Dog Toys – So Much Fun, So Little Time!

Dog toys are a necessary part of keeping a dog happy! Appropriate toys will not only entertain and exercise your dog, they’ll also stimulate his or her mind and help to fulfill natural instincts like chewing.

Today, dog toys come in every size imaginable, from extra small sizes for toy dogs like teacup poodles, to super-sized toys for giant breeds like the Great Dane or Saint Bernard. Of course, you’ll want your dog to be able to chew on his toys, but you don’t want them so small that they are in danger of swallowing or choking on the toy. The majority of toys should only be given to your dog under direct supervision also, just in case anything should go wrong.

Types of dog toys generally include plush toys, squeaky rubber toys, hard rubber toys and chew toys. Which type of toys you choose depends greatly on the actual purpose for each toy.

Plush dog toys are fun for your dog to chew on and flip around. You’ll often catch your dog with his floppy toy in his jaws, whipping his head from side to side as if he’s “killing” it. This is a natural part of dog behavior and should be enjoyed – your dog is acting like a dog!

Rubber squeaky dog toys are great fun for the dog, but may not be so much for you. They’re generally loud and the constant squeaking can be very distracting and annoying. Since they are so much fun for your dog, though, maybe limit these toys to times when you’re outside or not in the immediate vacinity of your dog.

Hard rubber toys are the only dog toys that you should give your dog when he can’t be supervised. Sold under the brand name “Kong” or similar, these toys can be “stuffed” with treats, peanut butter or cheese and frozen, and are great long-term chew toys to be used when your dog is crated for a period of time.

The final type of toy is the chew toy. Usually made of compressed vegetable matter or rawhide, these toys can be a bit controversial. It is possible, though unlikely, for a dog to choke on a bit of these types of toys after they’ve been chewed on a bit, so if you give your dog these types of dog toys, please remember that supervision is a must.

Choosing the right dog toys will help your dog stay happy and healthy both physically and mentally!