How to choose dog toys？
Playing and biting are dogs’ natural behaviors. In order to avoid dogs biting furniture, dog toys are necessary for every family with dogs. However, there are many kinds of dog toys on the market, do you know which toys dogs like? how to choose dog toys？
After reading this article, buying toys for dogs is definitely not costing the wrong money!
Types of dog toys
Different dogs have different preferences for toys, it depends on their own way of playing and biting. You can try to buy some different types of toys to understand their preferences.
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Classification by Material
- Latex material
Advantages: Anti-mite and antibacterial, soft, strong ductility, good taste, wear-resistant, high elasticity, safe and non-toxic, environmentally friendly and biodegradable, anti-static, and can float in water.
Disadvantages: It has a faint latex odor, cannot be exposed to sunlight, is prone to oxidation, and cannot be disinfected at high temperatures.
- Rubber material
Advantages: wear-resistant, good elasticity, high popularity, and easy to purchase
Disadvantages: Obvious odor, some may contain harmful substances, high density, heavy weight, low heat resistance, easy aging, and cannot be recycled.
- TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) Material
Advantages: Low cost, good elasticity, soft and not easily deformed, safe and environmentally friendly, non-toxic and odorless, recyclable, water resistant, wear-resistant and bite resistant.
Disadvantage: cannot be disinfected at high temperatures
- Plastic material
Advantages: Cheap, lightweight, floatable in water, high popularity, and easy to purchase
Disadvantages: Poor temperature resistance, neither too cold nor too hot, inelastic, fragile and prone to some sharp fractures, and easy to scratch when ingested.
- Silicone material
Advantages: Soft and not easily deformed, temperature resistant (-100 ℃~315 ℃), wear-resistant and bite resistant, not easy to mold, not easily allergic, non-toxic and odorless, easy to clean
Disadvantage: High price
Summary comparison:
Bite resistance:
rubber>TRP>silicone>latex>plastic
Price:
plastic ＜ TPR ＜ Rubber ＜ Latex ＜ Silicone
Weight:
plastic ＜ Latex ＜ TPR ＜ Silicone ＜ Rubber
Temperature resistance:
silicone>rubber>plastic>TPR>latex
Elasticity:
rubber>TPR>silicone>latex>plastic
Resilience:
silicone>rubber>TPR>latex>plastic
Service life:
silicone>rubber>TPR>latex>plastic
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Classification by Function
1、Chew Toy
Rope toy： rope toys are important tools for humans and dogs to communicate emotions. You can play tug-of-war with dogs, which will help dogs reduce their loneliness.
Chew sticks： chew toys can help dogs clean their mouth, regulate emotions, and reduce stress, while also strengthening their teeth and gums.
2、Dog Toy Balls
Dogs are naturally interested in objects that move faster, so ball toys are suitable. Buying a high-quality ball can play for a long time without damage
Attention: Regular cleaning is necessary
3、Squeaky Dog Toys
Toy ball: It is a multifunctional toy used to retrieve games, it can make sounds during squeezing, and stimulate the dog’s senses. It is also commonly used to motivate and encourage dogs, playing a crucial role in training.
Sound-making Puppet: The soft texture and easy biting nature of puppets can increase the excitement of puppies.
Voice button: Train the communication and communication skills between dogs and their owners. Dogs can recognize short commands through their voices and cultivate their intelligence.
4、Dog Puzzle Toys
Snuffle mat： It can deplete the energy of dogs and enhance their enjoyment of eating.
Snuffle ball： It allows your dogs to discover hidden snacks or small toys within the ball. Great for stress relief.
What toys do dogs love？
Although there are various of dog toys, we seldom buy them according to categories. We buy them based on what our dog likes. Based on my years of experience in raising dogs, dogs like the following toys the most:
- Slippers
Owners’ slippers is the favorite toy of most dogs, because there are owner’s scent on slippers. dogs are familiar with them. But dogs like to bite them, and sometimes they are easily bitten.
- Balls
Dogs love things that are round and rolling, including all kinds of balls.
- Plush Doll
Dogs, like children, also love plush dolls, which may be a common trait among all mammals because their plush appearance makes both children and dogs feel warm and friendly. The puppy that just arrived home often has to sleep with a doll and looks very cute.
- Tooth grinding toys
Tooth grinding toys are very necessary for dogs. When a dog is born from three to six months old, it is its tooth changing period. It will always want to find something to chew on due to uncomfortable teeth. The owner must give it some chewy toys, such as tooth grinding sticks, otherwise it will randomly bite furniture, dog beds, rice bowls, and even the owner.
- Frisbee
Frisbee is a toy designed specifically for dogs, but not all dogs are suitable. Small dogs are not very suitable for playing frisbee, as their bones are relatively fragile and playing with such intense exercise can easily cause fractures. It is suitable for medium-sized dogs. They need a lot of exercise. Buying a Frisbee can not only train them, but also consume their physical strength.
Generally, large dogs and small dogs prefer different toys, while most small dogs prefer plush toys
Working dogs and viewing dogs also have different preferences, so when choosing, it’s important to consider the type of dog in your family.
