With all the love and joy a dog provides us, it’s only natural for us to give them a fitting token of appreciation. A dog toy can be that item, providing a means of entertainment and stimulation to your furry buddy.
That being said, with all the different types of dogs available in the market, it can be overwhelming to know what toy best fits your dog’s personality.
While seeing your furry pal interact with different types of toys can be half the fun, finding and providing the perfect toy for your pet is what they deserve. Wouldn’t you agree?
If you’re at the crossroads of making that decision, worry no longer. This article will delve into several types of dog toys that can bring a new meaning of fun to your dog.
Whether they’re a large-sized breed or a small one, they’re bound to find a toy here that matches their personality and breed. Let’s explore the wonderful world of dog toys in more detail!
Big Breeds: Durable Chew Toys
Have you ever bought a dog chew toy only for your dog to destroy it during their first go at it? Well, let me tell you that you’re definitely not the first to have that problem!
For big breeds and dogs with strong jaws, like mastiffs, pitbulls, and rottweilers, it’s crucial for owners to invest in durable chew toys that can withstand their powerful jaws.
One way of finding the best chew toy is by looking for the ones with the right material. In particular, search for toys that are made from reinforced materials, such as rubber or nylon. These materials not only withstand your dog’s bite but they are also built to keep their teeth and gums healthy and in good shape.
With the right chew toy, your dog can also enjoy their toy for much longer—which makes it a good long-term investment for you and a good means of entertainment for your dog.
Higher-quality material often means more expensive products, but having it is more than worth it for your big dog breed to have a safe and healthy toy. Plus, you wouldn’t have to replace it as often!
Intelligent Breeds: Interactive Toys
Some dog breeds, such as Border Collies, Doberman pinschers, and poodles, are renowned for their quick wit and excellent problem-solving skills. They love being mentally stimulated—and fortunately for them, there are many interactive toys that can help them challenge their brains.
Puzzle toys are a category of toys that have the added challenge of being mentally fulfilling for the dog to solve. There’s usually a reward component for them upon puzzle completion, which can make for a fun and engaging experience.
A hide-a-squirrel dog toy is a great example of an interactive toy that can satisfy both their mind and natural prey drive. This toy features a main trunk with holes and mobile plush squirrels in each trunk. It requires your dog to be agile and perceptive of the problem to solve it.
There are many other interactive toy breeds, such as flip boards and an IQ treat ball. If your dog has an affinity towards certain toys, like plush balls, then chances are they’ll enjoy the interactive and mentally stimulating version of it too!
Anxious Dogs: Cuddle Toys
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of new pet owners, and a lot of dogs who’ve grown up during this time have adopted a norm wherein they’ve seen no one but their immediate family during their formative early years.
This has caused a surge of socially anxious dogs. These dogs feel incredibly uneasy at the thought of their owner being away or not in the same room as them, barking, chewing, and partaking in self-destructive behaviour.
Some breeds are more susceptible to developing separation anxiety than others. Bichon Frise, golden retrievers, German shepherds, Border collies, and chihuahuas can develop this condition in their formative years.
Furthermore, small dog breeds who have been spoiled by their owner can also feel pangs of separation anxiety as soon as their owner leaves the room.
To help keep these dog breeds calm, there are certain toys aimed at easing their behaviour. One toy from Zach’s Pet Shop is a cute sheep plush toy that emits a calming lavender scent bubble that your dog can sniff as they chew.
This plush is a great addition to their toy collection as it can provide feelings of relaxation to your pup every time they’re close to it.
Besides that, plush toys can also provide comfort to anxious dogs by offering them a sense of security and familiarity. If you’ve played with the toy alongside them, it carries your scent, which can be especially soothing when you’re away.
Hungry Dogs: Food & Treat Dispensing Toys
A dog toy that can be excellent for hungry dog breeds (or dogs motivated by treats) is a treat-dispensing dog toy.
These dog toys often present a mentally stimulating challenge that engages your dog’s intellect, and once they’ve solved the challenge, your furry buddy will be rewarded with a delicious treat.
Dog breeds that would enjoy this type of toy include Beagles, labradors, and pugs. These toys reward persistence while simultaneously maintaining a controlled release of treats to ensure that your dog doesn’t eat too much.
For dogs who are food-motivated, treat-dispensing dogs like the Kong Wobbler make for excellent purchases. Despite their name, these toys are also good for portion control and keeping your dog healthy and active, which can be useful for dogs prone to getting overweight.
Predatory Dogs: Squeaking Soft Toy
Dogs with a high prey drive, like miniature pinschers, dachshunds, and beagles, enjoy toys that mimic the sound of small animals squealing.
These toys provide an avenue for them to alleviate their primal instinct without hurting any actual animal and getting exposed to random diseases—which is a win-win.
The squeak can be incredibly engaging to them, helping them stay focused on the toy for hours on end. Furthermore, these toys can also be used as a bonding toy for you and your pup, wherein you squeeze it to draw their attention and then throw it for them to catch.
If your dog has strong predatory instincts, definitely consider getting a squeaking toy for them. Even a small one can keep them occupied.
Energetic Dogs: Fetch Toys
Some dog breeds, such as Jack Russell terriers, golden retrievers, Australian shepherds, and border collies, have boundless energy that needs to be burned off. Fetch toys are the perfect solution for this, providing your dog a chance to retrieve items and return them back to you.
Some fetch toys that make for excellent buys include frisbees and tennis balls. Of course, there are also dog-friendly alternatives to these man-made toys. Once you have one, you simply have to stay in place in a wide and open field, throw the item, and allow your dog’s retrieving instincts to kick in. This type of toy promotes active exercise for the pup, which can keep them healthy for years.
Furthermore, fetch toys also make for a great bond strengthener. If you go to the beach, park, or an open, public field often, a fetch toy can be just the thing to stimulate and have a fun day with your active dog.
Puppies or Sensitive-Toothed Breeds: Teething Toys
Puppies and soft-toothed breeds like chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers would benefit greatly from having toys that are soft and durable.
The soft texture of teething toys allows these dogs to clean their teeth and gums while simultaneously providing a fun and satisfying chewing experience for them.
Unlike standard chew toys, these teething toys are built with gentle but firm materials like silicone and rubber.
Dogs can sometimes lose track of what they’re chewing and can end up with bloody gums and teeth. These toys help ensure that your dogs won’t break their teeth from incessant chewing.
Teething toys provide your pup with a sense of relief and comfort as they play with their toy, granting you peace of mind knowing that they’re getting both dental and entertainment benefits from their toy.
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