There are three activities that strengthen the bond between us and our pets: Feeding (duh!), Petting, and Playing.
But, for some people, playing with their dog doesn’t come as naturally as they thought. After all, dogs have their own rules and attitude for playing. For this reason, we witty humans use dog toys!
Dog toys are a great means to fill that missing part and let both you and your dog have the time of your life. What is more, your choice of dog toys can also train and improve your furry friend’s life.
You might say: “Hmmm, that sounds interesting.”
And we at Fuzzy Dog Collective would reply: “Right?! Plus, science gave us some results on this!”
Here are the three best kinds of dog toys supported by a study in Netherlands:
Chewable Dog Toys: Shiny teeth, Less mess
Chewable dog toys are non-toxic, elastic toys aiming to occupy and relief stress for pets. They are great for three things: First, they clean your dog’s teeth. Dogs playing with non-toxic chewable dog toys experience reduced plaque and tartar build up.
Second, they offer great mental stimulation to your pet. Dogs love chewing, and “tasting” the world is their natural way of interacting with everything around them. Imagine that a dog’s mouth is like their “human hand” and chewing would be their “grabbing”.
So more chewing, more exploring. More exploring, more mental stimuli!
For third and last, the study shows that chewable dog toys reduce the likelihood of destructive behaviors such as chewing on your favorite shoes or munching their way to every household item. It makes sense, more chewing on interesting toys results in less chewing on everything else!
Our chew toy!
Tough Dog Toys: Durability, Safety, More playtime
No wonder chewing is great to have in a toy, but it’s not enough. You also need to ensure that your dog plays with tough dog toys.
Why?
The obvious reason is you don’t have to spend dozens of dollars every now and then. So, it’s a big budget save for humans.
The less obvious reason is that tough dog toys engage dogs in more vigorous chewing, increasing their interest and playtime. So, it’s a big pleasure increase for dogs!
*You staring at your dog*
“A win-win situation for both of us.”
*Wags tail*
Our Multifunction Pet Molar Bite Toy!
Puzzle Toys for Dogs: No more boredom, Less stress
Here is the part of the study that we at Fuzzy Dog Collective loved most: Puzzle Toys!
Puzzle toys for dogs are usually toys that make them “earn” their food. They do so by engaging them in simple problem-solving activities that upon solving release a small amount of food. Some simple examples would be puzzle toys that require a specific way of chewing, opening small hatches of food, or a bit of grappling.
According to the study, there were numerous key findings associated with puzzle toys. Using a puzzle toy that rewarded dogs with food, stimulated their natural foraging behavior and increased the engagement time with the toy by 31.78%!
Another finding was that problem-solving activities reduced stress-related behaviors (e.g. barking, repetitive destructive behavior, etc.) in dogs that had access to puzzle toys.
Dogs love solving puzzles, especially when they can smell the reward a few inches away from their nose.
So are puzzle toys good? No, they are great!
They improve your dog's engagement, reduce stress, and as a reasonable conclusion, problem-solving can improve their intelligence!
Our Tumbler Food Dispenser Pet Toy!
“So, what kind of dog toy should I buy?”
Generally, the answer depends on your preference and budget. In Fuzzy Dog Collective we suggest you balance budget with your “toy goal”. There is no such thing as the “ultimate dog toy” providing everything at once. But buying two toys encompassing the whole spectrum of your needs (puzzles, chewing, toughness) can do the trick. Just make sure you let your dog switch between different toys.
Do you want a budget choice + a wide spectrum of toys tested that dogs love them?
Check out our toys here!
Until then, Fuzzy Dog Collective wishes you jolly playtime with your pup!
Leave a comment