Hot on the heels of my last blog post on the unregulated toy market, I thought I would follow it up with a blog about 5 toys I won't stock in my shop, and what you can buy instead!
Let's get into it!
1. Slow feeder bowls
By this, I mean those plastic or other hard material bowls that are designed specifically to slow your dog down - not to be enriching.
There are lots of reasons I don't like these - they are hard to clean for one - but the primary reason is they are designed to stop an undesirable behaviour (eating quickly) by introducing frustration.
If your dog is eating too quickly (and this can be a genuine health concern due to issues like bloat, which is very serious and if you have concerns about bloat you should consult your vet!), it would be much better to figure out the why behind the behaviour and resolve it, than stress your dog out by putting their meals behind a paywall.
I saw an ad on social media recently for a pretty terrible slow feeder bowl marketed as "anti-bloat" and with pretty awful fear-based messaging 🤢. It was essentially preying on concerned pet parents of larger-breed dogs and telling them not to "leave it to chance" and they should buy their junk slow feeder bowl if they didn't want their dog to die of bloat. Needless to say that rattled my cage!
The reasons your dog may be gulping their food down can be behavioural as well as medical, and the below list is not exhaustive by any means - and if you have serious concerns please reach out to a professional for support:
- Are they really hungry?
- Do they have previous food security concerns, e.g. have they previously been denied food or were they sharing a food bowl with their siblings?
- Is their eating station too close to another dog / companion animal or to other people and they are worried?
- Are they experiencing or anticipating GI discomfort?
- Do they have parasites or worms?
- Are they on a medication that fuels their appetite (e.g. steroids), or do they have a health condition that might be driving the behaviour?
Ultimately, a slow feeder is not resolving the underlying cause of the behaviour, and may actually be causing your dog more distress.
What to buy instead
Instead of a slow feeder bowl, if you are seeking to support your dog in feeling calmer at mealtime, buy something designed to be enriching, that will encourage natural behaviours like sniffing, licking and chewing. This will naturally slow your dog down without causing frustration.
For raw, cooked or wet feeders, the owl bowls are brilliant. These are made from silicone, can hold large capacity with a depth of 3cm, are dishwasher and freezer safe, and they have suction cups to secure them to the floor. The ridges inside the bowl and the shape of it will naturally not just slow your dog down a little, but will also provide an enjoyable experience while licking. These come in 3 beautiful colours too! 🩷💛💙
For kibble, cold pressed or freeze-dried raw feeders, snuffle mats are a fantastic choice. Your dog will use their nose to search for the food, naturally slowing them down while providing an opportunity to engage the seeking system. Snuffle mats are machine washable (do not tumble dry).
2. Plastic or similar chews
These have become very popular in recent years, primarily made from nylon, with some "eco" brands now on the market using bamboo, cellulose, vegetable oil and other natural materials.
The vast majority of these toys are far too hard for dogs' mouths. Cracked teeth and bleeding gums are often consequences, and for the nylon ones which are made from petrochemicals, the fragments will pass through their digestive systems and could cause a lot of harm.
For some of the ones marketed as "eco" or "natural", I'd like to see what dogs are "naturally selecting" to chew on this material!
What to buy instead
I have the briar roots and olive branches in my shop and these are great. These are fully natural, made of materials non-captive dogs choose to chew on, and they don't splinter, they flake as the dog chews. Super satisfying, and also a great option for dogs who gravitate towards wooden items like coffee table legs, skirting boards and sticks to chew.
I also stock the Aurora Paws eco toys, which are made with natural materials such as jute, suede and compressed cotton and are a satisfying chew for even those with a power jaw!
3. Ball launchers
This one is probably well-covered online already, but I couldn't miss them off the list.
Ball flingers are problematic for so many reasons - increasing arousal, driving obsessiveness and horrendous for joints as dogs pivot at fast speeds to catch the ball. The movement they encourage is not natural dog movement, placing strain on the musculoskeletal system, and repeated use just trains an athlete who is unable to switch off and settle when the toy is put away. Enough said!
What to buy instead
Instead of repeatedly throwing a ball, why not try something like the Tug-e-Nuff clam? This is a brilliant, versatile treat toy that you can hide and send your dog to search for, small enough for your pocket on walks and it's super durable so will withstand a game of tug too! (Disclaimer - I am an affiliate, and clicking the link and purchasing means that I will receive a small amount of commission - another way I support my small business and supports me publishing content like this for free!)
4. Rawhide
This could fall under number 2 above, but I feel it deserves it's own section.
Rawhide is highly dangerous for your dog. It is cheap for a reason - it is a by-product of the leather industry, and in some cases is treated with chemicals, dyed or even glued. Avoid at all costs!
It is highly indigestible, can cause blockages and has little to no nutritional value.
What to buy instead
Natural meat chews are a great option - not only are they super satisfying for dogs, but they are great for fighting plaque and very enriching. When chewed at the back of the mouth, this triggers he parasympathetic nervous system, helping with both emotional regulation and also learning.
Flo and Co, Little and Large Natural Treats and Hound and Hooman NI carry a great range online, as does Stefs Pet Pantry.
Raw meaty bones from the butcher are also fantastic and very affordable (sometimes free!)
For dogs with food sensitivities like my Honey, the Soopa range is excellent.
5. Battery-operated toys
Rounding out the list, and following my recent social media crash-out, we have toys with batteries.
Do. Not. Buy. These!
Most of these will have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which can spontaneously combust, and, if ingested, will cause at best serious harm to your dog, but can result in their death.
Most of these are made in China, mass-produced, with zero product testing, zero safety standards or certifications, and are manufactured with lots of other toxic materials. Not worth the risk!
What to buy instead
Literally anything else. Seriously!
I hope you enjoyed this blog - please share it if it was helpful!