Tips for Choosing Puppy Toys
Picking the right toys for your new puppy is key to keeping them engaged and entertained. With so many options out there, it can be tricky to know which toys are safest and most beneficial for your pup. Certain toys support your puppy’s developmental stages, while others can pose safety hazards if unsupervised. Follow these tips to choose the best mix of toys to stimulate and delight your furry friend.
Look for Safety-Tested Toys
Be sure to select puppy toys made by reputable brands that specialize in dog products. Look for a “Tested for Safety” label to ensure the toy has been evaluated for any harmful chemicals or potential choking hazards. Avoid toys with small, removable parts that could come loose and be swallowed. Soft plush toys should use reinforced stitching instead of plastic eyes, noses, or decorative elements that puppies can chew off and ingest. Prioritize your puppy’s safety when choosing toys.
Select Developmentally Appropriate Toys
Puppies go through rapid stages of growth and development. Their energy levels, attention spans, teething urges, and play needs all evolve quickly. Pick toys suited for their current phase:
- Teething Toys – Rubber chew rings, frozen washcloths
- Brain Games – Treat balls, snuffle mats, puzzle toys
- Oral Fixation Relief – Rope toys, non-toxic chews
- Energy Burners – Fetch toys like balls, flying discs
Rotate toys out as your puppy ages to keep them engaged with “new” toys. Monitor use of any toy to ensure it remains developmentally appropriate.
Stimulate Your Puppy’s Natural Instincts
Certain toys tap into a puppy’s inborn instincts acquired from their wild canine ancestors:
- Chew Toys – Satisfy natural urge to chomp and relieve teething discomfort
- Treat Dispensing Toys – Allow foraging for “prey” through play
- Plush Squeaky Toys – Mimic sounds of small animals for chase and catch
- Rope and Tug Toys – Cater to instinctual tug-of-war play
- Fetch Toys – Encourage chasing after “prey” objects
Toys that appeal to these innate behaviors provide mental enrichment and fulfillment.
Use Toys to Reinforce Training
You can leverage toys to motivate and reward your puppy during training. Keep special high-value toys like tennis balls only for use as training treats. Using their favorite toy as a reward makes your puppy eager to learn. Stuff-less plush toys can aid in teething discomfort without promoting aggressive biting. Fetching specific toys on command reinforces their name recognition. Interactive toys create opportunities to practice “Drop it” and “Leave it” commands.
Choose Fun Textures and Materials
Puppies explore new objects through smell, taste, and touch. Try introducing toys in a variety of textures to pique your pup’s curiosity:
- Soft plush toys for comfort
- Rubber chew toys for teething
- Rope toys for tugging
- Vinyl squeaky toys for sound play
- Textured rubber toys for chewing and chasing
Provide a mix of familiar and new textures to entertain your pup. Monitor any toy showing damage or consumption to avoid swallowing hazards.
Buy Multiple Toy Types
Rather than stocking up solely on one kind of toy, opt for variety to appeal to different playful moods. Include at least one toy from each main category:
- Chew Toys – For oral relief and activity
- Fetch Toys – To chase and return
- Brain Games – For mental stimulation
- Plush Toys – For comfort and snuggling
- Rope Toys – For interactive tugging
Having diverse toys prevents your puppy from getting bored if limited to only balls or only chews. Rotate different toys into the mix.
Factor In Your Puppy’s Size
Avoid toys that could pose a choking risk for your puppy based on their current size. Read toy packaging for appropriate breeds and life stages. Small and extra small breed puppies need petite-sized toys they can comfortably pick up and engage with. Pay attention to any size recommendations and opt for toys larger than your puppy’s mouth to be safe.
Clean Toys Regularly
Puppies tend to chew and slobber on toys frequently. This allows germs and dirt to accumulate easily. Disinfect washable rubber and plastic toys weekly to keep them clean for your puppy. Check labels to ensure plush toys can safely be washed and air dried. Rotate toys in and out of use and wash cycles. Discard toys showing wear, tear or damage after inspecting during cleanings.
Monitor Toy Use
While toys are designed for chomping, you still want to monitor your puppy closely during play sessions. Redirect them from inappropriate chewing or consumption of toy parts. Don’t allow unsupervised play with small toys that could pose choking risks if they broke apart. Take away any toys once your puppy loses interest to prevent inadvertent swallowing of loose parts.
Choosing the right assortment of fun, stimulating puppy toys lays the foundation for an enriching playtime routine with your furry friend. Mix up toy types and textures to keep your pup engaged and entertained. Prioritize toys designed for safety, developmental needs, and natural instincts for your puppy’s first toy box.