Dog toy
Encyclopedia
A dog toy is a toy
that is specifically for dog
s to play with.
Dog toys come in many varieties, including dog bones, puppy
toys, balls, tug toys, training
aids, squeaky toys, discs and frisbees, plush
toys, and sticks.
Dog toys serve different purposes. Puppies, for instance, need toys they can chew on when they are teething because their gums and jaws
become very sore and chewing on things provides them relief. Also, playing with different toys encourages exercise, which benefits the pet's overall health. Toys also stimulate dogs' minds
, discourage problem behavior resulting from boredom and excess energy, and promote dental health.
There are a wide variety of dog toys on the market that are designed for different purposes and depending on the dog's characteristics such as size
, activity level, chewing habits, and play style.
stuffed with treats, chew challenge toys, and puzzle
toys.
that makes a good dog toy. Some dogs like to bury bones in the yard, so they can dig them up and chew on them later. Other dogs like to carry bones around with them. Dog bones also help getting plaque
off of the dog's teeth.
.
When choosing a dog toy, it is important that pet owners choose those made with non-toxic materials. Dog owners should avoid giving their dogs objects with small parts that could be chewed off and ingested (such as cooked chicken bones).
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
that is specifically for dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s to play with.
Dog toys come in many varieties, including dog bones, puppy
Puppy
A puppy is a juvenile dog. Some puppies may weigh , while larger ones can weigh up to . All healthy puppies grow quickly after birth. A puppy's coat color may change as the puppy grows older, as is commonly seen in breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier...
toys, balls, tug toys, training
Dog training
Dog training is the process of teaching skills or behaviors to a dog. This can include teaching a dog to respond to certain commands, or helping the dog learn coping skills for stressful environments. Dog training often includes operant conditioning, classical conditioning, or non-associative...
aids, squeaky toys, discs and frisbees, plush
Plush
Plush is a textile having a cut nap or pile the same as fustian or velvet.Originally the pile of plush consisted of mohair or worsted yarn, but now silk by itself or with a cotton backing is used for plush, the distinction from velvet being found in the longer and less dense pile of plush...
toys, and sticks.
Dog toys serve different purposes. Puppies, for instance, need toys they can chew on when they are teething because their gums and jaws
Jaw
The jaw is any opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth, typically used for grasping and manipulating food. The term jaws is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serving to open and close it and is part of the body plan of...
become very sore and chewing on things provides them relief. Also, playing with different toys encourages exercise, which benefits the pet's overall health. Toys also stimulate dogs' minds
MINDS
Initiated as an EU-funded project in 2004, MINDS International was founded as an Association in fall 2007 by 11 news agencies from Europe and the USA...
, discourage problem behavior resulting from boredom and excess energy, and promote dental health.
There are a wide variety of dog toys on the market that are designed for different purposes and depending on the dog's characteristics such as size
Size
The word size may refer to how big something is. In particular:* Measurement, the process or the result of determining the magnitude of a quantity, such as length or mass, relative to a unit of measurement, such as a meter or a kilogram...
, activity level, chewing habits, and play style.
Multifunctional
Some toys can serve multiple functions for dogs to interact with, combining common play behaviors into a single toy. Some can adapt to other toys and objects, and be combined by the dog owner to create new toys for dogs to play with. Whereas a hard ball is not well-suited for chewing, and a plush toy is difficult to throw, wrapping the ball in a plush exterior creates a toy that can be thrown and chewed on. Such toys may provide more entertainment value for dogs and their owners.Distraction toys
These toys keep dogs busy. They are useful when people cannot play with their dogs. Some examples are food delivery toys, dental chew toys, KongsKong (dog toy)
Kong is popular line of dog toys and cat toys introduced in 1976. The classic Kong resembles a snowman-like structure of three balls pushed together. Kongs also come in several variations for dogs of different ages and sizes...
stuffed with treats, chew challenge toys, and puzzle
Puzzle
A puzzle is a problem or enigma that tests the ingenuity of the solver. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to put together pieces in a logical way in order to come up with the desired solution...
toys.
Bones
A dog bone is either a real or toy boneBone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
that makes a good dog toy. Some dogs like to bury bones in the yard, so they can dig them up and chew on them later. Other dogs like to carry bones around with them. Dog bones also help getting plaque
Dental plaque
Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to a smooth surface...
off of the dog's teeth.
Latex and rubber
Latex and rubber dog toys are great for dog entertainment. With these toys, dogs that are aggressive chewers have a safe way to satisfy their biting instincts. These toys also help keep dogs' gums and teeth clean and healthy. In general, hard rubber bones and other latex dog toys help improve dogs' overall oral hygieneOral hygiene
Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities , gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened...
.
Sticks
Dogs often enjoy gnawing on small tree branches and pinecones. Sticks can also be thrown for the dog to retrieve.Balls
Balls of all shapes and sizes help keep dogs active and fit. They are a great way to play and exercise your dog at the same time.Safety
Dog toys are not safe if small pieces can be chewed or pulled off as these could be swallowed by the dog. The toy should also be adequate for the dog, taking into consideration their size and activity levels.When choosing a dog toy, it is important that pet owners choose those made with non-toxic materials. Dog owners should avoid giving their dogs objects with small parts that could be chewed off and ingested (such as cooked chicken bones).