Your dog can enjoy hours of fun playing with good-quality toys—and playtime can help him stay active as he ages. The right toys can even help clean your pet’s teeth. So spice up your dog’s life with plenty of play, and consider these issues as you fill his toy box:
Play toys
Look for toys your dog can carry in his mouth easily, including rubber balls, nylon chew toys, and noisemakers. Make sure each plaything is too big to swallow or inhale. Also check for any rough edges that could cut his mouth during play.
Tasty toys
Many dogs consider rawhide, pig ears, and cow hooves great delicacies. And while most dogs’ tummies also think these treats are tolerable, in some cases chomping down these chewy snacks can upset your dog’s stomach.
Keep an eye on your pet to be sure he’s not swallowing the goodies in large chunks. Or offer him newer, cornstarch-based edible chew toys instead. Dogs love them and these chew toys are completely digestible, which could make them a safer alternative if the others make your pal’s tummy tender.
Teeth-cleaning toys
Your best bet for tartar-fighting toys are hard-rubber chew toys. Although your pet still needs regular dental cleanings to prevent dental disease, such toys can help prevent plaque buildup.
Outdoor toys
If you’re a sports lover, a nylon disc toy might make a great choice for you. The disc’s flat edge makes an easy target and fits well in most dogs’ mouths. Just remember that as your dog ages, he may not be able to jump and catch the disc like he used to. Be on the lookout for signs of fatigue as you play, and take plenty of breaks.
Your dog also can retrieve rubber balls, fleece toys, squeakers, or other noisemakers. But again, make sure your old pal doesn’t get too worn out.
One caution: If your dog has hip dysplasia or other forms of arthritis, the jumping and running involved in playing Frisbee and fetch may be too strenuous for your furry friend. Choose low-impact toys and exercises instead.
A playful game of tug can be a fun alternative to walking. Just don’t play too rough. Your dog’s aging mouth can’t tolerate hard pulls. Look for rubber tug toys and leather straps without rough edges. (You don’t want the straps to snag on your pet’s teeth.)
Keep in mind that you should only play tug-of-war with your dog if he’s learned to release his toys on command. And if your dog shows any aggressive tendencies, don’t play tug-of-war with him. You’ll only encourage his bad behavior.
Indoor toys
Balls and tug toys make good playthings inside as well. And many fetch and tug games can be played in such open spaces as your living room or kitchen.
Try keeping your dog’s toys in a basket or bin in a familiar location. Your furry friend will get used to looking in his "toy box" for things to chew and chase.
When to toss the toys
Over time, your pet’s toys may come to resemble carnage from a horror film. Besides being unpleasant to touch, seriously worn-out toys can harbor germs. It’s a good idea to replace such relics regularly, especially if they’ve done a tour of duty in the backyard.
