Pet toys are more than just fun for your family pet. Fun supervised play with dog toys is an important way to give your pet the mental stimulation they need to stay bright, happy, and feeling calm. Find out more about why dogs need toys, as well as ways to make playtime fun and accessible for your furry family member.
Why do dogs need toys?
Dogs are clever and need mental stimulation to say happy and calm. Supervised play with dog toys developed especially for pets is an ideal way to keep your pet entertained, engaged, and feeling calm and cared for. Here are a few reasons why dogs need toys.
- Toys help fight boredom: Dogs were bred to work beside humans and easily become bored when they don’t have something to do. Giving your dog an interactive toy for supervised play is an ideal way of keeping them mentally stimulated before they go looking for ways to entertain themselves.
- Toys keep them busy indoors: Toys will keep your dog busy and engaged when you and your pet can’t go outdoors. The mental stimulation can help reduce behaviours such as excessive chewing or barking.
- They make dogs work: An activity where you encourage your pet to scavenge for treats with a treat puzzle is a quick, simple way of allowing your dog to do what’s normal for them to do - which is work.
- Play leads to better behaviour: Making time for play doesn’t take long and you’ll quickly see a big difference in your pet’s behaviour when you make supervised play part of their daily routine.
- Toys for blind dogs: Blind dogs still have their senses of touch and smell, and supervised play with an interactive sensory toy will help give them the mental stimulation they need to stay calm and happy.
How to choose a dog toy:
Dogs will play with almost anything they can get their paws on, and that includes shoes, tights, table legs, cables and anything in between! Here are a few tips on how to choose a dog toy for your pet and minimise the chances of your favourite shoes becoming chew toys.
- Choose the right toy: Invest in toys that are right for your dog’s age and developmental stage. Puppies love to chew, so if your pup is teething, you’ll need toys that are durable and won’t break into pieces with repeated chewing.
- Choose the right size: A toy that isn’t the correct size for your pet will cause frustration or could be a choking hazard if it’s too small.
- Ensure its dog-proof: Make sure the toy you choose is durable, made from safe materials and is also easy to clean afterwards.
- Supervise the play: Keep an eye on your pet while they play to ensure they stay happy, healthy and bright.
How to clean dog toys:
- Hard toys: Use a brush to clean off any dried debris before washing the toy in warm soapy water, rinsing thoroughly, and leaving to dry.
- Soft toys: First brush off any dried debris. To clean, place on the top rack of your dishwasher and wash or pop into your washing machine on a hot cycle.
What happens if your dog gets bored?
Just like us, dogs love new toys and also get bored with playing with the same toys over and over again. Get your dog excited about playing with their toys by regularly rotating theirs. Put some away for two weeks before bringing them out again and putting others away.
Shop our range of interactive pet toys from treat dispensers and puzzles, to training tools developed to bring you and your pet closer together.
