Dog Toys for Little Dogs: What to Look For and Why!
Okay, so I’ve got a little pup at home, and I’ve been trying to find the best toys for him. He’s a tiny thing, under 15 pounds, so regular dog toys are just too big for him. I started by looking around the house to see if I could just make some toys myself. I tried tying some old t-shirts into knots, thinking he could chew on them, but he just tore them to shreds within minutes. Not exactly what I had in mind. Plus, I was worried about him swallowing those little pieces of fabric.
Next, I went to the pet store. I looked for toys specifically labeled for “small dogs.” I grabbed a few plush toys that squeaked because I thought he might like the sound. Yeah, he loved them alright, maybe a bit too much. He ripped them open pretty quickly, and I had to keep an eye on him to make sure he wasn’t swallowing the stuffing or the little squeaker inside. It was a bit stressful, to be honest.
Looking for Something Tougher
After the plush toy disaster, I figured I needed something more durable. I started looking into hard rubber toys. I found these things called “Kongs” and some hollow bones that you can fill with treats. They seemed pretty tough, so I got a couple of those. I started stuffing them with peanut butter and little treats.
- Stuffing the Toys: This was a bit of a process. I had to get the peanut butter in there just right so it wouldn’t all come out at once.
- Freezing the Toys: I even tried freezing the stuffed Kongs to make them last longer. It worked pretty well!
- Watching Him Play: He really enjoyed these. He’d spend ages trying to get every last bit of food out of them.
I also tried some rope toys. I found one called “KONG Floppy Knots” that was specifically for small dogs. It had knots at the end, which he seemed to enjoy chewing on. I’d hold one end, and he’d tug on the other. It was a good way to play with him and get some of his energy out.
Balls and Fetch
He’s got a short snout, so finding balls that he could actually pick up was a challenge. I ended up getting some called “Chuckit!” balls. They were smaller and had these little indentations that made it easier for him to grab. We’d go to the park, and I’d throw them for him. He loved chasing them, though sometimes he’d just carry them around instead of bringing them back.
All in all, finding the right toys for my little dog took some trial and error. I definitely learned that soft, squeaky toys are a no-go unless I want to constantly supervise him. The hard rubber toys and the rope toys are the winners so far. He gets to chew, play, and stay entertained, and I don’t have to worry as much about him swallowing something he shouldn’t. I’m still on the lookout for new toys, but for now, I think we’ve found a good mix that keeps both of us happy.
