Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Basic Information About Tough Dog Toys

By Elnora McCullough


There are so many things to think about when owning a pet. One needs to think about what food to buy, how much exercise they need, and what toys they should have. While some breeds are known for being heavy chewers, others may just have the personality. Here are some tips for finding the ideal tough dog toys.

There are different types of goodies for different size dogs and different purposes. Before heading to the local pet store and buying what looks like the toughest toy available, consider what games the dog likes to play and in what scenario they will be using this toy the most. A hardcore chewer will need a different toy than the tugger or the fetcher.

One of the fun toys to look into for those that enjoy playing fetch is the hurley toy, which is made of Zogoflex. This toy is a great one for the water, the beach, or the park. And if it is purchased and the dog miraculously chews through it, the manufacturer will replace it for free. Bone toys that are hallow and have room for their food can also be a fun activity for them.

There is a seven-layer mega toy that seems indestructible. At the base of this toy are three layers of chewing through industrial grad material followed by three more layers of plastic coating, and then beautifully covered by a soft fleece. This is all kept in place by seven rows of stitching.

For those owners that enjoy giving their dogs more of a challenge though, there are different games out there such as seek-a-treat where the pup has to move pieces around to find the hidden treasure. There are also toys that dispense treats if shaken and squeezed in the right direction.

Old-fashioned dogs might just want a good bone to chew on for a few hours. It is common to see dogs have rawhide, beef, or bully sticks bones. The bully sticks are said to be the most safe for the dogs, but that is debatable. There are also the Nylabones that can be a great investment. Unlike regular bones, these will last for a long time. Not every dog though will enjoy these.

Be careful though about what treats, leashes, dog beds, and other supplies are purchased. Most of these objects contain BPA and phthalates, similar to those found in children toys. These chemicals allow the toy to be more elastic. One rule of thumb is to try and keep a steady flow of different toys for the pet. Those that sit around for too long tend to be higher in their chemical concentration. Unfortunately this can have lasting negative impacts on the dogs.

There are many precautions to take before heading to the nearest pet supplies shop and purchasing whatever looks good. Take the time to do some research, talk to other pet owners nearby, and figure out what different needs the dog has and how safe it is for them. Finding tough dog toys may not be as easy as it sounds, so do the homework and make the right choices.




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