So Your Pets Can Play While You’re Away

As much as children (and even some adults) enjoy playing with toys, your pets also love to play with things that roll, bounce, squeak, or simply smell good. It's helpful to keep in mind that, just like in choosing which toys your children play with, it's also important to choose which toys your pets play with.

It may seem like a luxury to give your pet a toy, but having toys helps to alleviate boredom and gives your pets an outlet for their natural behaviors. It also helps toward preventing destructive behavior in pets that are left home alone during work hours. By providing your dog or cat with something acceptable to chew on, your sofa cushions will be (hopefully!) in one piece when you get home. For dogs, it is best to confine them during the day while you are gone. Puppies can get into a lot of trouble while you are out and can become quite ill or injure themselves. A comfortable crate is the best option for keeping your pup safe now and into adulthood.

While cats tend to be somewhat fussy with what they like to play with, dogs tend to want to play with anything and everything that captures their interest. Cats generally prefer to interact with a toy that has movement, as this triggers their prey-chasing behavior. Dogs are basically interested in toys that have a taste or smell that appeals to them. It may be easier to think of your pets as being forever in the toddler stage: if something smells or tastes good or otherwise catches their attention, then in the mouth it will go.

Common household items that are the most attractive or interesting to your pets are often the most dangerous! Items such as string, ribbon, rubber bands, plastic milk jug rings, paper clips, pins, needles, coins, erasers, pens, even dental floss are easily ingested by your pets. Try to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home.

To occupy your pets while you are at work or even while you are at home, make toys available to them. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering which toys to give to your pets:

• Toys should be appropriate for your pet's size. You wouldn't give a Chihuahua a basketball and you wouldn't give a Great Dane a marble! Toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your pet's throat.
• If a toy has parts that can be chewed and/or ingested, avoid it. Things like ribbons, strings, doll eyes, buttons, or other removable parts can choke your pet or lead to stomach upset, or worse, internal blockage or lacerations.
• If a well-loved toy becomes well-worn, throw it away. Broken or torn toys present the same dangers as toys with removable parts.
• A good rule of thumb is to go by any child safety labels. If the toy is labeled as being safe for children ages three and under and doesn't contain a dangerous filling, then it is safe to give to your pet. Dangerous fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but be cautious with so-called safe fillings as well.
• When it comes to chewable toys, like rawhides, always check with your veterinarian as to which ones are safe for your pet. Chewable toys should only be played with under your supervision. A safer alternative are very hard rubber toys. Not only are they safer, but they last longer as well. Just remember that cats generally do not like hard toys.
• For the “squeaky” toys, always remember that when alone and bored, the noisemaker at the center may be am unavoidable challenge. A determined pet may destroy the squeaky toy just to get at the noisemaker and your pet may wind up ingesting it. Squeaky toys are another play thing that should be used under your supervision.

Choosing the right toy for your pet can not only give them a good source of entertainment while you are at work, but can also offer a fantastic bonding experience for you and your pet.