Even though it's fun to give your doggie lots of toys, there are still some things you should be aware of. Spoiling your dog is sweet, but you should not only be aware of what the toy is made out of, but it'll pose a danger to your doggie who may like to eat his toys.

Take these tips into consideration. Your doggie will appreciate it!

Pets in the U.S. are lovingly spoiled, averaging 34 toys each, according to one survey of more than 100 pet owners. Your dog may have one or two favorites, or he may choose a new No. 1 depending on his mood, but one thing’s for certain — most dogs love to play with toys.

You’ll want to pick and choose carefully, however, as not all toys on the market are safe for dogs or safe for your dog. Your dog’s temperament, size and age all play a part in determining which toys are safe, and there are considerations, too, based on the toy itself (material, brand, shape and more).

Size and Shape Considerations

Choose toys that are the right size for your dog. Giving a small toy to a large dog poses a risk of inhalation and choking. Small balls are especially dangerous, as they can easily become lodged in your dog’s trachea.
Generally speaking, you should choose large toys for large dogs and smaller toys only for smaller dogs.

These Items Should Not Be Used as Toys

Dogs should not play with strings, ribbons, pantyhose, socks or rubber bands. These objects may be swallowed and can cause life-threatening complications once in the digestive tract.
Do not give your dog children’s toys (such as stuffed animals), as they’re not designed for dogs.

I don’t recommend giving your dog rawhide chews for a number of reasons, one of which is because they pose a high risk of choking and intestinal obstruction.

Use These Toys Only Under Close Supervision

Let your dog play with long rope-like or tug toys under supervision only, as they could become wrapped around your dog’s neck.
If your dog likes to play “rip out the squeaky,” offer such toys only when you can safely monitor his play.
Be careful with toys that require batteries. Your dog may chew them out and swallow them.

When looking for new toys, choose those made in the U.S. out of 100 percent natural rubber, organic cotton or other non-toxic materials. I recommend the sniff test to start with: toys should have no smell. If the toy smells strongly of chemicals, put it back.

How to Bring New Life Back to Old Toys

As any pet parent knows, dogs can quickly tire of the same-old toys sitting in their toy bin. The novelty factor is huge in peaking your dog’s interest. A study published in Animal Cognition found that dogs preferred to sniff or pick up a novel toy, instead of ones they’d already played with in 38 out of 50 cases.

Put them on a rotation! Leave out one or two toys out and put the rest away. In a day or two, swap them out and watch your pet’s excitement begin anew. You can even try adding a new scent to the toy, such as by rolling it in leaves, to further entice your dog.

See?! It's pretty easy to keep your doggy safe and sound during playtime. It sounds like bringing your dog's toys back to life is a great way to stop spending money, and keep toys around that you know won't be harmful to your dog! You can also control what goes into your dog's toys if you make them yourself, which is an excellent solution as opposed to buying new toys every month.

Hopefully, these tips will help Fido have a lot more fun with his toys! For more information on toy safety for your pets, visit Healthy Pets.