Dog Toys Which to Choose and Why
Dogs are naturally playful and frisky creatures. Therefore, dog toys that encourage natural canine behaviour such as running, playing, trotting, jumping, and chewing are essential items that every pet owner must get. Here are three basic reasons why dog toys are a must:
- Regular physical activity helps keep your dog healthy, improving overall balance and coordination. In fact, in several cases, behaviour problems have been seen to develop in dogs who are not given the right outlet to follow their instincts.
- Fun with toys and games helps them stay mentally sharp and alert.
- Playing can promote excellent bonding between you and your canine fur baby. After a long day, this could even be a stress-buster for you!
However, the pet market today is swarming with options in dog toys, and choosing the right toys can get baffling and overwhelming. Besides, a dog’s toy preference heavily depends on her individualistic style of chewing and playing. You could try getting different types of toys to figure out what she actually fancies. Nevertheless, there are also toys that most dogs will love precisely because they are made keeping dog preferences in mind! Here’s a general list with additional tips for helping you choose the best toys for your dog:
- Discs and Retrieving Toys: Dogs typically enjoy playing fetch and that’s why discs and similar retrieving toys are always a good idea. The disc is slightly more versatile than a simple ball because you can actually change the disc speed and cause it to change direction.
- Plush Toys: Many dogs love plush toys. They either carry them around in their mouths like babies or rip them apart like prey. Made of fleece and soft fabric, plush toys can often provide puppies with a sense of well-being and comfort.
- Balls: A ball is a must-have toy for your canine companion. There are multiple varieties of ball toys for dogs, from the no-frills tennis ball and basic bouncy ball meant for retrieving to glow-in-the-dark balls. Some balls even contain squeakers. When choosing a ball for your dog, make sure it is durable and sturdy enough to withstand gnawing and chewing. Moreover, if the ball is too small, your dog could accidentally swallow it, causing grave physical damage. So it should be small enough to be comfortably held in the mouth, but not so small so as to be swallowed.
- Rope Toys: Made of braided cotton rope, rope toys are ideal for dogs who enjoy tugging, chewing, and fetching. Sometimes these toys come with rubber or plastic parts. Do not let your pet play with these unsupervised, as they could shred strands of rope and ingest them, causing gastrointestinal damage. Discard and replace rope toys once they fray or begin to unravel.
- Interactive Toys: Interactive toys and dog puzzles mentally stimulate your pooch, providing fun, imparting cognitive skills and dispelling boredom and anxiety. Some interactive dog toys are simply treat dispensing toys, while many others serve as basic fetch or tug toys. Then there are dog puzzles that contain food compartments that require your dog to figure out how to get to the food. All in all, these are good for your dog’s mental health.
- Squeaky Toys: Dogs who love to chew and shake their toys will love non-plush squeaky toys. Besides, the squeaker inside these toys makes a noise that keeps them busy and entertained. Available in various sizes and shapes, squeaky toys are commonly made of rubber, plastic, or vinyl. If your canine baby is an aggressive chewer, it’s best to get squeaky toys made of thick rubber.
Before You Choose a Dog Toy…
As responsible dog mums and dads, we must pay attention to safety when choosing a dog toy. Avoid toys that contain hazardous chemicals or are adorned with ribbon strips, beads, metal twines, rubber bands, and string. Make sure to buy right-sized toys; toys that are too small may be swallowed and get lodged in your pet’s throat. It is important to discard toys when they break or start coming apart. Most importantly, do not leave your dog unattended with toys, even if they are labelled “safe”. All in all, toys make life fun for your doggo baby and you must invest in them, irrespective of your pet’s age, size, & breed!
