Product Review: Stuffed Dog Toys – Are They Worth the Risk?

Dogs love stuffed toys, and we love to buy them. But that $7 toy can end up costing you thousands.

T.J. Houk, Trupanion’s VP of Analytics said, “As a foreign body passes through a pet’s body, the costs to treat it increase. Something caught in the mouth or esophagus averages at about $800, which increases to just over $1000 if it reaches the stomach and can exceed $1,700 if it gets to the intestines. If the foreign body remains untreated and complications arise, treatment can cost $5,000 or more.”

Mason, a Bernese Mountain Dog in California who is covered by Trupanion, ingested a small stuffed toy just before his family left on vacation. The quick response of his boarding facility and veterinarians saved his life, but because the foreign body reached his intestines and caused additional problems, costs added up to over $10,000!

So, are there any good toys out there? Which ones should you avoid, regardless of the type of dog you have? Is it even worth giving them to your dog?

The Bad

There is going to be some variance, depending on if your dog’s intent is to kill and de-stuff the toys, or if they are more of the collector type that just wants to carry them around and sleep on them. Even so, there are certain stuffed toys that do not even hold up to the soft mouths.

You get what you pay for

First off, the cheaper the toy the cheaper the quality – simple economics. If you buy a $1 stuffed animal, don’t expect it to last long. The more expensive ones are usually more durable, so keep that in mind if you have a dog that is rough on stuffies.

Look for weaknesses

Even if you have never sewed in your life, you should be aware that certain materials are sturdier than others. In addition, certain shapes and designs are stronger as well.

Weakness:

• Thin cotton – this is easily ripped; you can take it in your own hands and rip it. One tear and you are done.
• Corduroy – anyone who has ever worn corduroy should know it’s weak. Those lines are easily ripped apart, making it unfit for a dog toy.
• Appendages – the more little attachments, the more likely one of them is going to be ripped off.
• Weak stitching – play with the toy at the store yourself. Pull at it a bit, do the seams stretch and start to come apart? If so, your dog is going to have that destroyed in no time flat.

The Good

There are a few good stuffed dog toys out there that seem to be sturdier than the rest, but not many!

TUffy’s® brand makes several levels of tough toys. However, the lower levels are really not worth buying. My sheltie demolished their unicorn in a few seconds, and he is not usually a toy destroyer (the horn wasn’t the only weak point, the back split open as well).

However, their larger, harder stuffies, like Sherman the Sheep, seem to hold up. We have had ours for over two years now with no sign of wear. The drawback? He is so hard my sheltie doesn’t like him very much.

goDog™ also make stuffed toys with their “chew guard technology” and are sturdy. I have had several of theirs and they hold up well. In fact, I get tired of looking at them before they “die.” They are double stitched for reinforcement. Bonus – they guarantee their toys!

Things to look for in any stuffed toy:

• Simple shapes – balls, sticks, discs, etc. are sturdier that something with a lot of arms, like an octopus.
• Rope infused – some brands are now making stuffed toys with rope inside, making them stronger. The fabric outside can still rip, but at least if that happens you still have a rope toy left.
• De-stuffed –The un-stuffed stuffies, like the Skinneeez,  seem to hold up better than the others. My shelties frequently play tug with theirs and it’s still intact.
•  Fleece – fleece is pretty strong, making it good for dog toys. Some of the best tug toys are made of fleece.
•  Faux fur – this material is heavy and durable, for the most part. There is cheap faux fur out there, you can tell be the literal weight (how heavy it is) and the weight of the fabric (how close the fibers are together).
•  Webbing – both Tuffy and GoDog! Uses webbing inside their toys to make them more durable. It is a good thing to look for when buying a stuffed toy.

Things to Remember

No stuffed animal is made for rough play like tug. In fact, even the Tuffy website has this big disclaimer, “Tuffy® Brand Pet Toys are designed to be play toys and NOT chew toys.  While they are extremely durable, they are NOT indestructible.” (http://www.tuffietoys.com/)

• Supervise your dog while playing with stuffed animals, especially if you are unsure how it will go.
• Do not leave stuffed toys in your dog’s kennel, or out around the house when you leave.
• Inspect your dog’s toys frequently and discard any that are torn or getting weak spots.

Regardless of the type of toy you end up buying, there is a risk. If you have a dog that eats every toy you give him except the big hard rubber balls, than it’s not worth the risk to buy him stuffies. (Console yourself with all the money you will save!)

About the Author

Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She is the founder of, A Fairytail House, a unique all-positive all-sport dog training facility that helps rescue dogs in her area and provides free seminars and training classes for the community. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.