Dog toys: types and choices

All dog breeders sooner or later face the question of which toys are best to buy for their four-legged friend. These attributes are truly essential for dogs of all breeds. Usually they are presented in pet stores in a fairly wide variety, so the owners often cannot make the right choice. In order not to be mistaken with a purchase, you must take into account various criteria, as well as the compatibility of the toy with a specific pet and its main purpose.

How to correctly identify all these signs and choose the right accessory for playing your dog will be described in detail in this article.

Play is an integral part of the life of any dog. It can take place in various forms, in different locations, and have special difficulty levels. But in any case, this process involves the physical activity of the pet and is very beneficial for its health.

Many owners, especially owners of large breeds, use play accessories to train their pet. Teaching teams in the open air or even in an apartment environment becomes more varied and easier when toys come to the rescue.

However, in addition to professional and amateur training, toys are also useful for dogs that are active in the absence of the owner. Such dogs, not having their own toys, can use slippers or curtains in their games, as a result of which property is often damaged. Play accessories will attract such fidget dogs much more than the master's things, and will bring double benefits.

You should also choose toys for the puppies. From an early age, they are necessary for a pet, because some of them contribute to the physical development of babies. An example would be the need for a puppy to try everything to the teeth, and some toys will appeal to the little inhabitant of your house.

In a number of breeds, for example, husky dogs, the need for active rest is extremely high. They need extra activity while walking. In this case, the appropriate toys come to the rescue, allowing the dogs to release their energy to the fullest and increasing the productivity of the walk.

Dog toys are presented in a large assortment in pet stores. These accessories are classified according to several criteria. The first is size.

• Large play accessories are usually chosen for large breed dogs. They are not cheap and are often used for training purposes.
• Small counterparts are much cheaper, but when playing with them, you should be careful that the dog does not try to swallow the toy.

Another determining factor is the size of the dog itself and its needs.

• To develop the bite of a large dog correctly, you should pay attention to the devices designed for tug, for example, a special rope.

• If the dog loves to bite toys, it is worth choosing such models, the material of which is resistant to the effects of teeth. An example of such a toy for small dogs is a chicken made from latex.

• To carry out training, it is worth purchasing such accessories that are aport ones. In addition, various throwing devices such as a ball are popular. There are also plates that dogs can catch on the fly.

• It is easy for puppies or small dogs to lose their play equipment in the dark. To make finding your favorite toy easier, choose models with built-in glowing elements or a squeaker.

When considering balls as a separate type of dog toys, it is worth mentioning that the purpose of using these accessories may vary. In the case of small dogs or puppies, the balls are needed so that the dog independently pushes them with his paws and then catches up.

Large pets, when walking or training, often like to bring a ball thrown by the owner. Among these toys, it is worth noting a ball, which is made in the shape of an egg from a durable material. This option is vandal-proof, because, thanks to the material and construction, it is almost impossible to damage it with the teeth, which provides not only benefits for the pet, but also durability in use.

So that the dog can play with the ball on its own, you can purchase automatic constructions, which throw the ball into the air in the mode you set. Such devices operate on batteries or from the mains. The dog itself puts the ball into the upper hole of the structure, and after a short period of time this ball flies out from another hole, contributing to an exciting gameplay.

Some owners set themselves the goal of developing the dog's thinking at an early age. In this, excellent assistants will be educational toy types... They are a mechanism inside which a treat, such as dog food, is placed. To open access to food, the dog needs to be smart by turning the mechanism in a certain way.

Sometimes in such toys there are flaps, pulling out which the dog can feast on.

A special kind are edible toys, most often presented in the form of sticks, rings or bones made from rawhide, as well as natural veins in a dried form. They are indispensable for maintaining the health of your pet's oral cavity. When the dog chews on such sticks, the teeth of the animal are cleaned.

Soft toys are a separate variety. Some pets use them for active games or sleep with them. In the first case, the risk that the soft toy will become unusable is large enough, therefore it needs to be replaced periodically.

The variety of types of play accessories for four-legged pets also explains the large selection of materials from which the toys are made. Each material has its own characteristics and strength indicators. The raw materials for dog toys can be classified.

• Rubber products are characterized by a fairly high strength and at the same time inexpensive cost. These products, especially those designed to be chewed, help dogs to remove plaque from their teeth as they play and to massage their gums.

• Another durable material for making dog toys is silicone. He, like rubber, has a beneficial effect on the gums and teeth, and also facilitates the process of changing baby teeth. Silicone products will not seriously harm the pet's body, even if it gnaws at the structure and swallows it. Naturally, the toy will be released from the dog's body.

• Latex Game Accessories are considered as safe as possible. They are made of environmentally friendly material that is not capable of harming the health of your pet. Also similar toys, which, like the previous two types, are mainly used for chewing by a dog, have the same elastic, but softer texture. This is beneficial for dogs whose gums are sensitive.

• Stuffed toys can be made from fleece or felt. Individual elements of some models are sometimes made of strong rope. Despite the low level of durability in general, such models have a very interesting design, most often repeating the appearance of wild animals, such as ducks or foxes, for which certain breeds of dogs were used to hunt.

• If the play designs are made made of plastic, as, for example, educational toys, their durability will depend on how exactly the dog acts on the product. There is always a risk that the plastic will crack, but in some cases it lasts long enough.

• Also in demand wooden toys for dogs. One of the most common is a stick-shaped toy, which, in addition to natural wood, also contains synthetic materials.

• Electronic Modelsusually involves the use of batteries so that the dog can independently interact with the mechanism.The principle of operation can be aimed at moving the ball and ejecting it in a random order from the upper opening of the housing to the lower ones.

Having familiarized themselves with all the materials and designs of play devices for a four-legged friend in more detail, many owners still cannot understand how to choose the right toy that will be ideal for their dog. When choosing a similar accessory, pay attention to the selection criteria.

• Pet size is important since for large breeds, you should choose more durable and dimensional toys than for small ones. Mismatching the parameters will create the risk that large dogs may swallow the toy and small dogs may find it uncomfortable to use the product. Models that fit in your dog's mouth, but not small enough to swallow, will be relatively safe.
• Dog age determines the complexity of the playing affiliation. For very young individuals, emphasis is placed on development, for young ones - on the opportunity to throw out energy and strengthen the muscle corset, and for adult dogs it is worth choosing toys that will allow them to moderately maintain activity.
• Consider pet characterchoosing material for toys. If the dog is calm, then even products made of soft materials will suit her. But for those dogs who like to gnaw their toys, it is better to choose anti-vandal models or products made from durable raw materials.
• When choosing chew toys, pay attention to the condition of your dog's teeth and gums. If they are sensitive, choose toys that will not be too hard for the dog.
• Pay attention to the price. Depending on the complexity of the designs of gaming accessories and their purpose, the cost varies. Interactive options as well as battery-powered designs are more expensive. Also, the price of some developmental products can be high. But accessories such as balls, ropes and rubber tweeters are much cheaper.
• Keep in mind that for a balanced activity, do not limit yourself to just one toy. The dog will be much more interested if the play tools alternate.

So that the life of your four-legged friend is truly fulfilling and interesting, you cannot do without playing devices. Taking into account the safety standards, the individual characteristics of the pet, the age of the dog, its need for activity and character, you can choose the perfect model of a toy that will bring a lot of pleasure to both the life of the dog and the owner.

For an overview of toys for dogs, see the next video.