If You Want to Pamper Your Pet, a Toy Is the Way to Go

Dogs don't just love to play; they need to play. Dogs are highly social creatures. They derive comfort just from hanging out with us, but if you want to bond with your pet, playing a game together will do the trick.

Also, many dogs, especially dogs that don't work, run the risk of eating too much and not exercising enough. If you have a pet who likes to run around for an hour, but you have the sort of stamina that means you'll die of heart failure long before that, then playing games like fetch, Frisbee or seek-the-treat are the ultimate in quality time for your pooch.

Here are some cool toys to consider for your pet dog:

Kongs

Kong toys are made from tough rubber that's both bouncy and fun to chew. Kongs are also hollow, so you can stuff them with treats, which adds to the fun. The classic Kong is made of three balls all pushed together. Other Kongs are balls, chews and Frisbees.

Apart from choosing the correct size for your pet, look at the color to get the right strength: black is rough chewers, red is for average chewers, pink and blue are for puppy teeth, and purple toys are for senior dogs.

Squeaky toys with rope

Let your dog chew away happily or hang on to one end to play a fun game of tug-of-war with sound effects. Sophisticated designs have spiral ropes that extend as you pull.

Frisbee

Some dogs like to run after these and pick them up; others become acrobatic starts, performing high jumps and flips as you toss the Frisbee high or deviously low and slow. Small dogs may like the Whirlwheel, a smaller version that's chewable and has an inbuilt squeak.

Rope toys

It doesn't look like much to the human eye, but a simple rope toy with a knot at each end can be a dog's best possession. Some dogs like to sit and chew them; others enjoy it if there's a dog or human tugging on one end while they tug on the other. More sophisticated rope chews will float if thrown into the river, can clean teeth, and have in-built squeaks. Trademarks include Flappy.

Bouncing ball

Whether with squeaks, internal bells or silent, bouncy balls are a huge favorite, especially with retriever or hunting dogs. For small dogs, you may want to buy latticed balls that are easy to pick up with little teeth.

For something more interesting, look out for cross-shaped toys that bounce in odd ways. Some have ridges that you can fill with treats - or dental cleaner! Trademarks include Jump N Jacks, Zanies and Bopperoos.

Chew toys

Dogs love to chew, so owning something that is available to doggy teeth is a real plus in a pet's life. some are plain, some have a squeak and others have ruffles that are designed to help keep your dog's teeth clean.

A good pet shop will have a nice range of toys. However, if you don't have a good pet shop near you, or if you have something very specific in mind that you can't find, there local online shops such as Amazon.com.

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