Finding a Toy for Your Dog: Play for Exercise, De-Stressing and Fun

Toys are essential for your dog to exercise, play and relieve stress. Finding the right toys for your dog is important because toys that are too small for a large dog can be a choking hazard and toys that are too large for a small breed can be frustrating. You don't want to give your dog a hard plastic toy that may break if he chomps down on it and you don't want to give your aggressive chewer a toy that can come apart and possibly choke him.

Give your dog toys that exercise him and stimulate him. A bored dog can get into a lot of trouble and your furniture and shoes may fall victim to his boredom. Providing your dog with lots of toys will keep him from chewing things that are off limits. Two dogs can enjoy the large pull ropes and toys, and a ball is almost always a winner.

Large Breed Toys

Large breeds require large toys. The large rope bones are always a hit for one or two dogs. Make sure that the toys are large enough and do not have small parts that can become a choking hazard. Your dog needs things to chew and chase. You can give him rawhide, large balls and larger toys. Some dogs like stuffed animals and others like squeaky toys. If your large breed tends to demolish his toys as soon as he gets them, you may want to watch him so that you can retrieve any pieces that can choke him. For a lot of chewing you may opt for bully sticks, raw hide or hooves.

Medium Breed Toys

Medium breed dogs need toys that are too large to be a choking hazard, but are small enough to fit in their mouths and chew. Many dogs love to run after a thrown toy and even retrieve it. This means that the toy needs to be small enough and light enough for the dog to carry it in his mouth to bring it back. Chews usually come in several sizes. Find the size that is appropriate for your dog so that he has a toy that is safe and fun for him.

Small or Toy Breed Toys

Don't let their tiny size fool you. Small or toy breeds can play just as aggressively as any large dog can. Even though they are small, there can still be pieces on the toy or toys themselves that can pose a choking hazard. Make sure that your little dog's toys are safe for him. Try squeaky toys that are softer or stuffed animals. Though these toys may be larger and seem rather large for the dog, if they are soft and light, he will still be able to play with it.

When you go to buy your dog a toy, take him with you if you can. Show him different kinds to see if he likes fuzzy, squeaky or chewy toys. As long as you are a responsible pet parent and keep safety first in mind while shopping for toys, you will find the best toy for your dog.