Being a pet parent is a big responsibility because you are just like caring for a child. Aside from providing your dogs the essentials they need such as food and shelter, you also need to ensure that they feel your care and love through the attention that you give them. However, it is often the case that you won’t be able to be with your pet all the time, and it is in these instances wherein providing them with a toy that they can play with to keep themselves entertained is a good idea. In line with this, below are some of the things that you need to consider when getting a new toy for your dog.
Age of Your Dog
One of the primary things that you need to consider in getting a toy for your dog is his age. Even if dogs don’t age the way humans do, the needs of a pup are different from the needs of a more mature dog. For instance, a puppy that is less than a month old still has developing teeth, such that softer toys are more appropriate. As soon as your dog starts teething, he may need toys that he can chew upon to distract him from chewing your shoes instead.
For more mature dogs that are way past the teething stage, you can already give harder toys to play with because their teeth and jaw will already be able to handle it. Just keep in mind that as your dog gets older, reaching to its senior age, they will tend to lose the strength that their jaw once had, and they may even be less active already. In this case, get your dog a softer toy that will encourage him to move and be active.
Safety
Another thing that you should consider when getting a new toy for your dog is their safety. More often than not, their safety depends on the features of the toy, the size of your dogs, their activity level, as well as their preferences. It is also worthwhile to think about where your dog will play with his toy because the environment where he will spend time in also plays a crucial factor in terms of his safety. Keep in mind that some of the toys that dogs find to be most captivating are those that pose a significant danger to them.
Size
Apart from the age of your dog and their overall safety, it is also important for you to consider both the size of the toy and the size of your dog. For instance, getting a big toy for a small dog may prove to be inappropriate because your dog might not be able to play with it properly. In the same manner, getting an extremely small toy for a big dog may be dangerous because they can end up gnawing on the toy and choking. For this reason, make sure to choose the toy with an appropriate size for the breed and size of your dog.
Type of Toy
There are several types of toys that you can choose from and some of these include balls, tug toys, treats, and chewable, as well as plush toys. To ensure that you get your dog the type of toy that he will enjoy, you must know his personality to find out his preferences.
Balls
There are several types of balls and each can bounce differently. Some even float or glow in the dark, which is a great option if you want to keep your dog active. When you find the right type of ball for your dog, make sure that it is made from a durable material because there is a great chance that your dog will chew on it. Giving your dog a ball means that you need to play with him too because this is a great toy that can pave the way for you to bond with each other.
Tug Toys
Tug toys are also great toys that allow you and your dog to bond and spend time together. However, some discourage giving this type of toy to your dog as they deem that this can encourage aggression. Nevertheless, there is nothing for you to worry about, especially if your dog is well-trained or in the process of being trained.
Chew Toys
You also have the option of giving chew to your toys and more often than not, you can have these delivered in pet boxes. Otherwise, there is also the option for you to head over at petlifeworld.com if you want to have a good idea on which specific pet subscription box to get for your dog. In this case, you can include toys that are specifically made to be chewed upon in your box or those that can be infused with treats.
Plush Toys
Some dogs love to have plush toys, however, this type of toy is also one of the most unsafe kinds to give your dog. This is because plush toys can easily be ripped apart. In case you want to give a plush toy to your dog because you know that they love it, make sure that they are well supervised when they are playing with it.
To wrap things up, make sure that you consider the age of your dog, as well as their safety when you are getting a new toy for them. It is also good to think about the size and texture of the toy, as well as the type of toy that you are eyeing to buy for your pet. Keep in mind that there are several options for you to choose from and it is a great idea to go with the recommended toys instead. In the end, what matters is the effort that you put into choosing the perfect toy for your dog, which, for sure, your pet will be able to appreciate.
