happy puppy in nature
source: goodhousekeeping.com

Dog Toy Buying Guide: Keep Your Pet Happy and Feeling Good

As a devoted dog lover, is there anything better than bringing home your new pooch? Life is instantly a whole lot better. Unconditional love. Constant companionship. Never-ending entertainment. What more could you ask for? Owning a dog is your ticket to a happier, healthier life. It’s no surprise that this is scientifically backed too, with studies showing that having a dog increases the levels of oxytocin in your brain which, in turn, makes you more joyful. Seems like a win-win to us.

While there are many benefits to spending time with your furry friend, it also comes with a lot of responsibility. After all, you’re welcoming a new family member into your home so you’re expected to take proper care of your pup. As frantic preparations are well underway, from dog beds to collars and leashes, there’s one crucial item on the dog care checklist that most people seem to overlook – dog toys. Think about it for a second, dogs are inherently very playful and energetic so it makes sense to get special toys they can play around with. Luckily, we’re here to give you all the details on dog toys to help you make the right decision.

What Toys Should a Dog Have?

puppy plaing with a colorful chew toy
source: womansday.com

Dogs can have a range of different toys to play with, chew on or toss around. This, in itself, is great because it means you have a lot of options. What is more, your pooch can take part in various activities during the day which is a wonderful outlet for all the extra energy it has. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave the house since you can embark on your journey to get useful puppy toys online from the comfort of your home. Here’s a list of things you can get.

Fetch and Frisbee

Dog playing fetch with his owner
source: ruffwear.com

Playing fetch with your dog is a unique bonding activity that is enjoyable for both owner and pet. By doing this, you build up mutual trust, strengthen your relationship and release some of your energy. When you throw the frisbee or fetch toy, your dog immediately begins its adventure to bring it back to you. Try to accept your dog’s gift with a smile, a sign of appreciation and approval that encourages such behaviour.

The great thing here is that fetch toys come in lots of different shapes, ranging from sticks to dumbbells, which makes the whole experience a lot more engaging and enticing. In spite of this, you don’t need to buy a whole bunch of fetch toys. Instead, pick a few models that you like most and stick to them since this helps build a routine.

Balls

dog playing with a yellow ball
source: bestlifeonline.com

This is the classic dog toy option and the first one that normally comes to mind. This is because of the practical nature of dog balls – they come in handy in multiple ways. Whether you decide to use them as chew or fetch toys, you’re bound to get your dog interested in play in no time. Some balls even have a glow-in-the-dark feature which might be a tempting sight for nighttime activities.

Plush Toys

dog playing wih plush toy
source: realhomes.com

Lining up the dog bed with a few plush toys can be very comforting for your pup. However, you need to pay close attention to the way your pet handles these soft toys since they can very easily get ripped apart and ingested. It’s advisable to get plush toys before the teething stage to lower the risk of accidents. Once you start to notice holes or tears in the toys, that’s your sign to swap them in favour of something else.

Treat-Dispensing

dog playing with a Treat-Dispensing toy
source: barkforce.com

These kinds of toys have grown in popularity in recent years due to their functionality. They’re specifically designed to be filled up with treats which means that your dog can play and eat at the same time. Two of their favourite activities in one go? Sign us up. It’s a great way to engage and motivate your furry friend all while giving you the space to enjoy some me-time.

Chew Toys

dog playing with a chewing toy
source: dailypaws.com

Chewing is something you’ll be dealing with very often as a dog owner so, quite expectedly, you’ll need a few chew toys to cater to your pet’s needs. Generally speaking, these toys are made of plastic or plant-based materials which are soft enough to be chewed on. Oftentimes, dental chew toys are used to improve your dog’s tooth and gum health.

All things considered, you have more than enough information to browse through puppy toys online and get the right one for you.

How Do You Know What Toy is Right for Your Dog?

That might be a little tricky but there are a couple of factors to take into consideration.

Your Dog’s Age

white puppy running happy
source: khpet.com

To put it simply, soft rubber and plush toys might be appropriate for dogs in the teething stage but that changes once that period passes. Once your dog has a stronger jaw, you can start using harder rubber toys and balls to play with.

Toy Size

The size of the toy needs to be appropriate for your dog’s breed. For example, a large toy might be difficult to handle for a puppy whereas a large pooch can easily swallow a smaller toy. A general rule of thumb is that anything that can fit behind your dog’s rear molars is a choking hazard so make sure you get the right size.