Your Guide for Finding the Best Toy for Your Dog
As a dog owner, you know how much they love to play. They love to be with their humans so much that it saddens them when it is time to get separated. In this quick time when dogs need to stay alone at home or when they start to feel nervous, toys help calm them down and distract them from misbehaving.
Dogs get mental stimulation from their toys. It helps them not to feel alone or bored when they are at home on their own. Dog toys also help them with chewing and getting a little physical exercise. They are indeed essential factors in their overall wellness and development.
While dogs are not too picky when it comes to their toys, as the thinking adult, you must provide them with safe and appropriate ones.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Toy for Your Dog
Unfortunately, dogs unconsciously prefer toys that are too dangerous for them, like children’s toys, ribbons, strings, and other small items they can easily swallow. To avoid facing accidents with items like that, here are the factors you should consider when choosing a toy for your dog:
- The size of your dog: Make sure to buy toys suitable for your dog’s size. When their toy is smaller than them, they could end up swallowing it. When it is too big for their size, they might not even play with it.
- Their preferred type of activity: Do they like biting? Do they love running? Do they hate squeaky sounds? You also need to be aware of what your dogs like to play with.
Find a dog-proof toy or do the proofing yourself. Remove any parts of the toy that could get ingested fast or chewed off. Avoid buying toys that can easily get bitten off, and when they start to break up, throw them away immediately.
Be mindful of the material of your dog’s toy too. A safe and humane alternative would be toys made from tough rubber. They also last longer than other options.
What Kinds of Toys to Give Your Dogs
If you need some recommendations, here are some toys you might want to consider for your dogs:
- If they need comfort
If your dog would be alone for a few hours or days, they would probably need a companion to avoid getting completely lonely. Dogs usually love soft stuffed toys, but before buying one, make sure that what you get is fit for them.
Dogs often love to bite and shake their toys. Make sure that what you would get is durable enough to withstand this kind of attack. It will also help if the toy is not too small for them to swallow.
If your dog is too keen on the scent, they might prefer to play with an old t-shirt with your smell. Just make sure it is an old shirt because they might end up tearing the shirt apart when they feel like it.
- If they need a distraction
If distraction is what your dog needs, you have to purchase toys that can keep them busy and entertained for a long time. One good idea for this is a busy box or a dog feeder toy. These are dog toys designed to provide physical and mental stimulation to the dogs. When they successfully dispense the treat out of the feeder or the box, they get satisfaction from the result. It is an excellent distraction method that also keeps your dog happy in the end.
Conclusion
Various kinds of dog toys exist today. While getting any of them would surely make your dog feel happy, you need to be mindful of what would be safe for them to use. Find toys that would satisfy their needs and outlast their attacks. As much as possible, avoid choking-hazard toys or those toys that are not dog-proof, especially when you cannot supervise them as they play.
If you need options, you can check out Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming in Marysville. We have various kinds of dog toys in assorted sizes, colors, and shapes to meet their varying needs. Shop online or visit our physical store at Marysville.