They’re excited and full of joy when you get out their favourite toy, but owners beware, not all toys are alike, and not all toys are safe! Many toys with common parts used by toy companies can cause some serious problems for your furry friend! Here are the dangers of toys:
TOY STUFFING
The various parts used inside toys to make them soft, cuddly, rattly or squeaky are not meant to be ingested. Cotton, polyester or plastic beads are not only dangerous choking hazards, but can also easily become lodged in the digestive tract if your pet swallows them, causing blockages that need an expensive surgery to remove. If your furry friend is of the chewing persuasion, we don’t recommend a toy that they could tear open and get to the messy bits inside. Consider a stuffing-free pet toy instead!
PLASTIC PARTS
We’ve all seen those toys that are made for children. The harmless and cute character faces with glued on plastic noses and eyes. Great for human babies, but not for fur babies! Often dogs love to chew off those plastic features and the danger of them swallowing something they shouldn’t is increased tenfold. Better to be safe than sorry and invest in a pet-safe toy that will be pet-tested for things like this.
SQUEAKERS
Squeakers are often sewn to the inside of soft toys to make them more desirable to your pet. While it may be fun to watch your best friend playing with their squeaky new toy, those squeakers are often just the right size to be swallowed should your pet chew them free. If you do not always supervise your pet while they’re enjoying their squeaky toy then you can also invest in a scrunch toy, which utilizes a crunching sound instead, or a rubber/plastic toy with the squeak built in.
TOYS THAT ARE TOO SMALL
Larger breeds like German Shepherds and Great Danes should be given special consideration when it comes to toys. Tennis balls and other small toys are a high risk of becoming accidentally swallowed and stuck in the airway, causing dangerous choking. Visit your local pet store for specialised toys for larger breeds. Likewise, small toys should be avoided for all breeds for the very same reason!
If your pet has swallowed something they shouldn’t when playing with their toys please contact Pet Doctors Palm Beach or your local emergency vet immediately.
