Pet toys, while interesting for your dogs, are a necessary component of his overall health and wellbeing. Not only do toys keep your dog happily entertained, but they can also ward off behavioral problems and provide him with comfort. As a responsible dog owner, you should put thought and consideration into buying quality toys for your dog.
1. Buying Safe Dog Toys
Examine the toys for dangerous components. Not all toys are safe for your dog. Toys with removable parts (e.g., string, ribbons, rubber bands), can pose health hazards—these small parts could cause your dog to choke or develop an intestinal obstruction if he swallows them. Both of these scenarios would require veterinary care.
Plastic eyes on a stuffed animal can also be hazardous.
Your dog may like toys with squeakers or bells because of the sound they make. However, these internal components could be harmful if swallowed. Closely supervise your dog if he plays with these types of toys to ensure he does not swallow the noise-making components.
2. Read the toy label.
Although a dog toy make look harmless, it may contain material that could be toxic to your dog. For example, some dog toys may be coated with toxic heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, lead, chromium). Other toys may be coated with fire retardants or stain guards that contain such toxic ingredients as formaldehyde.
Be mindful that the product packaging may not contain information about what the toy is made of. Often, the information is more for advertising, and could thus leave out important wording about the toy’s safety.
Consider visiting the toy manufacturer’s website to learn more about how they make their dog toys.
If the label does not provide much information, you can smell the toy—a strong scent may be indicative of residual chemicals from the manufacturing process. In addition, bright-dyed fabrics could contain toxic materials.
In toys containing lead, the lead can come off in your dog’s mouth when the toy is partially chewed on and becomes wet with his saliva.
3. Purchase toys that are large enough for your dog.
This is especially important for larger dogs. Toys that are too small can be easily swallowed, and thus become a choking or obstruction hazard. Ideally, your dog should not be able to fit the entire toy in his mouth.
4. Use caution when buying stuffed toys.
Dogs love stuffed toys. However, the filling in a stuffed toy can be harmful to your dog’s digestive system if he swallows it. Particularly dangerous fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads.
Stuffed dog toys labeled as safe for children under three years of age are not likely to have dangerous fillings.
Monitor your dog closely if he plays with stuffed toys. Replace the toys when you notice a torn seam or other damage that would provide easy access to the filling.
5. Select a safe version of rawhide bones.
Dogs enjoy chewing on rawhide bones. Not only would a rawhide bone keep your dog busy, but it would also strengthen his jaw bones and help maintain his dental hygiene. However, rawhide bones, especially those made of one large sheet of rawhide that is rolled and knotted on each end, can be choking hazards.
Look for pressed rawhide bones. When chewed on and softened, pressed rawhide bones will break into small pieces that will be safe and easy for your dog to swallow.
