While holiday shopping, don't forget your dog
The Christmas season is upon us. Ads in the media tell us stores are opening earlier and earlier for holiday shopping. Those of us who include our dogs on our shopping lists can buy holiday presents online, in the stores and from catalogs. The choices are endless.
We can buy collars and leashes, clothing, jewelry, treats and toys, monogrammed bath towels and orthopedic dog beds. There are round balls, oval balls, balls with handles, balls that float in the water, balls on ropes and balls you can stuff with food.
There are pull toys made of fabric, rubber and leather. There are stuffed animals, from small to giant, with or without squeakers, fuzzy stuffed animals and organically stuffed animals.
We buy our dogs toys to keep them busy and happy. The HSUS notes toys are not a luxury but a necessity because dogs will often play with anything available. I have one flip-flop, carelessly left out of the closet, with recent teeth marks on it that proves it.
Toys help prevent boredom in dogs that are left alone, and can also help prevent problem behaviors from developing. We all want our dogs to be safe, and purchasing safe dog toys is no exception.
The HSUS offers the following suggestions for safe toys.
Toys should be appropriate for your dog's size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be swallowed or lodged in your dog's throat.
Toys should be "dog proofed" by removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could be chewed or ingested - or avoid these toys altogether. Discard toys that start to break into pieces or have pieces torn off.
Toys with squeakers should be played with under supervision, as squeakers can be ingested.
The HSUS recommends asking your veterinarian about which rawhide toys are safe and which ones aren't.
Stuffed toys are a popular dog toy. During this season, they come in all shapes and sizes. Look for stuffed toys that are labeled as safe for children under 3 years of age and that don't contain any dangerous fillings, including nutshells and polystyrene beads.
The HSUS divides its list of recommended toys into three categories: Active toys, Distraction toys and Comfort toys.
The Active list includes very hard rubber toys such as Nylabone type products and Kong-type products. My dog enjoys playing fetch with the softer Kong-type toys.
The Distraction list has Kong-type toys. It should be a size appropriate for your dog. Common practice is to fill these toys with broken-up treats or a mixture of broken up treats and peanut butter, which according to the HSUS will keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. Check with your veterinarian about giving peanut butter to your dog.
Comfort toys are soft stuffed toys, which for some dogs should be small enough to carry around. An old T-shirt, pillowcase, towel or blanket can be very comforting to a dog, especially if the item smells like you. Or a flip-flop if you leave it laying around the house.
The HSUS suggests many of your dog's toys should be interactive.
"Interactive play is very important for your dog because he needs active 'people time' - and such play also enhances the bond between you and your pet."
Also, by repeatedly returning a ball or Frisbee or playing hide and seek with treats or toys, dogs can use up pent-up mental and physical energy, reducing stress due to confinement, boredom and isolation.
Toys are important for our dogs. So is the time we spend with them. Go out and play. Both of you will enjoy it.
• The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all-volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For information, call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.