Many dogs and cats spend their days in home environments that are often lonely, and non-stimulating.  Without an outlet for pent-up mental and physical energy, some pets can become stressed, or even destructive.  Luckily, you can help minimize these tendencies by enriching your pet’s environment with stimulating, fun toys designed to appeal to their outgoing, playful natures. 

Before purchasing any toys for your dog or cat, be sure to first “pet-proof” your home by picking up or concealing objects that, if eaten, could cause medical problems.  These include:

• paper clips, pins, or staples
• rubber bands, string, or shoelaces
• pens or pencils
• wires or power cords
• all children’s toys
• socks and pantyhose
• jewelry
• hardware
• human foods or medications

In addition, be sure to remove any items of clothing (including shoes, belts and other delicious leather goods) that your pet might find tasty. 

Toys for Dogs

Most dogs will play with just about anything.  As a responsible owner, you must see to it that the toys your dog does have access to are appropriate, and safe.  If ingested, the wrong toy could choke or poison your pet.  Careful selection, therefore, is crucial.

Are there toys out there that might pose a risk to your dog’s health?  The answer is yes, though it depends in part on your dog’s size and temperament.  A soft woolen chew toy, for instance, might be fine for a “soft-chewer,” but might be dangerous to a dog that tends to rip things apart and eat them.  A small ball might work for a Chihuahua but not a Rottweiler, a dog capable of swallowing and choking on it.  “Hard-chewers” can also tear open squeak toys and choke on the squeaker inside, or even rip a rubber toy to pieces and ingest the shards, causing possible intestinal blockages.  Also, never give your dog cooked bones, as they splinter and can cause intestinal tears.  If in doubt, always err on the side of caution and go with the more durable toy.

The following are some toys that should amuse your dog for hours on end.  They include:

• Nylabone®-type bones and rings
• Kong®-type toys
• rope or canvas toys
• Hard plastic balls and rings
• Frisbees®
• woolen chew toys (without the squeaker)

Tennis balls can also be used, but be aware that some dogs can tear them apart and swallow the pieces or the felt covers.  To be safe, use them only for supervised “fetch” games. 

With the hard rubber Kong® toys, consider slipping  a treat or two into the toy, to stimulate your pooch’s interest.  Just be sure to wash the toy out regularly, to insure good health.

Rawhide chews can also be used, provided you purchase a high-quality product, preferably of domestic origins.  Rawhide chews manufactured in Asia, Mexico and other foreign countries have often been bleached, and can contain other harsh chemicals that might sicken your dog.  Also, be careful to watch your dog as he chews; if you see him swallowing large chunks of rawhide, consider finding another type of chew, as these large shards can cause choking or blockages.  Consider purchasing compressed rawhide sticks, which last longer and don’t tear off in large pieces.

Always monitor your dog as he plays with his toys.  If he begins to tear one apart, remove and replace it with a more durable item.  Also, consider rotating toys every few days, to keep it exciting for the dog.

Toys for Cats

Though cats tend to amuse themselves better than do their canine cousins, they too need some regular mental and physical stimulation to stay happy.  Also, without an outlet for their strong predatory instincts, most cats will become stressed or even destructive; it is essential, then, to provide your cat with a stimulating home environment that includes the appropriate toys.

Cats are not quite as destructive as dogs with regard to playthings.  Nevertheless, care should be taken that a non-supervised toy not contain any easily-swallowed pieces such as buttons, feathers, strings or squeakers. 

Often, cat owners find that their pets will treat simple household items as treasured toys.  Balled-up wads of newspaper, cardboard boxes stuffed with shredded paper, ping-pong balls, or even the cardboard cores of paper towel rolls can often occupy hours of a cat’s time.

The following store-bought toys can also provide your cat with hours of fun.  They include:

• plastic or hard rubber balls, with or without noisemakers inside
• small, soft, stuffed animals, with or without catnip inside
• wind-up or battery-operated toys
• teaser wands or laser pens (operated by you)

As with dogs, be sure to rotate your cats toys on a regular basis, to keep interest levels high.  Also, keep them clean.