FAQ: Toys for dogs

The toy should be too large to swallow and suit how hard your dog chews. Throw away damaged toys.

Toys are sold by the piece, so their weight says nothing useful about the price: compare the toy's price, size and material instead.

The toy should be big enough that it cannot fit entirely in the dog's mouth or go down its throat, but not so big that the dog cannot carry it comfortably. Manufacturers often state the toy size by dog weight or breed size.

A ball that is too small can get stuck in a large dog's throat, especially when the dog catches it on the run while breathing hard. The ball should be clearly bigger than the opening of the dog's throat.

A common rule of thumb: if you cannot dent the toy's surface even slightly with a fingernail, it may be hard enough to chip a tooth. Very hard objects damage teeth, so it is worth asking a vet about suitable chews.

Dangerous ones include toys that are too small, flimsy toys with small parts, long strings, very hard objects and items for people that contain batteries or magnets. Sticks can injure the mouth or throat with splinters.

Sticks can break into sharp splinters that injure the mouth or throat, and a dog running to catch a thrown stick can impale itself on the end. Special rubber or foam stick-shaped toys are safer.

Children's toys are not made for dogs to chew: they may have small parts, batteries, magnets, sharp edges or eyes that come off easily. Swallowed batteries and magnets are very dangerous and need urgent veterinary help.

Inspect toys after every play session or at least every few days, looking for cracks, loose pieces, split seams or stuffing coming out. Throw away a damaged toy before the dog eats it.

Leave a dog alone only with durable toys that suit how hard it chews and that it cannot tear apart or swallow. Soft, rope and squeaky toys are best given only under supervision.

Many manufacturers label toys as meant for gentle, moderate or strong chewers. A toy for strong chewers is denser with thicker walls, but no toy is completely indestructible.

No toy is truly indestructible, even if the packaging says so. Toys for strong chewers are simply tougher, so they also need checking and replacing once they start to break down.

A strong chewer quickly shreds soft toys, bites chunks off rubber or leaves deep tooth marks even in hard toys. Such a dog needs dense rubber or nylon toys and more frequent checks.

Rubber toys are more elastic and gentler on teeth, often bounce and can be stuffed with treats. Nylon ones are harder and stand up to heavy chewing longer, but may be too hard for some dogs.

Chewing toys with ridges or grooves can scrape off some plaque, but toys do not replace tooth brushing and vet check-ups. Bad breath, red gums or broken teeth are a reason to see a vet.

Chewing is a natural need for dogs: it calms them, relieves boredom, helps puppies through teething and keeps the mind busy. A dog without suitable chew toys often starts gnawing furniture or shoes.

Antlers are very hard, so they can chip or break a strong chewer's tooth. Many vets advise avoiding chews that are too hard, so if you decide to give them, choose by the dog's size and always supervise.

Cooked bones splinter easily into sharp shards, so they must not be given to dogs, and very hard bones can break teeth. Chew toys made for dogs are safer, and ask a vet about raw bones.

Throw the toy away when it cracks, pieces break off, it has worn down to a swallowable size or the surface has become sharp. Replace worn chews without waiting for a bigger piece to break off.

When a dog chews a nylon toy, tiny shavings come off, which are usually very small. If larger pieces break off, the toy is not suitable for that dog and should be thrown away.