The toy options for your pets are almost endless, thus choosing the right one can be daunting and overwhelming. With that being said, some pet owners end up with loads of toys that are left in the corners because they do not even interest their fluffy pals.
So, how do you choose the best toys for your pets? Well, an animal’s toy preference greatly depends on their lifestyle. At first, pet owners might want to purchase different types so as to find out how their pet likes to chew or play. In the long run, the pets might find a variety of toys rather interesting. If you do not want to have regrets in your toy selection,
you can start off with these tips.
Pets that Like to Chew
For pets that like to chew or bite things, rope toys and other dental chew toys are the most ideal choices. Because they are made of rubber, they are very durable and can withstand aggressive chewers. Apart from that, they can give the pets a great chewing workout which is excellent to keep pup's periodontal muscles (that hold his teeth in his gums) healthy.
However, if you have a dog who is a heavy chewer, it is best that you give him a toy that cannot be broken into pieces. You wouldn’t want to pose a threat to him. If you see that he's chewed a toy, bone, antler or rawhide down to a small piece, remove and discard it. Pain, grief and a $5,000 vet bill can result if it gets stuck in his gut.
If your dog is already old enough, toys that are smooth, squishy, and soft are preferable. This is because these things are gentle on their gums and teeth. As far as stuffed toys, some dogs can get weeks or month of chewing out of them. In others, the ATTACK mode is triggered and it takes them less than 5 minutes to dissect out the squeeker and all the stuffing (which they generally use for an interior decorating project and vaccuum cleaner clogging exercise.)
Pets that Prefer to be Carried and be Cuddled
Smaller pets, such as cats and tiny dog breeds prefer to be carried by their owners at times. But when they are on the floor, they would also love to play with toys, just like the other pets. For them, toys that are made of fabric and fleece are essential. The more they play with it, the more they will be familiar with its scent, making them comfortable. As a result, owners can now leave them playing the whole day without having to carry them. These toys also make a good companion for them in the event they need a company during their quiet time. Some of these toys make odd noises that keep them interested and entertained.
Want to make one yourself? Do you have some socks that you are ready to throw out because they have a hole in them? Stuff all into the one that is in the best shape and tie it off. Want to make it an extra special treat for pup? Make the sock toy from unwashed, smelly socks.
Pets that are Used to Getting Rewards
Interactive toys are great choices for dogs that are used to getting treats and rewards. If you have grown to spoil your dogs and give them rewards every time they do something right, then it would be a great idea to fill their toys with some yummy treats. But, how do you do it?
These days, there are balls and other toys that have hollow areas in the middle sold on the market. One of our favorites is the Bob-a-Lot. You can buy these so that it will be easier for you to put in some snacks for your pooches. Giving these to your pets will surely keep them busy for long periods of time because they will never give up until they are able to retrieve the very last bit of the treat.
If you don’t like kind of toy, you can find other toys that conceal smaller toys inside. They can be very challenging and rewarding for pets, particularly dog. These will not just keep them occupied for hours; these will also exercise their physical and mental aspects.
And there is always the good old reliable Kong, king of interactive toys. We like filling a Kong with dog treats or frozen peanut butter to make that "lick and ye shall find" experience last even longer.
Pets that are Fond of Running and Playing Chase
While some pets stay put when playing, others love to run around and play chase. If you happen to have these pets, toys that bounce and fly would greatly entertain them. These are designed to exercise and give joy to your animal pals without even tiring them out. Get friendly with your local tennis pro and ask if you can periodically get some used balls, balls that just don't bounce enough for competition play but are certainly fine for pup.
Flying discs are among the most popular toys for pets that love to run. These are often made of cloth or plastic and are designed in a way that is easy to the teeth, gums, and mouth of dogs, which is really important for athletic canines that can catch flying discs even in midair.
In general, pets are playful creatures. Once you leave them alone, they can easily get bored. And you don’t want them to be sad or lonely. To prevent this from happening, you can use these tips and witness for yourself the light in the faces of your furry pals.
With a little thought and planning you can keep your pup or kitty happy while you are gone. If your pup needs dog walks for potty breaks or for mental stimulatioin, if your kitty needs love, feeding and fresh litter contact us and we will be happy to help.
Author: Jordan Walker
Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops And Cages as well as a couple of other pet related blogs. His passion for animals is only matched by his love for 'attempting' to play the guitar. If you would like to catch him, you can reach him via Google+ or Twitter.
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