Views: 4 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-07-03 Origin: Site
Dog chew toys can be a controversial topic for a number of reasons. There is so much mixed information online that it can be hard to sift through the truly accurate sources. It is important to be able to stimulate your dog’s mind and keep them occupied during the day. However, safe and effective toys can be hard to find, so we are here to help you make an informed decision. Enjoy this blog about safe chew toys and how to find them!
Especially when your dog is a puppy, it is important to expose them to toys, especially teething toys. During their developmental period (for puppies, this is between 2 months and 10 months), it is crucial to allow puppies to chew toys to relieve the discomfort of teething. Teething can be very uncomfortable for them, so it is good to establish a positive association with chew toys now! Don’t give them toys that resemble household items that they should not chew, such as a TV remote plush toy or a rubber shoe chew toy. This allows your pet to distinguish between chewable and non-chewable items and will make it easier to form better habits in the future.
What characteristics make a chew toy “safe”?
Chew toys used for entertainment and stimulation are fine as long as they meet the thumb test. If your thumb nail can leave an indentation in an object, chewing is okay. If your thumb nail is bent, it will most likely break a tooth. Rubber or silicone is generally a safe choice and is flexible enough not to cause damage to your pet's teeth. The size of the chew toy is also important. If it's too small, your pet could accidentally swallow and choke on it. Another feature to avoid is any toy with holes.
Some pets like to chew on different textures, such as fabric and string. We call these soft toys. Soft toys should not contain anything that could be torn off or swallowed, such as eyes, strings, tassels, etc. When toys begin to become damaged or worn, you should throw them away immediately. Dogs are notorious for quickly tearing things off and eating it at the first opportunity! Every soft toy should be very sturdy and machine washable, so you can sterilize it if needed.
First, we'll talk about tennis balls. Tennis balls can be dangerous for your dog for many reasons. Most obviously, they are a serious choking hazard, especially for large dogs with strong jaws. Tennis balls are made for tennis courts and are very durable, but they are not made with a dog's fangs in mind. They can easily be ejected, and fragments or even entire chunks can get lodged in your pet's throat, blocking the windpipe, or travel down and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, requiring expensive surgery to remove.
Another reason tennis balls are bad for your pet is dental. The fluff on the outside is very rough in texture, and when your pet chews, it will constantly wear down the back of your pet's front teeth and canines. This can eventually lead to dental problems such as enamel wear or pulp exposure, which can be expensive and painful. When tennis balls are covered in dirt or sand, they become more like sandpaper and further wear down teeth. If you're going to use tennis balls, only allow your dog to access them during supervised play. But we recommend skipping tennis balls and using other types of throwing toys instead.
Chew toys can be fun for your dog, and the right toy can provide your pet with mental stimulation, some dental care, and generally just a tasty snack. Many great toys are safe and secure for your dog, but some take a little more work to discover.