Types of Dog Toys

Though it may seem of little consequence, choosing the right dog toys for your furry friend is important. Dogs need ways to entertain themselves, interact with their environment, and relieve frustration and pent-up energy. Dog toys can help accomplish all these tasks if they are properly chosen with the individual dog in mind. Before purchasing dog toys, consider the size of your dog and purchase only those dog toys that are appropriate for your dog. For example, small toy breeds such as the Bichon Frise or Miniature Pinscher will not get the same level of enjoyment out of dog toys designed for bigger dogs as they will those made for smaller dogs. Similarly, if you purchase small dog toys for large breed dogs, they will simply destroy it swiftly and become quickly bored.

View our range of Small Dog Toys, Big / Large Dog Toys and Giant Dog Toys.

There is a wide variety of dog toys in various shapes and designs available in the market. But, generally speaking, they can be categorized into four types:

Interactive Dog Toys

Interactive toys are basically toys that keep your dog mentally and physically active. They are generally made of hard rubber and are quite strong and durable.

Activity or Interactive dog toys help to keep domestic dogs fit and in addition to a healthy diet help to keep our pet dogs, in good shape, burning off calories that would otherwise be unused. Used wisely, activity toys will also help to strengthen a dog's muscles, which along with diet, reinforces good bone structure.

Spending quality time with your pet by engaging in constructive play will help you and your pet to bond well.

With the amazing number of varieties in traditional balls, Frisbees and Fetch Toys available today, you are spoilt for choice. They are easy to carry around and come in countless colors, shapes and sizes.

There are the rope toys which can be a lot of fun for your pet. They can be used to tease your dog by wiggling the rope on the floor or by making him jump in the air as he tries to catch it.

Dog bones are an all time favourite dog toy and are mostly made of sturdy rubber. All dogs love tennis balls, but discard any ball that can b chewed through.

Distraction Toys

Distraction toys are primarily meant to tempt your pooch away when he’s doing something unacceptable or to simply engage him to starve off boredom.

These are filled with bits of treat and peanut butter and keep your pets amused for hours. They love to chew through these toys and get to the treats. These toys are a great help while training the dog using positive reinforcement.

Another type of popular distraction toys are ‘busy box’ toys, comprising mainly of large rubber cubes where you hide your pet’s favourite treats. Then, watch your pet exploring the cubes with his nose, mouth and paws to find the goodies. They simply love the excitement, which is like a treasure hunt adventure game.

Chewing Toys

Dogs need to chew, for a number of different reasons throughout their life stages. So, give your dogs items they are allowed to chew, and don't leave them to pick on your prized possessions.

Puppies chew in order to ease tension, soothe their gums and to loosen puppy teeth to make way for their new teeth. Adult dogs chew to help maintain their jaw muscles, dogs also use chewing to pass time when on their own or ease boredom.

In senior dogs chewing the right things as well as helping ease boredom, also helps to avoid gum disease and tooth problems.

Comfort Toys

Comfort toys are stuffed toys which soothe and comfort your pet when he needs it. There are many times in a dog's life when he needs to be comforted and soothed.

Travel, trips to the vet, illness or noisy periods are all times when aid in calming and soothing could be beneficial. A comfort toy can ease the separation from a mother or smooth the transition from being a litter member.

Moreover, these toys can also be targets for all the dog tricks. These small and light toys can be easily carried around and also act as a target for dogs for the mock-kill games and hence are specially made in the size and shape of small animals such as mouse, rabbit or duck.

If your dog is friendly, these toys can be his best pals and he can even hug them or sleep with them to feel cosier and more comfortable.

Your dog’s play time with you can be a great time for toys as well.

Many dogs love to play catch or fetch with hard rubber balls or training dummies which can be easier for owners to throw. Some dogs love to play tug of war with knotted pieces of rope, though be careful that this doesn’t teach the dog to latch on to other things like slippers and articles of clothing.

Dog toys can make your doggie’s life a lot more interesting, both during play with you and play on its own.