How to Choose the Right Toy for Your Dog

Sometimes it’s not that easy to choose the right toys for your beloved dog because there are so many different toys in the shops today.

5-Minute Crafts would like to tell you about what you should focus on when choosing a toy for your pet.

A dog’s age

When choosing a toy, be sure to consider the age of your dog. For example, small puppies still have baby teeth, so it’s better to choose toys made from soft rubber, plush, or other soft fabrics.

From 3 to 9 months, puppies are teething, and toys made from hard rubber should be avoided during this period. Besides, dogs chew on everything at this age, so the more toys they have, the less likely they are to chew on your slippers.

Once the teething phase passes, the dog’s jaw is strong enough for hard toys and rope pulls.

The jaws and teeth of senior dogs are no longer as strong, so it’s worth buying soft toys they can chew on. It’s also useful for senior dogs to play games that stimulate their activity, for example, with sticks and balls.

Size

The size of a toy must be proportional to the size of your dog. For example, balls should be large enough for your dog to comfortably carry them in its mouth, but not too small for it to swallow.

There is a rule which will help you choose the toy of the right size for your pet. You need to make sure that the toy isn’t small enough to fit behind your dog’s rear molars. Otherwise, it’s a choking hazard.

Material

If a toy has parts that the dog can chew off and swallow, such as ribbons or threads, they should be removed. Replace toys as soon as you see they’re damaged or start to fall apart, otherwise the dog can choke on them.

Be sure to check the labels on stuffed toys for information about the materials they are made from and the filling materials. Problem fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but even fillings that are considered safe aren’t truly digestible.

Best options

• Active toys are a great choice for any dog. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. For dogs that like chewing toys, there are rope and woven toys. Rubber or tennis balls are a great choice too but they wear out rather quickly.
• Toys with treats can keep your pet busy for hours. These toys can be filled with your dog’s favorite food. They are designed so that the animal needs to get to the treat, for example, by moving various parts of the toy with its paws, nose, or teeth.
• Soft stuffed toys are good for many reasons. For example, many dogs like to carry their favorite toy with them. If so, make sure that it’s large enough and your pet can’t swallow it. Other dogs prefer to shake and tear soft toys with their teeth. If so, it’s worth buying sturdy toys capable to withstand your dog’s attacks.