Anti-stress Toys For Dogs

It is known that our beloved pets also get stressed. Whether it is because they are changing their teeth when they are puppies or because they suffer from separation anxiety from their owners – when they are left alone in the house – through many other reasons, dogs suffer from stress. Among the resources that we can use to try to calm them is to provide them with toys.

What are the best anti-stress toys for dogs?

Chewing on different objects calms dogs down. Believe it or not, it is the ideal anti-stress option for them. Chewing and nibbling all kinds of things are natural activities for your dog. For this reason, before she starts to nibble on the different objects that she finds scattered around your house, it would be better to get her a large battery of toys to help relieve her tensions. By the way, you will also help maintain their oral health, since, by biting constantly, you will massage your gums, exercise your jaws and keep your teeth clean.

The most recommended toys to calm your dog’s stress, especially when he is left alone, are those that in turn dispense food. In the market there are several companies that provide them. You can also assemble them yourself, paying close attention that the materials you use to make them do not pose a risk to the health of your dog, either because they are toxic or because they can break easily and also be ingested.

With these gadgets, your pet will surely keep busy and entertained for hours, playing while he gets his favorite food by nibbling, moving or rolling the container that contains it. Make sure, yes, that the toy is made of a resistant material.

In addition to helping him to forget about his anguish, you will be stimulating his mind by having to find a way to get his favorite food out of the toy. This type of object also allows to regulate the degree of difficulty of obtaining the prize, according to the size of the holes through which the prize comes out.

Another option for you to entertain yourself and unload your nerves are the so-called edible bones. They are made of natural materials that, in general, can be ingested without problems by your pet.

In any case, the ideal is to give him a variety of toys and  choose which one he prefers to chew on. However, you must differentiate between those that you can provide them when they are alone and those that they must use under your supervision, which are the ones that could break and swallow some of their pieces. If this happens, you should remove the broken toy immediately.

Tips when choosing anti-stress toys for your pet

It will always be convenient that you ask your vet for advice on the most suitable toys for your pet according to size, age and breed.

At one month old, you can start giving your puppy toys. The precautions will be the same throughout your life:

• They should be sized so that you cannot swallow it in one bite.
• They should not deteriorate or split, as it can cause intestinal obstruction.
• Make sure that the materials with which they were made are not toxic  and may pose a risk to the health of your pet.
• Prevent them from being contaminated and sanitize them before they put them in their mouth.

Many people use stuffed animals as toys for their dogs, but they are not recommended. Not only because of the parts that can be detached and swallowed by the animal –eyes, ears, etc.–, but also because they can easily destroy them and eat their filling. And, although nothing usually happens, there are cases in which animals can die from suffocation or suffer a bowel obstruction.

Toys sold at veterinarians and pet stores are generally safe. Not so those that are marketed in businesses outside the specific area, since they can be copies of the originals and even made with toxic materials.

When buying toys for your dog, remember that they should like them and not you. Choose them with a dog’s eyes and try to ensure that, in addition to helping to relieve stress, they also serve to stimulate it positively.