Aria is the well-trained, well-loved puppy of trainer, Conner Willyard. Spayed recently and needing to stay quiet with restricted activity after her surgery, she spent quite a bit of time in her crate, safe and sound. Or, so Conner thought. As the week went on, resilient little Aria started feeling better, got bored and probably more than a little frustrated. She devoured a toy that she normally would have played with safely. She started vomiting and stopped eating. Repeated vomiting in a dog is dangerous! Very quickly, debilitating and sometimes lethal, dehydration sets in and that is what happened with Aria. By the time this was recognized, it was after 6 pm, after regular vet hours and time for the emergency vet clinic. Aria proved to be a lucky little girl. After a night in the emergency hospital with IV fluids and x-rays, it was determined that she had been able to pass the pieces of rubber toy and avoid surgery. All is well, except for the state of Conner’s credit card, but that’s another story!
The moral of this story is provide only safe toys for your dog and know that repeated vomiting/diarrhea (dehydration) is very dangerous and needs immediate medical attention!
So, about toys…
Toys help fight boredom and can provide comfort to a dog you’ve left alone. And toys can even help prevent certain problem behaviors. Experts say that dogs need them, and they need more than one kind. But they can be dangerous.
The key is to know your dog! Also, if you have more than one dog, choose toys that are safe for all. If one is a tough, destructive chewer, then all toys need to be safe for that style of chewer. Sorry, easy dog, but your tough-guy buddy won’t respect your property!
We recommend Nylabones, and stuffed Kongs but…
Nylabones are popular and considered to be a safe choice for dogs, especially the harder, tough dog choices. This is true for a lot of dogs, but again, know your dog! Persistent and powerful chewers are fully capable of breaking off pieces of toys made with even the hardest materials. In so doing, they can, and often have, cracked and even broken off teeth (= vet bills!). Unfortunately, these dogs should not be given Nylabones of any kind.
Kongs are wonderful, but over time, the material will start to break down especially if you’re freezing them. Check them regularly and replace if they start getting dry and brittle. Also, note that black Kongs are the toughest and most durable for aggressive chewers!
Here are a few links for suggestions, keeping your dog’s chewing/playing style in mind. Please put a lot of thought into your choices and choose wisely!
Links:
Dog Owners Beware: Ignoring These Rules Can Lead to Injury or Death
Dog Toys: How to Pick the Best and Safest | Best Indestructible Dog Toys For Aggressive Chewers
Nylabone Warning: Are Nylabone Chew Toys Safe For Dogs? | How to Select the Right Nylabone Chew Toy