Pet Toy
IMPORTANCE
OF TOYS FOR PETS
By Khushboo Kapadia*
T
oys are mentally and physically
stimulating and assist in fulfilling a
dog’s emotional and physical needs.
Even though dogs today are primarily
bred as companion pets, they still need
something to do. In the absence of a “job”,
they will look for things to do to occupy
their time and fulfil their chewing needs.
If you do not want them to choose their
own chew toys, such as your sofa, pillows,
or toilet paper rolls, provide them with
appropriate outlets.
Toys are excellent mental stimulators
that encourage active play and minimize
periods of boredom. This reduces the risk of
destructive or attention seeking behaviours
manifesting in your pet. However, dogs are
a lot like children, and they get bored with
their toys quickly. When this happens, the
value of the toy as a mental and physical
outlet is lost. Our dog trainers recommend
that customers select six to eight toys for
each pet ensuring that each toy is different
in texture, size and shape. The toys should
be given out a few at a time, then rotated
every few days so that the pet always
has something different with which to
play. Rotating toys is the best way to keep
them effective.
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A toy’s safety is contingent on how your dog
interacts with the toy and this interaction
can change with time. A plush toy that was
safe from your 10-week old puppy might
not be a good choice when the dog is 5
months old and starts de-stuffing the toys
and swallowing the squeakers! Supervise
your dog when he is playing with a new
toy and monitor the dog’s interaction with
the toy regularly to ensure that the toy
continues to be a safe choice.
Interactive toys are meant to be used as a
team - dog and owner, which provides built-
in supervision. These toys include fetch
balls, and tug-of-war ropes. Interactive toys
should only be available to the dog when
you and he are playing together. After the
play session, put those toys away so the dog
always looks forward to playing with them
and you.
Be mindful of what you give your dog
as a toy. If you give your pet, socks, old
slippers or articles of clothing to play
with, they will see all socks, shoes and
clothing as their playthings. Dogs can
not distinguish which of your socks and
shoes are okay to play with and which are
not. It is best to keep your things separate
from their toys to eliminate any possible
confusion.
The People who say toys are not important
for your dogs I would just suggest get a
small ball and see the happiness on your
pet’s face.
1. Toys from the USA Brand - West Paw
also known as Unbreakable toys.
These toys are especially for the ones who
love to destroy their toys. These are made of
environment friendly rubber, can be washed
easily and can be carried to the pool.
2. Environment Friendly - BECO Toys:
Beco toys are 100 percent plastic free, even
the packaging, 100 percent waste free,made
from organic raw material, 100 percent
compostable & biodegradable, 100 percent
sustainable bamboo sugarcane and corn
and 100 percentgreen.
Rope Toys: Dogs love rope toys.These rope
toys are used for mental stimulation of your
pets as they have the excitement to unrope
the toy.
Rope Toys For Dogs – Knowing The Risks
and Rewards
Knowing how to properly use them:
Effective exercise and play strategies are
part of the approved curriculum. One
strategy used to accomplish this is teaching
the benefits of esteem-building with rope
toys. There can also be risks involved.
Therefore, it is helpful to know the ways you
can play with your dog that maximizes fun
through interactive play, without creating
any behavioural issues down the road.
Rope toys are twisted or woven cotton
ropes that fall into several categories. Some
have multiple knots. Others have bones,
or rubber balls attached to them. You will
Interactive toys are meant to be used as
a team - dog and owner, which provides
built-in supervision. These toys include
fetch balls, and tug-of-war ropes
Creature Companion | July 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 7 • Noida