FAQ: Toys for dogs

Sets are handy if you want several different toys at once, for example for a puppy. But check that every toy in the set suits your dog's size and chewing strength, as some may be too small or too flimsy.

Price often reflects design or material, but durability depends mostly on whether the toy suits the dog's chewing strength. An expensive plush toy may last a strong chewer less time than a simple dense rubber chew.

Check the toy's dimensions in centimetres, its material, which dog size and chewing strength it is meant for and the care instructions. In photos toys often look bigger or smaller than they really are.

No, size labels vary a lot between manufacturers, so always look at the actual dimensions and the recommended dog weight. When in doubt, the larger size is the safer choice.

Cat toys are usually small and fragile, so a dog can easily swallow or chew them up. Keep them out of the dog's reach and choose toys made for the dog's size.

Chasing a laser dot can trigger obsessive chasing of lights and shadows in some dogs, because the dog can never catch its prey. Also, a laser must never be shone into the eyes, so toys the dog can actually catch are usually recommended.

Some rubber toys have a slot for a treat stick or replaceable chew inserts, which keeps the dog busy longer. Choose inserts to suit the dog's size and replace them before they shrink to a swallowable size.

Playing with another dog is very beneficial, but toys are still needed to meet the need for chewing and mental activity. Toys also help keep bored dogs from chewing the furniture.

No, stones can break or wear down teeth and, if swallowed, block the intestines. If your dog keeps picking up stones, swap them for a safe toy and discuss the habit with a vet.

Cut an old cotton T-shirt into strips and braid them tightly with knots at the ends to make a tug toy. Use it only for playing together and throw it away once the braid starts to come apart, so the dog does not swallow fabric.

For many dogs a toy is interesting when it moves and is part of a shared activity, while a dog left alone usually just rests. That is normal; toys with treats suit a dog left on its own better.

Yes, separate toys help the dog understand which things are its own and reduce the risk of it swallowing small parts of children's toys. Dog toys also carry a lot of saliva, so small children should not put them in their mouths.

They can if too many or unsuitable treats go into the toy or the dog quickly eats a lot of rich filling. Choose food that suits your dog and introduce new products gradually; if diarrhoea or vomiting keeps recurring, see a vet.

Some toys contain a gel filling that can be chilled in the freezer so the toy cools and soothes the gums. If the toy is damaged and gel leaks out, throw it away and consult a vet if the dog may have swallowed gel.

Dogs that dig do well with snuffle mats, toys with treats hidden between fabric layers or a sandpit in the yard with buried toys. This channels the natural urge into an allowed place.

They are a soft house or log with several smaller toys inside that the dog pulls out. The small toys must be big enough not to be swallowed, so choose the size to suit the dog.

Shaking is part of hunting behaviour in which dogs imitate catching prey. It is normal, but parts of the toy can come off during shaking, so check the toy's condition.

No, a bursting balloon can frighten the dog, and swallowed rubber pieces can block the airway or intestines. After a party, pick up balloon remains and ribbons.

A favourite toy matters to a dog, but new or long-unseen toys bring new sensations and challenges. When the favourite wears out, replace it with the same or a similar one so the dog does not miss it.

Yes, toys or fabric pouches can be rubbed with a strong-smelling treat or a special scent and hidden for the dog to find. This is the first step towards scent-work activities, which tire a dog out mentally.