Perfect Pet Toys

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Story Published: Dec 19, 2008 at 5:43 PM PST

By Heather Reese

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Money is tight this holiday season and people are cutting back on gifts for friends and family. But a Consumer Reports survey shows many people are not planning to cut back on toys for their pets. Consumer Reports ShopSmart has lots of good choices for the cat or dog on your holiday list, but you want to pick toys carefully so that you know they're safe.

Toys with bells, strings, and feathers can be a choking hazard. It's fine to buy them and play with your pet when you're there, but when you're done you want to put them away.

Stay away from toys that squeak, and from kids' toys, which can be torn apart and swallowed if your pet is aggressive.

Consumer Reports ShopSmart says another consideration when buying a toy for your dog is to be sure to get the right-sized toy. Small dogs can hurt their teeth on hard toys meant for large dogs. And big dogs might rip apart toys meant for little dogs, which can be a choking hazard or could cause an intestinal blockage.

Think about the reason you want the toy. Some toys are great to play with your pet. Other toys will calm them down. And other toys will keep them busy when you're not around.

For playing with dogs, it's hard to beat a ball or Frisbee. They're great for catch or tug-of-war. Cat dancers, which are usually sticks or gloves with items that dangle, provide good jumping exercise. A stuffed animal—whether you have a dog or a cat—is a calming toy. But beware. You want to stay away from stuffed animals if your pet is the very aggressive type, the search-and-destroy type that will tear it apart and eat the stuffing.

Looking to keep your dog busy? Try a tough toy like the Kong, which you fill with treats. Then your pooch tries to get at them. Catnip can keep cats busy. It can keep them from scratching up your own stuff.

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