What is the best toy to distract the dog?
Dogs are social beings that enjoy companionship, and they may feel bored when you spend long periods away from home. To prevent this, it’s essential to find the perfect product to entertain your pet. To make the right choice, pay attention to details such as type, size, and material.
Brands like Kong, Pet Games, and Buddy Toys have created products to keep your furry friend entertained and having fun, even when you’re not around. To help you choose the best, we’ve produced a buying guide and selected the top 10 toys for dogs that are left alone. Are you ready?
What is the best toy to distract the dog when it’s alone?
Now, you’ll find some important tips for choosing the best toy for your pet. This way, you’ll make the best choice for your pet and ensure its happiness even when it’s alone! Pay close attention!
Choose the Most Suitable Type of Toy for Your Dog
There are various types of toys for dogs that are left alone. Firstly, remember that these models should not rely on a human since there won’t be anyone to play with the animals. Below are the main types.
Chew Toys for Dogs: Great for All Stages, Especially Puppies
Soft balls, plush toys, and chew toys are excellent options for toys for dogs left alone, as they can entertain and distract the animal. Dogs tend to chew on these types of toys for a long time.
For puppies, these products are perfect. In this phase, they have itchy gums due to the growth of their teeth and look for something to chew and scratch. Adult and senior dogs also have fun and expend a lot of energy with this type of toy.
Fillable and Interactive Toys: Perfect for Challenging the Dog
One thing that any little dog likes to receive is treats! That’s why there are many dog toys that dispense food or treats. The operation is simple: you put the food or treat inside the toy, and while your dog plays, the food is released.
There are also models where you can insert longer treats, making the food even more interesting for your dog. Others are interactive games that challenge the dog and usually provide a treat as a reward.
Additionally, dogs can have fun with the toy even if there’s nothing inside, either because they associate the toy with treats or simply because they like to chew on it. Just be careful not to overfeed your little dog. If you put kibble in the toy, reduce the amount of kibble in the regular bowl.
Consider Your Dog’s Age to Choose the Ideal Toy
Puppies may have problems with toys that are not suitable for their age. If a very young puppy bites something too hard, for example, it can end up hurting or even losing its teeth since they are still developing. So, it’s best to choose softer toys.
This also applies to an elderly dog, which also has sensitive teeth. On the other hand, puppies will have more fun with toys that make them move, like balls that bounce and run around the house on their own. Adult dogs usually play with all types of toys.
Finally, older dogs don’t get excited as easily and need an extra stimulus to play. So, for them, the tip is to choose toys with treats. Stores usually provide information on the best age range for the toy, so pay attention.
Choose a Toy Suitable for Your Dog’s Size
When choosing a toy, it’s essential to consider your dog’s size, even if many manufacturers don’t provide this indication. If you give a too-large toy to a small dog, it won’t even be able to move it with its nose.
On the other hand, larger dogs may end up eating the toy or even breaking it and swallowing smaller parts accidentally, which is very dangerous. So, think about your dog’s safety. Larger and more robust toys that can withstand a dog’s bite are usually more suitable. Additionally, if your dog is small just because it’s still a puppy, buy a small toy, but don’t forget to replace it as your dog grows a bit more. And if you want more options, don’t forget to check our ranking with the top 10 toys for large dogs.
You’ve learned what the best toy is to distract the dog; now, just buy it and keep your pet entertained for longer. Enjoy the tip!