The benefits of dog chew toys are just obvious. They not only help your dog to have fun, but also contribute to the health of his teeth and gum and prevent him from chewing your property. However, different dogs need different toys, and you need to get the right one for your pet.

The Size Is Important

The sizes of dogs vary and therefore the sizes of chew toys vary. If the toy is too big, your dog may not like to play with it at all. Otherwise, if the toy is too small, he might accidentally swallow it and choke on it. You really should know about your dog’s breed and size well to get the correct toy size. Many reputable manufacturers will have clear warnings on their labels to help you decide on whether a toy is appropriate for your pet.

Safety First And Foremost

Aside from checking the size of the toy, you should also check it for safety features. Depending on the breed of your dog, a toy that is too hard could damage the teeth while toys that are too soft could result in accidental ingestion of torn or chipped parts. In general you should avoid chew toys with small beads, buttons, strings, wire, bells and fake fur. Even a mild mannered puppy could rip off small parts and swallow them. Swallowed parts can result in choking, mouth wounds, and damage to the intestines and constipation.

Keep A Variety Of Toys

Puppies can easily get bored, and it is always a good idea to keep a few varieties of the toys for rotation. From time to time, you may also like to give your dog toys with edible treats in them. This way, your pet will be encouraged to play with them.

Keep an Eye on the Dog and Toys

Chew toys are not pet nannies so you should at least keep an occasional eye at your dog while he is at play. This will help you respond faster in case your dog is about to ingest a non-edible part.

You also need to inspect the toys from time to time to spot on any signs of wears or tears. Just like anything else, dog toys have their life spans and the sign of damage may indicate to you that you need to replace it. Never never put your dog’s health or life at risk.

Seeking Advice From Your Veterinarian

If you are not sure whether a toy is appropriate for your dog, the first person you should consult is your veterinarian. He might even be able to recommend good toy brands or retailers.

All dog owners would like to see their dogs happy and healthy. Giving your dog chew toys is one of the best ways to show him your love and affection. You just need to make sure, with the tips in this article, that the toys you choose are not just entertaining but are safe as well.

Do you like to have an obedient dog? Get the true advice on dog training and find out how to train your dogs properly. You may also like to check out this related article about natural food for dogs.

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