At Playtime Pet Supplies we understand that dogs love toys! Playtime offers physical and mental benefits to our four-legged clients alike; many provide training aids or keep dogs fit while soothing anxiety issues.
Sinn notes that while no toy can truly withstand repeated chewing and gnawing, many are designed with durable materials such as reinforced seams and double stitched edges to help ensure parts don’t come apart and pose a choking hazard. To find durable toys with long lifespan, look for toys made of materials with reinforced seams or double stitched edges – these will hold up better against chewers!
Chew Toys
An effective chew toy can satisfy your pup’s natural urge to gnaw while also cleaning their teeth and massaging their gums, but with so many choices on the market it can be challenging knowing which will best meet his or her chewing style.
Some dogs are gentle chewers who enjoy soft plush toys such as stuffed animals. But aggressive chewers could damage or consume these soft toys easily, potentially even ripping apart or swallowing the stuffing material completely.
Too hard toys can damage your pet’s teeth and cause oral injuries or break them. In general, if a toy doesn’t indent when pressed with your thumbnail it is too hard and should be avoided.
As part of your choking-hazard prevention strategy, try to find toys with larger pieces or machine-washable properties so they can be cleaned more easily when necessary. There may even be channels where peanut butter or treats can be placed so your dog has something tempting to gnaw on!
Plush Toys
Pet parents often find the toy aisle of their local pet store or online can be an intimidating place. There are so many shapes, sizes and materials to consider that it can be hard to know which toys will bring pleasure or which may harm their dogs teeth and gums.
Avoid toys with ribbons, strings, rubber bands, plastic eyes or other parts that can be easily chewed off or swallowed as these could pose a choking hazard or intestinal obstruction risk. Stuffed toys with sewn-in squeakers may also pose problems for noise sensitive dogs; many squeak-less plush toys are available for those pups that love playing but prefer quieter alternatives to noisy plush toys.
Dogs that do not engage in heavy chewing will benefit greatly from having access to basic balls. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes ranging from tennis balls to glow-in-the-dark flashing or squeaky options; many even feature openings for treats for added entertainment and challenge!
Rope Toys
Rope toys are great way to stimulate mental activity and release pent-up energy in your canine companion, as well as keep their teeth clean thanks to chewing action of chewing on a rope creating a brushing action which reduces tartar build-up. Many rope toys include additional features like squeakers or treats to encourage more play time with chewing action and playtime.
Opt for rope toys constructed of resilient materials that will withstand wear and tear, such as nylon. When selecting one for your pup, be sure to pick the ideal size – as a small toy could quickly become a choking hazard while larger toys could irritate their gums if chewed upon too vigorously.
If you’re having trouble selecting the appropriate rope toy for your dog, Otterly Pets offers a variety pack with two tug toys and a knotted rope that could make the search simpler. This set can offer options for games of fetch and tug of war while its design caters specifically to smaller breeds, making it easier for them to handle.
Treat Dispensers
Treat dispensing toys are great way to keep dogs preoccupied and redirect their mental energy toward productive play rather than anxiety-inducing behaviors. Slow release toys like Kong encourage pawing and chewing for increased engagement during play time, prolonging play.
Food-dispensing toys can also make great options for high-drive or energetic dogs, as they challenge them to work through a puzzle to unlock treats. One such toy, the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball features rotating chambers which can be adjusted as necessary in order to increase or decrease difficulty levels.
Make sure any toys you select for your dog are durable enough for his play style and free from anything that could pose a choking hazard, like string, ribbon, rubber bands, pantyhose or children’s toys. A broken toy may pose a threat, so check it regularly for damage and replace when necessary. During play sessions with any toy be sure to supervise play to avoid pieces accidentally ingestion by your pup causing injury – the best dog toys are ones they enjoy playing with so try different kinds until finding one they love playing with it – your pup may just find his perfect one.
Puzzle Toys
Dog puzzle toys provide an enjoyable way to keep your pup engaged, reducing boredom that may otherwise lead to destructive behaviors like chewing or digging. Furthermore, puzzle toys help satisfy both innate behavioral needs such as foraging and hunting while exercising the mind of your pet.
Many puzzle toys feature treat drawers that require pawing or sniffing to open, making them the ideal choice for dogs that love food or kibble. For something more advanced, the Nina Ottosson puzzle toy requires your dog to spin alternating blocks to access treats or kibble stored within. Plus, its design also helps slow-feed dogs that tend to gobble their meals right down! Perfect for high-energy or intelligent breeds.
Another popular solution is a snuffle mat, which allows your pup to use their nose to search out treats or kibble hidden among fabric strands. Outward Hound’s high-rated version is an excellent starting point and suitable for dogs of all sizes; adding even more treats deeper into its folds for longer hunts can easily change up its challenge level!
