Toy Safety From HATS

Playtime is an essential part of a pets life and toys can play a big part in the level of enrichment they get. Unfortunately, there is a lot to keep in mind when picking truly safe toys for your pet. We at HATS know it can be hard to know what a safe toy is or what to do to ensure your pets safety during playtime with any toy, so, here are some tips for your next toy purchase.

Material

The material of a toy plays a major role in the safety of a toy. For dogs, plastic and rubber chew toys that are too hard can become sharp from chewing and cut their mouths or paws. Plastics that are too flimsy can be ripped and chewed into small pieces that could be ingested and cause internal blocks and health problems.

Rope toys are known to fray and cause choking, GI blocks, and harbor bacteria from the dog's mouth. If using rope toys or tugs, it is important to use high quality material and check them for fraying often. These toys should also be washed regularly and switched out when they fray and become more hazardous.

Squeaker toys can be very good for enrichment, as it caters toward their hunting nature. Many dogs can play with these toys without issue, however, if your dog is extra “hunty” they may rip the toy apart to satisfy that inner nature. Both the stuffing and squeaker itself can be easily swallowed and cause intestinal blocks and damage. Which is why it is important to invest in durable materials to limit the damage to the toy.

For those master chewers, squeaky toys without stuffing could be used or alternative sounding toys to give a similar enrichment experience. These could be a crinkle, rattling, or giggling sound.

For cats, the main materials to avoid are things they could swallow, choke on, or be strangled by. These typically include feathers, string-like material, elastic yarn, ribbons, bells, and other small parts that could be swallowed.

Supervising their playtime is important to ensure they are safe with their toys. Inspecting toys for damage and removing any small parts, like the eyes or nose from a mouse toy, is also a good way to prevent them from swallowing those small parts. This applies to dog toys too, as they can also have plastic eyes, noses, and other small additions that can easily be removed and swallowed.

Size and Age

Age appropriate play and toys is essential for proper enrichment. Kittens enjoy hands on play to stimulate their senses, this might include rattly balls; fishing poles; or phone apps designed for cats and their enrichment. It’s very important not to use your hands or fingers as toys during playtime, as this teaches the kitten that human hands are a toy for biting and scratching.

Adult cats prefer independent play to stimulate their predatory behaviors. Toys that are good for this are tunnels, exercise wheels, and laser pointers. Toys that can mimic the stalk, chase, and kill or their predatory nature.

Toys that are too heavy for a dog to carry can cause damage to the teeth and gums, they should be easy to carry in their mouth and large enough not to be accidentally swallowed.

Chemicals in dog toys

Many concerns about pet toys are about the plastic they are made of and the chemicals that could be in them. Finding reputable, widely trusted manufacturers is the best way to avoid this.

(according to Rover.com) Some chemicals that have been found in dog toys are:

• PVC and Phthalates: PVC is not harmful in itself but is very hard, causing the use of phthalates to soften the material. Overtime, the chemical seeps out and gets absorbed into the mouth and skin. The PVC also contains chlorine that can seep out and be absorbed as well.

  • These can cause reproductive and developmental issues for dogs, it is especially important to avoid these for puppies.

• BPA: This commonly known cancer causing and hormone disrupting chemical is found in many plastics.

  • According to a 2017 ScienceDirect study, BPA is absorbed into a dog's system and upsets their endocrine system and disrupts their metabolism.

• Lead: Manufacturers in countries with less regulations on lead often use lead paint on the toys they produce. While puppies and kittens are most susceptible to lead poisoning, any animal exposed to it can be poisoned.

  • This can cause serious neurological challenges, damage to multiple organs, the nervous system, and the GI tract.

• Formaldehyde: Has been found in the adhesive connecting pieces of a toy together.

  • This can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems.

• Chromium and Cadmium: These are both used in dyes for certain plastics. Chromium is an essential dietary mineral but too much of it is toxic. Cadmium is a cancer causing metal that can interfere with dogs joints, heart, and lungs

Highly Trusted Manufacturers:

• KONG

• Chuckit! Dog Toys

• P.L.A.Y.

• West Paw