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Dog Toys |
Choose Dog Toys Wisely
Dog toys can give you and your dog many hours of enjoyment. If you don't choose the dog toys wisely, however, you could be putting your dog's health in jeopardy.
It's not enough to pick dog toys off the shelf and take them home to your pet. There are some issues that must be considered, beginning with your particular dog's breed and chewing habits.
All dogs love to play tug of war. They love things they can chew, chase, roll and toss. There are many toys that are suitable for these activities. Some of the most common toys are balls of various sizes and materials, pull toys that stretch and some that resist, and squeaky toys that tease a dog's preying instincts.
Some people use objects from around the house to amuse their dogs. These include old rags, socks, an old shoe, sticks from around the yard, plastic water bottles and other items. The problem is that not all of these are healthy choices. In fact, they all pose a threat to your dog's health.
Dog toys that can be ripped apart, chewed and subsequently swallowed can block your dog's intestinal tract which can lead to an extreme health condition and even death if not treated quickly. This means that you should avoid allowing your dog to devour such things as racks and socks.
Be cautious of which types of sticks you choose for dog toys. Certain trees are toxic to your dog and can make him or her extremely ill. Fruit trees fit this category.
Plastic water bottles are popular dog toys, but if your dog tends to rip them apart and swallows small pieces, this poses another blockage risk. If you do use plastic bottles as dog toys, keep your eye on your pet and take it from him if you see he is eating it.
Side Note: Plastic water bottles can be great for your dog on hot summer days. Fill them with water and freeze them. Your dog will enjoy biting the cool bottles and getting at the ice.
Watch how your dog plays with any dog toys you give him. Dogs can get at the squeak mechanism inside toys and swallow them, which can get stuck in their intestinal tract.
Rubber toys are unhealthy if your dog eats them. Large dogs are more prone to eating these so-called indestructible dog toys.
While those heavy string pull-toys might be good for flossing your dog's teeth, if he swallows the pieces of string, it can build up in his intestines and make him ill.
If you see that your dog readily eats his dog toys, take them away from him when you are not around to monitor him. When he begins eating a toy, take it from him.
Look for toys that are made from safe, non-toxic materials and that your dog cannot pull apart. This will be much more difficult if you own a large breed that loves to tear things apart, but buying toys for smaller breeds is much easier. Still, you'll want to be sure there isn't anything in the toy that can choke your dog, such as whistles.
It can be tough to find the right dog toys for your dog, but when you understand your dog's habits, it's easier to choose wisely.
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