It’s safe to say that we all love toys, and our pets are no exception to the rule; all of them will love great dog toys, whether they’re playing with you or keeping themselves occupied while they are home alone. Our furry best friends love to tug, squeak, chew, fetch, and cuddle their favorite playthings.
Not only do good dog toys serve to keep your pet active, unbored, and even provide comfort when they’re feeling nervous. Toys can even help prevent your dog from developing certain problem behaviors, such as chewing household items.
Toys also serve as a wonderful alternative to treats when it comes to rewards for good behavior, obeying commands, and devoted companionship. There are many different types of toys to choose from, and before choosing a toy type, you may have to consider your dog’s temperament and favorite game, among other things.
Enrichment toys, for example, can enhance your pup’s ability to learn, helping them develop new skills. It also promotes their natural behavior, such as foraging, exploring, and playing. Toys can help your dogs relax, making them happier.
Playing is a rewarding experience for them which counteracts the effects of stress. However, something you can be sure of is that any dog parent and dog themself will appreciate a dog toy as a Christmas gift this or any year.
At Brightcare Animal ER, our veterinarians and staff members are committed to providing the best possible health care for your pet. As a dog emergency vet hospital, we also want to make sure that we provide our pet parents with as much information as possible so that they can keep their furry best friends happy and healthy. That is why today, we want to focus on introducing you to some of the best toys for your beloved pup.
How Should I Choose the Best Toys for My Dog?
Before choosing any kind of dog toy, it’s crucial to consider certain safety conditions and physical aspects of your dog. When choosing a dog toy, take into consideration your dog’s size, activity level, and preferences. For example, if you have a large dog, avoid purchasing or gifting toys that contain small parts, as these parts could easily cause choking in a large pet who accidentally swallows these small parts.
If you find the perfect toy for your pet, but the toy contains tags, ribbons, strings, eyes, or other small parts that can be chewed off or swallowed, we recommend that you remove these hazardous items with the help of a household scissor.
You also need to be mindful of the materials used to stuff dog toys, which are never fully digestible. When playing with stuffed toys, it is best to supervise them in case they happen to rip apart their toy. Squeaky toys are fun and a favorite by mist dogs, but they can rip open and ingest the squeaker.
Best Dog Toys by Dog Size
Size matters and should be considered when choosing any type of item for your dog. Below you will find some suggestions on toys to consider when shopping for the perfect Xmas gift for Fido.
Puppies
Puppies, just like human babies, go through a teething phase; it is important to understand that it’s a normal phase that all puppies go through. There are specific toys that can help them get through this phase without too much discomfort and without destroying household items or their human’s favorite clothing item or pair of shoes.
Nylabone Puppy Teething Chew Toys
The Nylabone teething pacifier is both durable and made from nylon material for your puppy entering the teething stage. The different grooves on the pacifier and ring massage your puppy’s gums.
KONG Gyro Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
KONG Gyro for puppies because it’s a great paw and eye coordination toy with an instant food reward. This toy features a spinning orb in the center that lets the toy roll around freely and a durable plastic outer ring. It dispenses kibble and treats from a small opening on the ball and is offered in small and large sizes.
Multipet Chilly Bones for Teething
The Multipet Chilly Bones are recommended for teething puppies since they can be frozen and soothe your puppy’s gums. Briefly soak the chilly bones in water, place them in a plastic bag and throw them in your freezer. They’re perfect for small and medium-sized dogs.
Small Dogs
Kong Wubba
The Kong Wubba is offered in small size and is a good option for both solo and interactive play. Its tassels are great for your dogs to grab, and the additional squeaking feature will definitely engage your pup.
Kong Wild Knots
Similar to the Wubba, the Kong Wild Knots toy has an internal knotted rope skeleton that gives smaller dogs something to grip. This toy is available in an extra-small or small/medium size that’s ideal for smaller fur babies.
Chuckit! Breathe Right Fetch 2 Ball Set
The hollow and mesh-like design of Chuckit!’s Breathe Right ball can facilitate airflow to your dog’s lungs while running and fetching and can be especially useful for small breed dogs with breathing problems such as french bulldogs.
Big Dogs
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball Dog Toy
If your big dog loves playing fetch, but your average ball just doesn’t cut it, The large option from Chuckit! has a 7.5-inch diameter and has bright colors that can make it easy to detect. The ball is made of rubber and foam, which means the ball can float in water and makes a good playtime option anywhere.
goDog Dragon
Made for Rough play the goDog chew toy for bigger has minimal stuffing and a durable squeaker that’s difficult to remove. The brand offers different types of this to- like dragons, dinosaurs, and alligators, as well as multiple sizes, including large and extra-large for bigger dogs.
Dog Toys Perfect For All
As you can see, there are many different options to choose from, and there is a perfect toy available for every dog. If your pup happens to be an aggressive chewer, nervous, or overly active, don’t worry; there are options for them as well. For a more extensive list of dog toys recommended by size or play style, you can read The 16 best dog toys to entertain every type of dog in 2021.
Please remember that not all pet toys are safe and that you should always consider choking hazards as a possibility if your dog is given a toy that is not made considering its specific size, breed, and play style. If at any time you feel your dog is in danger of falling victim to choking, keep them away from all inadequate toys. Your dog’s health and safety are a priority over playtime.
Facing an emergency with your pet? Contact us immediately; we are here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
