Safest Toys for Dogs

Make Sure Your Furry Friend Only Plays With The Safest Toys For Dogs

Did you know that toys are necessary for dogs to live their best lives? It’s true. All work and no play make Fido a dull boy (sort of like humans). But do you know how to spot the safest toys for dogs?

Toys give your dog mental and physical stimulation, fight boredom, relieve stress and provide comfort. But you have to be careful when choosing your pup’s playthings. To reduce the chances that your pet might chew up and swallow toy pieces, always choose items that are appropriate for your animal’s size and jaw strength.

What Toys Should You Avoid?

To protect your pet, avoid toys with:• Strings• Ribbons• Rubber bands• Small pieces

Dogs can easily tear these off, creating a choking hazard.

As much as dogs love squeaky toys, they aren’t always the best option. Especially if your dog has a strong chewing instinct. If your pet breaks the surface, it could get to the source of the squeaking. This is generally a small piece of plastic that could get lodged in your dog’s throat.

Also, stay away from toys with filling such as beans or beads. Even soft fillings are not digestible. The good news is that many toys on the market today don’t contain any stuffing at all.

Finally, you also want to make sure that toys aren’t going to damage your pet’s teeth. Anything that’s made of hard plastic, metal, bone, hooves or antlers can chip a dog’s teeth. What’s more, these types of toys and treats can splinter or erode into sharp edges that can hurt your pooch’s mouth.

Safest Toys For Dogs

While not every toy is safe for your dog, plenty are.

The safest toys for dogs are constructed with durable materials that are resistant to chewing and breaking. They’re also big enough that they won’t accidentally slip down your pet’s throat.

Toys that are designed for fetching should be made of hard rubber. Kong and Nylabone are two brands that make resilient tossing toys. If you’re old school, feel free to play fetch using tennis ball s or Frisbees. Just make sure your pet is supervised and that you throw out these toys if they become cracked or damaged.

Feeder toys are usually made of rubber and can be stuffed with food. Be sure to monitor your dog several times before leaving it unsupervised with these types of toys.  Once you’re confident that your pup won’t destroy its feeder toy, you can use it when you’re out of the house (just be sure not to overfeed your dog).

Like kids (and aren’t dogs our furry babies?), some pups are comforted by plush toys. They may carry them around the house like a cuddly companion – or shake their plush toys to death. Either way, once the plush starts falling apart her pet squirrel, it’s time to get your BFF a new plush BFF.

How to Make the Best Toys for Dogs Last

Depending on your dog, toys can last for years – or days. To make your pup’s toys last as long as possible, keep a limited variety available. Rotate them weekly so that your dog doesn’t get bored. And examine them periodically for signs of damage. If you suspect that a toy could break apart in your dog’s mouth, discard it immediately (no matter how much your pooch loves it).

No matter how “indestructible” a toy may be, a rambunctious canine may be able to destroy even the safest toy. If you think that your furry friend has swallowed a toy, take it to the vet ASAP. Items that get lodged in your pet’s digestive system can be extremely dangerous.

To make sure you’re covered for the unexpected, get Spot Pet Insurance. You’ll love it almost as much as your dog loves its toys.