For dogs and other pets, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.
With so many accessories available from pet stores, we know you have hundreds of options to choose from. However, not all of them are safe for pets.
Toys are important to your dog’s well-being. Toys help fight boredom when you have to leave your dog at home, and provide comfort when they’re feeling nervous. Toys can even help prevent your dog from developing certain problem behaviors.
Although cats can be pretty picky about toys, dogs are often more than willing to play with any object they can get their paws on. That means you’ll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog’s playtime to prevent any “unscheduled” activities.
TOYS TO AVOID
- Any chew or toy that is harder than the dog’s teeth! These can break the tooth and
cause microfractures of the enamel. Some examples of these toys/chews are:
antlers, nylabones, natural bones, and ice. When in doubt, use the fingernail test: if
you cannot press your fingernail into it, it is likely too hard for your dog to chew on. - Chews that can be contaminated with bacteria like salmonella or e. coli. Examples:
Pig ears, bully sticks, rawhide, and jerky chews - Toys that are too small or that contain small pieces that can be ingested (some of
these may be fine with supervision, but they may also be too easy for dogs to chew
up and ingest when left unattended). These can cause intestinal blockages and
linear foreign bodies. Examples: Stuffed toys, rope toys, and small tennis balls. - Sticks. These are not nature’s free toys! In fact, they are extremely dangerous as
they can splinter and get lodged in the throat. If pieces are ingested, they can cause
injury or perforation to the mouth, intestines, or even heart.
