Giving your pet new toys will enhance their playtime, relieve boredom, and build positive reinforcement. Not all pet toys are safe for your pet, however. You can be a responsible pet owner and make sure toys are safe for your pet before you give them to him. Here are some tips for choosing safe pet toys to protect your pet’s health.
Consider How Your Pet Plays with Toys
Some pets are very gentle with toys and prefer to carry them around in their mouth and sleep with them in their bed. Other pets immediately make it their mission to destroy the toy as quickly as possible. Knowing how your pet plays with toys will help you determine which ones are safe for him to have.
Choose Safe Chew Toys
Your pet’s toys should be durable enough that he can’t quickly destroy them and eat the pieces, but soft enough that he won’t damage his teeth while playing with them. The safest chew toys for pets are:
- Firm, hollow rubber toys that can hold treats.
- Sturdy rope toys made from pet-safe materials.
- Durable stuffed toys, preferably without tiny parts that could come off while your dog plays with them.
- Rubber balls and tennis balls, as long as they don’t destroy and eat any part of it.
Avoid These Types of Chew Toys
You should also be aware of the dangers posed by some chew toys. Avoid giving your pet anything that they could choke on, consume large pieces of, or that might break their tooth or damage their gums. Some toys can cause intestinal blockage or stomach problems if your pet consumes them. Avoid these types of chew toys:
- Rawhide bones.
- Raw animal bones.
- Cow hooves.
- Deer or elk antlers.
- Hard plastic or nylon chew toys.
If your pet gets their paws on an unsafe chew toy, your emergency veterinary hospital is here to provide immediate care for choking, digestive issues, and more.
