycare availability. If you need dog care at weekends for work commitments or special occasions, you’ll need to find alternative arrangements. This is fairly standard for many dog daycares, but it’s worth noting if you work weekends or were hoping for occasional Saturday or Sunday care.

What we love about Yappy Days

Yappy Days stands out because it feels more like leaving your dog with a trusted friend than a commercial facility. The genuine care, individual attention, and flexible approach make it exceptional value. Mabel always returns tired, happy, and clearly well-cared for.

The facility’s cleanliness, the thoughtful layout catering to different dog personalities, and John’s obvious expertise with canine behaviour create an environment where dogs genuinely thrive rather than simply being supervised. (I won’t even hold the fact he is a Liverpool fan against him!)


Tips for using Yappy Days

  • Book half days initially if your dog hasn’t used daycare before – John’s gradual introduction approach really works, especially for rescue dogs
  • Allow extra travel time during rush hour due to traffic on the main road
  • Take advantage of the flexible booking system – no need to commit to specific days every week
  • Don’t hesitate to email with questions or special requirements the response time is impressively quick
  • Consider the extended hours if you have a variable work schedule
  • Make time for the pickup chat – the daily updates from John and the team are genuinely valuable

Yappy Days information

Address

Unit 7, Lockhill Mills
Sowerby Bridge
West Yorkshire, HX6 3LD

Website and contact Information

https://yappy-days.com/
[email protected]
07546 682 012 or 01422 485290

Opening Times

Weekdays – 07:00 – 18:30
Weekends – Closed

Services

  • Full day doggy daycare
  • Half day options (morning or afternoon)
  • 2 hour slots available
  • Discount available for bringing 2 dogs
  • Flexible booking without long-term commitments
  • All breeds and sizes welcome
  • Bath and grooming services

The 10 best dog toys for Staffies that actually last

There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel donโ€™t either use ourselves or fully recommend.

If you’re a proud Staffy owner, you know the drill. You walk into the pet shop, eyes lighting up at the sight of a “super tough” toy that promises to withstand even the strongest jaws.

The reality of buying a dog toy for a staffy

But here’s the reality that every Staffy parent knows all too well.

  1. You get home after purchasing a new “indestructible” toy
  2. Excitedly present your beloved pup with said “indestructible toy”
  3. Within seconds, you’re staring at a crime scene of destruction
  4. You are now vacuuming up the remains

The Mitre England football lesson x 3

Front of red Mitre football with England 3 lions crest on the front

I learned this the hard way with a Mitre England football I bought for Mabel.

Mitre football no 1

The first time it deflated quickly as soon as I gave it to her. I thought it just needed more air and it was my fault for not pumping it up enough.

Mitre football no 2

The second time, the same thing, happened so I pumped it up harder.

Mitre football no 3

Third time – I was convinced it was an air pressure issue and inflated it to maximum capacity.

Only then did I realize the truth: Mabel’s teeth had been methodically creating tiny punctures that no amount of air pressure could overcome. In their inflated state, the three balls lasted maybe 5 minutes combined.

Although Mabel continued to play with them in their shredded, deflated state and they became impromptu tug-of-war toys – though considerably less pleasant for me to hold onto with their rough, torn edges.

Three footballs, three lessons, and I finally understood that standard toys simply aren’t built for Staffy jaws. The financial reality makes this even more frustrating. UK pet owners spend ยฃ144 annually on dog toys according to Nationwide.

Table showing that the average UK dog owner spends ยฃ41 on food, ยฃ28 on insurance, ยฃ19 on treats, ยฃ12 on toys, ยฃ11 on clothing and ยฃ15 on other items like bedding. From a Nationwide survey of 1000 pet owners in June 2024

The average UK dog owner spends ยฃ12 per month on dog toys. (Or ยฃ144 a year.)

Nationwide building society survey of 1000 pet owners in june 2024

How to avoid wasting ยฃ144 a year on dog toys for staffies

Buy high quality staffy dog toy brands

When shopping for tough and strong staffy dog toys, you need to look for trusted brands that understand powerchewing. KONG, Nylabone, Benebone, Goughnuts, and ChuckIt! are the names that consistently appear in experienced Staffy owners’ recommendations.

This is why finding the best dog toys for staffies and staffy puppies requires a completely different approach than shopping for other breeds. Staffordshire Bull Terriers aren’t just enthusiastic chewers – they’re precision demolition experts with jaws that can exert incredible pressure and an almost supernatural ability to find the weakest point in any toy.

Materials and toy types that don’t work for staffies

  • Standard plush toys (destroyed in under 30 seconds)
  • Thin latex or rubber toys without reinforcement
  • Basic rope toys with loose weaving
  • Cheap tennis balls with weak felt covering
  • Plastic toys not designed for power chewing
  • Squeaky toys with easily accessible squeakers
  • Fabric toys without reinforced seams

Understanding why staffies need special toys

Staffordshire Bull Terriers were originally bred for bull-baiting and later dog fighting, which required dogs with exceptionally powerful jaw muscles and specialized skull structure. Their broad, muscular heads house massive temporalis muscles (the primary chewing muscles) that attach to prominent sagittal crests on their skulls – essentially built-in anchor points for maximum jaw power.

Biteforce of different dog breeds
The bite force of a staffordshire bull terrier is between 200-400 PSI depending on age, size and health. Usually up to 328 pounds per square inch (PSI)

While modern Staffies are beloved family pets known for their gentle nature with children, they’ve retained those powerful jaws and that determined chewing drive.

Why do staffies need strong specialised toys?

  • Exceptional bite force – Staffies can exert up to 328 PSI of bite pressure which is roughly twice the force of a human bite (162 PSI) and equivalent to the pressure of a small hydraulic press
  • Grip and shake instinct – They’re naturally programmed to grab toys and shake vigorously to “kill” them
  • Precision destruction skills – They have an uncanny ability to find the weakest point in any toy within seconds
  • High energy levels – Without proper mental stimulation, they’ll turn to destructive behaviors
  • Strong jaw muscles – Originally bred for physically demanding tasks, their jaw strength far exceeds typical pet dogs
  • Determined personalities – Once they decide to destroy something, they rarely give up until the job is done
  • Need for mental engagement – Intelligent dogs that require toys that challenge them mentally as well as physically

The challenge isn’t just about durability – it’s about finding toys that can satisfy their mental stimulation needs while standing up to their physical capabilities. A bored Staffy with inadequate toys will often turn to furniture legs, shoes, or anything else they can find to satisfy their chewing instincts.

The ultimate list of best toys for Staffordshire Bull Terriers as tested by Mabel

If youโ€™re looking for a seasonal challenge for your Staffyโ€™s brain, check out the puzzle eggs in our 2026 Dog Easter Egg & Toy Guideโ€”theyโ€™re a great way to let them join the holiday fun without destroying the furniture.

After extensive research, competitor analysis, and real-world testing, here are the top staffy dog toy recommendations that actually stand up to the challenge. (All recommendations are suitable for staffy puppies, just make sure you supervise them whilst they are playing!)

1. Acey Cactus Dog Toy – Tough Natural Rubber

Green rubber Acey dog toy in the shape of a cactus and a dog chewing it on the right hand side

Price: ยฃ11.99 | Amazon Rating: 4.2/5 (206 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who need dental care while they chew

This natural rubber cactus toy has gained popularity among Staffy owners for good reason. The textured surface provides excellent dental benefits while the dense rubber construction resists even aggressive chewing. However, to call it indestructible is a little bit of a stretch.

Why people buy the Acey Cactus dog toy

  • Lasts significantly longer than traditional rubber toys
  • Helps clean teeth during play
  • Unique shape keeps dogs engaged
  • Safe if small pieces are swallowed

Pros

  • Made from 100% natural rubber
  • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
  • Suitable for aggressive chewers
  • Multiple textures for dental health

Cons

  • Some dogs lose interest quickly
  • Can be quite hard initially
  • Not suitable for gentle chewers
  • Is not indestructible

Perfect for Staffies because the dense rubber can withstand their powerful jaws while the unusual shape keeps them mentally engaged.

My puppy loves this and it’s very strong and sturdy so she can get her teeth right in
Katie
25th May 2025


2. ChuckIt! Ultra Ball – Maximum Durability

2 Chuck It orange and blue durable balls

Price: ยฃ9.69 | Amazon Rating: 4.7/5 (146,663 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who love all balls and chew hard

The ChuckIt! Ultra Ball consistently appears in “most durable” lists, and for good reason. This isn’t your average tennis ball – it’s specifically engineered for power chewers. It is one of the best dog toys for staffies that love chasing and retrieving.

We didn’t actually buy this for Mabel, she found it herself whilst we were walking in the local cricket club. She brought it home and has been chewing it ever since for the last 6 months and it is still in excellent condition. We then bought her a second one to play with and chomp.

Mabel the staffy cross sat down in a living room looking at a Chuck It Ultraball in my hand waiting to be thrown
Mabel waiting for the Chuck It Ultraball to be thrown

Why people buy the ChuckIt! Ultraball

  • Extremely durable rubber construction
  • High bounce for active play
  • Launcher compatible
  • Floats for water play

Pros

  • Made from 100% natural rubber
  • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
  • Suitable for aggressive chewers
  • Multiple textures for dental health
  • Easy to see due to colouring in grass

Cons

  • More expensive than regular tennis balls
  • Can be quite hard
  • May be too bouncy for indoor use
  • Some dogs not interested in balls

This is the toy that finally convinced me that not all balls are created equal. While regular tennis balls last minutes with most Staffies, the ChuckIt! Ultra has been known to survive months of dedicated chewing.

“These Chuckit balls are a total game changer if youโ€™ve got a dog that eats tennis balls for breakfast. They bounce ridiculously high and far, which keeps the game exciting for both me and my dog. The bright orange colour means I donโ€™t have to crawl around in the grass searching for them either, which is a win.

The material is solid, properly chew-resistant, and hasnโ€™t split once even after weeks of abuse. Iโ€™ve lost count of how many cheap balls my dog has demolished in a single day โ€“ these are the first ones that actually hold up. They even float, which is brilliant for beach or lake play.

Honestly, they feel like the last set of balls youโ€™ll ever need to buy. Iโ€™d go as far as saying theyโ€™re better value than constantly replacing rubbish ones. My dog literally carries his around the house like a prized possession.”

Dew
August 2025


3. HEAD Championship Tennis Balls (Pack of 4) – For staffies that must have a tennis ball

Front of green Head championship tennish ball
Tube of Head championship tennis balls

Price: ยฃ4.49 | Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (12,891 reviews)

Best for Staffies who ONLY love tennis balls

This might seem like an unusual choice, but hear me out. After discovering that traditional “dog tennis balls” were being destroyed in seconds, I tried actual tennis balls designed for professional play. The difference is remarkable. Not all dogs are fans of the specially designed balls like ChuckIt! Many dogs, especially those who’ve grown up with traditional tennis balls, prefer the classic feel and texture.

Mabel the staffy cross with a Head Tennis ball in her mouth in a garden
Mabel with a Head tennis ball in her mouth.
Mabel the staffy cross trying to catch a Head Tennis ball in her mouth and failing in a garden
Mabel trying and failing to catch a Head tennis ball.

It’s not just pet dogs who love tennis balls – TSA detection dog TTirado was showered with dozens of tennis balls dropping from the ceiling for his retirement celebration, and another TSA dog was celebrated with more than 100 “squeaky” tennis balls when he retired. These heartwarming retirement videos show just how universally beloved tennis balls are among dogs of all working backgrounds.

At ยฃ1.25 per ball (compared to ยฃ8.99 for a single ChuckIt! ball), the value is exceptional even if they don’t last as long as specialized dog balls.

Why people buy the HEAD Championship tennis balls for their dogs

  • Extremely durable rubber construction
  • High bounce for active play
  • Launcher compatible
  • Floats for water play

Pros

  • Made from 100% natural rubber
  • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
  • Suitable for aggressive chewers
  • Multiple textures for dental health

Cons

  • More expensive than regular tennis balls
  • May be too bouncy for indoor use
  • Some dogs not interested in balls

The HEAD Championship balls have a much tighter weave and higher quality rubber core than cheap pet tennis balls. While Mabel can still remove the fabric eventually, these last weeks rather than seconds.

“Genius recommendation! These last 10x longer than pet shop tennis balls and cost half the price.”
Rachel T
January 2025


4. Nylabone Extreme Chew Broccoli Novelty Toy

Nylabone green brocolli chew toy in packaging

Price: ยฃ12.00 | Amazon Rating: 4.4/5 (473 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who are extreme chewers and teething staffy puppies

Nylabone’s reputation for creating toys that can withstand extreme chewing makes this broccoli-shaped toy a favorite among Staffy owners. Made from durable nylon, it satisfies your Staffyโ€™s chewing instincts while helping to clean their teeth. Plus, the novelty veggie shape makes it a conversation starter when friends visit!

Mabel really enjoyed this toy when she was teething. It is the perfect staffy puppy toy to ensure that they don’t chew things they are not supposed to like kitchen tables, sofas, socks. Use in combination with frozen carrots and coffee wood to keep their interest from waning and away from your furniture!

Why people buy the Nylabone extreme chew brocolli novelty toy

  • Designed specifically for aggressive chewers
  • Helps maintain dental health
  • Long-lasting entertainment value
  • Fun novelty shape keeps dogs interested

Pros

  • Made for extreme chewers
  • Promotes dental health
  • Flavoured to maintain interest
  • Various textures

Cons

  • Very hard – may not suit all dogs
  • Can become sharp with wear
  • Some dogs not interested in the flavor
  • Expensive for a single toy

The extreme durability makes this perfect for Staffies who demolish everything else. The various textures and bacon flavor help maintain long-term interest.

As an owner of two pedigree Staffordshire bull terrierโ€™s I can say whether a dog toy is tough or not within a 30 second encounter.


Granted I have only had the product for less than 2 days but I can say with high confidence that it is strong and long lasting in line with other extreme nylabone toys.
The fact that it is in the shape of a broccoli is also amusing.

Would definitely recommend ๐Ÿ™‚
Davina Gibson
27th May 2025


5. Petface Latex Onion Dog Toy – Large

Petface latex onion with smiley face

Price: ยฃ3.49 | Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (3026 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who love interactive play and squeakers

While latex might not seem like the obvious choice for a Staffy toy, this onion design has surprisingly good durability due to its construction method.

For Staffies who love squeaky toys, the Petface Latex Onion offers a softer chew compared to rubber or nylon. Itโ€™s lightweight, squeaks on bite, and is ideal for interactive play. While not indestructible, itโ€™s a fun Staffy dog toy to mix into their collection for variety. Mabel has always had these type of Petface toys ever since she was a puppy and has had the following so far :-

Whilst she really enjoyed the onion, she also has a Petface tomato that she really loves. Then when she was good at the groomers, she got a Petface shrimp as a reward as well.

Mabel the staffy cross chewing her Pet Face latex tomato on the floor of the living room
Mabel happily chewing her Petface latex tomato on the floor of the living room

Why people buy the Petface latex onion/tomato dog toy

  • Squeaker keeps dogs engaged
  • Unique shape provides different play experience
  • Good value for money
  • Suitable for interactive play

Pros

  • Engaging squeaker sound
  • Interesting shape for different play styles
  • Reasonably priced
  • Good for fetch and tug games

Cons

  • Squeaker may be destroyed quickly
  • Not suitable for aggressive chewing
  • Can be punctured

This is more of a supervised play toy rather than a leave-alone chew toy, but it’s excellent for interactive games with your Staffy.

I bought this for my brand new puppy, and I kid you not when I say that this taught him how to play by himself. Like any new puppy, he always wanted us to play WITH him and had difficulty keeping interest in any toy when he had to play with it on his own.

THIS ONION CHANGED EVERYTHING!

The round shape means it rolls if he pushes it, but the little ‘sprouts’ on top make it change direction in an eclectic wayโ€”he legit will play with it on his own FOREVER. I cannot recommend this silly little onion high enough.
Lena
31st May 2023


6. Petface Farmyard Buddies Noodle Donkey

Petface farmyard buddie noodle donkey

Price: ยฃ7.00 | Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (3994 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who love tug of war games

This rope-style toy offers a different texture experience and is surprisingly durable despite its appearance.

Why people buy the Petface farmyard buddy noodle donkey

  • Great for tug-of-war games
  • Helps clean teeth
  • Soft enough for gentle play but tough enough for chewing
  • Adorable design

Pros

  • Excellent for interactive play
  • Rope texture helps clean teeth
  • Engaging for dogs who like to shake toys
  • Washable

Cons

  • Will eventually fray with heavy use
  • Not suitable for unsupervised chewing
  • Rope strands can be swallowed
  • Requires regular inspection

Perfect for Staffies who enjoy tug-of-war games and the rope texture provides dental benefits during play.

Puppy loves donkey, great chewy rope legs!! Good value.
Jojo
18th May 2024


7. Benebone Bacon Stick – Durable Flavored Chew

Beneone bacon chew stick

Price: ยฃ13 | Amazon Rating: 4.3/5 (155,350 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who need long-lasting flavor and mental stimulation

The Benebone’s unique curved design makes it easy for dogs to grip while providing a long-lasting chew experience. You can sometimes find similar toys to this at Aldi in the middle aisle.

Why people buy the Benebone Bacon stick

  • Ergonomic design easy for dogs to hold
  • Real bacon flavor throughout
  • Made in USA with high quality materials
  • Designed to last weeks or months

Pros

  • Curved design perfect for gripping
  • Flavor goes all the way through
  • Very durable construction
  • Replaces itself as it’s chewed

Cons

  • Very hard texture
  • Expensive initial investment
  • Not suitable for gulpers
  • May be too hard for senior dogs

The bacon flavor keeps Staffies interested for extended periods, making this an excellent choice for dogs who need mental stimulation..

It’s currently August 2025. I bought this in April 2025 and I’m only now thinking about replacing it. I have a Labrador/Springer cross that destroyed most “indestructible” toys within 24hrs and a Patterdale/Jack Russell cross that chews for fun. I held off from reviewing until I could be sure, but this is the real deal. It doesn’t look pretty now, but it survived four months. Money well spent.

R2Detox
22nd August 2025


Other staffie dog toys we are going to test

Whilst Mabel hasn’t had these toys yet, they are on the list of toy to get and see how she feels about them.

8. KONG Classic Dog Toy – Black (Extreme)

Kong classic black extreme chewer dog toy

Price: ยฃ12.25 | Amazon Rating: 4.6/5 (30,998 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who need treat-dispensing mental challenges

The KONG Classic consistently appears in top recommendations. The black “Extreme” version is specifically designed for power chewers.

Why people buy the KONG black classic dog toy

  • Legendary reputation for durability among dog owners
  • Perfect for treat stuffing and mental stimulation
  • Bounces unpredictably for engaging solo play
  • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
  • Vet recommended for aggressive chewers

Pros

  • Made from ultra-durable black rubber compound
  • Hollow design perfect for stuffing with treats
  • Unpredictable bounce keeps dogs engaged
  • Completely safe if small pieces are consumed
  • Available in multiple sizes

Cons

  • Higher price point than basic toys
  • Some dogs lose interest without treats inside
  • Can be too hard for senior dogs

The KONG’s treat-stuffing capability makes it perfect for Staffies who need mental stimulation alongside physical durability.

This is the ONLY chew toy that has survived my Staffy’s jaws for more than a month. Worth every penny!

Great long-lasting toy. I have been using it for three years now almost daily – fill up with treats, freeze and leave it for my dog when off to work. Despite being a power chewer, it has lasted us all this time and now replacing with a new one.

MChrysostomou
6th May 2025


9. Goughnuts Original Ring – Lifetime Warranty

Black gougnuts original ring

Price: ยฃ52.75 | Amazon Rating: 4.3/5 (6291 reviews)

Best for Staffies who destroy everything else and need maximum safety

The Goughnuts comes with a unique safety feature – a red indicator that appears when the toy needs to be replaced, and they offer a lifetime warranty.

Why people buy the Goughnuts original ring

  • Unique safety indicator system provides peace of mind
  • Lifetime warranty makes it cost-effective long-term
  • Designed and tested specifically for power chewers
  • Made in USA with premium materials
  • Recommended by veterinarians and dog trainers

Pros

  • Revolutionary red safety indicator system
  • Lifetime warranty with free replacements
  • Extremely durable rubber construction
  • Perfect size and shape for Staffies to grip
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • High initial investment cost
  • Very hard texture may not suit all dogs
  • Limited to one shape/style
  • Some dogs not interested in ring-shaped toys

The safety indicator and warranty system make this perfect for Staffy owners who want maximum peace of mind about toy safety.

Yes, itโ€™s expensive but, given all the so-called โ€œtough toysโ€ that my dog has minced in ten minutes flat, absolutely worth the money. And he loves it. The rubber squeaks against his teeth when heโ€™s chewing it, which I think adds to his enjoymentโ€”if not always ours!
FD
24th April 2025


10. Boomer Ball – Indestructible Play Ball

4 boomer balls in various sizes. 2 are blue and 2 are red.

Price: ยฃ16.07 | Amazon Rating: 4.3/5 (11,529 global ratings)

Best for Staffies who need outdoor exercise and push-play entertainment

A solid, nearly indestructible ball that’s too large to swallow but perfect for pushing, chasing, and playing with. I first saw one of these at the Woofy workout dog play room in Sowerby Bridge, then I saw another at Mabels doggie day care.

Why people buy the Boomer ball

  • Virtually indestructible construction survives years of abuse
  • Too large to be a choking hazard
  • Provides excellent exercise through pushing and chasing
  • Works in water and on all surfaces
  • No squeakers or parts to break off

Pros

  • Genuinely indestructible for most dogs
  • Safe size – impossible to swallow
  • Provides great physical exercise
  • Works in pools, lakes, and gardens
  • No maintenance required

Cons

  • Very expensive initial cost
  • Too large for indoor play
  • Some dogs not interested without squeakers
  • Heavy to transport
  • May damage furniture if used indoors

Perfect for Staffies who destroy everything else – this ball is designed to outlast even the most determined chewer while providing safe outdoor exercise.

My crazy dog loves his boomer ball. It keeps him amused and it is the first ball he hasn’t destroyed in the first day.

Thoroughly recommend this ball for dogs who love to play ball and chew. Freddie is a Bull Mastiff Ridgeback cross breed. This 10 inch Boomer Ball is more than a match for him.

It’s Freddie proof. Well worth the money.
PMJF
11th August 2025


Safety Considerations for Staffy Toys

When choosing the best toys for staffordshire bull terriers, safety should always be your primary concern:

Know Your Dog: Some Staffies are “gulpers” who try to swallow large pieces these dogs need different toy types.

Size Matters: Choose toys that are large enough that your Staffy can’t swallow them whole. However, if toys are too big, some Staffies won’t play with them until they can fit them in their mouth.

Regular Inspection: Check toys weekly for signs of wear, sharp edges, or loose parts.

Supervised Play: Even the most durable toys should be monitored during initial play sessions.


Best dog toys for staffies FAQs

What toys are safe for Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

Safe toys for Staffies should be made from durable, non-toxic materials like natural rubber or nylon. Avoid toys with small parts that can be swallowed, and always choose toys appropriate to your dog’s size. The toys listed above have all been selected with Staffy safety in mind.

Why do Staffies destroy toys so quickly?

Staffies were originally bred for bull-baiting and have incredibly powerful jaw muscles – up to 328 PSI of bite force. They also have a natural “grip and shake” instinct that makes them particularly effective at finding weak points in toys. This isn’t destructive behavior – it’s natural instinct that needs appropriate outlets.

Are rope toys safe for Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

Rope toys can be great for interactive play like tug-of-war but should be used under supervision. Make sure the rope is thick, tightly woven, and resistant to fraying. The Petface Noodle Donkey recommended above is an example of a rope toy designed for stronger dogs.

How often should I replace my Staffy’s toys?

Inspect your Staffy’s toys weekly. Replace them immediately if you see signs of tearing, splintering, or small parts breaking off. Durable toys may last weeks or months, but regular inspection ensures safety and continued enjoyment.

What size toys should I buy for my Staffy?

Choose medium to large toys that are too big for your Staffy to swallow whole. Most adult Staffies should use toys designed for dogs weighing 30-60 pounds. When in doubt, go larger rather than smaller for safety.

Are squeaky toys good for Staffies?

Squeaky toys can be excellent for mental stimulation, but many Staffies will quickly destroy the squeaker. If your Staffy is obsessed with destroying squeakers, look for toys with replaceable squeakers or reserve squeaky toys for supervised play only.

Dog Friendly: 10 Best Things To Do In Filey With A Dog

There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel donโ€™t either use ourselves or fully recommend.

We recently went to The Bay in Filey for a couple of days which is in between Humanby and Filey. We enjoyed it so much that we are likely going to go back to Filey. This prompted me to research what is there to do in Filey with dogs. Therefore let’s look at the 10 best things to do in Filey with a dog based on all of my research of the former fishing village.

If you’re heading to the coast for the Easter break, why not grab a gift for the beach house? Here are our top picks for dog-safe Easter treats and toys available in the UK this year.

Dog friendly beaches in Filey

Filey Beach

Filey beach at sunrise
Filey Beach – By Tim Hogarth

In North Yorkshire, Filey beach is a 5 mile long sandy beach famous for its glorious, unbroken golden sand. Known as the jewel in the East Ridings coastal crown, it stretches from the rocks of Filey Brigg in the North to Bempton cliffs and the puffins in the South. This beach is perfect for walks, playing in the sand and throwing around a Chuck It ball with your dog. (See why we recommend the Chuck It ball in our guide to the best dog toys for staffies.

Is Filey Beach dog friendly?

Filey beach is dog friendly. However, there are restrictions on where they can go from 1st May – 30th September. They are banned from Royal parade to Cobble landing. This isn’t a problem due to the 5 mile beach and large promenade which they are allowed on.

Are dogs allowed at Filey beach?

Filey beach dogs exclusion zone map during 1st May – 30th September
Map showing the area where dogs are banned between 1st May and 30th September on Filey beach.

Filey beach parking

Thera are 4 pay and display car parks with various sizes ranging from 12 spaces to 3014 spaces. All pay and display car parks use cash, card or the Ring Go app. Parking is pay and display between 1st March and 31st October during the tourist and summer season. After 31st October it is free. They are all Monday to Sunday 24 hours. 

The closest parking to the beach is Coble landing, however due to there only being 12 spaces, it is likely to fill up fast. Station avenue is closer to the town centre than the beach, so maybe more suitable if you plan activities around the town centre. We would likely go to the Country Park due to the large number of spaces and close proximity to the beach.

Car parkNo of spacesDistance walk to beachParking chargesMap link
Country Park30145 minutesCountry Park car park chargesCountry Park Google maps link
West Avenue9675-10 minutesWest Avenue car park chargesWest Avenue Google maps link
Station Avenue9610 minutesStation Avenue car park chargesStation Avenue Google maps link
Coble Landing125 minutesCoble Landing car park chargesCoble landing Google maps link

On street parking

There are 3 common locations for free on street parking such as on Filey Seafront in front of the cottages, up Cargate hill and on Ravine Road. However, unless you plan on leaving super early in the morning to try and beat the crowds, we would likely recommend one of the pay and dispay car parks.

Some people may recommend to park in the town center or at the Tesco. However both of these have time restrictions such as 1 hour, no return within 2 hours and 1 hour 30 mins. 

Walk the Filey Beach Promenade and sculpture trail
Filey beach promenade with a blue sky
Filey Beach promenade – By Thomas Tolkien

If rock pools are not your thing, you can walk the large historical promenade and enjoy the local sculpture trail of art work by Russ Coleman. Inspired by the local wildlife and heritage of the town it is approximately 5 miles long. The promenade is perfect for older dogs or those with any mobility/joint issues due to the lots of close areas for breaks. I am particulary excited about a metalwork seal which is designed as a plastic bottle recycling depository.

Make sure you also visit the 12ft steel “Filey Fisherman” or “Finlay” for short. The formal name is “High Tide and Short Wellies” by Ray Lonsdale who overlooks the crazy golf course and out to sea.

He was gifted to the town by local philanthropic pensioner Maureen Robinson and makes a powerful statement about the decline of the fishing industry. He is also the main image on the Yorkshire Crisps flavour Oyster, Chilli and Lemon.

Swimming and rock pooling

If you do want to go for a swim in the summer, you are likely to have calmer waters, due to the Filey Brigg peninsula. The Brigg shelters the beach from the full force of the open sea, reducing wave action and making it safer to swim. You are also safe in the knowledge that a RNLI life guard service operates during the summer.

At low tide, there is also a quarter mile of sand with plenty of good rock pools to explore. Just make sure to check the tide times, wear appropriate footwear and make sure you safely put back any animals you find.

With an array of potential shells and animals to find such as :-

  • Masked crabs
  • Swimming crabs
  • Hermit crabs
  • Razor clams
  • Anemones
  • Starfish
  • Limpets
  • Sea potatoes
  • Lug worms
  • Brittle stars
  • Sea scorpion fish

Things to know before you go to Filey beach

  • Filey beach is likely to be busier than the other beaches on this list
  • Go to Wilson ice cream on the beach front for fantastic ice cream
  • If rockpooling, buy telescopic fish nets as they fold up nice and small

Cayton Bay beach

Cayton bay beach shot on a cloudy day by Tom Bastin
Cayton Bay Beach By Tom Bastin

Nestled between Filey and Scarborough, Cayton bay is the next beach up from Filey Beach. A 10 minute drive away, it is dog friendly all year around without any restrictions on where your dog can go, with great facilities including toilets, cafe and parking.

The sheltered Cayton Bay beach is an expansive sandy beach. The rugged cliffs and woodland spilling onto the beach give it a wild and unspoilt natural beauty.

It is great for the following activities :-

  • Surfing and wind surfing
  • Fossil hunting
  • Bird watching

Is Cayton Bay Beach dog friendly?

Cayton Bay beach is dog friendly all year around with no restrictions on where your dog can go.

The Cayton Bay beach has been awarded the following due to the clean water :-

  • Marine society recommended
  • Seaside award (Only 144 sites achieved this in the UK.)

Things to do at Cayton Bay beach

Surfing, wind surfing and paddleboarding with Scarborough surfing school

Home to one of the oldest surfing schools in the UK, Scarborough surfing school offers classes and equipment rentals if you fancy trying something new. Typically running surfing lessons at 10AM or 1PM 7 days a week for all levels including kids, both in groups and 1 to 1.

Hunt fossils

Cayto Bay is a favourite among fossil hunters, as the cliffs formed in the jurassic period 150 million years ago.

With the Oxford Clay on the foreshore yielding a large array of fossils in scouring conditions (after stormy weather) such as :-

  • Gastropods
  • Bivalves
  • Brachiopods
  • Belemnites
  • Ammonites
Bird watching

A large amount of birds make their nests in the cliffs overlooking Cayton Bay, so this is a great place for the enthusiastic birdwatcher.

Things to know before you go to Cayton bay beach

  • Just be aware of the challenging steep walk back up from the beach. It may not be suitable for those who are unsteady on their feet or have limited mobility as there is no railing to hold onto.
  • Book a surfing/windsurfing/paddleboarding lesson in advance with Scarborough surfing school
  • Park on the top road for free if you can
  • Make sure you are back on time if using the car park to avoid a ยฃ100 fine
  • Grab beach supplies or food from The Salty Dog
  • Great quiet beach for anxious pups if they found Filey beach too busy
  • The North of the beach is an unofficial naturist/nudist spot, so avoid if you that isn’t your scene
  • If you are wanting something more substantial food wise, The Farrier is recommended in Cayton although this is a 30 minute walk away from the beach or 5 minute drive

Humanby Gap Beach

Mabel on the dog friendly humanby gap beach
Mabel on the dog friendly Humanby Gap beach
Bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and grey seal sightings on Seawatch
Bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and grey seal sightings on Seawatch

Humanby gap beach is a 5 mile long, relatively quiet sandy beach just south of Filey beach and north of Reighton gap. It is unspoiled and known as a hidden gem due to the relative quietness, even during the summer months. It is a great beach to come to if you are finding Filey beach too busy, as it is only about 3.1 miles or a rough 1 hour walk from Filey beach.

Is Humanby Gap beach dog friendly?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Humaby gap beach all year round. However, from May to September they must be on a lead. During the rest of the year they can run free and use up their boundless energy exploring the beautiful sandy shores.

Things to do at Humanby Gap beach

Look at the world war 2 pillbox bunkers

Visit the two world war 2 pillbox bunkers which are on the North of the beach. They have been used for the defense of the UK against a possible invasion. Both interiors were accessible and clean.

Visit the beach cafe
The dog friendly Beach Cafe at Humanby gap
Humanby Gap Beach Cafe

To the south of the beach is the Beach cafe. Perfect for relaxing after the walk from Filey, this place serves a great Full English with views overlooking the beach. The dog sausage was particularly good and kept Mabel’s attention. as we walked back along the beach.

Have a pint at the dog friendly John Paul Jones pub in Filey Bay
The entrance to the dog friendly John Paul Jones pub in They Bay Filey
John Paul Jones Pub in Filey Bay

If the beach cafe isn’t open. You can always rest your weary limbs at the dog friendly John Paul Jones pub in The Bay Filey. Walking up the slope, take a left until you come into The Bay. There you can either sit in the generous amount of outdoor seating or go inside to eat some classic British pub food.

We particularly enjoyed the fish and chips and milkshakes. The waitress who served us actively fussed Mabel and got her some dog treats.

Things to know before you go to Humanby Gap beach

  • The car park is not open from November to March
  • The Beach Cafe is not open from November to March. So, if you plan on visiting check they are open, if not go to The John Paul Jones in The Bay, Filey.
  • The only toilets around the beach are the portaloos at the top with the car park which cost 20P. Use them before you go on the beach

Dog friendly walks in Filey

Filey and Filey Brigg circular walk

Filey Brigg panoramic photo by Graeme Church
Filey Brigg – By Graeme Church

A long narrow peninsula shelf which pokes out into the sea, Filey Brigg boasts magnificent red tapering cliffs which are 20 meters high. This is Filey’s version of the red rock canyon in Las Vegas. The Brigg stretches into Filey Bay to the North and has picturesque views of Filey beach.

The Brigg is composed of 2 parts, the Brigg itself, which is the long stretch of rock which pierces the bosom of the sea for a mile, with the furthest point of the Brigg being called Brigg End. The inland part is named Carr Naze.

Filey Brigg map
Filey Brigg map from Filey Bird Observatory and Group

This moderately challenging 4.5km walk from Filey beach to Filey Brigg and back again shows off the cliffs, wildlife and is an amazing walk for dogs. A great way to visit Filey Brigg, it is a designated as site of specific scientific interest (SSSI) due to the geology of the cliffs and a local Nature Reserve.

Is Filey Brigg dog friendly?

Yes, Filey Brigg is dog friendly as long as they are on a lead and don’t disturb the local wildlife.

Things to do at Filey Brigg

See the stone sculpture depicting the end of the Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way
Signpost showing the Cleveland Way  in both directions on a cloudy day by Tim Bruce
Cleveland Way sign – By Tim Bruce

Whilst exploring the Brigg, you will come across a sculpture depicting the end of 2 National trails. These are the Cleaveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way. This includes the places on each trail and an engraving of the National Trust acorn.

Visit a Roman jetty called The Spittals and the earthworks of the roman signal station above i
The Spittals

Filey Brigg has a rock built underwater structure on the south side known as The Spittals.Built out of huge square stones and concrete, running out at right angle to The Brigg. The generally held belief is that the rocks form a man made pier built by the Romans due to finding a coin in one of the oak pile holes.

Roman signal station
Roman signal location at Filey Brigg Google maps location
Roman signal station location at Filey Brigg

It is also near some roman earthworks which were the remains of a signal station. One of 5 signal stations in Yorkshire, it was first discovered in 1857 when escavated by Dr William Cortis. Giving a lecture, he mentioned a painter from Filey called Wilson, who had found pottery, bones and charred wood in Carr Naze.

Roman signal station information board at Filey Brigg
Roman signal station information board at Filey Brigg

In further excavations, 5 large stones were found which were believed to be alters or the base of pillars. After further investigation in 1920, they were found to be the foundations of the watch tower. They are currently on display in the Filey Crescent Gardens.

Look for harbour porpoises, grey & common seals, bottle nose dolphins and minke & sei whales

Filey Brigg is the perfect place to take an animal lover, with a high chance you will be able to see seals and porpoises. If you are lucky you may spot some of the rarer bottle nose dolphins and minke whales.

AnimalSpecies typeBest time to see themRarity
PorpoiseHarbour porpoiseAll year aroundCommon
SealGrey Seals or Common SealsAutumnCommon
DolphinBottle nosed dolphins or White beaked dolphins?Rare
WhaleMinke whales or sei whalesLate SummerRare

The porpoises and the seals are generally seen more commonly. With Autumn a particularly good time to see them. With both of them typically being on the North side of The brigg.

Bottle nose dolphins whilst not common, have been reported coming past Filey Brigg in 2024. With some white beaked dolphins reported in June 2025 on Seawatch. Generally, bottle nose dolphin sightings in Yorkshire have been increasing since 2018 due to an increasing population and the availability of food further North. There were 303 sightings in 2022.

Bottlenose dolphin sightings records from 2018 - 2022
Bottlenose dolphin recorded sightings in Yorkshire from 2018 – 2022

Expert Stuart Baines, the regional coordinator of SeaWatch says The Brigg is one of 5 places in Yorkshire to have the highest chance of seeing them. The others are Cowbar at Staithes, Whitby in the north, Scarborough Marine Drive, Long Nab Burniston, Filey Brigg Bempton, and Flamborough Head to the south.

Fossil hunting

Due to the geology of the cliffs being made out of 3 different types of limestone and 3 different types of sandstone, Filey Brigg is rich in fossils.

Search the foreshore. boulders and screw scopes around The Brigg for bivalves. With the north tending to to be less fossiliferous, and only yielding trace fossils. 

Whereas the south cliff and the boulder clay containing belemnites, ammonites and brachiopods which are called erratics. This means they travelled via glacial ice in the last ice age. With fossils also being found near the cliffs next to The Brigg.

Birdwatching birds such as purple sandpipers , puffins 

The rocks and internal zone attract a number of different birds such as purple sandpipers, puffins, cormorants, shags, red knots, brent goose and common elders, gulls and terns.

Things to know before you go to Filey Brigg

  • Donโ€™t walk too close to the edge as clay cliffs can collapse, although the last one was in 1867, you still need to be careful
  • Be aware of the slippery rocks and path if it is covered with weeds or slime
  • If you take the shore path make sure to check tide timings to give you plenty of time to get back over to Coble landing 
  • Stay clear of the base of the cliffs as rock falls are common
  • Hammering the bedrock for fossils is not permitted
  • Check the recent sightings of birds on Filey Bird Observatory and group and dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals on Sea watch.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Bempton cliffs managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is perfect for the nature lovers, bird watchers and walkers. The RSPB nature reserve is on a 5-6 miles stretch of coastline between Flamborough head and Filey.

Half a million birds flock to the area between March and October each year to raise a family. Their distinctive calls can be heard throughout. Catch the 4000 pairs of puffins or “clowns of the sea: in between April and mid July and enjoy the sights of sleek gannets diving into the sea for their dinner.

If you visit when the birds are not around the breathtaking chalk cliffs still provide fantastic sea views. It has also recently become England’s first Shorewatch site, which will see 28 trained volunteers conduct structured watches for minke whales, dolphins, grey seals, harbour seals and harbour porposies as part of a nationa effort to protect and converse these animals.

See the recent highlights as to what birds have been seen recently by Flamborough bird observatory here

AnimalSeason
PuffinsSpring
RazorbillsSpring
KittiwakesSpring
Herring GullsSpring
ShagsSpring
PorpoisesSpring
Roe deerSpring
LinnetsSpring, Summer
Rock PipitSpring, Summer
Reed buntingSpring, Summer
Corn buntingSpring, Summer
SkylarksSpring, Summer
FulmarsSpring, Winter
GuilletmotsSpring, Winter
Tree sparrowsSpring, Summer, Winter
GannetsSpring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Rock PipitSummer
WhitethroatsSummer, Autumn
Lesser whitethroatsAutumn
Willow warblersAutumn
Reed warblersAutumn
Sedge warblersAutumn
Yellow browed warblersAutumn
ChiffchaffsAutumn
GoldcrestsAutumn
StonechatsAutumn
WhinchatsAutumn
WheatearsAutumn
RedstartsAutumn
Red backed shrikesAutumn
Short eared owlsAutumn, Winter

Is Bempton cliffs dog friendly?

Yes, however your dog needs to be kept on a short controlled lead at all times.  There are dog friendly routes and the visitor centre is dog friendly too with water bowls at the front and back off the centre.

Things to do at Bempton cliffs 

Go on one of the self guided trails

You have the choice to go on 3 self guided trails such as The Nature Trail, Staple Newk Trail or The Jubilee corner trail.

See the RSPB trail PDF here.

Unleash your inner photographer with a beginners photography workshop

My partner often says I’m not very good at taking photos, therefore the chance to both see many species of birds and get better at something I’m bad at is a great mix!

Allow experienced photographer of 14 years Stu Brown to unleash your creativity with theory, practice and workshop activities to help you understand what makes a compelling photo.

Things to know before you go to RSPB Bempton cliffs

  • If you want to see the puffins, make sure you go between April and mid July
  • Make sure you keep your dog on a short controlled lead
  • Book walks, workshops and cruises in advanced here

Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park

Filey bird garden and animal park website banner which shows green foliage with 14 animals around the text

We have written a detailed review of Filey Bird Garden and Animal park here. So, the below is a quick summary of why it is great to visit a rare dog friendly zoo in Filey.

Is Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park dog friendly?

Yes, it is clearly stated on their website that all dogs are welcome in the park. They are allowed everywhere except for the childrens play park, as long as they are :-

Things to do at Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park

See the 35 different animal types
Mabel enjoying time with her new friend the Zebu at the dog friendly zoo
Mabel enjoying time with her new friend the Zebu at the dog friendly zoo

We didnโ€™t quite know what to expect from a smaller dog friendly zoo in Filey. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the 35 different animal types on display at the Filey Bird garden and Animal Park.

Mabels personal favourites were the meerkats, Zelda and Ziggy the Zebus and Oona the tanuki.

Attend a talk on one of the animals

Around each of the animals was a sign showing a time for when they were either going to be fed or when a talk was going to be given around the animals. We would loved to have stayed for one of these, however as Mabel is quite restless, she likely wouldnโ€™t have sat through one of these without wanting to lick the person talking.

Relax at the cafe

There is a small cafe with a larger outdoor seating are for dogs, I would describe it as basic as it tended to serve pre packaged food such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes, biscuits and crisps. There did not appear to be the facilities to cook and eat fresh food at the time of visiting.

Things to know before you go to Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park

  • Would suggest going on a day where no rain is forecast, whilst some of the park is sheltered if it rains you would need to wait it out in the cafe
  • Go on a weekday if you can to avoid crowds
  • Bring comfortable walking shoes
  • Be careful with some of the animals, if your dog approaches them they may try to bite or head butt them. (Ostrich, pygmy goat etc.)
  • Go in the morning, as this is when most of the animals are supposed to be at their liveliest
  • If going around Halloween, Easter or Christmas, check for seasonal activities
  • Use blankets/towels to cover your car seats, the car park is made out of large loose gravel/stone and your dog will make a mess of your car by leaving footprints!
  • It may be worth checking Groupon to see if you can get a discount. However, when I checked there wasnโ€™t one on

Dog friendly Pubs & Cafes in Filey

When researching this post, I found that a lot of the places mentioned previous posts had closed down. Such as the Sugarcube tearooms, Mrs Bishops doggy deli and The Bronte Vinery has been merged and become The Glasshouse at Charlottes

The Station (The Top House)

Front of The Station, a dog friendly pub in Filey
The Station (Or known to locals as The Top House) – A dog friendly pub in Filey

Roughly 10 minutes away from the main Filey beach, The Station or “The Top House” as known to the locals is a dog friendly pub with fantastic food 5 regular cask ales and two beer gardens. Reviews mention the scampi, steak pies, and home made lasagna as the menu choices to look for. It is also known for it’s excellent vegan menu offering more than one choice.

The Station beer garden with 14 outdoor tables perfect for the sun with your dog
The Station beer garden with 14 outdoor tables

This dog friendly pub in Filey has an active live events time table including karaoke, live music, bingo, quiz nights and a host of live sports events including rugby, darts, football, golf, Formula 1 and horse racing.

So, if you want to just chill and catch the game or race this is the perfect spot to do it!

Is The Station dog friendly? (The Top House)

Screenshot of The Station website clearly stating they are proud to be completely dog friendly
The Station website clearly states they are proud to be completely dog friendly

Yes, The Station is a dog friendly pub as shown by the multiple references on their website and as mentioned in their reviews. Whilst you check out the menu, your pup won’t miss out though with dog biscuits and water bowls on hand and a fuss from the staff.


Bonhommes Bar

The front of the anassuming dog friendly Bonhommes Bar in Filey

Bonhommes bar is a unique award winning real ale and dog friendly bar in Filey. It is more reminiscent of a private members club in London due to the elegant regency architecture. It is slightly hidden away on Royal Crescent Court side street and combined with it’s traditional decor leads to it not feeling overly touristy.

It has been around for 26 years. Previously it was part of the Crescent Hotel and has been known as The Lily Langtree, Yorkshire Rose and The American bar before being called Bonhommes. Named after John Paul Jonesโ€™s ship, the Bonhomme Richard was involved in the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779 against the HMS Serapsis. 

A CAMRA 3x winner of Rural pub of the year and 3x runner up with 4 ale hand pumps during summer and 2 during winter. It has a weekly quiz on Saturday at 4pm and live music on Sundays at 4pm. Seaside Danny Wilde also performs here every third week. 

Is The Bonhommes Bar dog friendly?

Yes, Bonhommes Bar is dog friendly. This is evidenced by the dog friendly attribute on the CAMRA website, multiple reviews talking about the staff giving dogs dog treats from behind the bar and bringing out water bowls and I also messaged them to ask if they were dog friendly.


The Boat Shed

Dog friendly outside terrace of The Boat Shed
The Boat Shed – A dog friendly pub/restaurant outside

Literally next to The Coffee Shed, the Boat Shed offers you the classic combination of pizza gin and cocktails. It does not describe itself as a bar or a restaurant, but as something in between. Which to me, is pretty much a pub as you can get a drink, eat or both. The reviews on Tripadvisor include lots of mentions of we book here everytime we are in Filey suggesting it is a great experience.

Is The Boat Shed dog friendly?

Trip Advisor response from The Boat Shed saying that dogs are welcome in their outside terrace are
A Trip Advisor response from The Boat Shed saying that dogs are welcome in their outside terrace are

Yes, The Boat Shed is dog friendly in their outdoor seated terrace which fits 4 tables. Make sure you book a table and say you are bringing your dog though. If it is on a chillier night,the heaters will be on and blankets dotted around to stay warm!

If it is a quiet night, you might get lucky and be invited inside with your dogs as has happened to some people.


The Coffee Shed

Front shopfront of The Coffee Shed a dog friendly cafe in Filey
The Coffee Shed is a dog friendly cafe in Filey

Nestled in the heart of Filey, the coffee shed is a coastal coffee gem if you look closely beneath the arches. This cosy dog friendly coffee shop is not just limited to barista made coffee. Serving a locally sourced breakfast menu, home made cakes, soups and fresh sandwiches. The Yorkshiremans lunch, a platter style ploughmans looks fantastic.

Is The Coffee Shed dog friendly?

It’s dog friendliness is evident by the door with water bowls and dog biscuits by the entrance. With it being stated on the menu as well just in case it had been missed.

The Coffee Shed menu sitting on a wooden table stating that dogs are welcome
The Coffee Shed menu stating that dogs are welcome

Other dog friendly places

Front shot of Mabel the staffy cross holding a ball in her mouse whilst running on Hornsea beach, with a chocolate labrador and a man in a yellow coat in the background

We have also listed our favourite dog friendly places in Hornsea, Halifax and also reviewed Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park

Dog Friendly: Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park Review – May 2025

We first took Mabel to the beach for the first time in Hornsea. She enjoyed it so much, and we all needed a holiday, so it made sense to go away again. We booked 2 and a half days at The Bay Holiday Park in Filey. This review is part of a larger article on the 10 best things to do in Filey with a dog.

Whilst there, we visited the award-winning Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park. We visited this dog-friendly attraction on a Thursday afternoon at around 2 PM. Whilst we only took Mabel, this would be a great family attraction to visit and day out with the kids and your dog. Especially as Mabel tends to love and be curious about all animals, she practically yanks my arm off when she knows she is going to doggy day care.

Spoiler alert, this is a great dog friendly thing to do in Filey! Canine visitors are very much welcome.

Mabel the staffy cross laying down with her new friend the zebu
Mabel laying down with her new friend Zelda or Ziggy the zebu

Is Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park dog friendly?

Yes, it is clearly stated on their website that all dogs are welcome in the park. They are allowed everywhere except for the childrens play park, as long as they are :-

Filey Bird Garden and Animal park website screenshot showing that they are dog friendly
Screenshot of Filey Bird Garden & Animal Park facilities page showing that they are dog friendly

This has been reinforced by their post on Facebook from February 2026 shown below.

Filey Bird Garden and Animal Facebook post showing 8 photos of dogs with the phrase "Don't forget we are dog friendly" in the middle.
Screenshot of Facebook post from February 2026 showing 8 different dogs who have been in the park recently with the caption “Don’t forget we are dog friendly!

We also saw 3 different dogs whilst inside with Mabel, along with multiple dog bowls around the park filled with water and the cashier at the entrance actively petted her.

Pros

35 different animal types

We didn’t quite know what to expect from a smaller dog friendly zoo in Filey. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the 35 different animal types on display at the Filey Bird garden and Animal Park.

Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park 2025 map showing animals, gardens and facilities
Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park 2025 map showing animals, gardens and facilities which we were given on entry

Mabels personal favourites were the meerkats, Zelda and Ziggy the Zebus and Oona the tanuki.

Mabel the dog peering through a glass window to look at 3 meerkats at Filey Bird Garden and Animal park
Mabel peering through a glass window to look at 3 meerkats at Filey Bird Garden and Animal park

My highlights were George the parrot, Jake the Donkey and Ronaldo the alpaca.

Dog Mom preferred the pygmy goat, Hortatia the tortoise and Karma the chameleon

AnimalAnimal typeName
ParakeetsBird
PoultryBird
WaterfowlBird
PheasantsBird
ParrotsBirdGeorge, Skips and Freddie
Barn OwlBird
FinchesBird
Rhea/ostrichBird
Softbill birdsBird
Asian leopard catMammal
Leopard catMammalJango
MeerkatsMammal
SkunkMammalPanda
TanukiMammalOona
Rabbits/CaviesMammal
MaraMammal
LemursMammalAngus, Finola and Peebles
GoatsMammalPatrick, Alfie and Rosie
WallabiesMammal
ZebuMammalZelda and Ziggy
RheasMammal
SheepMammal
AlpacasMammalRonaldo
MarmosetsMammal
Shetland poniesMammalMerry and Pippin
DonkeyMammalJake
ChipmunksMammal
Prevost’s squirrelsMammal
Guinea pigsMammal
CoatiMammalRose, Lily and Violet
Uromastyx lizard Reptile
Reticulated pythonReptileAja
ChameleonReptileKarma
Corn snakeReptileCoral
TortoisesReptileHortartia and Josie

Good value for money

For less than ยฃ10 for an adult, it is hard to argue this isn’t good value. With just the 35 different animal types alone, that works out at 28P per animal, along with the 3 different gardens. We went around the park twice, further bringing the cost down to about 14P per animal, as we saw them twice.

To keep costs down, you can also bring your own food and eat it on the 3 picnic tables within the park, whilst refilling a water bottle at the tap stations.

Free car park with 15+ spaces

Parking can be a nightmare in small coastal towns such as Whitby, Hornsea and Filey. Thankfully, Filey Bird Garden and Animal park has at least 15 spaces including 3 disabled spaces and bike racks for the cyclists among us.

The main car park is made out of loose gravel/stone however, so to avoid having to clean your car, make sure you use blankets/towels/covers so you don’t need to clean up paw prints.

Education talks and feeding times on the hour

Around each of the animals was a sign showing a time for when they were either going to be fed or when a talk was going to be given around the animals. We would loved to have stayed for one of these, however as Mabel is quite restless, she likely wouldn’t have sat through one of these without wanting to lick the person talking.

Dog friendly and treated as honoured guests

From entering the park, Mabel was treated well.

This was evidenced by :-

  • The cashier who actively petted Mabel as she jumped up at the counter
  • Excited greetings from other dogs within the park
  • Being allowed everywhere in the park, except for the childrens play area
  • The water bowls placed around the park and 3 water taps
  • Free poo bags to pick up after your dog from the cafe
  • Picnic benches and outdoor seating at the cafe for dogs

Cons

Weather could impact your experience due to only a few areas of shelter

We went to Filey Bird Garden and Animal park because there was a strong wind which would have made walking to Filey quite unpleasant from Humanby. Therefore, it was fairly cool and it didn’t rain.

Your experience may be different if it was scorching hot or if it there was heavy rain. Whilst there were 4 shaded areas with picnic tables, the majority of the park is out in the open. Therefore, people would likely all try to cram into the cafe, wait it out in the few shaded areas with picnic tables or take refuge in the gardens.

Small basic cafe

Whilst the cafe was nice, I would describe it as basic as it tended to serve pre packaged food such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes, biscuits and crisps. There did not appear to be the facilities to cook and eat fresh food at the time of visiting.

What we love about Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park

  • Dog friendly! Dog friendly zoos seem to be quite rare
  • Great range of different animals to take your dog to see
  • Large free car park
  • Hourly keepr talks and feeding times for the animals and how they are looked after
  • Seasonal events such as easter egg hunts, halloween trails and christmas activities
  • Reasonably priced and can bring your own food for a picnic if you wanted to

Tips for Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park

  • Would suggest going on a day where no rain is forecast, whilst some of the park is sheltered if it rains you would need to wait it out in the cafe
  • Go on a weekday if you can to avoid crowds
  • Bring comfortable walking shoes
  • Be careful with some of the animals, if your dog approaches them they may try to bite or head butt them. (Ostrich, pygmy goat etc.)
  • Go in the morning, as this is when most of the animals are supposed to be at their liveliest
  • If going around Halloween, Easter or Christmas, check for seasonal activities
  • Use blankets/towels to cover your car seats, the car park is made out of large loose gravel/stone and your dog will make a mess of your car by leaving footprints!
  • It may be worth checking Groupon to see if you can get a discount. However, when I checked there wasn’t one on

Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park FAQs

Is there parking?

Yes, there is parking at Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park. There is a mostly level with large car park with 15+ car parking spots, 3 disabled spots and bike racks. It is mainly made out of loose gravel/stone with the 3 disabled spots made of tarmac with a tarmac path leading to the entrance.

Are there toilets?

Yes, there are well-maintained and clean toilets 3o yards from the entrance. There are separate toilets for Males and Females with baby changing facilities in both and a separate disabled toilet which does not require a key.

Is it baby and pushchair/pram friendly?

Yes, it is baby friendly. Male and Female toilets both have baby changing facilities.

The majority of the park is pram friendly. With wide paths and ramps in the gardens and to and from the cafe.

Path/doorWidth in metre (M)Width in feet (FT)Material
Car park footpathOpenOpenTarmac
Main footpaths3.6M12FTCompacted stone
Formal gardens1.5M5FTCompacted pea gravel
Secret garden door0.9M3FTN/A
Cafe door0.9M3FTN/A

Can I bring my own food?

Yes, you can bring your own food and have a picnic and eat it at the 4 picnic tables within the park by the wood, gardens, play park and wildlife pond. However, please don’t eat at the picnic tables outside the cafe.

Is food available to buy?

Yes, food and drink can be purchased at the cafe at the entrance to the park and eaten either inside or outside. They offer a selection of cold sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes, biscuits, crisps, hot & cold drinks and ice creams. 

What is there to do in Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park?

There are 5 acres of park to explore and the main 3 things you can do are look at the 35 different animals and feed some them, enjoy the informative keeper talks, play with the kids in the adventure play ground or just relax and enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Can dogs go to Filey Bird Garden?

Yes, all dogs are welcome in the park. They are allowed everywhere except for the children’s park. As long as they are on a short lead, fully controlled and cleaned up after. Free poo bags are available at the cafe and kiosk on entry.

Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park Visiting Information

Address and contact information

Contact Information
AddressScarborough Road
Filey
North Yorkshire
YO14 9PG
England
Phone number01723 514439
Email address[email protected]
Websitehttps://www.fileybirdgarden.com

Opening times

Open daily with closing time dependent on date. With last admission one hour before closing time.

DatesTimeLast admission
29th March – 28th September10AM – 5PM4PM
29th September – 30th November10AM – 4PM3PM

Ticket pricing

Admission typeAgePrice
Adult 17+ยฃ9.95
Child2-16ยฃ8.50
Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children)N/Aยฃ34 (ยฃ2.90 saving compared to buying seperately)
ChildUnder 2FREE

Facilities

  • Free car park (With 3 disabled spaces, mini bus spaces and cycle racks.)
  • Toilets (Including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities in men and womens toilets.)
  • Dog water bowls and tap refills around park
  • Accessible paths for pushchairs and wheelchair users
  • Cafe selling hot drinks, cold drinks, cold sandwiches and snacks
  • Gift shop selling souvenirs

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Dog Friendly: 12 Best dog friendly walks, cafes, pubs, and parks in Halifax, West Yorkshire

There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel donโ€™t either use ourselves or fully recommend.

This post talks about the best things to do in Halifax West Yorkshire, with your dog including :-

  • Dog walks with cafes on route which are tried and tested to enjoy a latte and pup cup
  • Indoor dog play areas to chase your pup through tunnels and up and over ramps
  • Outside dog fields to weave your way through agility implements
  • Truely dog friendly cafes not just in name but nature, where staff offer plenty of pets, praise and puppycinnos for your pup
  • Dog friendly pubs to have a glorious locally brewed pint with your pooch

Planning a walk over the weekend? Donโ€™t forget to pack some treats! Weโ€™ve rounded up the best dog-friendly Easter eggs and snacks so your pups can have an ‘egg hunt’ at the park.

This is not a list of every supposed dog friendly place in Halifax. This is a list of dog friendly walks, play areas, fields, cafes, pubs we KNOW ARE DOG FRIENDLY, as we have been and experienced this ourselves with Mabel.

I say this so you know that the recommendations on this list have been carefully chosen and curated to ensure if you go to one of these places you will have a great time with your pup!

Dog Dad

The only one we haven’t visited ourselves personally is Cromwell Bottom and we plan to take Mabel there very soon. Similar to the one we did for Hornsea.

Dog friendly walks in Halifax with cafe

These dog walk recommendations all have a cafe within the general area. Hardcastle Crags has The Weaving Shed, Shibden Park has Coffee Culture in the park and Ogden has the visitor center with a small cafe inside.

Hardcastle Crags & Gibson Mill

Photo of stream in hardcastle crags with moss covered rocks in and forest behind.
Hardcastle Crags Image by Tim Hill from Pixabay

A lovely wooded valley situated 2 miles (5-10 mins) away from Hebden Bridge. Hardcastle Crags offers you and your dog 15 miles of signposted walking paths of varying different distances in 15 acres of unspoiled woodland.

Gibson mill in hardcastle crags on a summers day with the mill being reflected in the river.
Image by darrenquigley32 from Pixabay

Owned by The National Trust, and with free entry, this is a great place to take your dog for a walk in Halifax. Especially, as you can visit the off the grid Gibson Mill and Weaving shed cafe to recharge your batteries in the middle of your walk.

Is Hardcastle Crags dog friendly?

Yes, Hardcastle Crags is dog friendly. It is a 3 paw print rated location by The National Trust.

Meaning, your dog can go to most areas, including indoors in the Gibson Mill, weaving shed cafe and courtyard. As long as they are on a lead and well controlled.

There are also dog water bowls in the courtyard of Gibson Mill.

Where can I park for Hardcastle Crags and how much does it cost?

There are 2 pay and display car parks at Hardcastle Crags called Clough Hole and Midgehole. Both are ยฃ5 for 4 hours or ยฃ8 all day and cash only. Free if you are a National Trust member.

If you go to many National Trust sites or plan on going to Hardcastle Crags often, you may wish to consider the membership which at the moment is ยฃ91.20 a year. Making it ยฃ7.60 a month.

Other National Trust sites you could visit in the area are :-

Best walks in Hardcastle Crags

Name of walkDistanceTimeStarting pointDifficultyMarkers to follow
Estate track1 mile/2km30 minsLower Midgehole car parkEasyBlack
Mill walk riverside1.25 miles/2km1 hourLower Midgehole car parkModerateRed
Upper woodland1.25 miles/2km30 minsUpper Midgehole car parkModerateRed
Crags constitutional2 miles/3.2km1 hourGibson MillModerateGreen
Railway trail3 miles/4.8km2 hoursGibson MillHardPurple

Source:Hardcastle Crags map from National Trust

If you go on one of the more secluded, longer walks such as the Railway Trail it is the perfect place to throw a Chuck It ball or Head tennis ball for your dog. Without fear of them being stolen by other dogs! (See our guide to the best dog toys for staffies for why we recommend these.)

Why we love Hardcastle Crags

  • Free entry
  • Car parking
  • Luscious scenery including glorious waterfalls, tumbling streams, and stacks of millstone grit
  • Abundance of wildlife such as herons, dippers, and wagtails.
  • Variety of walks from riverside paths, woodland trails and rocky roads among the unique craggy rock formations
  • Stepping stones on the river for the more adventurous and willing to get wet

Hardcastle Crags tips

  • Check the Weaving shed will be open if you plan to stop for coffee and cakes
  • Go on a Sunday and pick up tasty treats to eat in the Sunday market on the walks
  • Take a photo of the map in the welcome hut to refer to whilst on the trails
  • If you want to park in Hardcastle crags, make sure you get there early (before 10 ideally) and remember to take cash

Ogden water reservoir

A view of Ogden reservoir on a summers evening.
Ogden water reservoir on a summers evening – Photo by Tim Green

This 160 year old reservoir known as one of the sparkling jewels of the Calderdale countryside, has beautiful woodland scenery and trails. Which are perfect for you and your pups to enjoy. It was voted Yorkshire’s favourite reservoir in 2018, along with the 5th top dog friendly place to visit in Yorkshire in 2021 by Canine Cottages.

Including an interesting soundscape of wildlife,water, wind, woodland and moorlands.

Ogden water reservoir stone walkway with benches and people in the background on a summers day with a blue sky
Ogden water reservoir stone walkway – Photo by Tim Green

Where to park for Ogden reservoir?

There is a car park at Ogden split into 2 sections which costs ยฃ1. There are 70 spaces in total. Best to get there early (before 10) if you want to park in this car park, as it can get busy when the weather is nice.

Best walks in Ogden reservoir

NameDistanceTimeStarting pointDifficultyMap & Directions
Reservoir edge walk1.2 miles /2KM40 -60 minsCar parkEasyMap
Ogden & Ovenden Moor walk10 miles/16KM150 mins+OxenhopeHardMap

Is Ogden reservoir dog friendly?

Ogden reservoir is dog friendly. Just make sure you keep your dog on a lead and clean up after them.

Why we love Ogden reservoir

  • Cheap car parking at ยฃ1
  • Perfect for the family or people who want to have a walk but not a long hike
  • Picnic table facilities if you want to bring your lunch!
  • Woodland trails allow you to escape the stress of everyday life
  • Great opportunity to spot mallards, gulls, kingfishers, herons, canada geese, tufted ducks, dippers and great crested grebes on the water

Ogden reservoir tips

  • Parking can be tight, going earlier before 10AM will often mean it is less busy
  • Make sure you have change to pay for parking
  • Check when the visitor center is open if you want to visit the cafe and buy drinks or ice cream

Shibden Park

The green fields of shibden park with 3 large trees and the lake in the background on a summers day.
The lush green fields of shibden park – By Donald Judge

Shibden park is a beautiful park east of Halifax town center with a variety of activities for both dogs and children alike making it a great location for a family walk with your dog.

What you can do at Shibden park

Mabel in front of Shibden Hall in the dog friendly Shibden Park in Halifax
Mabel in front of Shibden Hall
  • Visit the small lake to feed the ducks and hire a rowing boat or paddle boat
  • Ride the miniature railway train with the kids
  • Grab 2 lattes at Coffee Culture cafe in the park
  • Take in 600 years of history and learn about Anne lister from Gentleman Jack at Shibden hall museum
  • Entertain the kids in the play area with swings, cable rides, covered slides and a climbing frame
  • Learn about dry stone walling at the permanent exhibit
Photo of shibden park pond on a sunny day with ducks in the pond
Shibden park lake with ducks – By Donald Judge
Shot of the lake in Shibden park with trees in the background on a sunny day and peddle boats to the right
Shibden park lake with boats to rent – By Donald Judge

Where to park for Shibden park?

There are 3 car parks at Shibden with a total of 283 spaces.
Mereside which has 245 spaces
Upper car park which has 27 spaces
Museum car park which has 11 spaces

Best walks in and around Shibden park

Shibden Mill Inn to Shibden Park and back.
Beacon Hill and Shibden Park Circular
Anne Lister Way of The Setts

Is Shibden park dog friendly?

Yes, Shibden park is generally dog friendly. The park and cafe both allow dogs as long as they are well behaved and you pick up after them. However, only assistance dogs are allowed in Shibden Hall.

Why we love Shibden park

  • Huge lovely wooded area to walk dogs
  • Car park with 283 total spaces, means parking is normally not a problem
  • Great dog friendly cafe at Coffee Culture In The Park as long as they are well behaved
  • Large play area to entertain kids

Shibden park tips

  • Park in the Mereside/Godley Lane car park as it is the biggest and closest to the park and cafe
  • Go early or late if the weather is good as it can get really busy
  • Check the coffee culture opening times to make sure they are open if you want a drink or food
  • Expect to spend at least ยฃ10 – ยฃ15 if you park and want 2 latte coffees.(Parking ยฃ4 for 4 fours and ยฃ7.40 for lattes)

Dog friendly indoor play rooms & fields in Halifax

Woofy workout dog park

Dog with a birthday hat and bandana looking at the camera at Woofy Workout dog play room in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax.
Woofy Workout dog play room in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax.

Woofy workout is a 1500 square in door dog play park and training facility nestled in Sowerby Bridge. With a huge variety of dog training and agilty obstacles and tunnels, combined with hundreds of toys and a dog shop, it is the perfect place to spend a few hours with your dog. It is less than 5 minutes away from Yappy Days doggy day care, so if your pup still has energy you could take them here to burn the rest of it off.

Where to park for woofy workout?

On site parking is available with at least 10 spaces.

Why we love woofy workout

  • Large 1500 square foot room your pup can sprint around
  • Great variety of obstacles and toys including tunnels, barriers to jump over, slides and ramps.
  • Parking available on site
  • Great variety of obstacles and toys including tunnels, barriers to jump over, slides and ramps.
  • Fun room to wait in with interesting decor to take photos of your dog
  • Can hire just for your dog
  • Good value for money at ยฃ5 for 30 mins
  • Attached to a dog supplies and treat shop (Mabel loves the camel skins)

Woofy workout tips

  • Take plenty of treats or buy some from the treat shop on site
  • Remember your phone to take photos of your pup in the waiting room with cute seasonal decorations whilst waiting

Swallowfields Farm dog play field

Black labrador framed through a ring hoop at Swallowfields farm dog field in Greetland Halifax.
A very happy dog sitting behind the ring hoop at Swallowfields farm dog field

Swallowfields farm is a large 1 acre outside dog play field and training facility in Greetland, Halifax. It boasts 7 different types of dog agility activities to try such as the following :-

  • 12 weaving poles
  • 12 platforms of varying sizes
  • 7 hurdles
  • 3 tunnels of varying length
  • 2 ramps onto a platform
  • 1 see saw
  • 1 large tyre
  • 1 jumping ring hoop hurdle
Swallowfields dog field obstacles and agility
Swallowfields dog field obstacles and agility equipment

We had a great time here with Mabel and Dog Moms family dog Winston. Even if Mabel did not really want to go through the tunnels or go on the see saw.

Where to park for Swallowfields farm dog play field?

There is free on site parking. With roughly enough room for 1-2 cars.

Why we love Swallowfields farm dog play field

  • Well priced at ยฃ6 for 25 minutes or ยฃ10 for 55 minutes
  • Free on site parking
  • 7 different types of fun agility obstacles
  • Large shelter with tea and coffee making facilities
  • Easy to use booking system

Swallowfields farm dog play field tips

  • Make sure you take poo bags to pick up after your dog!
  • Take some balls to throw for your dog
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately if it is going to rain or re-arrange
  • See if you can arrange to come with your dog owner friends to see which dogs are the most adventurous, brave and coordinated

Dog friendly cafes in Halifax

The Cakery

Front view of the entrance to The Cakery. A dog friendly cafe in West Vale, Halifax.
The Cakery – A dog friendly cafe in West Vale, Halifax.

Serving fantastic food and coffee, The Cakery is an amazing brunch place in West Vale Halifax. Located within Victoria Mills, roughly 10-15 mins away from Halifax Town Center. It is both close enough to Halifax town to visit but also far enough away to avoid the hustle and bustle of the town center and the issue of parking. We highly recommend the 4 cheese toastie, pancake stacks, smash burger, oreo milkshake and watermelon tea.

Oreo milkshake with vanilla latte at the cakery
Oreo Milkshake at The Cakery
Smash burger and chips with a halloumi flatbead at the cakery
Smash burger and halloumi flatbread

We have been going here since it was operating out of a smaller location 2-3 years ago.

Is the cakery dog friendly?

The Cakery proudly says it is just not a place for humans. They are proudly dog friendly.

Screenshot of text on The Cakery website saying they are proudly dog friendly.
Text on The Cakery website saying they are proudly dog friendly.

This is backed up by 3 points :-

  1. There has been a dog on every visit we have been in the last 6 months (We tend to go at least once a month.)
  2. The large dog photo board
  3. Staff actively encouraging us to bring Mabel in if we talk about her
90 dog polaroid photo prints inside the cakery
The Cakery dog board with 90 photos of dogs who visit
Mabel the staffy cross enjoying looking at her first ever puppuccino at The Cakery.
Mabel looking at her first ever puppuccino at The Cakery.
Mabel the stafy cross licking/enjoying her first ever puppuccino at The Cakery
Mabel enjoying her first ever puppuccino at The Cakery

Why we love the cakery

  • Dog friendly (See the photo board of regular dog visitors)
  • Tasty and high quality food at a fair price
  • Easy to book a table and amend your booking without having to call
  • Friendly staff
  • Glorious barista made coffee and amazing milkshakes
  • Brownies, cookie pies and cake are also delightful
  • 1 hour free parking in car park at the Cakery or at Brig Royd Car Park which is less than a 5-minute walk away
  • Next to a small Tesco if you need to pick something up for home whilst out

The Cakery tips

  • If the on site parking is full, there is Brig Royd Car park almost opposite less than a 5 minute walk away
  • Make sure you book on the website, as it can get busy. (The bookings are easy to edit and cancel though.)
  • Check what seats you are booking, as if you are disabled you may not want to sit at the tables in the bar area as they are quite high. Equally, if you want food, the sofas whilst comfortable may not be best.
  • Get the oreo milkshake!

Lucy’s Little Bakehouse

Lucy's Little Bakehouse staff in front of the cafe at Dean Clough Mills Halifax
New location of Lucy’s Little Bakehouse team at Dean Clough Mills Halifax

Lucy’s Little Bakehouse is a lovely cafe and bakery down in Dean Clough Mills less than 5 minutes away from Halifax Town Center. We have been going since she opened in the Town Center. Serving fantastic cakes, brownies coffee and my personal favourite milkshakes! They have now expanded into other foods such as toasties, sandwiches, salads and even afternoon Tea.

Ham & Cheese panini and a vanilla latte at Lucy's Little Bakehouse
Ham & Cheese panini and a vanilla latte at Lucy’s Little Bakehouse

Is Lucy’s Little Bakehouse House dog friendly?

Yes, Lucys Little Bakehouse is dog friendly. Lucy’s response to can we bring our dog in is always yes please! Making it dog friendly.

An Instagram post from Lucy answering "Can we bring our dog in?" with her answer always being "Yes Please!" with a photo of a sausage dog drinking a pup cup
An Instagram post from Lucy answering “Can we bring our dog in?” with her answer always being “Yes Please!”

Why we love Lucy’s Little Bakehouse House

  • Amazing milkshakes
  • Fantastic barista made coffee
  • Lovely staff who always have a smile on their face
  • Great for kids
  • Gorgeous baked goods like brownies, cookie pies and cakes
  • Free parking on weekends at Dean Clough
  • A larger space which can fit around 40 people, compared to when to the middle of Westgate Arcade where only 4-6 people max could sit in

Lucy’s Little Bakehouse tips

  • Don’t get there too late, they sometimes sell out of food on weekends. They make a lot, however they are quite popular!
  • Look out for the themed evenings, Mabel’s Mom has been to a painting galentines day and had a great time
  • I would recommend the strawberry milkshake and strawberry lemonade
Strawberry lemonade at Lucy's Little Bakehouse
Strawberry lemonade at Lucy’s Little Bakehouse

Good Karma Coffee House

Front view of Good Karma Coffee in Brighouse Halifax
Good Karma Coffee House in Brighouse, Halifax

Serving great coffee, food and being dog friendly in Brighouse town center, we have been known to go to the area just to visit Good Karma. Located on Lawson Road, roughly 15-20 mins away from Halifax Town Center. If you are in this neck of the woods it is the perfect place to take your pup.

Is Good Karma Coffee House dog friendly?

I feel like this Instagram post answers this question quite well.

Screenshot of Instagram post from Good Karma Coffee in Brighouse Halifax saying they are dog friendly.
Instagram post from Good Karma Coffee House showing how dog friendly they are.

Yes, absolutely, there are photos of all the regular dogs who come in, the staff makes a fuss of the dogs, there are dog treat jars around and water bowls.

Why we love Good Karma Coffee House

  • Great food, we would recommend the sausage patty all day sandwich, grilled cheese sando or Pancake stack
  • Amazing barista made coffee better than any chain
  • Offer “Dognuts” for the pups
  • Friendly staff
  • Lots of vegan and vegetarian options which taste great

Good Karma Coffee House tips

  • Can get quite busy and service can become slower because of this. Don’t go here on a weekend if you are in a rush!
  • Check how busy it is before entering the car park or you will be charged when entering the car park but might not end up with a spot!

Dog friendly pubs in Halifax

Victorian Craft Beer Cafe

Interior of the dog friendly Victorian Craft Beer Cafe in Halifax at night with no people in.

Based in the middle of Halifax town center, this is an independent pub with loads of character and a great old school decor. A personal favourite due to it’s central location, large range of craft beers and cider on tap with a huge array of seating on multiple levels.

Is Victorian Craft Beer Cafe dog friendly?

Whilst it does not explicitly say it on their website, it is shown as dog friendly on the CAMRA pub listing, Calderdale council website and they have a dedicated dogs of Victorian Craft Beer Cafe Instagram with 89 different posts of dogs on it.

If your pup is a little anxious, this would be the perfect place to bring out a Nylabone bacon chew or Nylabone brocolli chew to gnaw on whilst you drink your mango cider.

Screenshot of the Dogs of Victorian Craft Beer Cafe Instagram page showing the last 3 posts of dogs in the cafe.

Why we love Victorian Craft Beer Cafe

  • Award winning campaign for real ale (CAMRA) pub
  • Great selection of beers, ciders and ales, perfect if you want to try something new
  • Close proximity to the town center and other attractions like The Piece Hall
  • Events such as whiskey tasting, belgian beer tasting and 2 annual beer festivals
  • Fantastic tasting pork pies as snacks

Victorian Craft Beer Cafe tips

  • Try the mango cider! It shouldn’t taste nice, but it really does!
  • Go just after opening at noon if your dog does not like lots of noise and people
  • It is a large space, so you can keep your dog in a more secluded area more easily than at other smaller pubs

Elland Craft & Tap

Front view of the dog friendly Elland Craft & Tap in Elland, Halifax.
Elland Craft & Tap a dog friendly micropub on Southgate in Elland, Halifax

Situated on Southgate, the main street in Elland, Elland Craft and Tap is Elland’s first Micropub. Opened in 2018 by owner Mike previously of Elland Brewery and his business partner, this is an old school place to drink with great quality local ales and pints, with a real focus on the community.

Is Elland Craft & Tap dog friendly?

Yes, it clearly states this on their website. Stating that dogs are children are very welcome.

Screenshot of Elland Craft & Tap showing that dogs are welcome
Screenshot of the Elland Craft & Tap website clearly stating that dogs are very welcome!

Why we love Elland Craft and Tap

  • Community centered. Helped fund a defibrillator with Elland Roudtable and there are a number of local groups which meet here for free including the Elland book club.
  • No TVs showing sport, this is a place for conversation with friends and strangers alike
  • Excellent range of local beers and craft ales. (6 hand pulls, 4 craft taps, 2 lagers and 3 ciders.)

Elland Craft and Tap tips

  • Try something new, all the beers/ales at this place are great. See the live ale board here.
  • Go on Wednesday for quiz night if you want to test your wits
  • Head around the back to their nice outdoor seating area for when it is sunny
  • Look out for the monthly walks around Halifax usually involving other pubs
  • There are 2 nearby car parks. Boxhall road car park which is where I usually park as it is usually quieter and Coronation street car park. This tends to be a little busier due to close promity to The Rex.

Vocation & Co

Outside shot of Vocation & Co, a dog friendly pub in Halifax

Vocation is a 3 floor craft beer pub in the centre of Halifax with 8 casks, 18 keg lines and amazing 18 inch New York style pizza from Wonder Wheel pizza. It is ran by the Vocation brewery, a leading independent craft brewer since 2015, it now has locations in Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Sheffield and Manchester.

Is Vocation & Co dog friendly?

Vocation & Co is dog friendly, we messaged them on Instagram and they confirmed that it is. It is also listed as dog friendly on the CAMRA website, there is a Facebook post from Dec 2023 and an Instagram post from Oct 2023 just to really nail this point.

A Facebook post from Vocation & Co showing a dog in front of a Christmas tree with a caption saying they are very dog friendly

Along with a Instagram post from Oct 2023.

An Instagram post from Vocation & Co showing a dog in their pub saying that Vocation & Co is a dog friendly pub in Halifax

Why we love Vocation & Co

  • Great for beer and ale lovers due to the 8 casks and 18 keg lines
  • Pizza is fantastic and you can buy it by the slice or the whole pizza along with 3 vegan options
  • 60 person roof terrace for when it is warm
  • Close to Victorian Craft Beer Cafe if you want to carry on the drinks with your dog

Vocation & Co tips

  • Try the bread and butter or heart and soul. Both are great. Or look at the beers on the board here.
  • If the tap room on the bottom floor is busy, go up to the 2nd floor cocktail bar (The Projectionist) and find the comfortable sofas where it is normally quieter.
  • Book your table to make sure you can get one, as it can get quite busy on a Friday or at the weekend

Dog friendly places we would like to try but haven’t had a chance yet

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve

Front shot of Cromwell Bottom nature reserve in Brighouse Halifax with a blue sky and trees in the background
Cromwell Bottom in Brighouse, Halifax. by Alan Burnett

Located within the Calder Valley between Elland and Brighouse. Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve seems similar to Ogden Reservoir in terms of a lovely, well looked after place ran by volunteers to help wildlife.

Why we would like to visit Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve

  • See the variety of different terrains such as wetlands, meadows and woodlands
  • Visit the river Calder which runs through Cromwell Bottom nature reserve
  • Observe all the different wildlife such as butterflys, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies
  • Visit the bird viewing area to see bullfinches, dunnocks, woodpeckers, robins, redpolls, kingfishers, oystercatchers and curlews.
  • Go on the self guided walks
  • Free parking

Did you enjoy our list of the best things to do in Halifax with a dog? Let us know where you like to take your pup!

Other dog friendly places

Front shot of Mabel the staffy cross holding a ball in her mouse whilst running on Hornsea beach, with a chocolate labrador and a man in a yellow coat in the background

We have also listed our favourite dog friendly places in Filey and Hornsea. Along with also reviewing the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park.

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Dog Friendly: 4 best things to do in Hornsea with a dog (+ 7 extra things to try)

There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel donโ€™t either use ourselves or fully recommend.

We recently took Mabel away for her first holiday for 4 days in Hornsea. Mabel isn’t great in the car, so we needed a place close enough within a 2-hour drive of Halifax, West Yorkshire. As the longest car journeys she is used to are to the groomer or doggy day care which is around 30 minutes max. This also meant we had to find some things to do in Hornsea with a dog. Which then leads us to ask: Is Hornsea dog-friendly?

Screenshot of Google maps showing car route from Halifax to Hornsea
The distance from Halifax to Hornsea is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours by car.

We choose to go to Hornsea in September to:-

  • Let Mabel go to the beach for the first time
  • Start getting her used to sleeping in different places other than our house and our in-laws
  • Go on some long dog-friendly walks
  • Start training her to sit in cafes/pubs without causing chaos

Here is our list of the top dog-friendly things to do in Hornsea.

Dog-friendly Hornsea locations and activities map

Below is our map of recommended dog-friendly activities and locations in Hornsea.

Go to the dog-friendly Hornsea beach

Mabel the staffy cross on the dog friendly hornsea beach looking at the camera with chocolate labrador and her Grandad behind her looking at the sea
Mabel had a great time on the beach with Winston the chocolate Labrador, and her Grandad.

Hornsea beach is a sand/shingle beach split into many sections by old wooden breakwaters. Both humans and dogs can climb these sections to visit the different areas of the beach. Or you can use the stairs and ramps if you have an older dog.

Mabel loved chasing her Chuck It ball around the beach. It is the only ball we would recommend for the beach in our best dog toys for staffies guide. Due to it’s durable nature and bright colours it can both survive the beach and easily be found once thrown.

Hornsea beach has 356 reviews on TripAdvisor with an average score of 4.1 out of 5. With 94 of them mentioning dogs.

We recommend the sourdough bacon sandwich and a latte from the Hornsea Hub. Great as a snack before the walk or as a treat afterwards.

Is Hornsea Beach dog-friendly?

Hornsea beach is dog-friendly all year round. However, between May 1st and September 30th, there are restrictions on where they can go.

Hornsea beach dog rules and restrictions

Between May 1st and September 30th, dogs are not allowed on certain areas of the beach. These areas are between the groynes under the Marine pub and to the south of the Sands Lane Slipway.

Google map screenshot showing where dogs are not allowed on Hornsea beach between 1st May and 30th September.
Hornsea beach map showing where dogs can’t go on Hornsea beach between 1st May and 30th September
Map showing where dog exclusion zone for Hornsea beach between 1st May and 30th September.
A map showing the seasonal dog restriction zone on Hornsea Beach. This is active between 1st May and 30th September.

Check the Hornsea Beach Tide times

Just make sure to check the tide times on a daily basis to avoid going at high tide. Or your dog may wish to go for a swim, but you can’t let them for fear of them not coming back!

Make sure you use a good harness and lead if their recall isn’t perfect.

If you ignore the seasonal dog ban and decide to take your dog on the beach between 1st May and 30th September, you will be issued with a ยฃ75 fixed penalty fine.

However, there are still sand/shingle beaches either side of this where you can take your dog at that time.

Between 1st October and 30th April, dogs are allowed on all of the beaches.

What makes Hornsea beach dog friendly?

European blue flag award 4 years in a row

One of only 73 beaches in the UK to have attained the Blue Flag award. Water quality, beach cleanliness, information on safety, the environment and facilities are up to the highest standards. Meaning your pooch is less likely to get ill if they go swimming, come across something they shouldn’t and there are lots of great local facilities to relax.

Front shot of Hornsea beach cafe and toilets on Marine Drive
Hornsea beach cafe and toilets on Marine Drive Photo ยฉ JThomas

Whilst walking Mabel on the beach, we came across litter pickers on most days keeping the beach tidy in pink uniforms.

You can find a great summary of all the criteria required on the Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flag page.

Marine conservation award

Hornsea beach appears on the Marine Conservation Society 2024 recommended beaches guide. Meaning that the water meets the European standards for water pollution and your pup can swim in the sea safely.


Eat and drink at the dog friendly cafes in Hornsea

Hornsea Hub

The front of the dog friendly Hornsea Hub cafe on the beach front with a blue sky
Dog friendly cafe – The Hornsea Hub by Habiloid

If you are looking for a dog friendly cafe near Hornsea beach, then the Hornsea Hub is the best choice for you! The Hornsea hub cafe sold dog ice cream, treats and had a large water bowl outside along with plenty of outdoor seating. Or you can go and sit indoors at specific tables as long as you follow their dog rules which are fair and obvious.

We spent about 20 minutes here eating bacon sandwiches and drinking lattes before we headed out on our walk.

Is Hornsea Hub dog friendly?

The Hornsea hub website says that “Good dogs are welcome”

Screenshot of Hornsea hub cafe website saying good dogs are welcome.
Screenshot of Hornsea Hub cafe website from 16th Jan 2025

Mondo del caffe

Front of Mondo Del caffe - A dog friendly cafe in Hornsea showing the shop front, dog bowl and tables and chairs outside.
Mondo Del caffe – A dog friendly cafe in Hornsea

If you are closer to the center of Hornsea then Mondo del caffe might be more up your street. It is a lovely cafe in the center of the Hornsea and is definitely dog friendly. A large bowl of water outside and enthusiastic servers who were happy to pet and play with Mabel proved this. In fact, a large amount of the local shops and cafes had dog bowls outside.

This would be the perfect place to bring out a Nylabone bacon chew or Nylabone brocolli chew for your dog to gnaw on whilst you wait for your food. We would recommend the smoothies, milkybar cake and lemon & raspberry meringue cake.


Enjoy various dog friendly walks in Hornsea

Walk the Hornsea rail trail

Front shot of the start of the Hornsea trail with station house in the background
Hornsea Rail trail start at Station House

This 13 mile walk from Hornsea to Hull, part of the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is a great walk for you and your pup. Lots of greenery and interesting places to sniff. You can take your dog off lead for parts of this as long as they have good recall to really let them have a good time.

Visit East Yorkshire suggests the average time to walk the entire 13+ mile trail is 4 hours and 20 mins. Just make sure you organise transportation back to Hornsea! Or ensure you have booked somewhere to stay in Hull.

Visit Hornsea Mere

Shot of Hornsea Mere at dusk with the mere in the background with 2 geese
Hornsea Mere By Jack Cousin

The Hornsea mere is the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire. Owned by Wassand Hall. It was featured in a 2006 BBC documentary called The Seven Natural Wonders in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire episode alongside Flamborough Head, Spurn Point, Malom Cove, Thorne and Hatfield Moors, The Wash, and The Three peaks.

We took Mabel here so she could experience what a lake was like in comparison to the sea.

It is known for being a bird haven, due to its special protection area for birds and status as a site of special scientific interest. Especially in the winter for birds such as Gadwalls, Goldeneyes, Canada geese and tufted ducks.

Are dogs allowed at Hornsea Mere?

We walked into Hornsea Mere and saw 4 dogs walking around the Mere. It is dog friendly, however you need to keep your dog on a lead to ensure they don’t disturb the local wildlife.

There is also the dog friendly Hornsea Mere cafe. As long as your pooch is well behaved.

Hornsea Mere Rail Trail and Mere Circular Walk

A short walk from the town center, just be careful to not make the same mistake I did in thinking that the walks start from the actual Mere.

We would recommend this Rail trail and Mere circular if you wanted to see both the Mere and the Rail Trail. At 8.4KM and taking nearly 2 hours, it isn’t for the faint of heart!


Dog-friendly things we will do next time we are in Hornsea

Visit the Wassand Hall gardens

Wassand hall walled garden in Hornsea
Wassand Hall walled garden by JThomas

We didn’t have a chance to visit the Wassand Estate unfortunately as it had just closed after the summer season. Although it looks like a great experience for human and dog alike. We would look to pair the half mile walk in the gardens with coffee/cake in the summerhouse tearoom

Just make sure you check the calendar to make sure they are open for what you want to do and get a ticket at ยฃ7 each for adults.

Is Wassand hall dog friendly?

The Wassand Hall website clearly states that dogs are welcome on leads.

Screenshot of Wassand hall website saying that dogs are welcome, on leads.
The Wassand Hall website states on the open day page that dogs are welcome.

Have fun at the dog-friendly beach amusements and arcades

Carousel amusements

Front shot of the dog friendly Carousel amusements in Hornsea with a blue sky.
Carousel amusements on Sands Lane, less than 3-5 mins walk from the beach.

Carousel amusements near the promenade had a very prominent dogs allowed inside if on lead sign. As this was the first time we have taken Mabel away and she hasn’t been inside any cafes/pubs yet, we didn’t take her into the amusements.

Something for us to do next time once she is better trained.

Eat and drink in dog friendly Hornsea pubs

The Marine

Front shot of The Marine, a dog friendly pub in Hornsea
Dog friendly pub in Hornsea – The Marine by Bradford Timeline

The Marine also classes itself as a dog friendly pub at the end of the beach. As shown by an entire dog friendly page dedicated to showing this on their website.

Screenshot of The Marine website showing a dog in the pub with the caption pints with your pup, we're a dog friendly pub
Screenshot of The Marine website showing it clearly states it is dog friendly.
Shot of the dog friendly Hornsea pub The Marine when looked at from the railings with the sea and beach on the left.
The dog friendly pub The Marine on Hornsea beach. Photo ยฉ Peter Church

Similar to the above, Mabel is slowly getting used to sitting outside a cafe/pub and settling. Going inside would have been a step too far at the moment. However, we would like to go to either The Rose & Crown or The Marine to sit inside and have something to eat.

Play games and get a milkshake at Rage Quit

Front shot of the dog friendly cafe gaming bar Rage Quit in Hornsea

I am and always will be a gamer at heart. Therefore, if I could get Mabel to sit down whilst I play Mario Kart with my partner whilst drinking a strawberry or oreo milkshake that is my idea of a great time.

They have also confirmed that they are a dog friendly cafe and bar in Hornsea. They just need to stay off the chairs and tables, along with not eating off their plates and cutlery.

Rage Quit in Hornsea confirming they are dog friendly

Eat a carvery at Hornsea Garden center

Front shot of Hornsea garden center with plant pots stacked in the front
Hornsea Gaden Center on Main Street, Sigglesthorne, Hornsea,HU11 5QL

Mabel went through a phase of eating or removing all of our plants in our garden. So, visiting Hornsea garden center sounds like a great idea to pick up some replacement plants.

Serving a carvery 7 days a week and afternoon tea, it sounds like you can make a great day of it by shopping for plants and then eating a carvery or having afternoon tea at The Gardeners Retreat.

Is Hornsea garden center dog friendly?

On their website, it explicitly says that Hornsea garden center is dog friendly.
https://www.britishgardencentres.com/centres/hornsea-garden-centre/

Screenshot of Hornsea garden center highlighting with a green box that the center is dog friendly
Screenshot of Hornsea Garden Center on 19th Nov 2024

This is also seemingly confirmed on a recent post on their Facebook page.

Screenshot of a Facebook post from Hornsea garden center saying that that they are dog friendly and love meeting all canine companions with a photo of dog in a red harness
A fairly recent post on their Facebook page from 19th August 2024

Go shopping at Hornsea Freeport

Photo of the bandstand at Hornsea Freeport with a blue sky above and Urban shop in the background
Hornsea Freeport by J Thomas

Hornsea Freeport which is about a 30 minute walk from Hornsea beach or 10 minute car journey is another place we would like to visit next time. Featuring 19 different stores and a very explicit dog friendly message on their website. Although I would double check with them which stores do allow dogs in just to make sure this is the case.

Screenshot of Hornsea Freeport website with a green box highlighting that it is a dog friendly setting
Hornsea Freeport describes itself as a dog friendly setting fairly prominantly on the homepage of the website.

I would likely want to visit The potteries most of all to paint some clay pots.

Hunt fossils at Mappleton Beach

3 miles south of Hornsea and roughly a 10-20 mins drive away is the wide and sandy Mappleton beach. Seems to be without the usual traditional seaside attractions like fish and chip shops, amusement arcades or other touristy places.

Screenshot of Google maps showing the driving route from Hornsea beach to Mappleton beach.
From Hornsea beach to Mappleton beach is around 4 miles and a 10 – 20 minute drive depending on traffic.

This sounds like a quieter beach, making it the perfect place to enjoy some true bonding time with your dog. The Holderness coastline is also home to fast eroding cliffs. Meaning, it is a great place to find fossils as the sea erodes the cliffs at a 2.9M a year. So, if you want to become a fossil hunter, this is the place to have a go!

There is parking, however this is limited to 20 cars. As this is the only car park, it will likely feel like it is just you and your pup. So, best go early if you want to guarantee yourself a space.

Things to be careful of at Mappleton beach

Unexploded ordinance (UXO) or to most people unexploded bombs

Mappleton was formerly RAF Cowden bombing range for nearly 40 years from 1959 – 1998. Although a contract was awarded to a company to clean this up in 2021. Due to this you may still come across unexploded bombs known as unexploded ordinance.

Photo of Mappleton beach with a blue sky, a rock in the middle and the beach

Are dogs allowed on Mappleton beach?

Dogs are allowed on Mappleton beach all year around. There are no restrictions on dogs, unlike Hornsea beach. There is also The Old Post office tearooms which are also dog friendly.

Best dog friendly things to do in Hornsea FAQs

Is Hornsea worth visiting?

Yes, Hornsea is worth visiting for a perfect family day out with your dog. The lovely beach, promenade, amusements and wide variety of walks means there is something for everyone.

Does Hornsea have a promenade?

Yes, Hornsea has a tiered promenade along the side facing the land. There are markers every 200 meters each with a different sea bird on them.

Does Hornsea beach have arcades?

Yes, Hornsea beach has 2 arcades. One along the main beach front called Funspot Amusements which is next to the Hornsea Hub. The second, Carousel Amusements is set a little back from the beach, although still less than 5 mins walks away on Sands Lane.

Does Hornsea have a pier?

Hornsea does not currently have a pier. It had one until 1897 when it was demolished after a ship collided with it in a great storm. Proposals were drawn up for a new pier in 2018, however these plans appear to not have gone ahead as when visiting in 2024, there is still not a pier.

Other dog friendly places

We have also listed our favourite 10 best things to do in Filey with a dog and 12 best things to do in Halifax with a dog. Along with also reviewing the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park.

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EzyDog zero shock dog lead review – Sept 2024

There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel don’t either use ourselves or fully recommend.

EzyDog zero shock dog lead review

9 out of 10
Ezy Dog zero shock lead in blue

The EzyDog zero shock dog lead is hard wearing, lightweight and seemingly chew proof.

Great for dogs who chew their lead due to its strength and durability, whilst still being comfortable on those longer dog walks.

Best for strong dog breeds and pullers. Along with dogs which are startled easily and lurch or lunge a lot.

Durability
9 out of 10
Stretch & Weight
9.5 out of 10
Look & Feel
9 out of 10
Price
8.5 out of 10

Pros

Extremely durable and chew proof

Comfortable to hold

Good selection of colours

Dries quickly after rain

Washable

Cons

Handle can become slippy in summer when sweating

May be a short lead length for some

What is a zero shock dog lead?

When dogs pull suddenly or quickly change direction due to seeing a squirrel or pulling to get to doggy day care the amount of force transferred to the unfortunate owners arm can be substantial when using a regular lead. Especially if you have a larger or stronger dog breed.

A zero shock dog lead allows the lead to absorb and ease the majority of the force/pressure on both dog and the owner. They do this using bungee systems usually leading to :-

  • Less uncomfortable sudden jolts
  • Safer dog walks
  • Less strains/pressure on the owners shoulders/arms
Mabel the staffy cross at 2 months old, sitting on frosted grass on a purple ezy dog zero shock lead looking at you.
Mabel as a 2 month old pup on her Ezy Dog purple 48 inch lead.
Mabel the staffy cross at 1 year old, sitting on grass facing away on a purple ezy dog zero shock lead.
Mabel as a 1 year old pup on the same Ezy Dog purple 48 inch lead.

EzyDog zero shock dog lead features

  • Soft neoprene lined loop handle for comfort
  • Soft touch webbing for shock absorbing
  • Zero shock technology for sudden jolts
  • Carbon coated snap clip for secure fastening
  • 2nd traffic control handle with grab handle for when you need to pull your dog in closer like at a dog friendly zoo
  • Light reflective stitching for low visibility at night
  • Soft touch webbing
  • Accessory D ring for holding poo bag dispenser/holder
Ezy Dog zero shock lead features diagram
EzyDog zero shock dog lead 48 inch diagram from EzyDog website. https://www.ezydog.co.uk/zero-shock-lead-48

Pros

Durable and chew proof

We have had 3 48 inch EzyDog leads since we got Mabel. They generally survive the British weather, fox poo and being chewed multiple times. However, as Mabel has sharp teeth eventually they have succumbed to her as I was not giving her enough attention. This usually happens after continuous chewing on multiple walks a day for months.

In comparison, Mabel managed to quickly chew through a longer training lead we bought from Jollyes within 2 walks.

Handle really comfortable to hold

The neoprene handle is incredibly soft and comfortable, even on longer dog walks over an 1 hour. After having Mabel chew through her EzyDog lead, I found standard leads quite uncomfortable to hold, whilst waiting for her new EzyDog zero shock dog lead to arrive.

Good selection of colours

These are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel don’t either use ourselves or fully recommend.
Not only can you get your usual colours such as :-

There are some more unique colours and materials which I haven’t seen before such as :-

Image of 4 unique Ezy Dog shock absorbing dog leash colour variations such as camoflage, bubblegum, corduroy and black denim
The unique colours available for the Ezy Dog zero shock dog leads.

Dries quickly after rain

Ah yes, the British weather. The usual nemisis of the dog walker. Rain or shine, Mabel needs to go for her 2 walks a day. The lead thankfully dries fairly quickly after exposure to rain. Usually within 10-15 minutes if light train, 30 mins – 60 mins if heavier.

Reflective stitching adds an extra layer of safety at night

Similar to the EzyDog chest plate harness, the reflective stitching is useful in low light visibility in the dark winter months. I find this particularly useful in areas with few street lights such as our local park, as Mabel is a dark brown colour.

Cons

Handle can be a little slippy in summer when sweating

I’ve dropped the lead a few times in the summer due to the higher temperatures. The sweat, combined with the neoprene handle can make the handle slippy sometimes.

May be a short lead length for some

There are both 48 inch (122 cms) and 25 inch (63.5cm) zero shock leads. We have the 48 inch and at times, it does feel a little short. However, we do prefer the control this provides us, we noticed this especially whilst taking Mabel around Filey Bird Garden and Animal farm, where control was needed.

Would Mabel recommend the EzyDog zero shock dog lead?

Yes, the lead is durable and if your dog is a puller the shock absorbing feature will help keep your arms in your sockets.

It especially helped when we took Mabel to Hornsea beach, Hardcastle Crags and Filey Bird Garden and Animal Farm as she nearly yanked my arm off to get to the beach, explore the woods and meet the animals.

EzyDog zero shock dog lead FAQs

What is an anti shock dog leash?

A anti shock dog leash is a lead which has a shock absorbing component that drastically reduces the strain on both dog and owner when a dog pulls. The Ezy Dog zero shock dog lead is an anti shock dog leash.

Do shock absorber leads work?

Yes, a shock absorber lead can help reduce pulling. Without a shock absorber lead, walks can be tough on your arms and shoulders making your walks with your dog less enjoyable. However, with a shock absorber, the sudden jerk from the dog who likes to pull is absorbed leading to a much more comfortable walk. When this happens, I don’t feel half the impact I expect if I used a normal lead due to the bungee function.

Are zero shock leads good?

The Ezy Dog zero shock lead is a great investment for dog owners looking for a no pulling solution. They are great for dogs which pull a lot or lunge quickly. The “zero shock” technology absorbs the force of the sudden change in direction. Making walks much more comfortable for you by limiting stress on your arms and shoulders. But also for the dog by preventing shoulder/spine injuries and sprains.

Other Ezy Dog product reviews

Mabel the staffy cross facing the camera wearing a Ezy Dog chest plate harness in black.

We have also reviewed the Ezy Dog chest plate harness.

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