Chew Toys

Article by Irene A. Veal

Chew toys are a great way to distract your puppy or dog from chewing on things such as your furniture or how about your favorite shoe.  Nothing could be more aggravating than looking for that other shoe, and then finding that it has been completely destroyed by your puppy.  To keep your puppy happy and safe, choose a chew toy that is free of buttons and strings.  If the toy has a squeaker inside, it is best that you supervise your puppy.  Most dogs and especially, puppies like to hunt down where that sound is coming from and then pounce on it and ultimately destroy the thing making the sound.

Choosing a chew toy for your puppy or dog is necessary so that potential harm can be avoided. You wouldn’t want to give a small toy to a Mastiff dog, nor would you want to give a large toy to let’s say, a Chihuahua. A very large dog could swallow a small toy which could cause an intestinal obstruction when consumed. Dogs, like people can become bored, so it is crucial that we exercise them on a regular basis so that they are not looking to take out their frustrations on items around your home which are not acceptable.

If you have several toys around your home for your puppy, hide a few of them and reintroduce them a few weeks later to your dog, and they will think they have a brand new toy to play with.  This little trick can save you dollars on buying new toys.

Remember, all chew toys have potential risks, so it is best to always supervise your puppy or dog when introducing a new toy.  Some toys claim to be indestructible, but we know that some dogs can tear apart any toy.