Ask the Veterinarian

Q: What is a good toy to get my dog for the holidays?

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A: With the holiday season upon us it is always exciting to hear that families would like to include their pet in the festivities.  There are many presents that you can get for any pet.  Nowadays, you could get them many types of treats.  If you choose a treat, be certain your pet doesn’t have a sensitive stomach as they may get a tummy ache from a quick change in their diet.  New outfits are also very cute but some pets may find them more stressful than fun.  Make sure you know your pet when choosing their gifts. 

When it comes to toys, there are some things to consider.  For pets with low chewing aggression, soft, squishy toys made of vinyl or latex are recommended. Those with medium chewing aggression should be given bone-hard chew toys, rope or durable rubber toys. Highly aggressive dogs are best suited to bone-hard or durable rubber toys. The pet’s size is also an important factor as balls and other toys that are too small could be easily swallowed or become lodged in your pet’s throat. 

Avoid purchasing toys that are not suitable for your pet, or modify them by removing ribbons, tags, strings, eyes or anything else that could be chewed off and ingested.  Throw away any toy that is torn or starting to wear into pieces. Be vigilant when it comes to squeaky toys as the squeaker can be easily removed and ingested by a pet. Soft toys should be labeled machine washable, as this is an indicator that it will withstand the wear and tear. If a pet is fond of one particular toy, consider purchasing several of the same ones in the event that the current one becomes unsafe. 

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