How to Choose Safe Dog Toys: Size, Materials & When to Replace Them

Updated August 2026

Choosing a dog toy is about more than finding something your dog likes.

A toy also needs to be the right size, material and type for the individual dog using it.

A small ball may be fine for one dog and a choking risk for another. A soft toy may last for years with a dog who carries it gently, but only five minutes with a dog who immediately removes the squeaker. A very hard toy may look durable but may not be kind to teeth.

I have worked professionally with dogs since 2011, and the biggest lesson with toys is simple:

Choose for the dog in front of you, not for the claims on the packaging.

Check toys regularly, supervise new toys until you know how your dog uses them, and replace anything that has become unsafe.

Quick answer: what makes a dog toy safe?

Before giving your dog a toy, check that it:

• is large enough not to be swallowed or become lodged
• is comfortable for your dog to pick up and carry
• suits their chewing and play style
• doesn’t have easily detachable pieces
• isn’t excessively hard for their teeth
• is in good condition
• can be cleaned appropriately
• is being used for its intended purpose

No toy is suitable for every dog, and no dog toy should be treated as indestructible.

If your dog swallows part of a toy, chokes, has difficulty breathing, vomits, becomes unusually quiet, or loses their appetite after swallowing material, contact your vet promptly. PDSA advises immediate veterinary attention for choking or swallowed pieces of damaged toys.

Affiliate disclosure: The Tug-E-Nuff link above is an affiliate link. If you buy through it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I recommend products selectively, and suitability still depends on your individual dog.

Start with how your dog actually plays

I wouldn’t choose toys solely according to breed.

Watch what your dog does with them.

Some dogs like to:

• carry
• retrieve
• chase
• tug
• chew
• lick
• dissect
• shake
• search
• work food out of toys

Many enjoy several of these.

A Labrador who gently carries a soft toy and another Labrador who removes every squeaker within thirty seconds need different toys, despite being the same breed.

The same applies to size.

A small dog can be a determined chewer. A large dog can be remarkably gentle with toys.

Ask yourself:

What does my dog actually do once I give them the toy?

That tells you more than the picture on the packaging.

Choose the right size dog toy.

Size is one of the most important safety considerations.

A toy that can disappear completely inside your dog’s mouth may be too small.

PDSA advises choosing balls that are large enough that the dog cannot fit the whole ball inside their mouth, while still being comfortable to carry

For toys generally, consider whether your dog could:

• swallow the whole toy
• compress it enough to swallow it
• get it lodged towards the back of their mouth
• tear off and swallow a substantial piece

When you are between sizes, the larger suitable option is often worth considering, subject to the manufacturer’s guidance.

Don’t automatically buy the smallest toy simply because your dog is labelled a “small breed”.

Look at the actual dog and the actual toy.

Check the material, not just how tough it looks

“Tough” doesn’t automatically mean “safe”.

A toy needs to balance durability with suitability for your dog’s teeth and play style.

PDSA advises that very hard or brittle toys can increase the risk of tooth damage, particularly for dogs that chew heavily.

I would be cautious about anything so hard that your dog is repeatedly biting down on it.

Similarly, very soft material isn’t automatically safer if your dog can rapidly tear off pieces and swallow them.

The question isn’t:

Which material is strongest?

It is:

Is this material appropriate for the way my dog will use it?

Rubber dog toys

Good-quality rubber toys can be useful for chewing, food enrichment and play.

But rubber toys still need checking.

Look for:

• splits
• cracks
• peeling sections
• deep tooth damage
• missing chunks
• stretched or weakened openings

If your dog is removing pieces, stop using the toy.

For KONGs specifically, I’ve put the current sizing, Puppy, Classic, Extreme and Senior ranges into my KONG Toys for Dogs: Size Guide, Types, Fillings & Safety.

That guide is the better place to decide which KONG range and size may suit your dog.

Balls

A ball should be large enough that your dog cannot swallow it or get it lodged in their throat, while still being comfortable to carry.

Also check whether it:

• compresses dramatically
• has cracks or splits
• is losing pieces
• has become extremely slippery
• contains accessible parts
• is suitable for repeated dog use

PDSA recommends checking balls regularly and replacing cracked, torn or deteriorating toys.

I also wouldn’t spend an entire walk repeatedly launching a ball.

Repeated sprinting, sudden stopping and turning can place physical demands on a dog, and some enthusiastic dogs will continue long after they should have taken a break. PDSA similarly recommends breaks from repetitive fetch.

For a much deeper look at ball choice, see Are Tennis Balls Dangerous for Dogs?.

Soft and squeaky toys

Some dogs adore soft toys.

For a dog who gently carries one around, a favourite soft toy can be perfectly useful.

The problem comes when the game becomes disassembly.

Watch for:

• opened seams
• loose threads
• exposed stuffing
• accessible squeakers
• plastic eyes
• detached ears, legs or decorations
• pieces of fabric being swallowed

A toy doesn’t have to be destroyed before it becomes unsuitable.

If your dog has opened the seam and can reach the filling, the toy has already changed from “soft toy” to “collection of things I don’t want inside my dog”.

Remove it.

Rope and tug toys

A suitable tug toy can be great for interactive play.

But rope toys need to be checked for fraying and loose strands.

I wouldn’t leave a rope that’s heavily fraying available as an unsupervised chew toy.

The interactive tug also lets you put the toy away when the game ends, rather than leaving your dog to dismantle it.

For dogs who enjoy tug, I use and recommend appropriate Tug-E-Nuff toys for interactive reward-based play.

Read my guide on how to play tug safely

A tug toy isn’t automatically suitable just because I like the brand.

Choose an appropriate size and style, supervise the game and inspect it for damage.

Food and enrichment toys

Food toys introduce another consideration:

Can your dog use the activity without becoming frustrated or trying to destroy it?

A dog calmly licking or working food from a toy is very different from a dog biting, throwing, or attacking it because it cannot reach the food.

If your dog starts using force rather than problem-solving, make the activity easier or stop.

The aim isn’t to find the puzzle that keeps your dog occupied for the longest possible time. It is to provide an activity they can enjoy safely.

Read Dog Enrichment Safety: When a Brain Game Becomes Frustrating for signs that an activity may be too difficult. When you are ready to choose a suitable product, see Dog Enrichment Toys and Tools I Recommend.

What about homemade dog toys?

DIY enrichment can be inexpensive and useful, but homemade doesn’t automatically mean safe.

Cardboard, fabric, plastic containers, and other household objects may be fine for one supervised dog but completely unsuitable for a dog that swallows pieces.

Remove:

• staples
• tape
• string
• sharp edges
• small plastic parts
• anything toxic
• anything your dog is likely to swallow

My DIY Dog Toys for Enrichment guide contains safer ideas and explains when I would choose a purpose-made toy instead.

When should I replace a dog toy?

Don’t wait for a toy to fall completely apart.

Replace or remove it when damage creates a realistic risk of pieces being swallowed, choking, cuts or dental injury.

Replace it if you see:

• chunks missing
• significant cracks or splits
• exposed stuffing
• an accessible squeaker
• loose strands being pulled off
• sharp edges
• pieces becoming detached
• severe deterioration
• damage that makes the toy substantially smaller
• anything that makes you question whether it is still safe

PDSA recommends replacing balls as soon as they become cracked, torn, or begin to break apart.

The same basic principle is useful with toys generally:

If damage compromises the toy’s safety, retire it.

Clean it, repair it or replace it?

This is where owners sometimes understandably hesitate.

A favourite dog toy may look rather sorry long before the dog is ready to part with it.

I use this simple distinction.

Condition	What I’d do
Dirty but structurally sound	Clean it
Minor cosmetic wear with no loose pieces	Monitor closely
Small repair that can genuinely restore safe construction	Repair only if appropriate
Open seam/exposed stuffing or squeaker	Remove
Fraying strands being swallowed	Remove
Cracked or splitting rubber	Replace
Chunks missing	Replace
Sharp or broken section	Remove immediately
Toy now small enough to swallow	Remove immediately

Cleaning doesn’t make structural damage safe.

And repairing a toy doesn’t always return it to its original strength.

For washing and maintenance, use my How to Clean Dog Toys Safely guide.

How often should I check dog toys?

I wouldn’t rely on a fixed monthly schedule.

A dog that gently carries toys may cause little damage.

A determined chewer can change a toy’s condition during one play session.

Check toys:

• when you first buy them
• during the first few play sessions
• after vigorous chewing or tugging
• when cleaning them
• whenever you notice a change
• before returning a stored toy to your dog

A quick check takes seconds.

Run your hands over the toy and look at seams, openings, edges and the areas your dog chews most.

Is an expensive dog toy safer?

Not necessarily.

Price isn’t a safety rating.

An expensive toy can still be:

• too small
• inappropriate for your dog’s teeth
• unsuitable for their chewing style
• damaged
• used incorrectly

Likewise, you don’t need a cupboard full of toys to provide good enrichment.

I would rather buy a few things that genuinely suit the dog and replace them as needed than continually buy novelty products just because they’re marketed as “must-haves”.

My Dog Products, Equipment & Local Services I Recommend page contains the smaller selection of products I consider genuinely useful.

Dog toys for puppies

Puppies investigate things with their mouths.

They are also growing, changing teeth and rapidly changing size.

That means a toy that was appropriate several weeks ago may no longer be the best choice.

For puppies:

• check size regularly as they grow
• choose toys appropriate for puppy teeth
• supervise new toys
• avoid very hard materials
• watch for pieces being chewed off
• give them plenty of opportunities to rest as well as play

Teething doesn’t mean a puppy should be given the hardest object you can find.

If you are preparing for a puppy, my Bringing a Puppy Home guide covers toys, along with the other essentials you actually need.

Dog toys for senior dogs

An older dog may still adore toys.

But their needs can change.

Consider:

• dental health
• missing or worn teeth
• arthritis
• neck or back discomfort
• reduced strength
• vision changes
• hearing changes
• how easily they can pick up the toy
• whether the toy rolls away on slippery flooring

A toy your dog loved at five may need to be adapted or replaced at fifteen.

For example, an older dog may prefer a softer toy or a food activity positioned so they don’t need to bend awkwardly.

If your dog suddenly stops chewing, carrying or playing with toys they previously enjoyed, don’t automatically put it down to age. Pain or dental problems are possible, so speak to your vet.

My Senior Dog Exercise and Enrichment guide has more gentle activity ideas.

Toys for nervous and rescue dogs

With nervous dogs, I don’t assume a new toy will automatically be exciting.

It may move strangely.

It may squeak.

It may smell unfamiliar.

It may roll towards the dog.

Introduce toys without pressure.

Let your dog investigate in their own time and give them room to move away.

A nervous dog doesn’t need to “face their fear” of a wobbling enrichment toy simply because somebody bought it for them.

Some rescue dogs may also guard toys or food.

If your dog freezes, stiffens, growls or behaves defensively when somebody approaches a valued toy, don’t repeatedly snatch it away to prove a point.

Manage the situation safely and seek qualified reward-based behavioural help where appropriate.

My Best Enrichment Toys for Rescue Dogs guide takes a deliberately low-pressure approach to choosing enrichment equipment. The existing guide also emphasises buying slowly and watching what actually helps the individual dog.

What about dogs who destroy every toy?

First, distinguish between a dog who enjoys chewing and a dog who is swallowing material.

Destruction isn’t automatically the problem.

Ingestion is.

If your dog systematically removes and swallows rubber, fabric, rope or stuffing, you need to be much more selective.

Look for appropriately sized products designed for stronger chewing, supervise them and remove toys as soon as pieces are being removed.

Even then, don’t assume that something marketed as “tough” or “extreme” can be left safely indefinitely.

No toy is indestructible.

For KONG users, the KONG Size Guide explains when the black Extreme range may be more appropriate.

Should dogs share toys?

That depends on the dogs.

Some dogs happily play around toys together.

Others become uncomfortable when another dog approaches something valuable.

Don’t create competition unnecessarily.

In a multi-dog household, you may need to:

• provide toys separately
• supervise play
• put high-value items away
• use food toys in different rooms
• avoid expecting dogs to share

If tension develops, don’t treat growling as naughty behaviour to punish.

A growl is information.

Give the dogs space and manage access safely.

Do dogs need access to every toy all the time?

No.

Putting some toys away can:

• prevent unsupervised destruction
• allow you to inspect and clean them
• keep interactive toys specifically for playing together
• reduce clutter
• make it easier to see which toys your dog actually values

You don’t need a complicated toy-rotation spreadsheet.

A few suitable toys available at appropriate times is perfectly reasonable.

Before buying another dog toy, ask these seven questions

1. Is it large enough for my dog?
2. Does the material suit their teeth and chewing style?
3. What will my dog actually do with it?
4. Are there small or detachable parts?
5. Does it need supervision?
6. How will I clean it?
7. Will I recognise when it’s time to replace it?

If the answer to number three is “probably dismantle and swallow it”, don’t buy it simply because it has excellent reviews.

Reviews describe other people’s dogs.

You need to choose for yours.

When should I contact my vet?

Seek veterinary advice promptly if your dog:

• is choking or struggling to breathe
• has swallowed part of a toy
• has a toy lodged in their mouth
• has injured their mouth or broken a tooth
• repeatedly vomits after possible ingestion
• becomes unusually lethargic
• loses their appetite
• appears painful

PDSA advises contacting a vet immediately if a dog is choking or has swallowed pieces of a damaged toy.

Don’t wait for symptoms if you know your dog has swallowed something potentially dangerous. Contact your veterinary practice and tell them what was swallowed.

The best toy is the one that suits your dog

There isn’t a universally safest dog toy.

The best choice depends on:

• size
• age
• health
• teeth
• chewing strength
• play style
• confidence
• previous behaviour with toys

Watch your dog.

Learn what they do with different toys.

Keep the ones that work.

Clean them when they need cleaning.

Replace them when they become unsafe.

And don’t feel you need to buy every new enrichment product that appears online.

Dogs generally need appropriate opportunities to play, not an overflowing toy box.

Related dog toy and enrichment guides

Continue with:

• KONG Toys for Dogs: Size Guide, Types, Fillings & Safety
• Are Tennis Balls Dangerous for Dogs?
• How to Clean Dog Toys Safely
• DIY Dog Toys for Enrichment
• Dog Enrichment Safety: When a Brain Game Becomes Frustrating
• Best Enrichment Toys for Rescue Dogs
• Products I recommend

This article provides general information about choosing and maintaining dog toys and is not a substitute for veterinary or qualified behavioural advice. If you are concerned about something your dog has swallowed, choking, dental injury, pain, or a sudden behaviour change, contact your vet.