How to choose dog toys?
For families with dogs, playing and chewing are natural behaviors of dogs, and dog toys have become a must-have for every family that raising dogs. How to choose dog toys has become a compulsory course for every pet owner.
When raising dogs, did you buy a lot of toys for them according to your preferences, and found that none of these toys could arouse the interest of the dogs, and they became decorations in the corner, but you will find the dogs do not play the toy that you buy, and instead, it’s will play or bit other things. Do you feel headaches and confusion about these abnormal behaviors of dogs?
Dogs exhibit this behavior because different dogs have different preferences for toys, depending on how they play and chew. You can try a few different types of toys to see what they like. If you have too many toys, you can try to hide some away and take another out after a while, your dog will think it is a new toy.
Degao Pet Supplies has compiled 9 different types and functions of dog toys for your reference to choose the right one!
1. How to choose dog toys – Ball Toys
A must-have favorite for any dog who loves to play a game of catch, the ball!
Ball toys for dogs come in many varieties, from basic tennis or rubber balls to glow-in-the-dark and flashing balls, and there are plenty of balls that make noise or can be filled with treats.
When you’re choosing a ball for your dog, pay attention to the size. Choose a ball that is large enough for your dog to bite and run without accidentally swallowing it, but not too large to fit comfortably in the mouth. A basic tennis ball size is fine for most dogs, but giant dogs may need an oversized ball, and smaller dogs a smaller size.
In general, don’t leave tennis balls near dogs for them to bite. This material in tennis balls can cause wear and tear on your dog’s teeth. Additionally, the chewed-off fragments can cause choking or gastrointestinal obstruction if swallowed. The correct way to play tennis is that you throw the ball and let the dog retrieve it for you, playing a circuit game. Instead of letting the dog hold the ball and chew it.
2. Frisbees and other toys
Dogs who love balls and fetch will often also enjoy Frisbees and other touring toys.
Frisbees are more versatile than balls because you can change the disc’s speed and direction of flight. This will be more of a challenge for your dog and never get bored again. Alternative touring toys are usually made of rubber, plastic, string, or other materials.
3. How to choose dog toys – Plush toys
Many dogs love plush toys. They will carry them around like babies or tear them apart like prey. Plush toys are often stuffed with squeaky stuffing. Dogs will also often tear at them, getting the stuffing all over the place. Some dogs seem to try to “kill” their “prey” by destroying the squeak. They also sometimes walk around with their “prey”.
Be present when your dog is playing with stuffed animals to prevent him from swallowing the stuffing, which can cause gastrointestinal obstruction.
A plush toy won’t “survive” for a long time in a frantic biting situation, but it’s still a toy your dog will happily play with if you’re watching over it.
4. Sound toys (not plush)
Non-plush sound toys come in many shapes and sizes. Usually made of vinyl, rubber, or plastic. Durability varies, so choose wisely based on your dog’s habits.
In general, thick rubber is best for aggressive bites. Thinner vinyl or plastic toys are better for gentle chewing or for playing in situations where you can always be by your side. The upside of thinner-sounding toys is that they are usually cheap, the downside is that they don’t last very long.
5. Rope Toys
Bite string toys are made of braided string and sometimes have rubber or plastic parts. Rope chew toys can be used for retrieval, tug-of-war, or simply for dogs to chew.
Many dogs like rope toys, but it is not ruled out that some dogs are not interested in the rope at all.
Be aware that some dogs have a biting ability and can easily shred string toys and possibly swallow some of the pieces in their stomachs. Doing so may cause severe gastrointestinal obstruction. So, try not to let your dog play with rope toys unsupervised unless you know very well that he won’t chew on them. When your rope toy starts to fall apart, it’s best to throw it away and change it for a new one.
Tips:
It is best to let your dog chew on the rope toy once a day, to keep the teeth clean. Because when chewing rope toys, the rope can produce the same effect as a dog toothbrush, which can slow down the accumulation of tartar.
6. Pull toys
Many dogs love to play tug of war. It’s a healthy display of carnivore instincts, as well as great mental and physical exercise.
There are drag toys on the market in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Often seen made of string and or rubber. Choose a pull toy that is comfortable for you to hold in your hand, but also easy for your dog to bite and pull. Plus, the pull toy you choose should be durable enough to withstand the upper limits of your dog’s power. If the pulling toy is severely worn, it should be replaced in time, otherwise, it may break during the tug-of-war between you and the dog, which may cause accidents and hurt people or dogs.
Tip: When not playing tug-of-war, keep your dog’s tug toys out of his sight. That way, when you take it out, the dog will happily play tug of war with you.
7. How to choose dog toys – Float toys
Floating toys are great options for dogs who like to swim. Float toys are usually made of foam, rubber, or plastic materials, such as floating balls and rings, which are easy for your dog to find and hold in the water.
Tip: Choose toys that are specifically designed to play in the water, so they won’t sink or fill up with water. Always rinse and dry after use to prevent mildew.
8. Food Dispensing toys
Every family with a dog recommends buying one or more Food Dispensing toys. It can bring fun and sensory stimulation to dogs, and it is also a great way for them to release energy. Food Dispensing toys come in all shapes and sizes and are usually made of rubber or plastic.
The Food Dispensing toy for dogs can be stuffed with treats, dog food, peanut butter, and more. This little toy will keep your dog entertained for an hour or two.
Tip: Try filling the toy with peanut butter or plain yogurt and freezing it. This makes it more challenging for dogs to eat the food inside, and they can play for a long time.
9. How to choose dog toys – Puzzle toys
The classification of interactive toys includes the above-mentioned missing food toys, as well as drag toys, or touring toys. These are all based on your interaction with your dog. It can cultivate affection and make dogs like to play with you more.
Puzzle toys are designed to challenge your dog. Puzzle toys provide spatial separation and mechanisms for obtaining food. Hide the treat inside and ask the dog to figure out how to get it.
It does require a certain IQ. Some dogs will never tire of figuring out how to get food, but others will give up after trying it. But in any case, you can try to guide the dog, or do some demonstration actions, which is also a learning and mental stimulation for the dog, instead of being drowsy all day long. The most important thing is to let him see that food is available, and that he will be willing to try it.
The following toys are very important for the health and safety of dogs. Degao recommended that you pay attention to them when playing with toys for dogs:
All toys are at risk of being bitten by dogs and swallowing pieces, or even whole toys. Please pay attention to whether the toy is the right size.
A broken toy will have sharp edges that can cause injury to your dog while they are playing. Please check whether the toy is suitable for use before giving it to your dog. If it is not suitable for further use, stop using it immediately and replace it.
When dogs play with toys, it is best to play under the supervision of their owners, especially those dogs who will crazily bite toys. To avoid accidental swallowing or injury of fragments when the toy is broken.
