What are the best toys for larger dogs?

A large dog chewing on a soft toy which has the stuffing coming out of it

Choosing the right toy for your dog requires some thought

Collaborative post by another author.

Buying toys for your pets can be an absolute privilege. If you get it right, you get to watch them have heaps of fun playing around in your home, garden or the local park, potentially even forming an emotional bond with their toy that’s just so special.

Getting the right toy can be difficult however and it’s important that you take the right approach. Here, we focus on getting toys for larger dogs in particular, exploring everything from the personality of the dog to safety considerations.

Match your dog’s preferences

The first thing to mention here is that ultimately, no two dogs (no matter the size) will be quite the same. As a result, you will need to make sure that everything you choose for them, including their toys, is matched to their personal habits and preferences.

There are some larger dogs who are incredibly gentle and just want to curl up with a soft toy in a safe corner. On the other hand, other large dogs will be utterly ferocious, ripping anything you get for them to shreds in a second.

Strong toys

If your large dog is on the more ferocious side of things, or if they’re prone to gnawing and pulling on their toys, you need to make sure the toy you buy them is strong enough. Of course, some dogs will be able to destroy even supposedly indestructible options, but you can only try your best.

Try to look at options on sites like Scratch and Newton that are specifically marketed at larger animals, and make sure you check reviews. You can also have a look on the blogs of larger dog owners, to see what kinds of toys they found to be the most durable.

Safety considerations

While you obviously want to get strong toys for larger dogs to limit how frequently you need to buy them again, there is also the safety aspect of things. If your dog is able to break the toy you get for them into different pieces, you need to make sure that those pieces do not present some kind of hazard.

For example, if it leaves a sharp edge it could cut your dog’s mouth, or if it breaks off into smaller pieces, they could potentially try to swallow one and end up choking. Make sure that you only buy toys that have been tested rigorously, to avoid these kinds of events.

Likewise, if the manufacturer has tested the toy in question and deemed it unsafe for larger, stronger dogs, then it’s worth choosing a different option. You absolutely don’t want to mess around with your pet’s well-being.

Choosing the right toy for your pet takes a bit of trial and error, but you should embrace that process. Treat it as an opportunity to get to know your dog and their personal preferences, not just an opportunity to buy them a nice treat. By going through the different criteria listed above, you make it much more likely that you’ll get this process right.