Dog toys play an essential role in your dog’s physical and emotional well-being. Toys help your dog to keep freedom at bay when you leave him at home alone. They also help your dog to get comfortable when he’s feeling nervous. Additionally, toys can prevent your dog from getting some problem behaviors.
There are some scary reports concerning toxins in dog toys, but the good news is that dog toys are safe for dogs. There are specific safe dog toys available in the market that can guarantee your dog’s safety; these products are safe for your dog to chase, chew, and bite.
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How do You Ensure Your Dog’s Safety during Playtime?
Many factors determine whether a dog toy is safe or not. Some of these factors include your dog’s preferences, activity level, and size. Also, the environment where your dog will play with the toy is a determiner. For instance, getting a small toy for a larger dog isn’t recommended since the dog can choke on the small parts.
If you have purchased a squeaky toy for your dog, it’s important to supervise him during playtime; some dogs become curious and try to find and destroy the source of the sound, meaning that they may swallow it if left unsupervised.
Avoiding or altering dog toys that aren’t “dog-proof” ensures the safety of your dog. You can alter these toys by removing eyes, strings, small parts, or ribbons since they can be chewed and swallowed. Dog toys that start breaking into pieces or getting worn out should be discarded.
Before purchasing any stuffed dog toys, confirm that they don’t have any dangerous fillings and they are clearly labeled as safe for children below three years. Some fillings that you need to avoid include polystyrene beads and nutshells. Additionally, all soft dog toys must be machine washable. Choosing dog toys manufactured using hard rubber makes it safer for your dog.
Recommended Safe Dog Toys
Active toys
Dog toys made using hard rubber are the safest, and they come in various sizes and shapes. They are fun to play with and chew. If your dog enjoys chewing on intriguing textures and tug-of-war, consider getting him the rope and woven dog toys. Tennis balls are ideal toys for fetching, but always remember to discard those that have become worn out.
Distraction toys
These are dog toys that allow you to fill them with your dog’s broken-up treats; this keeps your dog preoccupied for a long time in your absence. “Feeder” or “busy-box” dog toys are larger than the usual distraction toys, and they can be filled with your dog’s treats. Your dog reaches his treats by moving the toy around with his paws, mouth, and nose. These toys are very safe for dogs who eat food too quickly.
Comfort toys
These are stuffed dog toys used by dogs for comfort. These toys are safe for dogs who view their toys as companions. Ensure that the toy is small enough for your dog to carry it around.
Although cats are very fussy about toys, dogs are always willing to play with any object they come across; this means that you’ll have to be very careful when purchasing dog toys to ensure your dog’s safety.
