Does your dog need mental and physical stimulation? Let's face it you can't entertain your dog every minute so it's important that you give him a way to stay occupied. Good dog toys can play an important role in keeping your dog mentally and physically satisfied. But how do you know which ones to select? Here are some ideas for helping you navigate through the overcrowded world of dog supplies and choose the best dog toys for your particular canine companion:
Consider safety first.
You certainly don't want to select a dog toy that's going to potentially do harm to your dog. If your dog has a strong jaw and a tendency to be destructive to his dog toys, avoid buying squeaky toys made up of parts that when swallowed can cause serious health problems. Squeaky toys have a squeaker inside which can be ingested by your dog and potentially cause an intestinal blockage. If a toy is easily shredded, your dog could also choke on some of the material used to make the toy. For purposes of safety, go for firm, solid toys as opposed to hollow toys with internal components. One popular dog toy which is super durable is the Kong. It's made of solid rubber and you don't have to worry about inside parts such as squeakers when you purchase this product.
Only buy toys specifically made for dogs.
Sometimes well meaning pet owners shop for dog toys in the children's toy department. This practice should be avoided since children's toys aren't designed to be chewed by a heavy jaw and are usually easily shredded. There are so many unique dog toys in pet supply stores these days, you should never have to go elsewhere.
Go for durability.
If your dog is an aggressive chewer, he can probably destroy toys pretty quickly. If you don't want to pay a weekly trip to the pet store to replace your dog's toys, consider investing in only high quality, tough toys. Some examples would be the Kong mentioned above and the Hurley, a toy which bends, bounces, and floats. These toys may cost a little more but will pay for themselves in longevity.
Add a little variety
Dogs can quickly lose interest in a single toy which is why it's good to buy a variety of unique dog toys to prevent boredom from setting in.
Mentally challenge your dog.
There are a variety of dog toys on the market designed to mentally tease and stimulate your dog. These toys usually have a hidden space where you place a dog treat and your dog has to perform certain maneuvers to retrieve it. Some of these toys include the Buster Cube and the puzzle box toys. Dogs find this type of unique dog toy particularly intriguing.
Dog toys can be multipurpose too.
Some dog toys work double duty by helping to keep your dog's teeth clean and removing tartar from his gum line. These include Dentabones and Greenies. As a bonus, they also help to keep your dog's breath fresh.
As you can see, the world of dog toys is expanding and becoming more diverse every day. With so much to choose from, there's no reason for the modern dog of today to ever be bored.
