Canine toys are indeed a joy to have for your pet. They are great promoters of oral health, cognitive development, physical activity, and bonding. However, when these toys are poorly maintained, they can pose serious health risks to your dog. Sadly, not many dog owners are versed in the art of toy maintenance. Here, we have put together a list of tips to aid you in your dog’s toy maintenance.

1. Regular cleaning

Dirty toys can threaten the immunity of your furry friend. It can also result in dog acne, hormonal imbalance, and toy hazards because of the fast disintegration caused by dirt. As such, you must ensure maximum protection for your dogs by optimal cleaning.

The best way to clean a toy made of rubber, plastic, or silicon is to submerge them in a 5% white vinegar and warm water solution for about 15 minutes, after which you can scrub thoroughly with a brush and dry it well.

For cuddly, plush toys, use some white vinegar and water on a gentle machine spin, and hang the toys to dry afterward. It is advisable to hand wash a damaged toy to prevent further deterioration.

2. Prompt inspection

You cannot underestimate the importance of regular and prompt inspection of your dog’s toy. Most toy companies often come with lofty promises of durability and longevity, but since there are no safety regulations, you cannot hold those companies to their words.

Therefore, it is your duty as a pet owner to inspect your dog’s toy for any breakage, damage, or tearing. If you fail to do so, it increases the chances of choking and inhaling toy hazards. Take extra precautions if your canine toys have decorations like ribbons, buttons, and fillings.

3. Toy rotation

Toy rotation is a brilliant way to maintain the integrity of your canine toys. Rotating helps maintain the toy’s structure and state and ensures that your dog is not too attached to a particular toy. Likewise, it helps in decluttering and reduces the chances of missing toys. You can have a laid-out schedule for the toys for your pet, or you can rotate it based on cleanliness. Rotation should be done weekly and be limited to a maximum of 5 toys.

4. Expert purchasing

You can save yourself a lot of stress and resources if you purchase safe dog toys that you can easily maintain. You should first consult with your vet before you buy any toy whatsoever. Afterward, ensure that you inspect the toys for durability and safety by doing adequate research. It’d be best if you steered clear of toys with an overwhelming chemical smell or a high level of lead.

Also, if you can, try and avoid toys with decorations, strings, or rawhide. Where decorations are unavoidable, you might as well cut or trim them to a safe length. Do well to consider the size of your dog as some toys may be great for small dogs but a choking hazard for large dogs.

5. DIY repairs

You don’t have to wait till a toy disintegrates entirely and becomes a threat for you to salvage it. You can recycle your pet toys or do minor repairs like patching and replacing parts. You can also seal gashes and tears and replace broken or lost buttons. Kindly note that if you can’t repair the toy, then you should get a replacement instead.