It's unusual to find a dog that doesn't enjoy playing with some kind of toy. Most dogs will choose one form of the toy over another, even if it isn’t the plush, filled variety that we typically think of when we think of dog toys. Or they could create their toy out of something that isn't a toy, like a stick or a balled-up piece of paper.
Do Dogs Really Love Toys?
Dogs require mental stimulation as they do physical activity, such as walks, to maintain good health and happiness. Mental focus produces a tired, content dog, whether they are chasing a ball, catching a frisbee, or trying to get the kibble out of a puzzle toy.
When you don’t give your doggo enough mental or physical stimulation, they frequently find other ways to release their pent-up energy, including chewing on their owner's socks or damaging furniture. Because of this, it's crucial to provide your dog with plenty of stimulation.
Moreover, toys are vital to your dog's growth. When we have a dog, one of the first things we do is go out and purchase them a toy, so it appears we know it intuitively. Our dogs get mental and physical stimulation from toys. They’ll reach for their toy if they are bored. They will go for a toy if they feel the need to chew. Additionally, they might curl up with a toy if they just want to relax. For our dogs, toys fill a need.
What Toys Should I Give to My Dog?
When searching for stimulating and engaging toys for dogs, you’ll come across different types. Your dog's breed, temperament, and habits will all play a significant role in the toy types that suit them the best. What entertains one dog may not amuse another, and most critically, some dogs may not be able to safely play with specific toys (such as "aggressive chewers" that frequently rip apart and destroy their toys).
Here is what you need to know about each dog toy type to make an informed decision, so you buy the correct one for your pup instead of purchasing many that’ll easily get destroyed or your dog loses interest in it.
Types of Dog Toys
Chew Toys
Dogs have a strong natural urge to chew, so providing them with suitable chew toys lowers the risk of damaging your possessions. It's best to avoid soft, stuffed toys if your dog is a destructive chewer since the filling or squeaker provides an obstruction risk if they ingest it and it gets stuck in their intestines. For these dogs, toys made of hard rubber or reinforced durable nylon or cloth are preferable.
Distraction Toys
A puppy or dog can play with a Kong®-style toy for hours, especially if filled with broken-up treats. If your vet allows your dog to eat peanut butter, ensure it doesn’t have xylitol (hazardous to dogs) and mix it into the crushed-up goodies for a more enticing and active snack.
You can fill large rubber shapes known as "busy-box" or "feeder" toys with goodies. By manipulating the cube with its tongue, nose, or paws, your dog can get to the treats. A feeder-style toy can help many dogs who tend to eat their food too quickly.
Comfort Toys
Not all dogs should play with soft plush animals, even though they're beneficial for various purposes. Here are some pointers for picking the ideal stuffed animal:
- Some dogs enjoy carrying plush toys. If your dog thinks of the toy as a friend, go for a portable one.
- Choose a durable enough toy to survive the dog's attacks and big enough to prevent accidental ingestion because some dogs like to shake or "kill" their toys.
- Especially if it smells like you, an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel, or another item of dirty laundry can provide dogs with a great deal of comfort. Be mindful that careful fluffing, transferring, and nosing could lead to being damaged.
Tug Toys
If your dog enjoys tug-of-war, think about rope toys. Rope toys for dogs can be relatively durable unless your dog is a destructive chewer. Some are even machine washable. However, if your dog enjoys chewing, you should avoid giving him rope toys since he might eat the rope, and it could seriously damage him if it wraps around his intestines. Consider using a durable rubber tug toy in this circumstance.
Interactive Toys
Puzzle toys and feeders are entertaining for dogs and can be a fantastic source of exercise and mental stimulation. There are various things concerning your dog's safety to consider when picking chews, including rawhide, bully sticks, and artificial chews. The first is that, over time, objects can gradually wear away the tooth enamel, exposing sensitive nerve endings, making your animal uncomfortable, and opening up a channel for tooth infection.
The second is that many bully sticks and pigs' ears have been recalled owing to Salmonella sp contamination, which puts both human and animal health in danger.
Lastly, there's a chance that bits will break off and be ingested by your pet, creating a choking risk or an obstruction in the digestive tract, both of which pose main health risks.
