Most of us enjoy giving our dogs fun toys and tasty treats. However, even though they look a great toy, not all the things you find in stores are good for your dog, despite the claims and the packaging.
The Humane Society explains that toys are important for dogs. They help keep dogs busy when they’re by themselves, comfort them when they’re scared, and can stop them from picking up bad habits.
15. Children’s Toys
I’m starting this list with a Captain Obvious, but it’s also worth mentioning for the awareness factor. If you have kids, please keep the small toys out of your pup’s reach. Dogs can’t differentiate their toys with your child’s and this can lead to a very expensive surgery.
14. Toys Dogs Can Swallow
Some dogs will eat anything, so it’s important to eliminate any toy that is not suitable for their size. Rule of thumb is having a toy at least 2-3x the size of their mouth to avoid any chewing or swallowing.
13. Fatty / Sugary Treats
Cooked bones, especially poultry bones, can splinter easily, causing choking or sharp fragments that can damage the digestive tract.
12. Bones (Cooked)
Cooked bones, especially poultry bones, can splinter easily, causing choking or sharp fragments that can damage the digestive tract.
11. Small Bones
Any ball that is small enough to be swallowed poses a significant choking risk. Always choose a ball that’s too big to fit entirely in your dog’s mouth.
10. Pig Ears
“The reason I do not like pig ears is that many of them are terribly manufactured and there have been issues with bacterial overgrowth/contamination in the past. Not to mention they are very greasy for the most part and can absolutely upset your dog’s GI tract or even worse lead to pancreatitis,” said Veterinarian specialist Dr. Finn.
9. Small Balls
Any ball that is small enough to be swallowed poses a significant choking risk. Always choose a ball that’s too big to fit entirely in your dog’s mouth.
8. Sticks from Trees
Natural sticks can splinter, causing mouth injuries or intestinal damage if ingested. The “natural way” is not the way to take care of your dog in 2024.
7. Ice Cubes
Chewing on ice can crack teeth or lead to dental injury, especially in smaller dogs or those with dental issues. And yes, your dog can lay on ice cubes, we just thought this photo was too cute.
6. Cheap Plastic Toys
These can break into sharp pieces that can injure your dog internally if swallowed. They may look cute and fun, but they’re poorly made and not worth the risk.
5. Corn Cobs
Corn cobs can be chewed into large pieces that don’t digest, leading to blockages in the intestines.
4. Squeaky Toys for Heavy Chewers
For dogs that love to chew, a squeaker can be a choking hazard if they manage to remove it.
3. Human Sweets / Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and sweets can contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is also poisonous to them.
2. Toys With Stuffing
Some toys are filled with toxic substances or dangerous materials like polystyrene beads. If a toy is easily torn apart, its filling could be ingested, posing a risk of internal injury or toxicity.
1. Rawhide Chews
Often treated with chemicals during processing, rawhide can pose choking hazards and digestive blockages, especially as it swells inside a dog’s stomach. Honestly it still shocks me to see the major pet retailers carrying these products as if they were still ok to give your dog; leading to a lot of confusion from dog owners.