Christmas toys may pose a danger to your dog

If you are privileged to share your home with a furbaby or two, chances are that there are quite a few Christmas dog toys lying around. Hopefully you have checked them out for safety, because many dog toys are simply not safe. Actually ALL dog toys can be dangerous because no toy is totally l00% indestructible. There is no agency overseeing the billion dollar dog toy market, and today's stores are flooded with cheap imports. Our dogs were given some really cute toys, made of soft, chewy vinyl, but the minute I took them out of the box, there was a powerful odor. Turns out they contained additives that will transfer out of vinyl products and release enough toxins of cause health problems.Some vinyl products are labeled "phthalate-free," but there is nothing in the law that has changed to hold toy makers accountable, so the safest alternative is simply to avoid vinyl toys. Other hazards can include anything from needles being left inside stuffed toys to chemical-laden paints and choking dangers. Last year, Texas lab ExperTox tested four dog toys and determined that they all contained arsenic, cadmium, and lead, which are toxic to dogs. Never give your dog a new toy and then leave him alone. Another danger is squeakers. Dogs love squeaky toys, but squeakers can be swallowed and cause a blockage. Toys should be appropriate for your dog's size....balls and toys that are small enough to become lodged in your dog's mouth or throat should be taken away. Inspect your dogs Christmas toys for loose parts and pieces that might easily come off and be a choking hazard. I know that many people give their furbabies rawhide toys, but I do not recommend them, and if they are given, it should be under direct supervision only. Toys with small parts, batteries, flashing lights, or electronic pieces inside, should never be left with your dog when you are not paying close attention to your dog.

Now for some good dog toys:

*The Kong is a good toy that can be safely left with most dogs. Kong dog toys are uniquely shaped and made of extraordinary durable rubber with a hollow center that can be filled with "good stuff." Their unpredictable bounce fascinates most dogs, and unstuffing a couple kongs can keep a dog contentedly busy for hours.

*The Wubba is the newest Kong, and it is fantastic. Covered with a tough nylon cover, it contains a squeaker which is almost impossible to remove. It is easy on the mouth and dogs have fun with the flapping tails.

*The Buster Cube exercises and stimulates your dog by dispensing food. Just fill the hollow with kibble, and watch your dog push it around to get the food out. It is important to cut back on the amount of food given at meal time if you use the stuffed Kong or the Buster Cube, but your dog will spend a lot of time with them, and they are probably the safest toys you can give them.

As long as the dog toy industry is an unsupervised playground, it is important to keep your eye on your dog, and remove any questionable products. Supervise play, keep a variety of toys on hand and rotate to spark your dog's interest, and don't substitute toys for play time with you.

* Pauline Larsen can be contacted at Box 373, Newell, Iowa 50568 or email at plarsen@rconnect.com.