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There’s everything from balls to bones and chews, ropes to plush toys, and even special puzzles and frisbees.  So how do you know which ones are safe for your dog?  If you ask a variety of experts, you may get different answers on what types of toys they consider to be safe.  Most agree that Kong toys, and interactive puzzles are usually pretty good choices, but the rest of the choices are debatable.  What experts can agree upon is  what makes a toy unsafe.  

Here are some key things to look for:

1.  Toys that can be swallowed.  Make sure the size matches the size of your dog.  
2.  Toys that have small parts.  These can be chewed or pulled off and this can create a danger for your pet, or even toddlers in the home.
3.  Items that have sharp edges/points, such as sticks or cooked bones.
4.  Items that have strings or rope that can be easily shredded or swallowed.
5.  Toys that are harder than your pet’s teeth.
6.  Plush toys that have stuffing.  The stuffing is a choking hazard and may cause blockage in the digestive system.
7.  Toys made of toxic materials, and those made with certain plastics and paints.  The processing for items made overseas can’t be validated, so it’s usually best to purchase items made in the United States.

Determining chews toys safety is a little harder to define and could be very confusing. Dogs have a natural tendency to want to chew on things.  Sometimes these aren’t items of our choosing while other times they are!   One of these items, rawhide, is often given to pets to help with their urges for chewing .  Rawhide has been around for years, and most of the time it is offered without incident.  In fact, there are some benefits to it as well.  Rawhide helps with stimulation and anxiety, helps build strong jaws, and helps with plaque and tartar on the teeth. However, despite these benefits, more research is emerging on rawhide’s potential hazards.   With this new information, owners should think twice before giving rawhide to their dog.   Below are some topics to review.  It outlines some key points on why rawhide might not be as safe as originally thought.  That being said, this is a personal choice and the information on this page can be used to help make a decision that is right for you and your pet.  It’s not a “one size fits all”.

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RAWHIDE TOYS

1.  Sometimes dogs, primarily those that are heavy chewers, can break off large pieces of rawhide.  If swallowed, this can pose as a choking hazard if the piece can’t easily fit through the esophagus.  Additionally, if large pieces of rawhide are swallowed, it can cause an obstruction in the digestive system because rawhide isn’t easily digested. 
2.  Rawhides are treated with chemicals, but sometimes there are still traces of them left on the rawhide, and or there are still traces of contaminants such as Salmonella and E.Coli that remain on the rawhide.  Pet owners should wash their hands after touching rawhide.  These can make your pets ill as well.
    

The manufacturing location is also an important consideration if you decide to buy rawhide.  Rawhide chews are made from the dried skins of animals, and all are not made equally.   When purchasing, focus on those manufactured in the United States and look for other options like natural marrow bones, or something that states it’s “easily digestible”.    There are some chews that have vets’ approval- those like Greenies and Veggie Dents, for example.  it’s best to check with your veterinarian when in doubt.  

You should always supervise your pet when there are toys that are present.  All toys should match the size, age, and chew habits of your dog.   Lastly, chew toys with VOHC seal of approval are considered to be safe (VOHC- veterinary oral health council), so look for this for reassurance.