Playtime Safety! Choosing the Right Toys for Your Puppy

Playtime Safety! Choosing the Right Toys for Your Puppy

example of a soft ring chew toy (not recommended for playtime)

Bringing a new puppy home means endless cuddles, unconditional love and learning, and of course.. lots of playtime! But did you know that not all puppy toys are created equal? Some toys marketed for dogs can actually pose serious risks.

At Sappy Paws, we recently had a scary reminder of this when a soft ring chew toy broke apart, and our curious little pups ended up sick after swallowing pieces of it. Thankfully, we were able to help them get it out of their tummy, but it was a lesson we won’t forget - and one we want to share with you to help educate and prevent future mishaps!

Toys to Avoid 🚫

If you are unsure whether your puppy should have a specific toy, we strongly recommend double checking with your pup's trusted veterinarian. While they may look cute or inexpensive, these toys can easily break apart and become choking hazards or cause dangerous blockages:

• Soft plastic or vinyl toys – Easy to shred, risk of swallowing small pieces, sharp edges when broken.

• Rawhide chews – They can splinter, swell in the stomach, and cause serious digestive issues.

• Rope toys (for unsupervised play) – Strings can unravel and be swallowed, causing serious issues if the pieces wrap around the intestines or block the digestive system.
  

  

  Puppy safe chew toys recommended below - Sappy Paws Lebanon Oregon

  
  

  Safe & Puppy-Approved Toys ✅

  Luckily, there are plenty of safe options that give your puppy hours of fun without the risks:

  
  

  • KONG toys – Durable and can be stuffed with treats or puppy-safe peanut butter.

  • Nylabone (puppy-specific) – Long-lasting and designed to withstand chewing.

  • Interactive puzzle toys – Stimulate their brains while keeping them busy.

  • Frozen carrots – Great for teething relief (and safe)!

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  A Few Safety Tips

  • Always supervise your puppy with new toys until you know they’re safe.

  • Regularly inspect toys for wear and tear - replace them before they break.

  • Choose toys designed for your puppy’s age and size.

Your puppy’s playtime should be safe, fun, and worry-free! At Sappy Paws, we’re always learning and sharing tips from real experiences, because our goal is the same as yours: happy, healthy pups that become lifelong beloved family members. With the right knowledge, you can keep your puppy entertained, safe, and thriving!