If your dog has a favorite, like a soft comfort toy, you may want to leave it out all the time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. Rotate your dog's toys weekly by making only a few toys available at a time. Some dogs want to shake or 'kill' their toys, so choose one that's large enough to prevent accidental swallowing and sturdy enough to withstand the dog’s attacks.ĭirty laundry, such as an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel or blanket, can be very comforting to a dog, especially if the item smells like you! Be forewarned that the item could be destroyed by industrious fluffing, carrying and nosing.If your dog sees their toy as a companion, pick one that's small enough to carry. Some dogs like to carry around soft toys.Here are a few tips for choosing the right stuffed toy: Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but they aren't appropriate for all dogs. Many dogs who tend to eat their food too quickly benefit from being fed through a feeder-style toy. By moving the cube around with their nose, mouth and paws, your dog can get to the goodies. 'Busy-box' or 'feeder' toys are large rubber shapes that can be filled with treats. (If your veterinarian says your dog can eat peanut butter, make sure it is not sweetened with xylitol-which is toxic to dogs-and add some to the crushed-up treats for a tastier, and busier, snack!) Kong®-type toys, especially when filled with broken-up treats, can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. Discard any tennis balls that have been chewed through, as they can pose a choking hazard to your pet. Tennis balls make great dog toys for fetching, but don’t stand up to chewing very well. For dogs that like tug-of-war and chewing on interesting textures, rope and woven toys are usually available in a 'bone' shape with knotted ends. Hard rubber toys such as Nylabone® and Kong®-type products come in many shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and carrying around.

For a humane alternative, consider toys made of very hard rubber, which are safer and last longer. Many rawhides are byproducts of the cruel international fur trade. These toys may pose choking hazards, so give them to your dog only when you can supervise them. If you're thinking about giving your dog rawhide chew toys, be sure to check with your veterinarian about which ones are safe and appropriate for your dog. Remember that soft toys are not indestructible, but some are sturdier than others. Problem fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but even 'safe' stuffings aren't truly digestible. Check labels on stuffed toys to see that they are labeled as safe for children under three years of age and that they don't contain any dangerous fillings. Discard toys when they start to break into pieces or are torn. Supervise your dog's play with squeaky toys: your dog may feel that they must find and destroy the source of the squeaking, which means they could ingest it if left unwatched.Īvoid or alter any toys that aren't 'dog-proof' by removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could be chewed off and ingested. Toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your dog's throat. Dog-proof your home by removing string, ribbon, rubber bands, children's toys, pantyhose and other inedible items that could be swallowed.īe sure to buy toys of appropriate size for your dog. The things that are usually most attractive to dogs are often the very things that are the most dangerous. Although we can't guarantee the safety of any specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines. Another thing to consider is the environment where your dog spends their time. Many factors contribute to the safety or danger of a toy, and a number of them depend upon your dog's size, activity level and preferences. That means you'll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog's playtime to prevent any 'unscheduled' activities. Toys can even help prevent your dog from developing certain problem behaviors.Īlthough cats can be pretty picky about toys, dogs are often more than willing to play with any object they can get their paws on. Toys help fight boredom when you have to leave your dog at home, and provide comfort when they’re feeling nervous.

Toys are important to your dog’s well-being. For dogs and other pets, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.

Tiny balls on ends of string