Know which toys are safest for your dog's playtime
Lights, trees, baking, wrapping paper, shopping malls, online shopping. Holiday shopping is upon us.
My dog seems to think every box and bag brought into the house needs his personal attention. Maybe he thinks one of them contains a gift for him. And he would be right.
We buy toys for our dogs to keep them busy and happy. The Humane Society of the United States notes toys are not a luxury, but a necessity, because dogs will often play with anything available. I have a glove with a hole chewed in the right thumb, carelessly left on the kitchen counter, that proves it.
Toys help prevent boredom in dogs who are left alone and help problem behaviors from developing.
The HSUS suggests the following to help us purchase safe toys for our dogs:
• Toys should be appropriate for your dog's size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be swallowed or get 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. Throw out 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.
Rawhides are popular toys for dogs. The HSUS recommends asking your veterinarian about which rawhide toys are safest for our pets. Unless your veterinarian says otherwise, "chewies" like hooves, pig's ears and rawhides should only be played with under supervision.
The HSUS notes, "Very hard rubber toys are safer and last longer."
The HSUS also divides its list of recommended toys into three categories: Active, Distraction and Comfort. The Active toys list includes very hard rubber toys such as Nylabone-type products and Kong-type products. My dog enjoys playing Hide n Seek with the softer "plush" Kong-type toys.
Distraction toys include the Kong-type toys, which should be the appropriate size for your dog. Common practice is to fill these toys with broken-up treats or a mixture of treats and peanut butter. According to the Humane Society, these stuffed toys will keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. Check with your veterinarian about giving peanut butter to your dog.
Comfort toys are the soft stuffed toys, which for some dogs should be small enough to carry around. These stuffed toys are a popular item to buy for our dogs.
During this holiday season, stuffed animals come in all shapes and sizes. Look for stuffed toys that are labeled safe for children under 3 and don't contain any dangerous fillings, including nutshells and polystyrene beads. Even safe stuffings are not truly digestible.
An old T-shirt, pillowcase, towel or blanket can also be very comforting to your dog, especially if the item smells like you. (Or your dog can carry your glove around if you leave it lying out.)
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."
By repeatedly returning a ball or Frisbee or playing hide and seek with treats or toys, dogs can use pent-up mental and physical energy, thereby 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 with your dog. You'll both enjoy it.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3, shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.