The Truth About Dog Chew Toys

Most dogs actually need and will appreciate dog chew toys, as they usually can find fun with toys. For you as a dog owner, these toys can help manage your dog's natural inclination to keep on chewing. If you select the right toys, you can keep your dog away from things in the house which you do not like him to gnaw. Besides, chewing can also encourage teeth and gum health and can relieve anxiety and boredom. So, what exactly you should look for when choosing chew toys?

Choose the Right Size

Not all dogs are in one size, and the chew toy that you pick should have just the right size for your dog. If the toy is too big, you dog may not like to play with it at all. On the other hand, however, if the toy is too small, he might accidentally swallow it and choke on it. You really should know about your dog's breed and size well to choose the right toy size. The good news is that many reputable dog toy manufacturers often print detailed descriptions on the toy labels so that you can decide whether a toy is appropriate for your dog.

Make Sure the Toy is Safe

Aside from checking the size of the toy, you should also check it for safety features. Depending on the breed of your dog, a chew toy that is too hard could damage the teeth. Toys that are too soft could result in accidental ingestion of torn or chipped parts. In general you should avoid chew toys with small beads, buttons, strings, wire, bells and fake fur. Even a mild mannered dog could rip off small parts and swallow them. Swallowed parts can result in choking, mouth wounds, and damage to the intestines and constipation.

Pick a Variety of Toys

It is not practical to buy a whole box of chew toys for your dog, but you should at least choose a few of them. This is because dogs can get bored if they only play with one toy and, to avoid this, you should have a rotation of a handful of chew toys. It is also a good idea to occasionally give your dog chew toys with edible treat to encourage your dog to play with them.

Durability of Toys

Chew toys are not pet nannies so you should at least keep an occasional eye at your dog while he is at play. This will help you respond faster in case your dog is about to ingest a non-edible part.

You should also examine your dog's chew toys periodically. Chew toys should be extremely durable but even the most expensive ones though do not last a lifetime. It will be dangerous for your dog to continue playing with a damaged toy. So, be sure to replace those as soon as you have detected.

Asking the Vet

If you are not sure whether a chew toy is appropriate for your dog, the first person you should consult is your veterinarian. He might even be able to recommend good toy brands or retailers.

As said, dog chew toys can bring enormous benefits to a dog's physical and psychological health. With all the tips discussed in this article, you are certainly able to pick up toys that are not just enjoyable but also safe to your pet.

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