9 Right Toys For Your Dog
Chewing is normal canine behavior for dogs. However, certain dogs will chew more than others. In this situation, toys are essential items for all dogs. If dogs don’t play, they can develop behavioral issues. There are nearly endless dog toy options, including toy squirrel for dogs, plush toys, balls, discs, and more. Therefore, choosing the right toys for your dog can be a bit challenging for you.
Dog owners sometimes end up with a pile of toys gathering dust because the toys they choose do not appeal to their pets. Dogs have a preference for toys depending on their style of playing and chewing. You should choose toys that your dog will like. You should try a few different types of toys for your dog and see which ones they like to play with and chew on.
Put a few of them away for a while if you seem to have too many toys, then reintroduce them later. They’ll seem new to your dog after a few months. The following list can serve as a guide for choosing the right dog toys.
Plush Toys For Dogs
Plush toys are incredibly popular with dogs. Some dogs will carry the toys around like babies, while others are more likely to tear them to pieces. A stuffed dog toy usually has a squeaker and some kind of stuffing. They are often ripped apart by dogs, and the stuffing goes everywhere. Many dogs seem to destroy the squeaker in order to kill their prey. They sometimes shake the toy even after they’ve ripped it up.
When playing with plush toys, such as a screaming chicken toy, you should supervise your dog in order to prevent them from swallowing stuffing or squeakers, which can cause intestinal obstructions. Despite the fact that plush toys will not last long when chewed on by aggressive chewers, they can still be entertaining with supervision. Extra-tough plush toys are available for longer chewing.
Tip: Try a stuffing-free toy if you are tired of picking up the stuffing from your dog’s plush toys.
Dog Balls
There is no doubt that a ball is a must-have toy for any dog that enjoys playing fetch. Balls for dogs are available in many varieties, from simple tennis balls to the more innovative glow-in-the-dark balls to flashing lights. There are also squeakers in many of the dog balls. Some of the dog balls also have holes that can be filled with dog treats. However, some of the dog balls are simply bouncers meant for retrieving.
Choosing a ball for your dog should be based on its size and comfort with its mouth. Pick one with a size that is large enough for them to carry without accidentally swallowing it but small enough to fit comfortably in their mouth. For most dogs, the normal tennis ball size will be fine, though there are also extra-large balls for giant dogs and tiny balls for tiny dogs.
Do not leave tennis balls lying around for your dog to chew on. The material in tennis balls can wear down your dog’s teeth. Additionally, swallowing chewed-off pieces can cause choking or gastrointestinal obstruction in your dog.
Discs And Other Retrieving Toys For Dogs
The dogs that like ball playing and fetch are also likely to enjoy discs and other retrieval toys. As the name suggests, the disc is much more versatile than a ball when it comes to fetching due to the fact that the disc’s speed can be varied, and its direction can be changed. By providing your dog with a variety of exercise options, you will prevent boredom. There are many different materials that people use to make alternative fetch toys, including rubber, plastic, rope, or wood.
Tip: Buy your dog a toy that involves retrieving discs if he loves to fetch discs.
Squeaky Or Non-Plush Dog Toys
There are a variety of non-plush squeaky toys available. The majority of them are made from vinyl, rubber, or plastic. If your dog chews frequently, choose wisely according to its durability. For aggressive chewers, thick rubber is best. For mild chewers, thinner vinyl or plastic is better. Thinner squeaky toys have the advantage of typically being inexpensive but unfortunately, they don’t last very long.
Rope Toys For Dogs
A rope toy is a toy made of braided rope, and sometimes it also contains rubber or plastic parts. Your dogs can use it for playing fetch, tug-of-war, or simply to chew on. Rope toys are popular with dogs mostly because they are fun to play with. It is important to be aware that many dogs can easily shred rope toys and may ingest the pieces. The result could be serious gastrointestinal problems. Always supervise your dog when playing with rope toys and you should throw away your rope toy if it begins to unravel.
Tug Dog Toys
Tug-of-war is a favorite game for many dogs. This is a good example of the dog’s predatory nature, and it’s also a great way to maintain a dog’s mental and physical fitness. It is common to find several types of tug toys in the market in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Most commonly seen are rope and rubber tug toys. You should choose a tug toy that is comfortable for you to hold and pull, as well as easy for your dog to bite and pull. Toys should also be durable enough to resist your dog’s pulling strength. You should always replace worn-out or fraying tug toys, so they don’t break during a game of tug-of-war and hurt someone.
Floating Toys For Dogs
For dogs who love swimming, floating toys are great. The floating balls, rings, and other toys are easy for your dog to find and pick up in the water because the materials manufacturers use in the toy are foam, rubber, or plastic.
Food-Dispensing Toys For Dogs
Every dog’s household should have toys that dispense food and treats. They are fun and mentally stimulating for dogs and a great way to channel their energy. Food dispensing dog toys are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many of the most popular food dispensing dog toys can hold treats such as kibble, peanut butter, and other foods. Your dog will enjoy playing with them for hours on end.
Interactive Toys and Dog Puzzles
Dog puzzles and interactive toys engage your dog’s mind in a similar way to food dispensing toys. The purpose of dog puzzles is to challenge your dog. Your dog must figure out how to find the food or treats that are hidden inside compartments and mechanisms. Interactive dog toys and puzzles can help your dog learn some new skills and keep them mentally stimulated. Playing puzzles with built-in rewards is a great way to make learning fun.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of what type of toy your dog has, any part or whole of them can pose a choking hazard if swallowed. The edges of sharp or frayed toys can also cause injuries to your dog. Be sure to supervise play, especially if your dog is an aggressive chewer. It does not matter how durable a toy seems, it can still be chewed off and swallowed. You should discard all the damaged toys.