Dog Toys
From LoveToKnow Dogs
The pet market overflows with dog toys. Some toys are safe to leave with your dog when he is alone. Others should only be given to your dog when you can supervise him. Dog toys are good for your dog’s mental and physical health because of the stimulation and exercise they get from playing with them.
Dog Proof Your Home
Dog proof your home to make sure that your dog does not make common household objects into inappropriate toys. Electrical cords, shoes, socks, ribbon, seasonal decorations, plants, rubber bands and children's toys are just a few unsafe items that pose hazards for your dog.
Size Appropriate Dog Toy Safety
Toys should be appropriate for your dog's size and breed. Different toys that are meant for puppies should not be given to adults. Large dogs can easily swallow puppy-sized toys, while puppies can wrap themselves with large toy and possibly suffocate. Don’t give a toy meant for a Chihuhua to a Great Dane.
Check For Choking Hazards
Be sure the toys do not present choking hazards. Remove tags, string, plastic eyes and other objects from toys before presenting them to your dog. Check your pet’s dog toys often. Discard any toys that are falling apart or have sharp edges. Always supervise your dog with toys that contain squeakers. Dogs like to tear apart these toys and are in danger of inhaling the squeaking mechanisms.
Toys Can Cause Illness
Watch out for toys with food dyes and unnatural materials. Food dyes can lead to allergies, and unnatural materials often cause upset stomachs. Talk to your vet about very hard bones like cow bones and hooves, pig ears and rawhide. Hard rubber toys are safer and last longer. Avoid any rawhides made outside the United States. Other countries do not have guidelines for the composition of rawhides.
Recommended Dog Toys
Kong Toys
The Kong was created in 1976 and is recommended by veterinarians, trainers, animal behaviorists and dog owners. Kong toys come in many varieties, different shapes, sizes, colors, textures and degrees of durability. The original kong toy has a hard rubber barrel with a hollow center, and the toy floats and bounces. This toy can be filled with interesting goodies such as cream cheese, peanut butter, pumpkin, dog food and treats, and then frozen. Once frozen, this toy can keep your pet entertained for hours. You’ll be amazed by your dog's attempts to get the food out of the Kong. The Kong toy is an excellent toy for alleviating boredom and stress in your dog's life.
Nylabones
Nylabones also come in different shapes, sizes, colors, textures and durability. But nylabones are available in edible and non-edible varieties. Edible nylabones are not long-lasting. One nylabone is the bacon and egg package, shaped like real bacon and eggs, with a bacon and egg flavor. Non-edible nylabones are durable and are infused with real chicken, liver and turkey meat flavors, as well as chocolate. They’re made of a strong nylon fiber, are odor free, can be washed in soap and water and do not break or splinter, rather wear down over time. Nylabones are safer than cow bones and hooves because they’re not as hard as these products and are less likely to cause damage to your dog's teeth and mouth. The most durable nylabone, the Galileo, can last for many years.
Puzzle Boxes
Some puzzle boxes contain many chambers to store your dog's food and treats. As your dog paws and nuzzles the puzzle box, food is released. These toys provide food gratification for your dog and provide mental stimulation as your dog figures how to get at the food. Other puzzle boxes, like the IQube, are toys within toys. These puzzle boxes stimulate your dog's natural inclination to search, stalk and capture.
Hard Balls
Hard balls, like tennis balls and balls made by the Kong company, are great for playing catch. These interactive games strengthen the human-dog bond. Don’t leave your dog unattended with a tennis ball, because he can quickly and easily tear one apart and swallow the pieces.
Rope Toys
Rope toys are great for playing tug of war with your dog. Some trainers do not advocate this game because they think it can lead to aggression. If played properly, tug of war is a wonderful game that can greatly strengthen the human-dog bond. Make sure your dog knows the "take it" command and the "leave it" command and respects these commands. If your dog releases the rope toy when told, you’re in control of the game. Rope toys can also act as canine "dental floss" and can aid dental hygiene. Do not allow your dog to swallow the rope pieces because these can cause gastrointestinal distress. If the rope toy starts to unravel or fall apart, take it away and replace it.
Comments
Do you know if Kong plush toys, esp the Dr. Noy's Dog Toys, are made in the USA or in China? Since the latest recalls of children's toys from China due to lead and other contaminants, I have been wary of buying dog toys made there. I'd appreciate any info you could provide.
- Hi Janice,
This is actually a very good question, and a timely one at that. According to the info I found, Kongs are all made in the USA. I'd still advise you to check out the label on any toy you select, just to be certain. I'd also avoid purchasing any toy that looks like a Kong imitation unless it too is not made in China.
Check out our article on Kong Dog Toys for more pertinent info.
-- Contributed by: JaniceThis page has been accessed 1,579 times. This page was last modified 10:07, 10 May 2006.
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