Our beloved dogs are more than pets, they are family. We cuddle with them on the couch, take them out on family outings, and play with them all day. Our fur babies feel the happiest when they are playing with their toys. As responsible dog owners, we must prioritize the safety of our dogs, especially when it comes to their toys. Sad to say that not all toys are designed to keep our dogs safe. We have some tips when buying safe dog toys for your fur baby.
Types of Dog Toys To Avoid
- Dog toys made from toxic material.
First, make sure that the material of the toy is safe for consumption. Some dogs tend to chew their toys into smaller, easily swallowable pieces. If your dog has eaten their toys in the past, you may want to stay away from dog toys made from the following toxic materials:
- Lead
- BPA
- PVC
- Chromium
- Phthalates
- Bromine
Dogs that have ingested these toxic materials may have serious health issues like organ damage/failure and in the worse scenario, death. If your dog ate any of these toxic materials, we recommend calling your veterinarian immediately.
- Dog toys that are too small or too big.
Additionally, it is important to consider your dog’s breed and size when buying a toy for them. For large dog breeds such as Bernese mountain dogs, great Dane dogs, and English mastiff dogs, you would not want to buy small dog toys because it could pose a choking hazard for them. Alternatively, you would not want to buy big dog toys for small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, or Maltese dogs because large toys are too heavy for smaller dogs to play with safely.
- Dog toys that are not durable.
Equally important to the appropriate size of dog toys would be the durability of the toy. As a dog parent, you know your dog’s play style the best. If you have a dog with a softer play style, you can buy the cuddly plush dog toys. On the other hand, if you have a dog with a rougher play style, you would want to buy durable toys made from rubber or nylon and avoid plush dog toys made from polyester. Dogs with a rougher play style can easily rip apart plush toys and may eat toxic materials.
Types of Safe Dog Toys
- Rubber Chew Toys
Rubber chew toys are perfect for dogs with a rough play style. Rubber is durable and can withstand dogs who love to chew their toys. Not only are rubber chew toys safe for dogs, it can also maintain your dog’s good oral hygiene. ‘When your dog is playing with a rubber chew toy, it is cleaning your dog’s teeth.
- Rope Toys
Rope toys are another great toy for dogs with a rough play style, especially for dogs that love to play tug-of-war. Similar to playing with rubber chew toys, your dog’s teeth get cleaned while playing with rope toys.
- Tennis Balls
The classic game of fetch with a tennis ball is perfect for every dog. Make sure you buy the right size for your dog’s breed.
- Interactive Toys
Interactive toys like puzzles and treat dispensing toys can entertain your dog for hours. These types of toys can be mentally stimulating for your dog and decrease destructive behavior such as dog bites.
Your dog deserves safe and entertaining toys that they can play with anytime. A dog bite attorney from NW Injury Law explains that by keeping your dog occupied with toys, you can prevent them from engaging in dangerous behaviors such as biting other humans.