Any dog parent is probably well-acquainted with squeaky toys. Your dog probably loves these toys, but they might give you a headache. Naturally, you probably wonder why your dog is so obsessed with them. So, why do dogs love squeaky toys so much?

Why Do Dogs Love Squeaky Toys So Much?

There are a few reasons dogs love squeaky toys:

1. Squeaky Toys Can Mimic Hunting

Before dogs were domesticated, they had to hunt for their food. When hunted, prey sometimes make sounds to alert other prey and squeaky toys may sound similar to those sounds. While it’s a little disturbing, it is a part of a dog’s innate nature.

Squeaky toys may also be about the same size or shape as something a dog instinctively might want to hunt. These hunting instincts may be why many hunting breeds like Labrador Retrievers seem to enjoy squeaky toys a little more than non-hunting dog breeds. However, most dogs enjoy playing with a squeaky toy now and then.

2. Your Dog May Just Enjoy the Sounds

Dogs might enjoy squeaky toys simply because of the squeak itself. Hearing the squeak may cause dopamine to release, which creates an association between the toy and the sound. When your dog chomps on their favorite toy and immediately hears a squeak, they get immediate gratification. This creates positive reinforcement so your dog may keep squeaking to get that rush again.

If you tend to interact with your dog when they have their squeaky toys, it may be teaching them that this action may get them attention. Dogs are smart and will pick up on this connection. If you find them squawking their toys around you a lot, enjoy some play time! Playing with your dog is a great way to build a bond with your dog and have fun!

3. They May Enjoy Chewing

It’s no secret dogs like to chew on things, especially young dogs. However, there are different reasons why dogs chew that go beyond just having something to do and dogs can have different chewing preferences.

For instance, young puppies may enjoy soft, rubber toys while older dogs that have dental issues may find soft stuffed toys to be more comfortable to chew. Larger dogs who are powerful chewers may require “indestructible” chew toys. However, these “indestructible” chew toys will need to be replaced eventually.

4 Benefits of Squeaky Toys

There are a few mental and physical benefits of playing with squeaky toys for dogs:

1. Provide Mental Stimulation

Destructive behavior is often a sign your dog is bored. If you’ve noticed this behavior, squeaky toys may be useful in helping to prevent boredom as it gives a dog a constructive outlet for chewing and playing. Allowing them to chew on a squeaky toy gives them mental stimulation and keeps them from chewing on things like your pillows or shoes!

2. Positively Channel Prey Drive

Squeaky toys are also helpful in managing prey drive in dogs. Playing fetch with a squeaky toy allows your dog to unleash some of that instinct but in a healthy manner instead of chasing actual prey or other dogs. This also teaches your dog that it’s only appropriate to chase toys during times of play.

3. Give Another Outlet For Exercise

Throwing a squeaky toy for your dog is a great way to provide your dog with some fun and exercise. It will get them up and running around, giving them an excellent exercise outlet. Plenty of exercise is a great way to keep your dog from getting bored. Plus, when they’re physically tired, they can still sit and chew on their squeaky toy for more mental stimulation. A well-exercised and mentally stimulated dog is much less likely to be bored!

4. Support Dental Care Efforts

Squeaky toys can also be helpful in supporting good dental care for dogs. Look for a toy that has rubber nubs to scrape away tartar and massage their gums. This doesn’t replace brushing teeth every day or cleanings at the vet when needed, but it can be a nice supplement to those dental care efforts. Proper dental care is important and these chew toys can be a great way to help take care of your dog’s teeth while giving them something to do

4 Safety Tips For Squeaky Toys

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind for squeaky toys:

1. Pick the Right Toy

It’s important to pick the right toy as some may be dangerous. If a dog destroys a toy and then swallows a small piece of stuffing, fabric, or the squeaker, they can choke or have a gastrointestinal obstruction. Additionally, teething puppies should only have toys made for them and should not have access to toys for adult dogs that could damage their teeth.

Also, make sure you pick a toy that is the right size for your dog, there’s a reason toys are designed for different sizes of dogs. A toy for a small dog may be small enough for a large breed to choke on while a toy that’s too big for a small dog can make it difficult for your dog to chew and handle.

2. Supervise Chewing Sessions

Choking on a part of a squeaky toy could be why your dog is coughing and gagging. This is why you should supervise your dog with a new toy until you see how they interact with it and observe how the toy holds up.

Your dog should be supervised if they tend to be excessive chewers. They may have a higher chance of swallowing parts of the toy, causing health issues. Swallowing these pieces may cause an intestinal obstruction.

3. Be Cautious of Which Plush Toys You Give Your Dog

Be sure to avoid plush toys with holes as stuffing or other material may fall out and get swallowed. Regularly check toys for rips that may get torn off and eaten.

4. Clean Dog Toys Properly

You should also clean dog toys. Toys can house a variety of germs and dirt that you don’t want your dog to ingest. Different kinds of materials will require a different type of cleaning so be sure to read any instructions or research how to clean specific types of toys.

So, why do dogs love squeaky toys so much? It comes down to a combination of instinct and playtime. Allowing your dog to play with squeaky toys is a good outlet for them to have fun and indulge that hunting instinct in a healthy way.