Many dog toys on the market today are actually made with the “large” dog in mind. Sure, you walk through the aisles of your favorite pet store and see rubber balls and chew toys that range in sizes for Chihuahuas all the way up to Great Danes; but don't let the micro-sized toys fool you. Many of these toys are downright inappropriate for our smaller pooches.
Two materials I must strongly urge small dog owners to not offer their small pet are rawhide and stringy toys (such as rope toys). Toys made from these materials are unsafe. Many small dogs have had serious health complications or even died as a result of these toys because their small intestinal tracts are not able to handle the bulk or complexity of these two materials. Larger dogs have an easier time “passing” these materials out as they have a larger intestinal tract (though I still have had many a dog become constipated because they ingested yarn or string from a toy) which lessens the health risk for them.
Small dog owners must also realize that all because a certain toy is “small”, if it is not made out of material that can sustain a dog's jaw strength it is unsafe. For instance, a small rubber ball that is made for a child is not a good toy for your Bichon Frise. Do not underestimate the strength of your pooch's jaws, no matter what their size. Giving your dog toys made of materials that cannot withstand a human bite (multiplied by ten) is not a safe toy for your best furry friend.
So what are some toys to go for?
- Bones and chews that are safely gnawed into a fine powder rather than ripped off in chunks. Yes, these do cost almost five times as much as those pig ears and cow hooves, but consider yourself to be saving both your pets life and yourself the vet bill!
- Rubber toys. There are a vast number of rubber or rubber-type toys out there these days that not even a pit bull can break through. Though expensive, these will last perhaps to the very end of your dog's days.
- Nylabone products. Even for the pickiest of dogs, there is a Nylabone toy out there that he or she will appreciate. My picky Siberian Husky particularly likes the bacon-flavored Nylabone. My Border Collie loves the dinosaur-shaped toys.
Some toys that make my “bad” list are:
- Stuffed toys. All too many dogs rip into these things like there's no tomorrow and ingest either the “fluff” (which causes intestinal problems) or they choke on the squeaker. Again, while a larger dog may be able to pass these things or stick around long enough for a squeaker to be removed from their stomach, a little dog does not have the same “luxury”.
- Rope toys. Anything with string is a bad thing. Though you may see a lot of spat-up string on the floor, your dog is also eating a good deal of it too. The string in these toys can choke them, block their stomach, or even wrap around other organs and either injury or kill your pet.
- Rawhide (or similar) products. Though most dogs do tend to go nuts over rawhide, for smaller dogs you should give it the pass. Try other commercial products on the market that break off in easily digestible parts.
- Tennis balls. For small and large dogs alike, tennis balls are a nightmare for his or her teeth. The material on a tennis ball acts as an “emery board”, which in turn breaks down their enamel. Go for the rubber balls that retail stores offer.
NOTE: I do realize that some dogs absolutely love toys with squeakers. For small dogs, offer these toys as a sort of “treat” that will only be given under your supervision.
photo by XS Xecutor
