Pet Toys

Since the toy selection for both dogs and cats can be mind boggling the focus should be on what the pet likes and safety. Owners should remember some basics about safety first, but also experiment with what the pet prefers. Toys are highly individual; some breeds of dogs love to fetch, others would rather tug and others like squeaky toys. Purchase a few options at first to test out what your pet likes. All dogs have different personalities so do not assume that one type of toy will suffice. Get a variety for your dog to play with so he or she doesn't get bored.

Cats love string but they will eat it! When cats eat enough of any non-digestible string they may not be able to pass it through resulting in a blockage in the intestines that can only be solved by surgery. It is okay to have toys that are attached to string but owners should keep a close watch on any destructive cat. Other pets in the house may also destroy the toy leaving the string to be ingested also so it may be best to remove the toy when the pets are not being supervised.

Just like cats, dogs can ingest toys. Small toys for puppies may not be appropriate, depending on the breed and activity level. When puppies are teething, owners should be especially wary of toys that are small or can be pulled apart into ingestible pieces. Toys that keep a dog engaged can help prevent dogs from chewing on inappropriate items or totally destroying toys at this phase. Indestructible rubber toys with treats in them are a good example and may keep dogs occupied with the toy and retrieving the treats as opposed to focusing on inappropriate items to chew on.