Our furry family members are as important as anyone in the home and treating them to fun pieces of equipment and toys is a small show of our affection, but ensuring they are stimulated as well as entertained is a fine balance.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Knowing which toys to consider when you head to the pet store is not as daunting as you may think but with a few handy tips and guidelines, you will be well on your way to treating your four-legged furball to something fun.
Find the ideal toy for your furry companion
Making time to ensure your dog is happy comes from knowing what personality your dog has, and then opting for age-appropriate toys you know they’ll love. For high-energy pups and dogs, an interactive toy is perfect for keeping them busy but also mentally encouraged. Hard rubber toys where you can layer peanut butter inside or fill with their kibble or treats and where they need to actively engage to retrieve it will keep them engrossed (and out of mischief) for a good few hours.
Another great option as a form of entertainment for dogs to awaken their senses is the increasingly popular maze ball. And it is as simple as it sounds. Simply pop a few pieces of kibble inside which, when they nudge or roll the maze ball around, creates a rattling sound that intrigues your pet to find out what’s inside. Fun for them and fun to watch them discover new avenues of their senses.
One recent addition to the dog toy market is based on mental capacity and strategy, an excellent way to stimulate their minds and thinking. A 3-canister beaker shelf is filled with their favorite treats and snacks, and as they decipher how to push or pull the canisters to retrieve the treats it engages their cognitive thinking. Not all the beakers empty or open the same way so it’s a good challenge and experience for them.
Lastly, we love a good herding ball, which is an engaging and fun toy for all breeds, not just those famous for their herding skills. They come in all sorts of sizes, and their textured, durable exterior makes them the perfect option for training exercises, playtime routines, and reducing anxiety and energy in overzealous dogs. A great all-rounder choice for dogs of all sizes and ages.
Tips for choosing the right toy to keep your dog happy
For most pet owners safety is the top priority in all aspects concerning their canine and picking toys is no different. When shopping for your pup’s toy heed these top pet care tips for dogs to check you to ensure your playtime moments spent bonding with your dog are enjoyable but also safe;
- Hanging elements – Try to steer clear of toys that contain ribbons, rubber bands, or string which in most cases is easily detached with a vigorous bite hold and is a severe choking hazard. While it may look cute, it is not practical.
- Size does matter – Yes, this is a big concern when dog toy shopping. Too often pet lovers will buy toys and gadgets that are either popular, have a great design, or come highly recommended, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for your dog. Toys that are too small pose choking hazards, whereas a toy that is too large will pose no interest to your pet who will quickly become de-stimulated and possibly frustrated.
- Sound and supervision – A lot of dog toys come with a built-in squeaker which initially may be entertaining, but if your dog is enthusiastic about finding the source of the noise it could lead to him destroying the toy altogether. Always supervise your pet playing with a squeaker toy, the last thing we want is to rush our furry friend to the vet because they have ingested a squeaker (more frequently than you may think).
- Fillings – A final consideration is to check toy labels, it may seem repetitive but most of us assume store-bought toys are dog-safe. Fillings in toys could be dangerous to your pet if swallowed, and as much as the durability of a toy is advertised, we all know that when a dog puts their mind to it they can certainly gain access.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowDog wellness at the forefront
At the end of the day, all we want for our pets is to maintain healthy dog habits while exercising their physical and mental abilities. With the right toys for the job, this can be done easily and certainly effectively. An active dog is a healthy dog, and what better way to spend quality time with your furball than heading to the park with a bag of great stimulating toys and enjoying seeing them run, jump, and exert their energy to the fullest? Life is to be lived, and when your dog is by your side it doesn’t get much better than that, right?
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now