Momma Told Me: 10 Safety Tips For Dog Toys with GoDog ChewGuard Toys

Blog Archive

10 Safety Tips For Dog Toys with GoDog ChewGuard Toys

We received product samples from Go Dog for use in our home. The following advice should not be taken as professional or veterinarian advice- always follow the label and care instructions on your pet's toys. All photos copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015.
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. (sp)
Momma Told Me: These are NOT your toys!

If you ever were scolded for getting into your mother's makeup, or giving your father's best suit a new, arguably more fashionable, design a-la-Crayola, you likely didn't understand why your parents were being so mean at the time. After all, why do all the adults get to have all the fun? Being a pet parent is very much like being a human parent, only fur-children seldom ever grow up, never move out, and will always require you to clean up their poop. Fur children come in all shapes and sizes, but all require their own defined selection of toys. Not just for the safety of your Italian loafers, but for their safety as well.
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. (sp)
Our morkie (maltese+yorkie) Nora recently turned 3. We have high hopes she will one day go off to doggie college, earn an exceptional income, and care for us in our old age. Until then we've done our very best to provide her with the best in home training. Much like one would couch their daughter on proper handwriting, I've raised her around cameras and people, with exceptional control and obedience.

She is 'spot trained,' which means she understands surface boundaries and will not leave a dog bed/rug/chair/blanket's surface if set directly down on it. She also knows not to chew on anything with a tag. Yes, even dog toys. Something I find especially important for her safety, as tags, and their attaching devices, can be a serious choking hazard for small dogs. In exchange, she is provided hours of attention each day, walks on the beach, her own personal cat (every dog needs an arch nemesis) and countless accessories and toys.
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. (sp)
But today I'd like to discuss some basic tips for choosing the right toys for your canine children, and basic care and upkeep for ensuring those toys are always at their safest. After all, dog toys are designed to be torn up and chewed, of course, which means you should always be aware of their condition and materials, even long after introducing them to your dog!

Tip #1: Remove all tags before giving a toy to your dog. This includes 't-shirt' style tags that are generally made of nylon or cloth and loop out from a toy's base. Paper tags, in particular are often attached with small plastic tabs that pose a serious choking hazard if lodged in a small animal's windpipe. Because Nora has been involved in pet photography since she was a puppy, we also trained her to 'leave it' if she comes across a dog toy with a tag still on. This is the same basic training concept as requiring a dog to ignore their food until given verbal or visual permission.

Sometimes fluffy toys, like the GoDog ChewGuard critters featured here, will have a small plastic hanging tab that is used to display products in store. Thoroughly inspect all toys for additional packaging before giving them to your pup.
Tip #2: Avoid toys that resemble people items. As cute as it may be to give your dog a toy designed to look like a human slipper, it's not cute to find your favorite pair of bath slippers torn up upon arriving home. Teaching pets to chew on objects that look like 'no-no' objects is a bad idea all around, and poses a serious safety threat to your dog.

Tip #3: Inspect toys for small parts. Don't assume, just because something is marketed as a dog toy, your dog's toys are safe for them to play with. Toys are often given to dogs with the intention of being chewed up. You know your dog's strength and play style more than anyone, exercise judgement when picking out the right toys for your pet.

Tip #4: Consider your dog's size when selecting the right toy. While a 150lb German shepherd might play with a toy designed for a 5lb yorkie, it should not be considered safe. Dog toys are designed for breeds and weights for a reason- read labels for suggested weight and size limits before giving your dog any toys.
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. Seen here is Checkers the Rooster. (sp)
Tip #5:  Limit available toys when you are not around to physically watch your dog. In general, pick up all toys with squeakers, fabric, or dangling parts, and store them when you leave the house. Even consumable bones can pose a risk as a chewing toy, and turn into a choking hazard, when you are not there to keep an eye on your dog. Never leave your dog home alone without toys, as that could turn into an unfortunate incident with human toys, or furniture- but do choose the safest, sturdiest, toys for alone playtime.

Tip #6: If the stuffing of a toy becomes exposed, remove the toy from the dog's playthings immediately. While sewing a toy up may be a fine temporary fix, even the best seam repairs will end up ripping again. Don't be fooled, even a tiny amount of batting or stuffing can cause slow blockages inside your dog. A torn toy, without stuffing, can be just as enjoyable as one with stuffing. And always remember to remove the squeaker as soon as a toy is torn.
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. (sp)
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. (sp)
Tip #7: Clean your dog's toys. While it sounds like common sense, many pet owners do not launder their dog's toys. Since toys spend the majority of time in your dog's mouth, then all over your home, it's suggested that you clean your pet's toys at least once a week. For a natural cleaning solution use 1 part water to 1 part vinegar. Toys can be placed in a gallon sized bag and soaked in this solution, then rinsed and air or machine dried.

Tip #8: Check child safety warnings. You may not know but most pet toys contain safety warnings for children. If a dog's plush toy doesn't say it's safe for children under 3 years, it probably poses a larger risk for your pet. At the same time, you should always observe the above safety practices with dog toys, regardless of child safety advisories.

Tip #9: Consider hard rubber toys, such as Kong or JJ Pet brands, instead of raw hide chews. Not only do rawhide based toys and chews pose a choking hazard, they can also have extended long term effects on your pet. Consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog rawhide chews.
10 Safety Tips For Dog Toy Safety featuring GoDog toys with Chew Guard technology. (sp)
 Tip #10: Play WITH your dog. The best way to ensure your pets are safe is to spend time playing with them. This naturally allows you to familiarize yourself with your dog's play habits, and the toys they prefer most. It also keeps you aware of the status of your pet's toys, and any condition or safety issues that may be developing through extended use. Not that you needed an excuse to play with your pup!

Naturally, most of these tips are good to follow for human children as well; you can never be too safe when handing things over to loved ones for play. For intelligently designed plush, and flat, toys designed for tough play we recommend GoDog products. Our Checkers rooster has become one of Nora's favorite snuggle and chew toys with it's playful long legs (perfect for tug-o-war) and made with the brand's exclusive ChewGuard technology. What's one of your dog's favorite toys?

What Daughter Says: Just like human kids, fur kids need defined toys for their own safety, and your piece of mind. Always be aware of what you give your pet to play with.

21 comments:

  1. Awe, what a cutie!! I agree too - fur kids need safe toys for themselves too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your dog is so adorable!! I laugh because your dog looks so much smaller than some of those toys where my big German Shepherd Toby would find some of those toys so small!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love that these toys are so colorful! My little dog would love some of these friends in her bed!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Our dogs were outside dogs so they didn't have toys, except balls or sticks. But when I take care of my SIL dog, his favorite is other animals. He especially loves BUNNY!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I dogsat my parent's dog yesterday and I was reminded of just how much you have to watch a puppy! We're definitely not a puppy proofed house, so keeping the kids' toys from the dog toys was a challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh wow! these toys are so cute! my golden retriever would totally do a job on them but my kids would love playing with them too! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a good point that tags on dog toys could be a choking hazard. I'll have to be more diligent about that when we get new chew toys from now on. At least our dog isn't big, so small dog's toys won't be dangerous for him. I want him to have fun and have toys, but I want to be smart and keep him safe. http://scrappyscorner.com/home

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is situated on a busy 70 km highway and has very poor wire fencing to keep the dogs in.
    dog sitter melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is my first time i visit here and I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially it's discussion, thank you. Toys

    ReplyDelete
  10. The problem in the pet food industry - is that most pet owners don't think in the same terms when it comes to pet food. They don't think in terms that there are fast food types of pet foods and there are sit down restaurant more nutritious types of pet foods.

    indestructible dog toys

    ReplyDelete
  11. In the event that modest or broken bits of toys are available, wipe them out. Brinquedos educativos

    ReplyDelete
  12. Presently we comprehend what makes a hazardous toy and what makes a decent toy. toy drone with camera

    ReplyDelete
  13. There are some places/means to get toys. You can buy them at pet shops or at the Internet.www.teddyway.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. You have beaten yourself this time, and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts in future. Thank you for sharing great information to us. https://peachesandscreams.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  15. You made such an interesting piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain knowledge. Thanks for sharing the such information with us to read this... Vibrating masturbators

    ReplyDelete
  16. Children of this age are full of discovery and are capable of playing with more sophisticated toys. However, you should still be cautious as certain toys could still pose a risk to them. Spanking Paddles

    ReplyDelete
  17. We have sell some products of different custom boxes.it is very useful and very low price please visits this site thanks and please share this post with your friends. Cockrings With Butt Plugs

    ReplyDelete
  18. Making dog jewelry is a fun craft for kids or a great art project for adults.necklace with picture of dog

    ReplyDelete
  19. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. Silleta de bebe en Bebelin

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us. I will come back to your site and keep sharing this information with us.
    automatic ball thrower for dogs

    ReplyDelete
  21. The Houndsy Kibble Dispenser is perfect for feeding your dog the nutritious and delicious kibble they need. This dispenser has a variety of flavors to choose from, so your dog can enjoy their meal in the way that they prefer. The dispenser also has a smart design that makes it easy to use and clean.

    ReplyDelete