Dog Toys: Which ones are Safe and Helpful in Early Development?
It’s important to keep a puppy physically active for the betterment of their health and overall well-being. Owners aren’t always available to walk their dogs, nor should they be walked all the time. A great alternative to a walk for physical activity is for a dog to play with a toy. The following are some tips and suggestions around dog toys for owners to consider.
Common Mistakes People Make in Choosing Toys for Puppies
Owners should recognize some of the risks that come with purchasing the wrong sorts of toys and how to choose the right ones. The consequences can be as simple as a messy living room to a trip to the vet.
Choosing a soft puppy toy - Many clients think that choosing a soft toy is preferable since puppies have weaker chompers. It’s preferable to purchase a hard toy for your pup because they can easily chew through a soft one and swallow the detached bits.
Giving Your Dog a Children’s Stuffed animal - A dog does not understand the risks of eating the pieces of a torn stuffed animal like a human does - human toys are not built to withstand the bite of a dog’s powerful jaws. Ingested pieces of toy may cause blockages, leading a dog to refuse to eat, vomit, have diarrhea or exhibit abdominal pains.
Buying Toys from Other Countries - There is far less safety testing around pet toys than human toys. For safety purposes, it is best to stick with USA-made toys that are nontoxic, BPA and phthalate–free.
Suggested Toys for Puppies
Is your dog teething? This happens frequently throughout the first two to ten months of a puppy’s life. Buy a rope pull toy and play tug of war with your dog! For an alternative with less involvement on your part, buy a frozen teething ring – these are especially useful for large breeds because they’re sturdy and hold up against stronger bites.
Educational Toys - Intellitoys are a revolution in the dog toy world. Intellitoys, like the Intellicube and the Intellibone, have removable parts and teach your pups to use their mouths, paws and noses to manipulate objects. For a great list of educational toys you can provide for your animal, read 9 Fun and Educational Toys for Dogs on thebark.com.
Playing Outside? Do a Google or Amazon search for glow in the dark balls for fetching or buy a frisbee for outdoor active playtime.
You can also check out Plush Comfort Companions for brand new puppies in a new home. They have built-in features to help your dog cope with everyday stressors, like built in warmers that give your puppy the comfort and intimacy it craves. Find more information at chewy.com.
Thank you for reading! Please comment below with any questions, comments or concerns and Dr. Kent will respond to you within 24 hours.
Need more puppy advice? Check out 5 Things to Think About When Bringing Your New Puppy Home on the Elite Veterinary Care Blog.