Every dog is different. From the prolific chewers to the toy destroyers, habits differ. Often dogs love to play and choosing the best toy for your dog is important. After all, it forms part of their development and wellbeing.
Some dogs naturally have an instinct to swallow anything insight. With this in mind, it’s important to recognise that all toys can present a hazard depending on your dogs habits.
Purchasing a toy for your dog
There are many factors to consider before purchasing a toy for your dog. Your dog’s size, their personal preference and their general activity level should all be taken into consideration.
Always consider your dog’s age. Softer toys with rubber or soft fabrics are most suitable for puppies. This is because they’re teething. They’ll also be trying to chew on a range of items so it’s best to have a variety of toys to hand. Don’t forget, as they grow and mature, their toys will need to change too.
Once teething passes, your dog will naturally have a stronger jaw meaning they can play with much harder toys. Although senior dogs won’t necessarily have the same jaw or tooth strength as a young adult, it’s important to provide a selection of softer toys to chew and play with that encourage them to keep their mind and body active. Luckily, there are plenty of options available.
Size and habits
Always choose toys relative to your dog’s size and their habits. If your dog is a chewer, a toy that is too soft can break into pieces and become a choking hazard often causing serious harm. If at any point you notice a toy starting to show signs of damage, remove this immediately.
From balls, discs, plush toys, squeakies, rope toys, tug toys, interactive dog puzzles and food dispensary toys, there are plenty of options available. The right size toy is important. A toy too small can be swallowed very easily.
Kong make a variety of highly popular rubber chew toys and interactive feeders. Kong toys are great for mental stimulation and they can often keep your dog occupied for hours. They come in varying shapes and sizes, depending on the size of your dog. It’s always best to seek advice from a retail professional or veterinary nurse before purchasing.
Monitor your dog when playing
Like with any toy, dogs can become excited when playing so no matter what size you have chosen for your dog, it’s a good idea to always monitor them when playing with any toy.
Balls and other toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your dog’s mouth or throat. Remember, they should be large enough to carry, but not too small.
It’s incredibly important to keep an eye on your dog when they are enjoying playtime with a toy. This is in case you need to intervene at any point.
Choosing the most appropriate toy for your dog
Be mindful when choosing a toy for your dog. Consider the shape, size and material of the toy. Sharp, pointy objects can cause harm to your dog and should be avoided. If you notice a toy is shredded or damaged at all, remove and replace with a much more durable toy so your dog is not at risk of swallowing any of the material. Unfortunately, no toy is indestructible.
The choice of dog toys on the market is endless, but which one is most suitable for your dog? Fortunately, our pet care store is fully stocked with appropriate toys for every dog. Our expert staff are always on hand to advise. Whilst we aren’t open to the public currently due to current restrictions, you are able to purchase stock from our pet care store via telephone.
For advice on choosing the most appropriate toy for your dog, please call our pet care retail team via 01332 678333.
