Dogs need toys to stimulate their minds, combat boredom and provide comfort when stressed – however not all toys are created equally.
Before selecting a toy for your pup, it is essential that you understand their playing style and chewing habits. Also remember that all play should be monitored closely in order to avoid accidents or injuries.
1. Chewy Toys
No matter the breed of dog, most can enjoy chewing and playing with various toys. When choosing toys for your pup’s enjoyment it’s essential that they are safe so as to not cause ingestion or damage their teeth. Ballantyne points out that chewing is an instinctual behaviour used for mental stimulation, relieving anxiety and keeping teeth clean – toy can be used as an effective tool to redirect their natural chewing behavior away from furniture or shoes and towards toys instead.
Choose durable materials like rubber, plastic, nylon or fabric to withstand your pup’s chewing. Softer materials may be safer for teething pups. Try toys filled with treats for added fun when chewing!
Kong brand toys provide excellent solutions, such as bone-shaped toy and ring toy options designed for intensive chewers. Fling it around the yard for fetch games or fill it with peanut butter for an engaging chew session. Wubba toy also offer durable chewability with two balls attached by strings for tug-of-war play with your pup!
2. Balls
Dogs love playing with balls, Frisbees and other toys that provide an outlet for excess energy. Playtime with these toys can be fun for both you and your dog and can help eliminate behavior problems like digging or chewing shoes, furniture or shrubbery. When selecting toys for your pup make sure they are small enough for him/her to chew without becoming choking hazards.
Tennis balls are an obvious favorite with dogs as they fit perfectly between their back teeth and bounce erratically, making them great for fetching games. Holl-ee roller balls offer another excellent alternative that makes chasing and grabbing easier, and can even be filled with treats or kibble to keep pups engaged for extended play sessions.
Nina Ottosson puzzle toys provide smart canines an opportunity to exercise their minds. Each Nina Ottosson puzzle toy features slim openings designed to hide food or treats for an engaging mental and physical challenge that keeps dogs active mentally and physically. If your pup prefers tugging toys instead, try the Tug Disc or an Indestructible Frisbee instead!
3. Squeaky Toys
Squeaky toys captivate dogs, encouraging playtime. Dogs are attracted to squeaky toys due to the high-pitched sound mimicking prey noises; furthermore, squeaky toys release dopamine and oxytocin into the environment – plus chewing can even help improve dental health by scraping away plaque and tartar build-up!
When purchasing a squeaky toy for your dog, be mindful of their playstyle and chewing habits. Plush toys with lots of stuffing may become chewed apart quickly by aggressive chewers, creating a potential choking hazard. Rubber and plastic toys tend to be more durable – plush may become unusable over time due to aggressive chewing – while they offer greater shapes and sizes variety than plush.
Look for non-toxic toys with quality squeakers that won’t wear out or break easily, then monitor your dog during playtime and remove any worn out or destroyed toys to prevent overstimulation or turning other objects like your furniture into sources of entertainment.
4. Stuffed Toys
If your pup loves chasing and catching things, toys that allow him to do both can be great fun. Smith suggests finding tug toys with double-bungee cords so they’ll withstand being pulled on vigorously without coming apart or fraying; additionally she advises selecting toys without small parts that could pose as potential choking hazards and that are made by reliable manufacturers to withstand wear-and-tear of an intense game of tug.
Stuffed animal toys that promote brain games such as puzzles can also help alleviate boredom and curb inappropriate behaviors. This plush rat with crinkles and squeakers makes an excellent option for dogs who enjoy shaking or carrying toys around, as it is soft but sturdy enough to stand up to such activity.
Flopsie offers this adorable 12″ plush King Charles Spaniel for children to play with and is an ideal playmate, since these pups are known to be affectionate and loving towards their owners as well as adapt well to new environments and need regular physical activity. Plush toys make great playmates because these furry companions love sitting on laps and being taken on adventures!
5. Rope Toys
Rope toys can be an excellent way to distract a chewer while at the same time keeping their teeth clean. Most rope toys feature multiple strings twisted together that come loose when your pet plays and chews on them, with any loose fibers falling off during playtime. Always inspect toys after every play session for any strings which could potentially be swallowed as any ingestion could lead to linear foreign bodies forming within your pup’s gastrointestinal tract causing accordion-like pleating or even obstruction.
Some rope toys come equipped with additional features to add an extra level of entertainment and durability for your dog, such as this squeak-less toy from Otterly’s made with 100% undyed cotton and free from stuffing.
If your dog is an aggressive chewer, choose a rope toy with enough strength to withstand frequent chewing sessions. Also consider purchasing one designed specifically to promote canine dental health with mint-scented floss, fluoride and baking soda to keep his/her teeth clean while playing.
