How to Choose Safe Dog Toys

Dog owners love to think of their dogs as children, regarless of the size. I bet you've ever heard people say, "That's my baby" to refer to their pets.

On the other hand, they'll refer to themselves as "Mommy" or "Daddy" when talking to their dogs as well. And, of course, they buy their dogs toys to play with. With the amount of selections, it is easy to get lost about which dog toys to buy.

People like to get cute, squeaky toys for their dogs or give them stuffed animals to chew on and carry around (the stuffed dog toy becomes the dog’s "baby" quite often –- "Get your baby, checkers!" or "Checkers, where's your baby?") because they think it’s "adorable."

But the fact is, dog toys don’t need to be "cute."

What's more important is that they need to be practical, fun for the dog, durable, safe and most importantly serve their purpose well.

A great toy for a dog breed may not be suitable for others. So, care should be taken before you buy because it is not solely based on a matter of preference.

Avoid Non-Toy "Toys"

For as lovable, loyal, friendly, and playful as they are, dogs are not the brightest creatures. They are naturally attracted to things that can cause them the most harm. It’s important to start early with your dog, providing save toys to chew and play with while teaching the animal to avoid household items it may wish to use as toys.

Dogs love to chew on pantyhose, for example, but these could easily be partially ingested, choking the dog. Some dogs will chew on power cords, risking a harmful (or fatal) electric shock. Teach your dog early on what things are for chewing and playing and what things are off limits.

The Best, Safest Dog Toys

The size of a toy is an important consideration. Dog Kong, balls, and other typical toys must be small enough that the dog can chew them and carry them, but not so small that they can become lodged in the its mouth or throat.

Durability is another factor to ponder, especially for a dog that loves to chew. A toy that will break apart easily can become a hazard as the small, sharp parts can be swallowed, caught in the throat, or cut the mouth and gums. Kong is one of the best toys ever conceivedAgain, a hard rubber Kong (easily one of the best dog toys ever conceived) is an excellent choice.

Softer dog toys, like the popular squeak toys made of thin plastic and full of air are good for dogs that are a bit gentler. They're unlikely to chew through such items and are usually attracted by the squeaking sound.

Tennis balls are great for some dogs, but poor choices for others. This is a question of size ratios. If the dog is too small to fit a tennis ball all the way in its mouth, then it can be an excellent toy that the dog will love but costs very little. If the ball can fit all the way in the dog's maw, however, it becomes a choking hazard.

Still related to tennis, I have seen a launcher toy which allows you to launch tennis balls with your foot. Very convenient, yet fun.

New technology has made it available to create dog toys that prevent excessive squeak sound. But you don't have to lost all the excitement from this type of toy. There are types of squeaky plush toy that only your dog can hear.

In the future, we might as well see more creative toys like this.

After reading the whole passage, we hope you have better consideration as to how and what to choose for your canine pet. Happy shopping.