Picking the Right 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.

Overall Safety

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.

Keep 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.

Keep an Eye on the Dog and Toys

Even with the best kind of toys, you should still keep one eye on your dog. Accidents could happen. You could save yourself and your dog a whole lot of trouble and pain if you could immediately bring him to a vet.

You also have to keep an eye at the toys. Even the sturdiest toys have a limit to their lifespan. Periodically inspect your dog's toys and look for signs of wear and tear. Damages to the toy might already be a sign that you may have to replace it. Otherwise you could put your dog's health and life at risk.

Your Veterinarian Counts

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.

All dog owners would like to see their dogs happy and healthy. Giving your dog chew toys is one of the best ways to show him your love and affection. You just need to make sure, with the tips in this article, that the toys you choose are not just entertaining but are safe as well.

source: http://contentdig.com/

Was this helpful? 0 0 Comments

You're reading Picking the Right Dog Chew Toys.