How to Choose Plush Toys for Pets

Dogs and cats are enjoyable companions for humans, and a source of great delight. However, sometimes these creatures need a bit of diversionary entertainment that their masters can't provide. This often is found with toys made especially for canines and felines. Here's how to choose plush toys for pets that are not only fun but safe as well.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Identify your pet as a small, medium or large dog; or as a small kitten or a larger cat. Sometimes a plush toy comes in different sizes to match up with the size and weight of your pet. Usually 5 inch toy is good for small dogs and cats; 8 inches for medium to large dogs; and 12 inches (and over), for really big dogs.

2. Recognize what a plush toy for pets looks like. A good definition is a product that is stuffed with soft material inside and has a soft but durable outer shell that typically is made of fabric and is easy on the gums and teeth.

3. Know some popular plush toys for dogs. The Vermont Style Fleece Chewman, a machine washable, perennial canine favorite made of simulated lambskin, is good for fetching and tossing games. A dog's eye-paw coordination skills will be strengthened if he learns how to take out three squeaker squirrels from inside the Hide A Squirrel plush toy, and three squeaker bees from inside the Hide A Bee plush toy. Berber Bears have nubby fabric textures dogs love to chew on.

4. Know the types of popular plush toys for cats. Felines enjoy catnip-filled plush toys without question and are typically intrigued by those that make chirping or squeaking noises. They can be batted about with one paw.

5. Find plush toys at pet stores, grocery and discount stores, dog shows, groomers, kennels and even flea markets. Show the plush toy to your pet to gauge excitement, and to figure out how he may play with it. Try different sizes of the same product, as your pet may like a size smaller or larger than what you may think he prefers or is best for him.

6. Choose plush toys with safety and convenience in mind and not just the fun factor. Select products crafted with machine-washable fabric made with non-toxic, safe and completely new materials.

7. Read books, magazine articles and ads, and online articles about the subject to determine what different types of plush toys work best for your pet's breed or size.

8. Repair plush toys immediately with a needle and thread if you see a hole in the fabric or a torn seam. You don't want your pet to eat the stuffing or possibly a squeaker inside.

9. Extend a plush toy's fun by adding tasty treats or smaller toys inside its cavity if the design permits.

Tips & Warnings

• If your pet eats a large amount stuffing of a plush toy, you may want to take him to a vet as this material can cause intestinal blockage. Sometimes a pet will be given medicine to make him empty his stomach right away to avoid surgery or other means of removing the material.
• Avoid plush toys with decorative items, such as plastic eyes, that may be easy for you pet to remove and swallow.

Resources

• Large selection of dog and cat plush toys
• Online source for dog plush toys and others for large dogs