It’s always fun to play with your dog, and toys can make this much more engaging for owner and pooch alike – but a vet claims there are some types of toy that are best avoided
A vet has told dog owners to ‘avoid’ certain types of toy, as they can create unnecessary hazards during playtime. It’s always fun to play with your dog, and toys can make this more enjoyable both for your pet and for you.
However, some types of toy can present choking hazards or be toxic to your four-legged friend, which can put them in danger. Vet Alex Crow, known as @alex_thevet on social media, says he would never give his dog seven types of toy – and for very good reason. He said: “Here’s the dog toys I’d avoid as a vet! No I’m not trying to be a kill joy, there are just safer alternatives out there!
“Just because it’s sold in a pet store doesn’t mean it’s safe – from tennis balls that wear down teeth to rope toys that can cause gut blockages, some of the most popular toys can actually be dangerous.” He said this is “especially” true if your dog likes to chew aggressively and recommended that all owners follow his advice.
Tennis ball
To start, he says he would never allow his dog to play with a tennis ball because “the fizz can trap dirt and sand, which then acts like sandpaper on your dog’s teeth”.
Not only does this wears down the enamel on their teeth but tennis balls can be a “big choking hazard” for big dogs.
For an alternative, he says owners should invest in “dog-safe tennis balls with breathing holes in them”.
Squeaky toys
Next, he says he would stay clear of squeaky toys because “swallowing the squeak can soon end up with them in surgery.”
He said this may pose a particular risk for dogs who like to destroy their toys.
Rope toys
Moving onto rope toys, he warns the threads that come off during playtime can be ingested and cause blockages in your dog’s gut.
As an alternative, he suggested you instead use “rubber tug toys that won’t shred into threads.”
Antlers and bones
Dr Crow added: “Number four is antlers or hard bones. They might be natural but they’re not always safe. While chewing on them can break off plaque, it can also just break your dog’s teeth lead to pain, tooth root abscesses and expensive dental procedures.”
While they’re not a ‘traditional toy’, he says you should stop your dog from playing with plastic water bottles because the shards can cause internal damage once they splinter.
Anything with a battery
Naming an obvious one all owners should know, he says allowing your dog to chew on any toy with a battery inside is a recipe for disaster.
“If they get to the battery it’s toxic, corrosive and an emergency,” he added.
Beads
Finally, he says he would allow his dog to play with any toy filled with plastic beads because they can all cause internal damage to your pet if swallowed.
Offering advice, he urged owners to remain mindful when buying their dog’s a new toy and to opt for the ‘correct size and materials’ above anything else.
Commenting on his post, one user said: “My dog died eating a tennis ball, I didn’t give her them because she chews them up, but somewhere she got hold of one, I suspect a dog walk, I found out through an autopsy and the vets found it, so my current dog doesn’t have tennis balls.”
Another user added: “My dog has a toy twice the size of him and he absolutely loves it.”
A third user said: “So no tennis balls, no squeaks, no ropeys and no antlers. Basically my dog’s whole life. Great!”
