The truth is that toys are essential for people who own a pet because this way you keep them occupied, entertained and focused, but choosing them can be a really difficult task. Keeping your dog physically and mentally active is a great way to improve their overall health and there is a wide variety of toys that helps us make them happy.

But what happens if you buy the wrong toys for your beloved furry friend? Thus, if you do not know exactly what kind of toys you have to choose, you can even put your pet’s health in danger, and in some cases, it can lead to death – if they swallow some pieces.

Here are the biggest mistakes that pet owners make when they buy toys for their fluffy animals! Read on for more info!

Do not buy the wrong size toy 

First of all, you should know that pet toys do not have universal sizes for all breeds and all types of animals. Cats can’t play with a dog toy or vice versa. 

“A toy that is too large can limit the pet’s ability to comfortably carry around, decreasing the likelihood that the pet will play with it and enjoy it. For larger pets, a toy that is too small may present a choking hazard or become ingested and get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract,” said Freeman.

Rawhide can be bad for your pet’s health

Unfortunately, many people buy rawhide for their pet as a natural alternative for certain toys, but it seems that these items can damage your pet’s teeth. If your pet swallows small pieces of rawhide, they can develop gastrointestinal problems as well. 

“I am not a fan of rawhides nor have I spoken to a veterinary dentist that recommends them. They are too hard and can cause severe damage to the teeth, such as fractures or damage to the inside of the tooth,” said Romero. 

“The pieces of rawhide can become quite small and may be easily swallowed, leading to potential problems like vomiting and diarrhea,” said Ahn.

Do not buy toys with rope or strings

Even though there are some rope and tasseled toys that can be really fun when playing with our pets, they are not safe for them. In fact, these toys can cause severe damage to your pet’s intestines. 

“The most important material to avoid when buying pet toys is anything that has strings or rope on it,” said Romero. “If the pet were to swallow the string, they could end up with a linear foreign body [in their intestine], which can be more dangerous than swallowing something like a ball.”

Do not buy the same toy over and over again

Your pet needs a wide variety of toys to play with, so do not buy the same type of toy over and over again. As you probably know, pets can get bored as well. You have to keep your pet entertained and physically and mentally active. If you need inspiration, you should ask your veterinarian for more recommendations.

According to Robert Ahn, veterinarian and advisor for animal health company MYOS RENS, “Dogs and cats like to have variety with their toys. By providing an ample number of different types of toys, you’ll help ensure that your pet doesn’t become bored with a single toy.”

Do not buy toys that are made of hard materials

 If you buy a toy that is made from a hard material, you can endanger the health of your pet. So, you should not opt for this type of toy if you want to keep your pet safe. All you have to do is to press your fingernail into it and if you can’t make an indentation, then do not buy it because it is too hard for your pet’s teeth. 

According to Mason Romero, veterinarian and advisor at Betterpet, “Don’t choose toys that are too hard or ones that are designed to play tug-of-war with. Veterinary dentists do not recommend either of these types because it can cause trauma to the teeth.”

Do not choose children’s toys for your pet

Children’s toys are made for humans, not for animals. So, even though it might be tempting and cute to buy children’s toys for your pet, it would be good to choose something else that was made especially for pets.  

“Toys that are not specifically meant for pets are not built to withstand pet teeth, making them easier to rip apart,” said Jennifer Freeman, a resident veterinarian for PetSmart. 

You should avoid buying stuffed toys 

People who own a destructive pet should avoid buying stuffed toys. For instance, if your dog eats the stuffing or squeaker from the inside its health can be adversely affected. So, you should pay attention to that! But if your dog is not destructive (is not prone to chew things) then it can play with stuffed toys. 

“The biggest danger is that a pet will eat the stuffing out of the toy or the squeaker from the inside. I have seen this cause an obstruction numerous times,” said Romero. 

Avoid buying toys with smaller pieces

Toys that contain small parts, such as buttons, plastic eyes, or beads, can be really harmful to your pet because they can swallow them and it can lead to gastrointestinal problems. 

“If the toy has small parts, a pet might be able to pry these off with their teeth. Depending upon the size of the piece, a trip to the veterinary emergency hospital may be necessary,” said Ahn.

But if you notice something strange in your pet’s behavior or health condition you should call your veterinarian as soon as possible!