Animals kept by humans have something they don’t have in the wild: they have time to play. This is all the more important, since the animal, which no longer has to deal with its basic needs such as food and safety itself, is usually limited in its operating radius and is left to itself at least part of the day. Toys are used by the animal to pass time, to reduce boredom and to prevent behavioural disorders. Social animals such as dogs also interact with their people. Dog toys made of plush are the best choice: it differs in its design from rather neutral objects such as balls and can be manipulated in a different way. A cuddly animal serves as a cuddle object for young dogs, and female dogs can develop a real attachment for a cuddly animal. Caution is advised here, because excessive care may indicate a false pregnancy. A cuddly dog toy is a gift that the dog can get devoted to, if possible under supervision.

It certainly doesn’t matter to the dog how cute a toy looks. It is much more important that he can grip and carry the plush toy. For this purpose, toys can be used that have a spherical shape, of a size appropriate for the dog’s mouth, and can be carried like balls. Alternatively, cuddly animals with soft or elongated components are easy to carry. Schlenker play plush animals are suitable as a toy for throwing and retrieving, models with built-in rubber balls can bounce and also serve to train the jaw muscles. Many dogs are also obsessed with built-in squeakers: stuffed animals with a voice provide additional animation and feedback when playing. On the other hand, it is not advisable to use cuddly animals made for children: these stuffed animals are not able to cope with the stress of dog playing behaviour and would quickly be destroyed. There is also a health risk, for example due to swallowing fillings.

• Cuddly animals for dogs must have a certain stability. The dog will carry the toy in its mouth, where it comes into contact with saliva and teeth. Make sure that the cuddly animal is easy to clean and can also handle somewhat rougher treatment when the dog plays with it.
• Just like stuffed animals for small children, dog toys should not contain small parts that could come loose and then be swallowed. This applies to components such as glass eyes as well as the filling material.
• The material from which the toy was made should be free of pollutants and non-toxic. From manufacturers like Kong, Hunter or Trixie, you will find lots of funny and high-quality stuffed animals for dogs.