Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Dogs love toys, but squeaky toys often top the list of their favorites.
Squeaky toys satisfy some of a dog’s primal urges, making them a go-to solution for getting out energy and satisfying chewing needs safely.
Giving your dogs multi-tasking chews, like Yummy Combs, can satisfy the need to chew while also protecting your dog from dental issues.
Oh, those squeaky toys! We love seeing our dogs happy, but after a few minutes of aggressively chewing and chasing a squeaky toy, you might find your patience wearing thin.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Every breed of dog needs play and healthy chewing practices, but as a dog owner, you can choose whether or not squeaky toys make it into your dog’s toy basket or not.
The team of pup enthusiasts at Yummy Combs understands dogs’ need for playtime and why they love squeaky toys so much. As dog owners ourselves, we also understand that sometimes those squeaks can become a nuisance. We’ll explain what’s behind the seductive squeak and what you can do to let your dog enjoy safe (and possibly quieter) play.
Give your dog the option between a chew toy that does not squeak and one that does; chances are the one that does not squeak won’t see much action. Many dogs will hone in on the location of the squeaker bladder inside the toy and aggressively chew it over and over again until they break it.
So what gives? Why do dogs love to squeak toys so much? There are a few reasons.
By nature, all dog breeds are descendants of hunters. While you probably aren’t going to notice your pomeranian actively hunting a kill in your backyard, they still have a thread of DNA that causes them to at least some level of predatory behavior.
A “squeak” in a toy that is being held in your hand or hidden from them elicits that natural instinct to hunt and seek prey. This is a healthy and natural behavior and rarely problematic unless your dog begins to conflate their toy “prey” with your shoes or other objects that you don’t want them to chew.
Squeaky toys can sound like prey. It can sound harsh to think about, but if your dog was in the wild and caught a small rodent, the squeaking sound it made would be a reward to your dog for a successful hunt.
Although it’s hard to picture our gentle, belly-rub-loving animals relishing in the unfortunate cries of a caught animal, their instincts kick into high gear when they hear the squeak of a squeaky toy.
Another hard-wired behavior all dogs have is chewing. Chewing is important for several reasons. First, in the wild, it would help your dog effectively consume that kill that just squeaked for its life! The shape and position of your dog’s teeth help them chew, grind, pull, and shred.
Second, chewing (in the wild) works to keep a dog’s teeth healthy. Chewing on carcass bones can help remove hardened tartar and plaque, while the shredding mechanism works to floss in between a dog’s teeth.
Last, It’s a great workout for your dog’s neck, jaw, and forearms. Chewing usually involves holding an object in the paws, helping strengthen the muscles in the arms, while the chewing and shredding keep your dog’s jaws and neck strong.
Bottom line: Your dog comes from a long line of hunters and predators, and those squeaky toys satisfy all the urges associated with their natural genetic makeup. With that in mind, let your dog squeak their toys to their heart’s desire (or your level of tolerance). Just be sure your dog’s toys are safe.
Squeaky toys can be a safe way for your dog to expend energy and enjoy playtime, but if they aren’t safe, they can pose a real threat to their safety. To ensure your dog’s toys are safe, look them over before they play with them, and ensure they are safe for play and haven’t been damaged by your dog.
If you aren’t sure if a toy is safe for your dog, here are a few rules to follow to ensure your dog is safe.
Accidents happen in an instant. Make sure you supervise playtime and are actively keeping an eye on your dog while they play with their toy. There’s always the potential for a piece of a toy to break off and become a choking hazard, even if the design is solid.
Some dogs may chew a squeaky toy until they break the squeaker. This damages the integrity of the toy’s design and can make it a choking hazard for your dog.
Further, some dogs may become aggressive with the toy and want to “uncover” the squeaker by chewing away the exterior of the toy to find it. This can mean ingesting toy fibers that aren’t healthy for your pup.
Your dog may have claimed a child’s toy for themselves, but the manufacturing standards for children’s toys and dog toys are very different. Children’s toys can have ribbons, eyes, or clothing pieces that are easy for your dog to remove and swallow.
In addition, some human toys have filler beads in them that are not safe for animals. The best practice is to only offer your dog toys that are made for dogs and are dog-safe.
If squeaky noises bother you, don’t buy your dog a squeaky toy. There are plenty of other toys and chews that are beneficial to your dog, help satisfy their need to play and chew, and don’t make any noise. Chances are your dog will love those toys and chews just as much, and you’ll be able to keep your quiet.
Some treats, like Yummy Combs®, are fun for your dog but they also help keep their gums and teeth clean. Yummy Combs are safe, delicious-tasting, and proven to remove up to 25% of hardened tartar, something no other treat can claim.
Yummy Combs are safe and effective and can be given to dogs daily to help promote wellness in their mouths as well as their entire bodies.
Yummy Combs were developed by dog owners who wanted a solution for their pets’ bad breath. At the same time, they wanted a safe chew that also supported their dog’s overall nutrition.
As good pet owners, they knew that giving their dogs a daily treat meant that they had to reduce their kibble, which could leave them with nutritional gaps. As such, they developed a unique treat that combines effective teeth and gum care with nutritious ingredients and a top-notch safety design that pet owners can trust.
Yummy Combs’ unique design is wide to deter gulping. Make sure you offer your dog the treat in the recommended size based on their body weight. The thin walls of Yummy Combs treats dissolve easily, and the proprietary Slick’M™ ingredient helps Yummy Combs treats dissolve rapidly upon digestion to reduce the risk of blockages.
The deep pockets within the honeycomb design surround dogs’ teeth to clean the gumline and floss between each tooth. The thin walls scrub 360 degrees of your dog’s teeth while select ingredients help polish the teeth to remove stains. Only Yummy Combs have been proven to remove hardened tartar from dogs’ teeth in studies.
Reducing your dog’s kibble by the amount of calories in their treats and chews supports healthy weight maintenance. Yummy Combs are made with 44% chicken protein for a complete and balanced treat that will keep your dog’s belly full. There are also 12 wellness ingredients to help support your dog’s dietary needs so they can truly thrive.
To satisfy your dog’s need to chew and “hunt” without the squeak, Yummy Combs satisfies and delivers premium oral care.
Whether you allow your dog to continue using squeak toys or you pull them back for a few months to recollect your patience, just know there are non-squeak options your dog will love just as much as they do their squeak toys. Yummy Combs are well-loved by dogs and their owners alike.
Sources:
How to Control and Channel Prey Drive in Dogs on Walks|American Kennel Club.org
Why do Dogs need to Chew? By Katelyn Schutz, CPDT
How to pick the best and safest dog toy | The Humane Society of the United States
Updates, coupons, deals, and more!
Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
Type anything...
We use cookies to provide you the best possible experience on our website. You consent to the usage of cookies by continuing to view our website. See our Privacy Notice for more information.
