When purchasing a new dog toy safety should be at the top of the list. Many factors contribute to the safety or danger of a toy, and several depend upon your dog's size, activity level and preferences. Also take into consideration the environment where your dog spends their time. While we can’t guarantee the safety of any dog toy, we hope the following guide will give you some clarity when choosing your dog’s next toy.

 
Begin by purchasing dog toys of appropriate size. For example, if you were to buy a dog toy that is too small for your dog this could lead to a toy being swallowed or potentially becoming lodged in your dog’s throat.
 
Did you know, all dogs have a certain level of chase and prey drive?  Certain breeds will naturally have a higher prey drive while other breeds such as companion breeds may have less of prey drive. In this instance, a plush, squeaker dog toy may not be a good option as you may find this type of dog wanting nothing more than to destroy the dog toy to achieve the prize (squeaker) which could be ingested. Instead, better options for high prey drive dogs would be a ball or frisbee for a game of fetch or a flirt pole which has a long handle with a bungy type rope with a lure or toy attached to the end.
It also important to choose dog toys that serve a variety of purposes for your dog. Having a toy that can be used for comfort, one that can be easily carried, one to shake and even one to roll are great ways to ensure you are choosing dog toys that will provide variety in your pup’s life.
 
Chew Toys

What is a chew toy? Put simply, a chew toy is designed to be chewed by an animal for the purpose of stimulation and relief from boredom. What type of chewer is you dog? Gentle, Average, Power, Teething or Senior. The best chew toys are challenging, long-lasting and versatile. It can be daunting to choose from the wide variety of chew toys, here are a few factors to narrow down the choices. Is your dog an aggressive chewer, trying to destroy any toy in its path, or does it have soft chew habits? Will your dog need a toy to keep him busy while you’re away or will your dog be supervised while playing?

For aggressive chewer we recommend West Paw’s, Jive Zogoflex fetch ball, combining durability with a stimulating shape and smooth feel, the ball features an erratic bounce which makes chase and fetch so much fun. Safer and tougher than a tennis ball, Jive is one of the most durable balls on the market.

An average chewer would enjoy a toy like the KONG classic. Made using, all-natural rubber, this toy is especially designed for average chewers. It also makes a great fetch dog toy and has an erratic bounce to keep your pooch guessing.
 
 
Fetch Toys

Whether you toss a ball or throw a flyer, a fun game of fetch never seems to get old. Fetch toys are perfect for high energy dogs who need lots of exercise. KONG elevates playing with your dog to a new level through fun and engaging dog toys including the KONG SqueakAir Ball with rope dog toy. Your dog will love the combination of two classic dog toys - the tennis ball and the squeaker toy - to create the perfect fetch toy
 
Tug Toys

It’s a classic game of tug-of-war. The stakes are high and who will win? Well, it’s a win-win for you and your dog. Rope tugs are versatile and are perfect for the 1-on-1 game of tug. PLUS, rope toys are also an effective way to help maintain your dog’s dental health. The fibres on the rope toy work like floss loosening and removing dental plaque which in turn helps prevent dental disease.
 
 
Treat Toys

The ulti-mutt boredom buster, TREAT TOYS, these toys are great for dogs that love a challenge. Dog treat toys like the Enrichment Treat Dumbbell are fun and will pique your pup's interest and keep them engaged. Simply place your pup’s favourite treats inside and watch your dog work for their reward. Treat toys keep trouble-makers busy, by giving dogs a sense of purpose, providing a challenge and keeping your pup happy. Dog treat toys come in several forms including puzzles, snuffle mats, and more. These toys can make great treat toy for solo play time.  

Plush Toys

Plush toys are not only used for play but can offer company and companionship for dogs. Lots of dogs enjoy cuddling with their plush toys and carrying them around the house. Plush toys with internal squeakers and other noise making features like crinkle paper help to engage dogs and hold their interest. Plush toys are great for light chewers as the toys are usually filled with a soft stuffing and aren’t designed for long chew sessions.

We hope you have learned more about different types of dog toys, plus how to choose toys that are appropriate for your dog.

View our full range of dog toys at Let’s Pawty by clicking HERE