My dog, Spot, loves to swim. Actually, it’s more accurate to say he lives to fetch, whether on land or in the water. When I toss his toy into the pool, he belly flops in after it and heads straight for the stairs, eager for another throw.
Finding the right floatable toy for Spot took a few tries, though. With that in mind, I put together the following four tips to save you both time and effort when picking out the perfect pool toy for your pup.
1. Consider the Size
One of the first pool toys I purchased for Spot looked more like a life preserver than something he could easily grab onto and bring back to shore. Sure enough, the toy flipped up and blocked his vision more than once, requiring me to guide him to safety because he refused to let go. I had purchased the toy from a pet-supply website and didn’t look at the size information. If you also like to shop online, consider the measurements in relation to the size of your dog.
2. And the Weight
Another pool toy we tried sank a bit before bobbing to the surface. Since Spot has zero patience, he dove under the water to get it and came up coughing. This doesn’t seem to be an issue for every dog, but I only buy toys that float immediately for my pup.
3. Opt for Heavy-Duty Material
The best pool toy I have found for Spot comes from Kyjen’s H2O line, and I was able to score three for just $10 last fall thanks to DoggyLoot. The set included three neon floatable toys, each a different shape and all covered in brightly colored neoprene. The strong material and sturdy stitches have stood up well not only to his teeth but also to the pool water and chemicals. And at only two inches wide, he can see over the toy to find the stairs.
4. Look for Multipurpose Toys
Once dry, the Kyjen floatable toy also works well for fetch indoors. The soft material doesn’t leave a mark on walls like some of his plastic toys — I’m lookin’ at you, Kooky Chicken — and their double-duty makes it easy to stick to my monthly budget for pet supplies.
Even with all this mind, you might end up with a pool toy that proves a safety hazard or doesn’t last long. Not to worry — your pup certainly won’t mind testing new toys until you find the right one!
