Balls can be great toys: Dogs love to chase, chew or just carry them. You need to take care, though, because dogs can choke on small ones, or ingest soft ones.
For a dog that you’ve had to leave alone a toy can help keep him entertained . It can also provide comfort. According to veterinarians in Markham you can even use them to help prevent certain behavior problems. So you can see for our furry friends, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.
Although cats can be pretty picky about toys, dogs are often more than willing to play with any object they can get their paws on. That means you’ll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog’s playtime to prevent any “unscheduled” activities.
Keys to making sure the toys you pick are safe
There are many things to consider when picking a toy for your dog. You need to consider your pet’s size for example and activity level. It is also important to take into account the environment in which they will be playing.
Unfortunately, the most attractive “toys” to play with to dogs are often the very things that are the most dangerous. Removing string, ribbon, rubber bands, children’s toys, pantyhose and anything else that could be swallowed from areas of access to your dog is a great way to dog-proof your home.
Toys need be appropriate for your dog’s size. Balls and other toys that are too small can easily become lodged in your dog’s throat or swallowed altogether as with our friend Draco. His family of smaller “siblings” loves these foam filled bright balls to play with. As you can see in the photo above, so did Draco. However, Draco being a full grown Lab presented to us at the Animal Hospital of Unionville in Markham having just swallowed one of these balls. Luckily, during surgery Dr. Marsig at the Animal Hospital of Unionville in Markham was able to remove not just one but three of these toys from Draco’s stomach.
You can alter any toys that aren’t “dog-proof” by removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could be chewed off and/or ingested or avoid them all together. Discard toys that start to break into pieces or are torn.
Be cautious of any toy that contains a “squeaker” buried in its center. Your dog may feel that he must find and destroy the source of the squeaking, and he could swallow it. Supervise your dog’s play with squeaky toys.
The veterinarians in Markham recommend that you check labels for child safety. Look for stuffed toys that are labeled as safe for children under three years of age and that don’t contain any dangerous fillings. Problem fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but even “safe” stuffings aren’t truly digestible. Remember that soft toys are not indestructible, but some are sturdier than others. Soft toys should be machine washable.
We want to ensure your pet’s remain happy and healthy just like Draco who was returned home after a short stay at the Animal Hospital of Unionville in Markham to recover from his surgery.
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Sincerely,
Dr. Ernst Marsig, veterinarian in Markham
Practicing Veterinary Medicine in Markham for a Long and Happy Life of ALL Your Pets.
Animal Hospital of Unionville, a veterinary clinic on the north side of Hwy 7, serving all pets in Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Stouffville, and North York since 1966. We are your family vets for dogs, cats, pocket pets (rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, skinny pigs, etc.), ferrets, and birds (budgies, cockatiel, parrots, amazon, cockatoo, love birds, conures, African greys, finches, canaries, etc.).
Disclaimer: No part of this website constitutes medical advice. Readers are advised to consult with their veterinarian.
