Pet Toys
Find toys that your pet will love
Pet toys serve a very important purpose in your animal companion's life; more than just idle entertainment, they engage the intelligence of smart animals, encourage physical activity and can help prevent or temper undesirable behaviors.
You'll find an enormous, sometimes intimidating selection of pet toys and supplies available through both traditional and online retailers. By keeping a few practical tips in mind when you're shopping, you'll be better able to spend your money wisely and provide your pet with a toy that's both fun and useful.
Common Pet Toys and Supplies for Dogs and Cats
Dog toys are often classified by breed, or by the size of the dog they're intended for. Generally, though, they're made of rubber, fleece or plush, helping them withstand the rigors of constant chewing and tossing. Remember, too, that toys intended for a specific size of dog can be dangerous for dogs of larger or smaller sizes; for example, a large Great Dane could easily choke on a tiny rubber ball intended for a poodle.
Cat toys are usually designed to engage the natural feline tendency to pounce and bat. Rubber mice, pointed sticks and faux balls of yarn all rank highly among the most popular. In fact, fake yarn balls are considered much safer than real ones, since they won't develop loose ends that your cat might chew and choke on.
Bird Toys for Your Feathered Friend
As with dogs, bird toys are usually categorized by the breed or size of the bird for which they're intended. Given that birds are relatively intelligent animals, puzzles rank highly among the most popular bird toys, since they challenge the bird's smarts and reduce the chances that the bird will get bored playing with them. Birds are notorious of growing weary of toys rather quickly. Look for bird toys that are made from bird-safe wood, vegetable-based food-grade dyes, unbleached cotton rope, vegetable tanned leather and zinc-free hardware to ensure safety.
Saving Money on Pet Toys
While you'll find a wide selection of discount pet toys for sale through online retailers, you should always do your homework before buying. Find out what kind of guarantee the store offers, and perform some quick research to see if the toy is considered safe. Look for user reviews written by pet owners who have bought the same (or similar) toys, and use their comments as a measuring stick to take your best guess as to whether or not your pet will enjoy it as well.
Wholesale pet toys are usually priced below the levels charged by standard retailers; this is because wholesalers work to reduce their overhead costs, allowing them to pass their savings on to the end consumer in the form of more competitive prices. The Internet is an excellent place to look for wholesale pet toys, though you should, as mentioned, shop with care.
