A blog post about Choosing safe chew toys for your dogs.
If you have a four-legged friend, you know that they can be really curious creatures. Unfortunately, this means that they put their mouths on just about everything – including things that aren’t safe for them to chew on.
If you’re a dog owner, you know how important it is to keep your furry friend safe and happy. One way to do this is by choosing the right chew toys for them. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which ones are safe and which ones your pup will love.
Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to help you choose the perfect chew toy for your dog.
- Why Do Dogs Love to Chew?
- How to Choose the Safest Dog Chew Toys for Your Pup?
- Safe Chew Toys for Dogs
- unsafe Chew Toys for Dogs
Why Do Dogs Love to Chew Things?
There are many different reasons why dogs love to chew, and it’s not just because they’re teething. Puppies start chewing when they’re about 3-4 months old as a way to relieve the pain of teething, but older dogs continue to chew for other reasons. For example, some dogs chew out of boredom or anxiety, while others do it for attention.
We have listed some of the important reasons
- Chewing is an instinct for dogs, and it’s something that they enjoy doing.
- Dogs chew to relieve boredom or stress
- Chewing also helps keep their teeth clean and healthy
- Some dogs just enjoy the taste and texture of different things they can chew on
- Provides mental stimulation for dogs, which is why many puzzle toys and bones are specifically designed for chewing.
How to Choose the Safest Dog Chew Toys for Your Pup?
1. The type of toy
There are many factors to consider when choosing safe dog chew toys, but the type of toy is one of the most important. Some dogs prefer softer toys that they can sink their teeth into, while others like tougher toys that they can gnaw on for hours.
And while there are plenty of safe options available for both types of dogs. There are three main types of dog chew toys: hard rubber, nylon, and rope. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose a toy that’s specifically designed for your dog’s chewing habits.
Hard rubber toys are great for dogs who love to gnaw and chew. They’re durable and usually have a longer life span than other types of toys.
There are many different types of dog chew toys on the market, and not all of them are created equal. When choosing a safe dog chew toy, be sure to consider the type of toy and how it will interact with your pup’s chewing habits.
2. The size of the toy
When considering what size toy to get your dog, think about how big your dog is and whether or not they are a chewer. You don’t want to get them a toy that’s too small and they could choke on, but you also don’t want to get them a toy that’s too big and they can’t carry around.
The best option is usually somewhere in the middle – big enough for your dog to enjoy, but not so large that it becomes a safety risk.
In addition to size, you’ll also want to think about materials. Check labels carefully before purchasing any toy, and avoid anything made with harmful chemicals or toxic dyes.
The best way to find the perfect size for your pup is by consulting with your veterinarian or pet store clerk.
3. How tough is the toy
When choosing safe dog chew toys, one of the most important factors to consider is how tough the toy is. If a toy is too soft, your dog could easily tear it apart and ingest pieces that may cause blockages or other problems.
On the other hand, if a toy is too hard, it could damage your dog’s teeth. It’s important to choose a material that strikes a balance between being durable enough to withstand chewing and not so hard that it poses a risk to your pup’s dental health.
How tough the toy is should be one of your main considerations when choosing a safe dog chew toy. Look for toys made from durable materials like rubber or nylon, and avoid soft plastics or easily shredded materials.
4. If there is a sharp edge on the toy
If there are any sharp edges on the toy, it’s important to consider how safe it is for your dog. Some dogs may be able to chew through the toy and ingest pieces of it, which could lead to serious health problems.
Avoid anything with sharp edges – these can damage your pup’s teeth or even cause cuts and scrapes on their gums and pose a serious risk of injury to your dog, and should therefore be avoided at all costs.
It’s best to choose a toy that is made of soft materials such as rubber or plush fabric. These types of toys are less likely to cause harm if your dog does manage to tear them apart.
5. Whether or not the paint is safe for your dog
Safety is important when choosing dog chew toys because you don’t want your dog to ingest any harmful chemicals. Some paints used on chew toys can be toxic if swallowed.
You don’t want your dog to end up sick because it chewed on a toy with unsafe paint. so it’s important to choose a toy that is safe for your dog to play with.
There are many safe and non-toxic options available, so you should have no problem finding the perfect toy for your furry friend. Thanks for considering safety when choosing a dog chew toy!
6. What material the toy is made out of
There are a variety of materials that can be used to make dog chew toys, but not all of them are equally safe for your pup. Some materials, like plastics and rubbers, can break down easily and release small pieces that your dog could choke on.
Other materials, like rope or fabric, might fray and create sharp edges that could cut your dog’s mouth or throat.
You’ll want to avoid anything too hard or potentially sharp, like bone fragments or rawhide chips. Instead, choose something softer like rubber or nylon.
Rubber is a popular choice for chew toys because it’s durable and bouncy, but some dogs find it too hard or dense to enjoy chewing on.
Safe Chew Toys for Dogs
As much as we love our furry friends, sometimes they can be destructive. Dogs like to chew on things, and it’s important to make sure that what they’re chewing on is safe. There are a lot of different dogs chew toys on the market, but not all of them are safe for your pet. Here are 7 safe chew toys for your dog.
- Soft and Fluffy toys– From the standpoint of dental trauma, soft toys are rather safe, however, they should be watched to ensure that our Pet doesn’t devour any piece of the toy.
- Tug-of-war toys– These toys are excellent for that game of tug-of-war with your energetic pup. however supervised them so he may not end up swallowing strands of the rope, which can be particularly dangerous to his intestines.
- A Kong– from the perspective of veterinarians, Kong is 100 percent safe and also provides dental health benefits.
- Nylon & Rubber Chew Toys– toys are firm enough to resist serious chewing, and would not cause tooth damage.
- Edible Chews– Edible chews cultivate to be more digestible for your pet. The product approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has been verified to prevent tartar buildup and plaque.
- Balls– A hard rubber ball is excellent for a game of fetch, as long as your furry friend cannot gnaw the ball into pieces.
Unsafe Chew Toys for dogs-
If you have a pup that loves to chew, it’s important to choose the right toys to keep them safe. There are a few things you should avoid when selecting safe dog chew toys, including.
- Bones – High possibility of contamination with dangerous bacteria that can induce disease in your dog and/or your family.
- Antlers– These toys are not recommended by vets as they are too hard and will cause teeth to be damaged. Many times requiring surgical removal.
- Cow Hooves– Like bones, cow hooves can crack your dog’s teeth. They are also not quickly digestible. If large parts are swallowed, it may create a risk to the health of your dog.
- Rawhides– If large chunks of rawhides are swallowed, it may cause blockages if it isn’t digested fast enough. Many times large rawhide pieces can get stuck in the digestive tract, and require abdominal surgery to remove.
- Tennis balls– Tennis balls can also pose a choking threat if your dog enjoys tearing them to pieces.
- Ice cubes– If ice cubes are larger and harder then there are chances for fractures or broken teeth.
Supervet offers different variety of chews for your pet to improve dental health by helping to scrape away plaque and tartar build-up and maintaining gum health. We also offer toys and sticks to satisfy their natural urge to chew.