888-899-4VPI
Pet Health Zone
Pet Education
Pet Articles
Pet Tips
Pet Horoscopes
Pet Stories




First Aid For
Your Pet >>


First Time
Pet Owners >>


Pet Toxins &
Poisons >>
VPI Pet Insurance HealthZone
Pet Tips blank
blank
Pet Toys

Best Cat Toys
Cat Toys: Treat Balls
Dangerous Dog Toys
Durable Dog Toys
Organic Pet Toys and Supplies
Pet Toys for Multiple Dogs
Rubber Chew Toys
Stuffed Pet Toys

blank

Best Cat Toys

Best Cat ToysThe best cat toys are ones your cat can enjoy more than once or twice. Some of the most interactive choices are toys with feathers or fur; these allow your cats to engage in play that simulates their hunt for prey in the wild. Even for outdoor cats this activity maintains vital muscles and coordination, helping them stay more active, alert and happy.

Avoid toys that can shred, tear or can be easily swallowed. Small toys or objects (such as a squeaker inside a mouse or bells) can be ingested by your cat, causing choking and intestinal obstruction.

Even if the toy looks like a great bargain, avoid it if it has pieces that can detach. The best cat toys don't have to be expensive; sometimes cats get the very best play out of a a simple rolled-up ball of paper or a wine cork!

Cat Toys: Treat Balls

Cat Toys: Treat BallsAre you worried that your cat isn't getting enough stimulation and exercise while you're at work all day? The perfect cat toys in this situation are treat balls: toys that you can fill up with your cat's favorite treats. Just fill up the ball, place it where your cat will find it, and let the fun begin. Look for a cat treat ball that is dishwasher safe for the easiest cleanup.

blank

There's even a cat treat ball that allows you to record your voice. When your cat plays with the ball the familiar sound of your voice is there to comfort him. The ball dispenses treats periodically as it rolls, so your cat has to play to continue enjoying treats. It's a great way to know that your cat is getting some play time even when you have to be away from home.

Dangerous Dog Toys

Dangerous Dog ToysYour dog loves to play, and play is a great form of exercise. Just be careful what kind of toys you choose for him because not all of them are safe. For example, bones and sticks might seem like the perfect fetch toy, but they can splinter and break, leaving sharp edges that can injure your dog or be ingested and cause internal damage.

Other examples of what to avoid include:

  • Soft dog toys like socks and latex toys. When they shred your dog might eat them, causing an internal obstruction.
  • Rawhides aren’t a good choice either, even though they are sold across the nation as toys and chews. They can block the intestines if they are swallowed whole, and some are coated with arsenic, a toxin to dogs, as a preservative.
  • Balls, like tennis balls and other play balls, can be swallowed by larger dogs and cause choking. If the ball has a squeaker inside, and the ball tears or rips, a dog might swallow the squeaker. This can cause choking or internal problems. 

Durable Dog Toys

Durable Dog ToysIf your dog is extra tough on toys, look for dog toys that are guaranteed not to break. There is a plethora of such toys on the market, and many of them bend, float on water and are guaranteed not to harm your dog. Durable dog toys last longer so your dog will get more use out of them.

Keep in mind that most cheap dog toys aren't resilient, so you'll end up buying more of them in the long run. Invest in durable dog toys, which might be more expensive up front but will last far longer.   

Organic Pet Toys and Supplies

Organic Pet Toys and SuppliesOrganic pet toys and supplies are a growing trend in the pet market. Several manufacturers have created organic and recycled products from bedding to organic food and treats. These sustainable goods help save vital resources on the planet, but they have another benefit. Because they are created out of organic materials, they are often safer than your average toy for your pet to enjoy.

Several of these pet toys and supplies are created from recycled materials like plastic or rubber, while others are made out of sustainable resources such as hemp. They are still tough enough to stand up to rough play but they won't harm your pet or the environment. 

Pet Toys for Multiple Dogs

Pet Toys for Multiple DogsDog toys and cat toys may have similar designs in some cases, but since dogs are pack animals their toy needs are more complex. There are many schools of thought on sharing toys in a multiple dog household, but your best bet is trial and error unless you've already seen some evidence of territorial behavior associated with dog pet toys. If you are introducing a new dog into the pack, or starting a two-dog home for the first time, try keeping the new dog's toys separate until the dominant dog has asserted itself and the situation is stable.

When you feel the time is right to try sharing, try introducing some new, cheap dog toys and see what happens. You may see some dog toy sharing even before you have a chance to buy new dog toys, but chances are this won't happen until the pecking order is sorted out. Never try to force dogs to share when they don't want to, sometimes the best policy is simply to buy two of everything.   

Rubber Chew Toys

Rubber Chew ToysBe sure to avoid soft rubber chew toys with rubber nubs or bumps on the surface. These small pieces of rubber are very easily broken off of the toy and swallowed. A better choice in dog chew toys are natural toys made of safe, organic materials, or hard plastic toys that won't break or shred. However, be aware that even a hard chew toy can break under constant chewing.

NOTE: If your dog chews off a piece of a hard chew toy or starts vomiting after playing with one, take him to the vet immediately. 

Stuffed Pet Toys

Stuffed Pet ToysNever give your pets a stuffed toy that wasn't created especially for animals. The toy could be adorned with plastic eyes, decorations and other accouterments that your pet might swallow.

Many stuffed toys are filled with materials that could be toxic to your dog if the toy breaks open and he eats the stuffing. Keep in mind that toys made for children won't stand up to the type of rough play your dog can put a toy through, so even if they are non-toxic, sooner or later you'll end up with a mess of filler all over your house or yard. Stuffed pet toys are created especially for animals; they are more durable and animal-appropriate.

Make sure the stuffing in the pet toys you buy is non-toxic and that the seams and details are strong and secured. If you have any doubts about stuffed pet toys, ask your vet or look for another toy that may be more suitable for your particular pet.

Return to the VPI Pet HealthZone >>  

 
blank

Suggested Reading

Foreign Body Ingestion Threatens Pets
Understanding the dangers from a veterinarian's perspective.

Keeping The Peace At The Dog Park
Make playtime all bark and no bite.

blank

Ellie's Story

EllieEllie received some new chew toys from friends over Christmas. Within a few days, the toys had disappeared and Ellie wasn't eating.
Read More >>

Print this page:
The Nation's Oldest and Largest Provider of Pet Health Insurance
Underwritten by: Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA
National Casualty Company (Nat'l), Madison, WI an A+15 rated company
© 2001 - 2008 Veterinary Pet Insurance Company • Privacy PolicyUnderwriting Information

Products available through this site are only available for residents of the United States.
In Canada, please contact Petsecure at www.petsecure.com.

Home | What's Covered | How a Policy Works | Facts About Pet Insurance | Quick Quote | Enroll Today