The market is flooded with all kinds of weird and wonderful dog toys. Some of them help develop your pet’s thinking skills while others focus on physical stimulation. If you’re a new pet owner or if you’re just not sure which kind of toy to surprise your fur baby with, we’re here to help. Here’s our guide to buying toys for your furry family member.
A quick guide on buying dog toys
If your dog loves chewing
- Rope toys, bone-hard chew toys and dental chews are all designed for low to medium chewers.
- If you’ve got more of an aggressive chewer, you’re better off opting for pet toys that are made of rubber because these toys are more durable. These kinds of toys were built to last and will probably also give your dog a chewing workout.
- Heavy chewers need extreme dog toys that are made to be durable and can’t be quickly chewed into bits.
- Senior pets like smooth, soft and squishy vinyl or latex toys because they’re not so rough on the teeth.
Is chase your dog’s favourite game?
If you’ve got a dog that loves chasing everything, it’s best to opt for retrieving toys that fly or bounce erratically. This will help exercise and entertain your dog without tiring them out completely. A flying disc for pets is a great idea as long as it’s made with soft plastic or cloth. Hard plastic can damage your dog’s mouth, teeth and gums, so avoid hard materials as far as possible.
So your dog likes to carry and cuddle…a lot.
Lots of dogs choose to keep their bounties to themselves once they’ve acquired it, and if you’ve got a cuddler, it’s best to invest in soft toys made with fleece or plush fabric. These soft toys also make great companions when your dog just wants to engage in some quiet snuggle time.
Perhaps he or she loves rewards?
Balls and other shapes that have hollow cores can be filled with treats and work amazingly well for dogs that love playing reward games. These toys can keep your pup occupied for ages because most dogs won’t give up until they’ve emptied out all the treats inside the toy. Moist food and soft dog treats work well inside these toys. We love interactive toys because they stimulate your dog on a mental and physical level. This really is one of the best ways to engage your dog’s paws, jaws, and mind and help them get rid of any built-up physical and mental energy.
