Not All Dog Toys are Equal: How to Choose Quality Dog Toy Brands

Serena Faber Nelson Founder & Pet Lifestyle Writer

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.

Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

What do you look for when you buy a new dog toy for your favourite pup?

For me, cute and colourful dog toy brands will always catch my eye first; and innovative dog toys designed to keep my pup stimulated are always a winner.

However with the rise of fast fashion, dog owners like you and me are now facing the issue of quality design and construction – a choice that can end up having serious consequences for your dog.

RELATED: Why Do Dogs Like Squeaky Toys and Balls?

Big box dog toys – yes or no?

What is the best toy for a dog? Can we safely rely on big brands (over small, independent dog toy brands) to produce good quality dog toys?

You’d have to be living under a rock (or at least away from social media) to not notice the the meteoritic rise of big brand stores, such as Kmart and Target, moving into the world of on-trend, fast fashion – including clothes, homewares, beauty… and you guessed it, pet products. (I’m going to refer to Kmart in this post as they are one of our most popular big-brand stores in Australia, but obviously different regions have different retailers – the message remains the same.)

There are Kmart Hack facebook pages, Kmart bargain hunters on Insta, and hilarious memes about how much we love to shop at these places (and we do!)

Now I’m not going to say I’m not a fan of Kmart (because my home would suggest otherwise!) I don’t mind picking up the odd side table, blush throw or storage container from these stores, however in the world of dog products it becomes…a little trickier.

Case in point – with a new furry addition to our family, there was never any question that our new pup Butters needed a variety of dog toy types to keep him entertained. Of course we recruited our must-have dog toy brands (in our Hall of Fame below) and tried some new ones, but I also added a few Kmart brand toys in the mix. This is where things got interesting.

Within days, the cheaper toys from Kmart were starting to rip apart and break down. They simply weren’t made for much play.

On the other hand, squeaker toys from P.L.A.Y. have kept going strong for months now (even after multiple wash cycles!), and our Kong lives to see everyday being stuffed with delectable treats. Our Zippy Paws Z-Stitch Grunterz has withstood some insane rough puppy play, and our Bob-a-Lot is still bobbing.

Yet it was when, right in front of our eyes, Butters was able to chew apart a Kmart toy and inhale it’s squeaker – in seconds flat – that I knew the issue was bigger. Without supervision, he could have easily choked on that squeaker and died.

The false economy of cheap dog toys

Herein lies the issue. While these toys, at first glance, may look like popular pet products, and sound like them – the reason they cost only a fraction of the price is because the purposeful design, quality materials and rigorous testing isn’t there. Which means, not only do you have a safety issue but you also probably have a toy that’s not going to last your dog very long.

That in itself lends to a false economy – because in reality you’re better off getting a $20 high quality, safe dog toy that has longevity, rather than buying $5 ‘fast fashion’ toys over and over again – especially with the concern they may cause a safety issue.

There are some super cute products in the Kmart pet range – we have a dog food container and soft toy box, both which I love. But when it comes to dog toys, I’d encourage all dog mamas and papas to look for brands that value safety and durability above all else.

Who’s design is it anyway?

The extra (and often overlooked) piece of this puzzle is also where the dog toy designs actually come from.

Stores like Kmart, and Target make a commendable effort in bringing trend-driven pieces under an affordable budget. With their lower prices they allow all of us to dress up our wardrobes, homes and offices without going into debt to do so.

However sometimes this can come at an expense to small businesses and designers who find their original designs imitated by the larger stores and sold in bulk.

So while us as pet owners may be in awe when we find that cute denim doggie vest, or fun plush squeaker toy, at the big box store at a fraction of the price of the original creators, we’ve got to remember…If we, as dog owners, don’t support the dog toy brands that are creating original, quality pet products – these brands won’t be able to compete and could very well die out. Leaving us with no more cute new designs or innovative products.

So, if you see a high quality dog product on Instagram or in a pet store and then see a cheaper knock-off version elsewhere, for the sake of the original designer and your dog, choose the higher quality one.

What to look for in quality dog toys & dog toy brands

• Durable materials – Look for strong rubber for chew toys, multi layered fabrics or felt wool for plush toys, and natural cotton for rope toys.
• Quality construction – Look for inversed stitching, Z stitching, strong joinery and no small pieces that could be easily broken off and ingested.
• Non-toxic – Try to avoid BPAs, PVC, Phthalates and unsafe dyes – they can be just as harmful to our pets as they are to us.
• Machine washable or easily hand washable.
• Tested to meet safety standards.
• Unique designs – don’t forget to bring the fun to playtime!

Dog toy brands: The ‘Hall of Fame’

We’ve seen and tested many dog toy types over the years. These ones remain our steadfast favourites for fun, safety and longevity.

Handy dog toy tips

• Always select toys that are the right fit for your dog’s age, breed and size.
• Know your dog’s play habits. Do they love to pull out the stuffing? Do they favour rough and tumble tug of war games? Or do they enjoy more gentle play with squeaker toys? Supervise your dog with their toys and buy toys that suit their needs.
• Children’s toys, and tennis balls are not designed for dogs – they often have harmful materials for pets.
• To preserve your quality dog toys, rotate them weekly, having only a few out at the one time. This will keep your dog’s interest and also gives you a chance to repair, wash or discard any worn or broken toys.
• If you dog loves toys, consider signing up for a quality Dog Subscription Box.
• Pay it Forward – if you get your pup a toy they don’t like or use, drop it off to your local shelter where a dog in need can use it.

Find the best dog toy brands at the Dog Lovers Directory

Discover stylish dog toys, luxury dog lifestyle labels & emerging designer pet brands at the Pretty Fluffy Dog Lovers Directory.