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Are Rope Toys Good for Puppies? – Choosing the Right Chew Toy

Dogs have different personalities, just like humans. This is why they have varied preferences regarding dietary preferences and toys.

I have worked with dogs for about ten years and noticed that each dog has a specific preference for toys. While some love stuffed toys, others will rush for chewing toys.

Usually, young puppies at the teething stage will choose to chew toys. Many rely on such toys to soothe themselves, which is why you must know how to pick the safest chew toy.

These toys come in various forms and can confuse first-time pet parents. Consider the following when selecting a chew toy for your puppies.

Go for Rope Toys

These have to be safe options for both puppies and older dogs. They provide a great toy to play with and also chew on.

Rope toys are excellent and safe for all types of chewers. However, despite the safety guarantees, it’s best to watch the dog as they chew. This helps avoid any possibility of swallowing the strands.

The last thing you want to deal with is digestive obstruction and surgeries. In some cases, swallowing strands also lead to fatalities.

How Safe are Rope Toys?

While rope toys are generally safe, you must know how to buy them. There are several factors you must consider before buying one. Match the rope toy to your dog’s personality.

Only choose rope toys for dogs that can handle them. A great danger that most rope toys pose is tongue and teeth damage.

These rope strands may get caught in between the dog’s teeth and under the tongue. Usually, this may lead to gum and teeth infection.

The strings could also get caught in the dog fur and cause severe damage. When the strings accumulate on the fur, they make grooming a bit more challenging than it should be.

If the strings find their way to the dog’s body through ingestion, they can cause intestinal damage. These strings pass into the intestine if not ejected with the other body waste.

From a veterinarian’s point of view, this often pulls the intestines. It then causes them to clinch together.

This happens when the gastrointestinal tract attempts to pass the string. Eventually, the blood flow is cut off, and the intestines develop lacerations.

This is an experience that comes with excruciating pain for the dog.

Pet parents and caregivers should be cautious. Dogs can ingest strands from rope toys.

Note that even the smallest amount of strands accumulate hair. This may trigger an intestinal blockage.

In the end, it is best to get your dog a rope toy for tug and war instead of a chew toy. After all, there are other better alternative chew toys you can go for.

Choosing the Right Chew Toys

Choosing a suitable chew toy for your dog is crucial based on age and personality. Several factors affect the chew toy you finally settle for. These include:

Style and Personality

Note that all dogs don’t chew the same. This is why they may not use the same type of chew toy.

Observe and learn what works for your dog before getting them a chew toy. Common chewing styles include inhalers. These swallow food in large chunks and are gulpers.

We also have destroyers. They’ll attempt and always succeed in destroying anything they put in their mouth. The dogs may or may not swallow the toys.

Nibblers are dogs with the habit of chewing through stuff slowly and attentively. These dogs can chew through the toys slowly and usually end up swallowing them.

Type of Chewer

Dogs are classified differently based on how they chew. They can either be gentle chewers who are easy on toys.

We also have the average chewer. These dogs carry their chew toys everywhere and may not destroy them quickly.

The last category is the power chewers are known to be discerning when they chew. They are strong-willed and need strong chew toys.

Note that you may also need different chewing toys for teething and senior chewers. It is essential to chew toys that match the type of teeth and gums your dog or puppy has.

Types of Chew Toys to Buy

There are different types of chew toys available in the market. The one you go for depends on the factors described above.

  • Rubber toys: These are great for inhalers, destroyers, and nibblers.
  • Stuffed toys: These work for inhalers and nibblers
  • Balls: These are great for inhalers and nibblers
  • Edible chews: These work for destroyers and nibblers

Always choose a chew toy based on your dog’s personality and habits. While you want to indulge the dog’s urge to chew, it has to be done safely.

Buying the Right Chew Toy

You may not have thought about buying your dog’s chew toy. Before but it is essential. Below are the core things you must pay attention to:

  • Check out the toy’s hardness. Make sure the toy is easy to bend and break with your hand, especially if you are not too strong.
  • Durability and softness. Choose a chew toy that is not too soft or poorly constructed. The dog should not tear the toy quickly.
  • Shape and Size. Choose to chew toys that match your dog’s size. Please don’t go for toys that are too small that they become a choking hazard.
  • It should be washable. Washing and disinfecting the washable toys your dogs use regularly is essential. Choose a toy that can be washed and dried.
  • Consider the toy’s coating: Pick toys not coated with anything that can cause digestive issues in case of ingestion. Ask your vet for suggestions on this.

People Also Ask

Is it ok for puppies to chew on rope toys?

Rope toys are great for tug-of-war games. They can always work as chew toys if the pet parent observes caution.

Should I let my dog chew on the rope?

Dogs can chew on rope toys. However, not many experts recommend this.

What kind of rope is safe for dogs to chew?

If you must allow your dog to chew on a rope toy, make sure the rope is made from natural fibers.

A video of rope toys for dogs