Squeaky toys may resemble small prey

Q: I’m confused about my dog Quinn’s behavior with squeaky toys. When I give him a new squeaky toy, he constantly squeaks it and relentlessly works to remove the squeaker.

Once he’s successful, he loses interest and ignores the toy, which means I spent several dollars for him to play with a toy for only a day. Does he love or hate squeaky toys?

A: Quinn is having fun, just as my dog does with squeaky toys, which masquerade as prey animals. Both are soft, both give when our dogs chomp on them, and both squeak when our dogs squeeze them.

When Quinn “kills” the squeaky toy by removing its squeaker, it becomes silent, and he can move on to his next conquest. I suspect Quinn loves squeaky toys as much as my dog does, even though they don’t last long in our homes.

A similar toy that’s fun to chew but lasts a little longer is a furry stuffing-free creature into which I insert an empty plastic water bottle. When my dog chews, the toy produces a satisfying crinkling sound.

Editor’s Note: Some dog toys are more than just fun—they can help your dog eat slower, provide needed exercise, or help stimulate their brains. These five dog toys are practical and fun!

Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.