Many dog owners have asked me about their pets' love of plastic water bottles. Why do they love to chew on empty water bottles? It's the crunching sound. It can give people goose bumps but dogs just love it!
Whether they are given the empty bottle as a toy or they fish it out of the recycling bin, puppies and adult dogs alike seem to love these crinkly, crunchy "toys". Filled with water or kibble, pre-crunched or just as they are, plastic bottles are a big hit.
Here's the good news. Water bottles are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to replace (no trips to the pet store required!), making them a necessity for many dog owners. I've known several dogs whose owners tried giving their dogs bones, stuffed toys and balls only to have their pets come back time and time again to play with the water bottle.
Now, here's the bad news. Water bottles aren't always safe for dogs to play with - but they can be. All you have to do is take a few precautions.
Before giving a water bottle to your dog, always remove the cap and label as well as the small plastic ring which secures the cap. A pair of small scissors can be used to snip off the latter if you cannot easily remove it on your own. As with any dog toy, it is important to supervise play and regularly inspect water bottles for damage to avoid the ingestion of plastic or damage from sharp edges. When the plastic breaks down, the sharp edges can cut your dog's mouth.
Several dog toy companies have taken note of the growing water bottle craze and incorporated water bottles into their products. One of the most versatile water bottle toys is the Crunchy Monkey , a fuzzy fleece monkey with bungee-type legs and a plastic water bottle inside. Combining the fun of a stuffed toy, squeakers and bungee legs with the satisfying crunch of a water bottle, the Crunchy Monkey has everything dogs love. The Tuffut Technology™ liner is great for rough chewers that have a track record of destroying plush toys and ensures that your dog is safe from stray plastic pieces. Best of all, Crunchy Monkey's bottle is replaceable. When the "crunch" is gone, just put another one in and playtime can begin all over again.
Crunchy Monkeys come in pink and blue and are a great safe play option for a bottle-loving dog.
One more thing - You should replace bottles when they show signs of wear or weakness.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S. Crunchy Monkey is like 2 toys in 1. The water bottle makes it a great chew toy and the bungee legs have a spring-back action that makes them great for tugging. You can pick up an adorable Crunchy Monkey toy for your dog in your choice of pink or blue at PetProductAdvisor.com - and it's priced under $20. To learn more, click on the image below or go to: http://petproductadvisor.com/crunchy-monkey.aspx
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