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| How to Choose Safe Dog Toys There are plenty of hidden dangers in the dog toy aisle, so be aware |
Dogs are a part of the family, so it’s important for dog owners to be selective about the dog toys
they buy for their four-legged family members. There are plenty of dog toy hazards lurking out
there on the shelves of pet stores, so it’s important to be aware of dog toy safety before you go
shopping for your pooch.
Plush dog toys – There are plenty of dogs out there who simply refuse to chew on anything other
than soft, stuffed animal toys. Hard rubber or plastic dog toys just don’t feel good on their teeth,
but soft dog toys do and it’s fun for them to tug and pull on the soft fabric. The problem is that if
you give your dog ordinary stuffed animals they rip and tear much too easily and the stuffing starts
coming out. Unfortunately, for some dogs, that’s an invitation to snack and soon Fido ends up at
the Vet , awaiting surgery to get the stuffing removed. Painful for Fido, costly for you. The best way
to avoid this situation is to buy your dog soft dog toys that are 1) made specifically for dogs and 2)
made to be tough and durable chew toys. Two manufacturers that have made great efforts to
manufacture strong soft chew toys for dogs are Tuffy’s and My Good Dog. Here is a popular Tuffy’
s soft dog toy: http://www.activedogtoys.com/Tuffys_dog_toy_bull.html and here is one from My
Good Dog: http://www.activedogtoys.com/My_Good_Dog_gator.html.
Balls – Dogs love chasing, fetching, catching and pouncing on balls – all different shapes, sizes
and colors. And while dogs seem to like all sorts of balls, it’s up to their owner to make sure the
balls they’re playing with are safe because, yes, there are dangers in the world of balls too. First,
tennis balls. Dogs and tennis balls are a match made in heaven, right? Well, they can be. The
problem with regular tennis balls is that the fuzz is bad for dogs’ teeth and it eventually wears away
the ever-important enamel, leading the way for tooth decay and other problems. Luckily, there are
safe tennis balls out there that have a soft felt coating, which is much softer on a dog’s teeth. One
example is Dental Balls from Ballistic Dog: http://www.activedogtoys.com/dental_balls.html. The best
part is that these tennis balls aren’t any more expensive than regular tennis balls.
The other, more serious problem with balls and dogs is the fact that a certain-size ball can be a
choking hazard for some dogs. Even a tennis ball can be a choking hazard for a dog that has a
throat larger than the ball. The larger your dog is the larger the ball should be. Racquetballs and
tennis balls are common choking hazards in dogs because they are the two most popular types of
balls to give dogs and because large and extra-large dogs love them too and they have larger
throats, perfect for a racquet or tennis ball to get lodged in. If you have a larger breed dog, you
may want to consider a larger ball that your dog will love just the same, but it will be safer for
him/her to chew on. Here is a ball made from Vibram natural rubber that is larger than a tennis ball
but still small enough for a dog to hold in his/her mouth: http://www.activedogtoys.com/Vibram_Ball.
html.
Cheap-o Dog Toys - Those inexpensive rubbery squeak toys you find at dollar stores or in bulk
bins – beware. Toys like that are well-known to be laden with chemicals that can be toxic to your
dog. Also, stay away from dog toys with any type of paint on the outside. There may be a good
chance that the paint contains lead and it won’t take much chewing before the paint is ingested by
your dog. It's better to spend a little more and go with a trusted dog toy manufacturer.
they buy for their four-legged family members. There are plenty of dog toy hazards lurking out
there on the shelves of pet stores, so it’s important to be aware of dog toy safety before you go
shopping for your pooch.
Plush dog toys – There are plenty of dogs out there who simply refuse to chew on anything other
than soft, stuffed animal toys. Hard rubber or plastic dog toys just don’t feel good on their teeth,
but soft dog toys do and it’s fun for them to tug and pull on the soft fabric. The problem is that if
you give your dog ordinary stuffed animals they rip and tear much too easily and the stuffing starts
coming out. Unfortunately, for some dogs, that’s an invitation to snack and soon Fido ends up at
the Vet , awaiting surgery to get the stuffing removed. Painful for Fido, costly for you. The best way
to avoid this situation is to buy your dog soft dog toys that are 1) made specifically for dogs and 2)
made to be tough and durable chew toys. Two manufacturers that have made great efforts to
manufacture strong soft chew toys for dogs are Tuffy’s and My Good Dog. Here is a popular Tuffy’
s soft dog toy: http://www.activedogtoys.com/Tuffys_dog_toy_bull.html and here is one from My
Good Dog: http://www.activedogtoys.com/My_Good_Dog_gator.html.
Balls – Dogs love chasing, fetching, catching and pouncing on balls – all different shapes, sizes
and colors. And while dogs seem to like all sorts of balls, it’s up to their owner to make sure the
balls they’re playing with are safe because, yes, there are dangers in the world of balls too. First,
tennis balls. Dogs and tennis balls are a match made in heaven, right? Well, they can be. The
problem with regular tennis balls is that the fuzz is bad for dogs’ teeth and it eventually wears away
the ever-important enamel, leading the way for tooth decay and other problems. Luckily, there are
safe tennis balls out there that have a soft felt coating, which is much softer on a dog’s teeth. One
example is Dental Balls from Ballistic Dog: http://www.activedogtoys.com/dental_balls.html. The best
part is that these tennis balls aren’t any more expensive than regular tennis balls.
The other, more serious problem with balls and dogs is the fact that a certain-size ball can be a
choking hazard for some dogs. Even a tennis ball can be a choking hazard for a dog that has a
throat larger than the ball. The larger your dog is the larger the ball should be. Racquetballs and
tennis balls are common choking hazards in dogs because they are the two most popular types of
balls to give dogs and because large and extra-large dogs love them too and they have larger
throats, perfect for a racquet or tennis ball to get lodged in. If you have a larger breed dog, you
may want to consider a larger ball that your dog will love just the same, but it will be safer for
him/her to chew on. Here is a ball made from Vibram natural rubber that is larger than a tennis ball
but still small enough for a dog to hold in his/her mouth: http://www.activedogtoys.com/Vibram_Ball.
html.
Cheap-o Dog Toys - Those inexpensive rubbery squeak toys you find at dollar stores or in bulk
bins – beware. Toys like that are well-known to be laden with chemicals that can be toxic to your
dog. Also, stay away from dog toys with any type of paint on the outside. There may be a good
chance that the paint contains lead and it won’t take much chewing before the paint is ingested by
your dog. It's better to spend a little more and go with a trusted dog toy manufacturer.
TUFFY'S BREVO THE BULL
For dogs that love the sensation
of chewing on a soft stuffed
animal, this bull is soft yet mega
tough...and hard to destroy!
For dogs that love the sensation
of chewing on a soft stuffed
animal, this bull is soft yet mega
tough...and hard to destroy!
MY GOOD DOG'S GATOR
A soft-to-chew dog toy that's
super strong and durable. It's
made from the same two extra
tough fabrics found in high-end
athletic shoes. Dogs just love him!
A soft-to-chew dog toy that's
super strong and durable. It's
made from the same two extra
tough fabrics found in high-end
athletic shoes. Dogs just love him!
VIBRAM RUBBER 4" BALL
Fun to fetch and satisfying to
chew, the Vibram natural rubber
ball is a dog's delight! Plus, it's
safe for dog's teeth, unlike
regular tennis balls.
Fun to fetch and satisfying to
chew, the Vibram natural rubber
ball is a dog's delight! Plus, it's
safe for dog's teeth, unlike
regular tennis balls.