Dog Toy Safety Trivia Quiz

Answer: tooth wear

Rawhide from Asia is often processed with toxic chemicals, most notably arsenic. Arsenic is not readily expelled by the body so its builds up over time. While a single exposure is unlikely to cause a problem, over years it can build up to toxic levels.

Rawhide has be found as the cause of some intestinal blockages. This is usually from dogs that gulp down large pieces. Chipped and pressed raw hide presents less of a danger because it will more readily break down into smaller pieces.

Answer: False

Studies have shown in particular tug and certain so called "dominance reduction" exercise such as never letting the dog sleep on the bed have no affect on aggressiveness. The San Francisco SPCA said it best in their behavioral article titled 'Tug of War'.

Answer: tooth wear

The standard tennis ball is too large to be a chocking hazard to all but large and giant of breeds. Being a non-food item, salmonella contamination would be rare and only the result of the environment in which the dog would already be exposed to the bacteria.

The outer covering of a standard tennis ball is very abrasive to a dog's teeth. Many dogs have had their teeth worn down to nubs as a result. There are tennis style balls made specifically for dogs in which the covering is much less abrasive.

They are a much better choice than "real' tennis balls.

Answer: False

Raw bones may harbor pathogens like salmonella that cooking will destroy, however baking makes the bones more brittle. The brittle bones then are more prone to shatter into sharp shards that are capable of piercing a dog's innards.

Answer: none of these are 100% safe

Any natural product is capable of being contaminated by salmonella or any other bacteria. Certain brands of pig ears and bully sticks have been recalled because of this. Cow hooves being very hard have the additional risk of causing cracked or broken teeth.

Answer: False

If the dog is able to chew of large chunk of a digestible chew, it can also cause blockages. Greenies, a digestible chew that was advertised to help freshen a dog's breath, was recalled and reformulated when a number of deaths were confirmed as being caused by a blockage of undigested chunks.

Answer: choking hazard from squeaker

Squeakers have caused death from choking. While not technically a plush toy, the zinc coated (to prevent rusting) whisler in early versions of the wiggly giggly ball killed at least one dog that ingested three of them. Not from any obstruction (although they were recovered from the gastrointestinal tract), but from acute zinc toxicity.

Answer: cost of the toy

More important than the size of the dog is the size and strength of the bite of a particular dog. Many small dogs are very aggressive chewers and require large and stronger toys than their size would ordinarily dictate. Aggressive chewers require a harder and stronger material to prevent the dog from destroying the toy. Rounded edged with loose seams make it harder for the enterprising dog from breaking of pieces.

Answer: prevents matting of their coat

Chew toys, including rawhide, reduce plaque and tartar build-up that leads to tooth decay and loss. Plaque, tartar and gum disease have been linked to heart disease.

An under stimulated dog can lead to a host of behavioral problems. Toys are even being added to the environment of research animals because of this.

Answer: supervise the dog with the toy

There is just no substitution for direct supervision, especially with a new toy. If the dog starts to destroy it or it becomes another hazard, you simply remove the dog's access to the toy. It is the best way to prevent an accident.