Whippet Toy Selections
Like any puppy, Whippet puppies enjoy a variety of toys. Teething and early dental health, are important and a sturdy chew toy of plastic or rubber is good for chewing. If you use a chew toy that conceals treats, your puppy will be motivated to chew on the toy instead of household objects. Whippets are not excessive chewers, nor are they exceptionally destructive. Make the toys you buy are appropriate for your Whippet's size.
A whippet puppy should also have toys for active play. A soft, floppy animal toy is fun for puppies to chase and encourages them to exercise practicing their pouncing and hunting skills. If you like to run around with your puppy, consider a chaser toy.
A lot of cat toys are especially attractive to Whippets because they have a toy or lure at the end of a string attached to a rod. Your puppy will enjoy chasing the toy around a field or yard. This is a good time to reinforce commands like “drop it" and “leave it."
Whippets are not aggressive or frequent chewers, so they will not use chew toys as quickly as other dog breeds. However, it is important for whippets to have chew toys available so that they will not chew household objects out of boredom. Dogs will chew to alleviate bordom, and stress. Not enough exercise can cause stress.
The best chew toys for whippets also promote good dental health. Whippets can be prone to dental problems, so it is important to establish proper dental habits while he's a puppy. To remove plaque and tartar between brushings, look for a toy with dental features. These tend to be solid toys made of rubber or plastic. If that doesn't do the trick, you'll need to brush the teeth with a dog toothpaste. Most dental problems in whippets have begin with plaque and tartar buildup.
Whippets are sighthounds with a strong instinct to chase and catch. You do not want your whippet to start catching small animals, so you need to provide toys as an alternative. Good toys for Whippets are easy for you to throw and for your dog to catch. Soft toys, particularly toys that are floppy or have minimal stuffing, are a popular choice.
Characteristics to look for in Whippet toys
- Attractiveness: Try to find whippet toys that your dog will be eager to chase. Some dogs respond best to fabric lures, while others prefer stuffed animals. You may need to experiment with several chasing toys to find what your whippet likes best. You can never go wrong with balls - especially if they light up or make noises.
- Sturdy Construction: Toys like chasing wands and stuffed animals may have small parts. The best dog toys for whippets will withstand frequent and active use without falling apart. Check to be sure that seams are strongly reinforced, and that chasing toys are securely attached to wands. Only use chaser toys when the dog is supervised unless they are very sturdily made.
- Safe Materials: For synthetic chew toys, look for toys made with BPA-free and phthalate-free plastics. These toys will be strong and safe for your dog and unless they have batteries or electronics, can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
- Dental Features: Whippets are prone to dental problems, because they tend to chew less frequently than other dogs. Look for chew toys that help keep teeth clean. There are a variety of dental friendly toys available.
- Toys that fly: meaning toys like frisbees or toys that soar longer distances than balls when thrown. Your Whippet can handle it
- Toys with a hidden treat are always a big hit. Mentally stimulating, they can keep your Whippet busy longer.
Characteristics to avoid in Whippet toys
- Loose Stuffing: If your whippet likes to chase and catch stuffed animal toys, he will probably learn quite quickly how to rip out their stuffing. To avoid this mess, look for floppy fabric toys that do not have any stuffing inside.
- Small Parts: Small parts that detach from dog toys can be choking hazards. You may not be able to avoid toys will small pieces (like chasing wands), so inspect each toy before use and always supervise your whippet during playtime.
- Non-Elastic Wand Toys: Whippets love to grab on to the lures at the end of wand toys, but this can cause your dog discomfort (and even whiplash) if she grabs on while the toy is moving quickly. The best toys for whippets have an elastic cord to prevent this. Avoid flimsy cat toys as these can come apart and again, present a choking hazard.
- Anything NOT well made. Look for quality in your dog toys. There is no point buying a toy your Whippet can destroy within minutes! A well made toy will give months of enjoyment instead of minutes.
We suggest the following toys for Whippets
