We have mentioned before that dog toys, including toilet seats and other household items, are among the top ten dirtiest! Dog toys can be chewed, licked, and picked up, and can easily breed E. coli, mold, staphylococcus, etc.
Even chew-resistant toys that feature toughness are not indestructible. You must carefully observe the toy after using it for a period of time. If there are many scratches, bacteria may hide in the gaps that cannot be cleaned.
However, there are many kinds of dog toys. Which toys should be replaced regularly, and how to judge when it is time to replace them?
Why you should replace your dog's toys regularly
"Do dog toys really need to be replaced regularly?" If you are still wondering why dog toys are obviously not edible, but they need to be replaced regularly, you can refer to the following two main reasons:
1. Old toys may be potentially dangerous
After the toys are used by dogs, they will develop bite marks or even cracks. Coupled with factors such as dog saliva and humid environment, a large number of bacteria will breed, dirt and dust will stick to them, and odors will appear. These bacteria and dirt will be swallowed by dogs when they pick up and chew toys, which may cause health problems.
In addition to hygiene issues, another potential hazard is the risk of ingesting foreign objects. Even dog toys made of the strongest materials have a certain age. Toys that withstand the strong bite force of dogs over many years will always have scars or cracks. If these cracks break, the dog may break the toy into pieces. If it is swallowed, it will seriously require surgery to take it out.
Even the sturdiest chew-resistant dog toys are not indestructible and should be replaced regularly. Toy in the picture: American SodaPup K9 grenade knotted interactive toy
2. New toys can give dogs different stimulation
Dogs are very curious animals and it is their nature to be attracted to things they have never seen before.
In 2008, a group of researchers from the University of Giessen in Germany and the University of Lincoln in the UK conducted an experiment on 17 dogs. They let the dogs become familiar with two objects first, and then placed those two objects and a third new object in front, allowing the dogs to choose where to go.
Of the 50 times the test was repeated, the result was the same 38 times: all the dogs rushed to the new object. Scholars call this phenomenon "Neophilia" and believe that dogs have a natural and strong interest in new things. That's why new toys get your dog's attention every time.
And if you want to interact with your dog or practice commands through toys, getting your dog's attention is the most important first step. If you keep using old toys that your dog is tired of playing with, you may have a hard time even completing the first step!
Time to replace various toys
There are so many kinds of dog toys, and the replacement timing of each type is actually different. We can divide dog toys into the following categories:
Dolls
Just like the "little rugs" we all had when we were children, dolls or stuffed dolls are important items to soothe dogs and provide them with a sense of security. For dogs, these dolls have a familiar smell and can make them feel comfortable. They feel satisfied and relieved.
Since the smell of old dolls is very important to dogs, many owners are troubled by "What if I wash or throw away my dog's beloved doll and it becomes sad?"
The best way is to "don't take it all at once"!
Prepare multiple dolls for your dog, so that when you take one of the dolls to wash, or replace or add a new doll, your dog can still keep other dolls with their own scents. Gradual replacement will not cause dogs to become depressed or accidentally deprive them of their sense of security.
Replacement time:
When you see cracks or damage in a doll, you should replace it and do not sew it up. If your dog tears the doll apart, there may be a risk of swallowing the stuffing.
It is recommended to prepare multiple dolls for your dog so that your dog's favorite scent can still be maintained when cleaning or replacing new toys.
Recommended Doll Dog Toys
At the same time, when choosing such toys, it is recommended to look for durable, chew-resistant ones with as little filler as possible. For example, HugSmart, a dog toy brand from Canada, has a variety of durable, suitable for puppies, and quite cute appearance doll toys.
Bite resistant toys
From the time they are puppies, dogs will start to want to bite things due to problems such as teething and their natural desire to bite. In order to prevent dogs from biting furniture or dangerous objects, bite-resistant dog toys are also a must-have for owners. one.
Replacement time:
Replacement of chew-resistant toys is recommended when they become scratched, cracked, or broken.
The material of chew-resistant toys is tough, but it is recommended to replace them if scratches and cracks appear. Toy in the picture: American SodaPup The most powerful gingerbread man chewable toy
Recommended bite-resistant dog toys
Bite-resistant toys will come into contact with the dog's mouth and nose for a long time. In order to prevent the dog from ingesting toxic or chemical substances, remember to choose non-toxic and certified materials when selecting.
If you don't know how to choose, you can choose dog chew toys such as SodaPup, an American dog toy brand. They insist on being designed and manufactured in the United States. The materials are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, their quality reassures owners and is recommended by many experts.
Interactive toys
Interactive dog toys such as knotted rope toys, balls, frisbees, etc. can be used to play tug-of-war or throw-and-catch games with dogs indoors or outdoors. They are excellent dog products that enhance the relationship between owners and dogs.
Replacement time:
Since dogs will have many opportunities to bite when playing games, most interactive toys will also adopt a design similar to chew-resistant toys. The replacement timing is also similar to chew-resistant toys. When cracks or knots are found on the surface of the toy, It should be replaced when it breaks. In addition to preventing the gap from harboring dirt and swallowing foreign objects, it can also prevent the dog from being injured when the toy breaks during the pulling process.
The material of chew-resistant toys is tough, but it is recommended to replace them if scratches and cracks appear. Toy in the picture: American SodaPup Soda pop handle interactive toy
After reading these introductions, you should be able to understand why we recommend that dog toys should be replaced regularly!
If the toys at home are still new and there is no need to replace them for the time being, you can also refer to our teaching on how to clean dog toys.
