Why Do Pets Have Favorite Toys?

Pet owners love giving their beloved dogs toys to play with, especially when they see their dogs having fun. If you’re a pet owner yourself, you may already have a collection of toys for your pup. However, you may have noticed that dogs have preferences for certain toys. In some cases, your dog may even have a toy that they absolutely love.

In this article, you’ll learn how dogs pick their favorite toys so you can fill their toy box with pet-specific items they’re sure to enjoy.

Toys bring them comfort

Similar to kids and their stuffed animals, some dogs love toys that are comfortable to touch and fuzzy to snuggle up with. Your dog may love a soft wine plush bottle dog toy that you buy for fun because it makes them feel more secure, especially during stressful situations like thunderstorms. Whether with you or alone, holding onto a toy is your dog’s way of overcoming distress or reinforcing positive emotions.

Toys feel good in their mouths

In some cases, you’ll see that dogs love to carry their toys around with them. They may do this because the toy has a special texture that feels good in their pet’s mouth. Often, this is because your puppy is teething, so chew toys are especially appealing to them.

Because you can expect toys to come into frequent contact with your dog's teeth, it's best to buy them toys that don't break easily or have small parts that your puppy might swallow. Soft plastic and rubber toys that easily show teeth marks can also pose a health risk to your dog, as the material can wear away and be accidentally swallowed. Instead, buy toys that are durable and don't have sharp edges so they don't injure your dog's jaw or teeth.

Toys Satisfy Their Natural Instincts

If your puppy becomes obsessed with a toy that lets them play fetch, they're simply following their instinct to chase a moving target. Observe your dog's behavior as you play together. Do they seem particularly excited when asked to chase a ball or fetch a toy? If your puppy seems to enjoy chasing anything you throw, they may have a strong hunting instinct. This trait can be found in all types of dogs, but may be especially common in hound breeds.

Toys Hold Important Memories

Sometimes, a pet's attachment to a toy isn't entirely about the toy, but rather a special memory of the toy. For example, your dog may remember being rewarded or receiving a lot of attention the first time they played with the toy. This special time will have a big impact on your dog, and it may last forever because dogs don’t shake off emotions.

If you need to stop your dog from looking at a certain object, you can break your pet’s habit by turning the experience with the object into a negative one. For example, you can distract your dog by making a loud noise and being cautious every time they see the object. Then, introduce them to an appropriate pet toy. Be sure to give them lots of praise and treats when they play with their new toy to encourage a change in behavior.

It’s common for dogs to have favorite toys, but this can become a problem if the toys need to be replaced and your pet refuses to give them up. Therefore, it’s a good idea to understand why your precious pup loves their toys so much. That way, you can help them transition to new toys that better suit their needs.