Aside from their human family and perhaps mealtime, most puppies love nothing more than their toys. While you might be tempted to snatch up every stuffed animal or rope toy in sight, some are better than others in terms of stimulation and safety. The Pet Hale in Mililani, HI shares some insight on choosing the perfect toys for puppies.

Do:

Experiment with different types.

Puppies should be exposed to as many different types of toys as possible. Not only does mixing it up keep them from getting bored, but it also challenges their minds. Look for toys with different textures, sounds, functions, and challenge levels. They’ll keep your puppy engaged, entertained, and less likely to get into mischief.

Supervise rawhide toys.

Rawhide toys are perfect for teething puppies, but only under supervision. Stick to large rawhide pieces from which they’ll have a tough time ripping huge chunks. Puppies can choke if they try to swallow pieces that are too big for them.

Don’t:

Offer toys stuffed with beads or beans.

Even if your puppy isn’t the type to destroy toys, better to err on the side of caution. Never give your pet a toy stuffed with small components like beads or beans. These can be harmful if ingested or choked upon. Instead, choose plush toys stuffed with a natural material like cotton.

Choose chew toys that splinter.

Certain chew toys, including sticks from the backyard, are prone to splintering. Not only can puppies choke on splinters, but their mouths or digestive tracts can also be injured. 

Let your puppy eat stuffing.

Many puppies love tearing the stuffing out of plush toys. Though it can be expensive to constantly replace toys, your pup’s fun is completely safe as long as they’re not eating the stuffing. In large quantities, it can result in stomach or small intestinal blockage, which may require surgery to remove. 

For more advice on the best toys for your puppies, consult Mililani’s neighborhood pet store. The Pet Hale boasts 3,500 square feet of retail space with a wide selection of pet supplies, accessories, food, clothing, and more. See more of their product selection online, or call (808) 696-1083 for inquiries.