How to Choose the Right Dog Toys For Your Dog

They come in all shapes and sizes. They bounce, roll and fly about. They provide joy to your dog and peaceful moments during your busy day. Toys, ultimately, make a dog's life go round. But, there is so much to consider - safety, size, style, the list goes on. How do you choose the right dog toy for your pouch?

Here is a list of the factors that you will want to consider.

Factor #1: Size

Size is everything when it comes to dog toys. If your dog is a five pound Chihuahua, you don't want to give him a heavy or large toy. The opposite is also true. You must find the proper-sized toys to meet your dog's needs. In just about every style of toy, you will be able to find a toy to match your dog's needs.

Factor #2: Activity Level & Play Preference

Your dog's activity level affects every part of his - and your - life, especially his play time. Depending on your pouch's activity level, his play preference may vary. Here are various play preferences, accompanying descriptions and recommended dog toys.

Chew:

If your dog likes to chew for entertainment, it's time to save your furniture from disaster! There are numerous dog chew toys to match your dog no matter his aggression level.

• Low Chewing Aggression: Soft, squishy toys made of vinyl or latex; puppy chews (non-treat chews)
• Medium Chewing Aggression: bone-hard chew toys, rope, durable rubber toys
• High Chewing Aggression: bone-hard or durable rubber toys

Chase:

For active dogs that love to run and chase things, you may want to have a variety of toys. You might want to include a flying disc and bouncing balls in your collection.

Cuddle:

Your dog may like to cuddle with his toy, so you may want something soft such as a toy made of fleece or plush. There are numerous dog toys available that look similar to stuffed animals - even some having battery operated heart beats and heated stomachs.

Cure Boredom:

Yes, you can officially cure your dog's boredom with an appropriate dog toy. The most effective dog toys for doing this are treats that offer your dogs rewards for chewing. In other words, these dog toys have a treat inside that the dog chews and licks until it is rewarded. Kong toys are the most effective toys in doing this.

Factor #3: Safety

As a pet owner, safety is the most important factor to you in choosing the right toy for your dog. From simple choking hazards to toxic dyes and preservatives, dog toy safety has hit the main stream media as of late. Specifically, there has been widespread concern about a string of Chinese exports that have been deemed toxic with such heavy metals as cadmium and lead. Despite these concerns, there is hope. There are many products available online that are completely safe for your pet.

Use these three factors to aid you in choosing the right toys for your dogs. Your first focus should be finding dog treats that are safe. Then, combine the other factors and you will be good to go. You can now rest assured that you are prepared to find the perfect toy for your dog!