Whether you choose a dog, a cat, or even both, a pet will reward you with love and loyalty throughout their whole life. In addition, studies have shown that owning a pet will reduce depression and anxiety and lower the chance of contracting several diseases. However, having a pet is a big responsibility; you must ensure your pet gets everything it needs to live a happy life. Apart from food, water, and love, you need other things to keep your pet happy. Cat toys and dog toys are a must-have if you don’t want your pet to improvise its toys from things around the house.

What Are the Best Dog Toys

Dogs are more active than cats and require more mental stimulation from you; that is because even though both animals are highly social, dogs crave constant human companionship, while cats can be quite independent. Taking your dog on walks is a great way to keep it stimulated, but you can also buy a toy for him to play with at home. Studies have shown that toys help dogs handle separation anxiety better. When it comes down to what the best dog toys https://www.petshopdirect.com.au/shop/category/dog-toys are, it strictly depends on your dog.

Some dogs like chewing toys more than balls and fetching toys, while some dogs would prefer a teddy bear instead of all the others. You can test different toys and see which one your dog prefers the most. Doing this can also determine what toy you can use as a reward when training your dog. For example, if you stimulate him by offering him his favorite toy as a reward for obeying your commands, you can make the training process more efficient.

There are many categories of toys on the market, but the most popular ones are:

1. Frisbees

You can use frisbees when you go out with your dog in the park. It is a great toy to play fetch with your dog. It is much easier to consume your dog’s extra energy by throwing a frisbee around several times. Frisbees are also great dog toys because they improve their fitness and coordination. Playing fetch with your dog also improves your bond with each other since it’s a game of two.

2. (Tennis) Balls

Dogs are crazy for balls. Like frisbees, they are an excellent lightweight toy to bring to the park or play with in the yard or in the house. Tennis balls are preferred because they are soft, semi-elastic, and don’t blow up. If you intend to buy tennis balls for your dog, make sure you buy a whole pack because there is a big chance you or your dog will lose some of them.

3. Treat-dispensing toys

Treat-dispensing toys provide incredible mental stimulation for your dog. They come in various shapes and sizes, but all require your dog to figure out how to get a treat out of them. This can keep your dog puzzled for hours. It is an ideal toy if your dog suffers from separation anxiety and you must leave for a couple of hours. Even if it doesn’t directly cure anxiety, it will keep your dog’s mind focused on something.

4. Chewing toys

If you’ve ever had a puppy before, you know how important a chewing toy is. Dogs generally love to chew, and if you don’t offer them something to chew on, they will find something themselves. It is important to have a chewing toy for your dog, especially if it’s a puppy that’s changing its denture. Chewing also helps dogs with anxiety, and provided you buy them a high-quality toy, and it will be safe for them to chew on it rather than pick something dangerous.

What Are the Best Cat Toys

Cats don’t require as much mental stimulation from toys as dogs do, but they love them too. Their playing style is different, so you will find different cat toys available. When they are young, kittens are sometimes more playful than dogs and possess enough energy to play more than you’d want. It’s important to get them something to play with if you’re unavailable whenever they are in the mood. The best choices for cat toys https://www.petshopdirect.com.au/shop/category/cat-toys are:

1. Stick toys

Anything tied to a stick is a cat’s dream toy. If you tie a ribbon or an ornament at the end of a stick and wave it around a couple of times, you will see the predatory instinct in your cat activate.

If you want to activate your cat’s predatory instinct further, tie some feathers to the end of the stick. This is guaranteed to provoke it even more.

2. Catnip toys

Catnip toys are the equivalent of treat-dispensing toys for dogs. Instead of treats, they have catnip, which is a substance cats love. This type of cat toy can keep your kitty stimulated for hours.
3. Exploring toys

If the room is available, you can get your kitty a cathouse or some tunnels placed in the house. You can even improvise with some labyrinths placed on the wall to save some floor space. You can find plenty of DIY cathouses and tunnels on Youtube.

4. Scratchers

Cats love to scratch. Placing a scratching post in the house will bring your cat satisfaction and stimulation. Make sure you place it somewhere along the route your cat usually takes around the house, or it might not use it.

Having a dog or a cat as a pet is a fun experience. Even if it also comes with huge responsibility, owning a pet will ensure you get a lot of memorable moments. It is hard to get bored when you have a pet, but sometimes it is best to ensure the pet will not get bored. The best way to do this is by buying your dog some dog toys. You can use them for training him, playing with him, or serving as a distraction while you are away. Your cat can also benefit from cat toys to keep it active and stimulated while ensuring your favorite things do not get turned into toys.