To play or not to play - that is the question
Toys for your dogs are not only meant to keep them busy and out of mischief, but it plays an important role in a puppy's mental and emotional development.
The type that work best will depend on your dogs age, size, breed, and safety.
Continue reading to find out more!
Choosing the right toys for your fur baby might sound easy, but there are several factors that can make a big difference in your dogs safety and enjoyment.
Some pet parents may consider toys a luxury, but toys for your dog are more than just play tools. The best options can increase the bond between the dog and its owner. The right toy plays an important role in helping regulate behavior, in addition to maintaining their mental and emotional wellbeing.
To help you make the best selection, here is a bit of advice. Ask yourself, what does my fur baby like?
Notice the behaviors he or she naturally exhibit and link those behaviors with toys that help them perform similar actions.
For example, if your dog likes to dig, rather than digging in your customized garden, you can create a sandpit for him or her to play in - and if your dog likes chewing your things, you can get a chew toy with a treat inside.
Whatever behavior your fur baby exhibits, match those behaviors to the right toys to help him or her express those behaviors.
How to make the right choice?
The number of toys on the market today are countless, so it can be daunting to choose the best one. Here are some factors you should consider.
Age
The age of your dog is important in choosing a toy for him/her. Young puppies with baby teeth should get toys with soft rubbers. Pups like to chew on almost everything, giving him/her a hard rubber toy will end up damaging his/her teeth. As they grow older, they’ll prefer interactive toys to chewable toys. Interactive toys keep older dogs mentally busy and physically active. When they get to advanced ages, switch back to the softer items.
Size
Take note of the toy size you get your dog. Large toys might be too tough for puppies, it might even end up causing teeth and jaw problems for the dog and large dogs can easily swallow small toys and this can cause serious health issues.
Breed
Different dog breeds come with unique traits that are peculiar to the breed. Some breeds are more aggressive than others, some are more friendly than others, and some a more relatable than others. The aggressive ones will play aggressively with hard materials while the less aggressive ones will prefer materials they can shred easily.
Safety
The excitement of your dog is important but there is nothing more important than his/her safety. It’s important to make sure that the toy you’re buying is non-toxic and will not cause any form of harm to the dog. Rubber, nylon, and plastic toys are advisable, any other type of toy materials should be avoided.
Different types of dog toys.
There are loads of different types of dog toys out there, consider these four toy varieties when shopping for your dog, these types of toys are the most appropriate for almost any kind of dogs.
1. Ball toys
There are foam balls, plush balls, and rubber balls. These different balls bounce in different ways, some can float on water, and others can glow in the dark. The ball toy is an amazing way to keep your dog happy and active. Get the right ball size for your dog and make sure it is made of durable material so the dog doesn’t chew them into tiny bits and end up swallowing them.
2. Treats and chewable toys
It’s true that every toy can be a chew toy for dogs but there are toys made specifically to be chewed on. These chewable toys are made with durable materials like hard rubber and nylon. Some chewable toys can even be stuffed with treats for long-lasting entertainment while others are just made to be chewed on and nothing more. Whichever chewable you prefer, they’re both great for your dog’s entertainment.
3. Plush toys
Plush toys are not 100% advisable for your dogs because they can easily rip them apart and ingest them. But unfortunately, the plush toy is preferred by most dogs to ball toys and chewable toys. Puppies like the fact that they can easily destroy plush toys because it looks like they just won the battle so they will always prefer it to other toys. Keep an eye on your puppy to make sure they don’t swallow the plush or you can avoid getting them plush toys entirely.
4.Food dispensing toys
Every pet parent should have food dispensing toys in their homes. There is nothing more fun for dogs than eating and playing. This type of toys come in different sizes and are usually made with plastic or rubber.
Avoid these things when choosing toys for your dog:
Keep this in mind, dogs are usually attracted to things that are most dangerous. It’s important to dog-proof your home by avoiding certain toys and removing things like rubber bands, ribbons, strings, and other inedible materials that can be swallowed. Here are a few things to avoid when choosing toys for your dog:
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Wooden and painted toys should be avoided. Wood can splinter and cause internal injuries, while painted toys can be toxic to the dog when chewed.
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Cheap rubber and plastic toys can be fatal for your dog. Most dogs like to chew stuff and if these materials are chewed and digested, they can cause serious internal injuries which can lead to death.
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Some toys come with plastic squeakers, these squeaks sound like prey animals to the dog and can trigger irrational behaviors in the dog.
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When getting a toy ball for your dog, make sure it’s the right size so the dog doesn’t swallow them.
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Tennis balls should be avoided because your dog can chew on the fluffy skin and it can cause problems for the dog when ingested.
Final thoughts
Always keep an eye on your dog to know how it’s holding up with the toy. If the toy becomes damaged, you should replace them with new ones. I know we would like these toys to last a lifetime but these canines are built to tear, crush, and rip. The best you can do for them is to provide them with appropriate toys to help better their fun activities.
For pet parents, it’s nice to see their pets play, and choosing the best pet toys is important for your relationship with the dog. Whether you are watching him jump around or playing a game of fetch, the right toys will help you bond more with your dog.