Dog Chew Toys
Dogs love to chew! Where this is a natural behavior for dogs, it’s incumbent upon us as owners to provide safe dog chew toys for them to enjoy. Fail to do this and your shoes could very well become their favorite toys!
When choosing dog chew toys to bring into your home, you want to ensure some key things:
1. Size. Make sure the toy is large enough for you dog so that it can’t be swallowed.
2. Safety. It wouldn’t hurt to do a search online to see if you’ve heard of any safety issues with the product you are thinking of buying.
3. Durable. Take a good look at what you are buying and think about how your dog operates. Would he / she be able to destroy it? If so, stay away from it as your dog could ingest small parts from the toy.
4. Can it be cleaned / washed? Let’s face it, dog chew toys can become pretty nasty after only a few uses. You want to keep it clean not only for your dog, but for your benefit as well.
So, after considering the above, what are the best dog chew toys?
Super durable toys made by Nylabone and Kong are without question at the top of the list. They are not only safe products, but most of their toys come in several different sizes, so dogs of all sizes can join in the fun. Both of these companies also make products that can be filled up with treats, which can keep your puppy or dog tied up for long periods of time. Just be sure not to provide an over abundance of treats or you’ll be looking for weight loss tips for you dog soon enough!
In the old days, it was common for dog chew toys to be made of cheap rubber or fabric that had strings, small parts, buttons. Or those always cute stuffed toys. These type of toys are toys that should be avoided if you can because of the danger of digestion of the small pieces. Our dog wasn’t interested in the eyes or other parts on the exterior of plush toys – he wanted the squeaker inside and wouldn’t stop until he had it ripped out! The problem is that in many cases, the small parts or fabric that come on these plush toys can cause an intestinal obstruction or choking hazard once swallowed.
Another “toy” to stay away from are those “bones” you see in pet food stores. Some like to use them as chew toys, but the trouble here is that they can be choking hazards as sometimes larger pieces break off and can lodge in the dog’s throat. Another issue is these things normally don’t break down well, meaning your dog could end up with an intestinal blockage, or a serious case of constipation, requiring vet care.
Dog Chew Toys can be and are great distractions for new puppies. It’s certainly better to have them chewing on toys designed for chewing rather than having your shoes, clothes, furniture, carpeting, etc. chewed to pieces. Just go easy – don’t want overwhelm them with too many toys. If you follow the guidelines above, you should have a very happy dog or puppy.