Plastic “Chew” Bonesĭog-safe bones are made of animal parts and are meant for some degree of consumption, and plastic toys are made for play, but there are several brands on the market that make this distinction unclear. Add to that unusual materials on some human toys like shiny metallic textiles and pluck-able fur and hair, and you have the potential for ingested objects and “linear foreign bodies” like string that can get wrapped around the back of the tongue or twisted in the intestines. That means that the dog will have quicker access to whatever the toy is stuffed with, from polyfil to plastic pellets. The seams on higher quality plush dog toys are usually reinforced to withstand rough play, which isn’t the case for children’s soft toys. But, keep in mind that dogs are exponentially tougher on their toys than children, so features that might not be of concern for human play can pose a greater danger for dogs. Many of the aspects that make toys unsafe for young children-like pieces that can come off and pose a choking hazard-are also obviously hazardous for dogs. Human Toysīefore you repurpose a human toy for your dog, make sure to inspect it with an eye for how dogs play. Add to that the fact that there’s no payoff for laser-play for your pup-the dog never gets to take down his prey-and you have a recipe for a frustrating and potentially hazardous game. Some dogs fixate on moving lights to the point of developing an OCD-like need to go after all shifting light.
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That means your dog might start tracking the reflection from a watch face moving across the ground, or the lights of a passing car bouncing on the wall. Laser pointers can teach dogs to always be on the hunt for moving light patterns, which can translate to wanting to chase any shifting light. Plus, using a laser pointer is an easy way to exercise your dog without exerting any effort, right? Not exactly. This “toy” seems like a fantastic option because your dog can’t get his paws on it and therefore can’t destroy it.
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Watch out for these dog toy dangers to keep your dog’s playtime as healthy and constructive as possible.
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While it’s a fair assumption that USA-made products are always the safest way to go, there are still additional considerations you should take into account. Your dog’s toys are an important part of his life for both exercise and mental stimulation, and picking the right ones can make life better on both ends of the leash. Tug toys, balls, plush toys and dog interactive toys-there are almost too many options. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when picking out dog toys for your furry best friend.