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Dog Treats & Toys | Emmers Equestrian
This category covers the extras that keep a dog entertained and rewarded, including chew toys, plush toys, and treats, including those from the Dutch favorite Beeztees. Good treats and toys aren't just about what your dog enjoys, though. Durability and size matter just as much as taste or fun, since the wrong choice for a strong chewer or a small dog creates a genuine safety risk rather than just an early replacement purchase.
Two practical tests are worth knowing before you buy. For toy hardness, press it with your thumbnail; if it doesn't give slightly, it's too hard for a dog's teeth, and the same logic applies to very hard chews like antlers or certain bones. For treats generally, a guideline most vets use is that treats shouldn't make up more than about 10% of a dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from a balanced diet, worth keeping in mind before stocking up on a favorite.
Tips for Choosing
- Match the toy to how your dog actually chews; a gentle or average chewer is fine with plush or standard rubber toys, but a determined "power chewer" needs a genuinely firm rubber toy, sized up rather than down.
- Use the thumbnail test before buying a hard chew; if it doesn't fit slightly under your thumbnail, it's likely too hard for your dog's teeth.
- Size toys and treats for your dog specifically, not just their breed. Too small risks choking or swallowing; too large can strain a smaller dog's jaw.
- Be cautious with rawhide specifically; it carries a real choking and digestive obstruction risk, so look at a non-rawhide alternative if you want a long-lasting chew.
- Keep treats to roughly 10% of your dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from balanced meals, rather than letting treats quietly add up.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a chew toy is too hard for my dog?
Press it with your thumbnail, if it doesn't give slightly, it's likely too hard and risks damaging your dog's teeth.
What's a "power chewer" and why does it matter?
A dog that chews with unusual force and can destroy toys quickly, these dogs need genuinely firm rubber toys rather than standard ones, sized up rather than down.
Are rawhide chews safe?
They carry a real risk of choking and digestive obstruction, so it's worth considering a non-rawhide alternative if you want a long-lasting chew.
How many treats can I actually give my dog per day?
A common guideline is no more than about 10% of daily calories from treats, with balanced meals making up the rest.
What size toy should I buy for a small dog versus a large one?
Size it to your dog specifically rather than assuming by breed, too small risks swallowing or choking, and too large can strain a smaller dog's jaw.
Do puppies and older dogs need different toys than adult dogs?
Yes, generally gentler materials that won't damage developing or aging teeth, along with closer supervision when introducing anything new.
You'll find dog treats and toys at Emmers Equestrian.