All dogs love playing with toys. For that reason, giving our pups a toy makes an excellent opportunity to bond with them. It is also a great way to keep pets busy and entertained when you are not around to provide the attention they need. A proper toy can help burn the excess energy too.
As you already know, Corgis are both highly energetic and intelligent dogs. Giving them a toy is thus like killing two flies with one stone. You will keep them mentally challenged and help them get the exercise they need.
Unfortunately, dogs have a natural instinct “to kill” their toys and rip them open. It is in the canine nature to conquer and dominate, and toys are no exception. Therefore, it is entirely understandable when dogs tear apart toys, but they often go overboard and eat their toys as well.
Do Corgis Eat Toys Too?
Unfortunately, it happens quite often. Since toys can be made from a range of different materials, some of which are toxic too, you have to be very careful when choosing a new toy for your Corgi. Your pup cannot know what is edible or safe; it is your job.
We know you want all the best for your beloved Corgi, and that includes being happy and safe while playing. If you notice your Corgi eating toys, it is up to you to find out what causes such behavior and how to put a stop to it. We will help you do that, so make sure you stay with us to the very end.
How Do Corgis Play?
The first step towards understanding why your pup eats the toys you give him or her is to find out how and why dogs play. Most dogs enjoy a fun game of fetch, for starters, as well as measuring up their strength in a tug-of-war. They enjoy being challenged and praised for their success too.
Hide-n-seek is yet another game most dogs enjoy playing. It is easy to discover the motivation behind it – it is the prize they get when they find what they were looking for.
When it comes to playing alone with their toys, most dogs, Corgis included, will be perfectly content chewing on them. However, some pups will take it a step further and rip the toy open or tear it into little chunks. As we have already mentioned, it is a part of their canine nature and thus perfectly normal.
When dogs see what they want, they do not stop until they get it. They use their teeth and claws in the process, and that is why most plush toys you give to your canine friends will end up torn apart with their fluff flying around the room. Squeaking toys often share the same sad destiny. Most dogs will not stop until they find what makes the squeakers squeak. In order to do that, they will shred, bite, and eviscerate the toy.
Why Do Corgis Eat Toys?
We have already established that dogs are not gentle to their toys and most of their play actually consists of destroying them. All dogs are very curious and have a powerful sense of smell; as a result, canines are attracted to almost everything that surrounds them. These nosy creatures are born to explore!
Just like human babies, dogs use their noses and mouths to experience the world around them. Puppies will eat and chew almost anything – that is how they find out whether something is safe and edible. It is the only way for them to learn what is off-limits too.
The process we have just described is called Neurosensory Exploration. All dogs do it at an early age, but most phase-out of it as they get older and leave the puppy stage. Puppies will pick up random items they stumble upon with their mouth and often try to eat everything in their sight. It is perfectly normal, and it should not concern you much.
Some dogs will continue to eat what they are not supposed to even when they grow older. Some breeds are more suspectable to such behavior than others, such as Labradors, Pit Bulls, and Golden Retrievers. Of course, this kind of behavior is not reserved for dogs of these three breeds only; any dog can do it.
The main question is why dogs eat toys and other items they aren’t supposed to. We will tell you right away – it is usually for some of the following reasons:
- Boredom
- Lack of exercise
- Lack of mental stimulation
- Loneliness
Anything from this list can trigger your puppy to become destructive or start eating its toys. When your pet is chewing and shredding his or her toys, or even your belongings, he or she is probably seeking more attention.
Unfortunately, dogs rarely know when to stop, and their negative behavior most often escalates pretty fast. They start to chew, rip and eat everything they can get their paws on and can end up hurting themselves or even endangering their life.
No pet owner wants to be in such a horrific situation!
There is yet another reason behind dogs’ desire to eat toys and other non-edible items. It is an eating disorder known as Pica. Pups that suffer from this malady have unusual cravings for specific things that are not meant to be eaten and have absolutely no nutritional value.
Sometimes that includes toys too, but more often, such dogs will eat your socks, underwear, shoes, or even rocks they find in your yard. If your furry friend has such unusual cravings as well, it would be best to take him or her to the vet as soon as possible.
Is It Bad For Your Dog To Eat Toys?
The answer is YES! It is very dangerous for your dog to eat anything other than actual food! Toys are especially hazardous since they can contain toxic components or cause choking.
Sometimes dogs are lucky enough to eat small amounts of fluff or other soft parts that can easily pass through their digestive system, but you should still try to avoid such situations. As soon as you notice that a toy is punctured, ripped open, or torn apart, take it away from your dog. Your supervision and timely reaction are crucial and may save your dog’s life.
Any part of the toy that cannot be dissolved in your pet’s stomach can create a severe and potentially deadly blockage. In the best-case scenario, it will take at least a couple of costly visits to the vet to resolve such an issue. If your pet requires surgery, the cost of treatment will be even higher.
Find out: Are Corgis Expensive to Maintain?
In order to prevent your dog’s suffering and you having to worry and pay high medical expenses, always keep an eye on your dog, especially if you have already noticed he or she has tendencies to eat toys or other items. If you notice any of the following symptoms, chances are your pooch has swallowed a part of a toy and has a blockage:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Changes in behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
It would be best to take your pup to the vet as soon as you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, especially if you have reasons to believe that he or she has swallowed a foreign object.
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Toys?
You cannot spend all your day next to your dog. You have to go to work or go out some time, and that is perfectly understandable.
It can be quite frustrating when you need to leave a corgi alone, knowing that he or she has a history of massacring toys or eating them. It is impossible to know or even predict how your pup will behave while you are away.
You might be biting your nails, expecting the worse, only to come home and find your four-legged friend sleeping peacefully on your couch. However, you might come home to a catastrophe as well.
What Can You Do To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Toys While You Are Away?
1. Take the risky toys away from your dog when you are not around to supervise
The easiest solution is to take all the toys away from your dog before you leave your home. Cutting off access to toys is the best preventive action to stop harmful behavior and avoid dire consequences. If your Corgi enjoys eating fuzz off of a tennis ball, simply take that ball away before you go out.
2. Play together with your dog and help him stay stimulated and burn the energy
Use the time you are at home to play with your dog. Utilize the toys to interact with your pet rather than leaving your pooch to chew on them for hours. If you participate in your dog’s play, you will not only bond with him or her but also help your canine friend burn off excess energy and wave the boredom good-bye. In this way, your dog will not feel as tempted to eat his or her toys when home alone.
3. Buy your dog only durable toys that cannot be eaten that easily
Unfortunately, there are no indestructible toys. After all, hardly anything can withstand the sharp claws and teeth of our best friends – the dogs. Still, a durable toy can prove to be too challenging for a pup, and he or she can lose interest in destroying it or eating it.
Avoid plush toys made of soft materials. If you have an aggressive chewer, you should better opt for rubber toys made of resilient materials. Such toys might be more expensive, but being durable and having no weak spots can guarantee months or even years of playing and fun.
Are Corgis Aggressive Chewers? Do Corgis Eat Toys Too?
Even though they are not found on the list of breeds that are most likely to eat their toys, Corgis can still exhibit such a behavior. They seek a lot of attention and have tons of energy to burn. Corgis are likely to start chewing on your stuff, furniture, and toys if you fail to satisfy all their needs. If you fail to notice this as well and put a stop to it, things can become even worse.
The fact that Corgis love chewing is not a problem on its own. Chewing is good for your pup’s dental and mental health. If your pet starts chewing things that are not supposed to be chewed and destroys your property, it is time to react before it is too late.
Corgis are intelligent dogs, but they have a stubborn streak too. You must assert yourself as a leader early on and try to resolve any negative behavior as soon as you notice it. When it comes to chewing unwanted items, you can try giving your Corgi a safe chewing toy instead.
Chewing toys can be an excellent alternative to your socks and shoes, but you must make sure you find durable ones. You want a toy that can stimulate your Corgi mentally and keep him or her occupied while you are away. You also want the toy to be in one piece when you return home.
Your Corgi should feel engaged and spend a lot of time with a toy. The goal is to get your pup exhausted enough to take a nap as that would keep him or her from running around the house or barking at every sound (which Corgis often do when home alone).
On the other hand, you do not want your Corgi to eat toys and endanger his or her health. For this reason, it is crucial to consider what kind of toy you should give to your Corgi, especially when you are not around to supervise him or her.
Everything your Corgi puts in his or her mouth can be potentially harmful. Some toys represent a choking hazard, while others can cause allergic reactions or even infections. Inappropriate chewing toys can induce tooth issues too. As you can see, finding a good chewing toy can be quite a task.
Not every toy that is labeled as a chewing toy is appropriate for your Corgi. Do not make that mistake! Not all dog breeds have the same requirements. It would be best to find a chewing toy that has been designed for Corgis. The size and the shape must both be appropriate so that your Corgi can have a lot of fun and not get hurt.
Corgis love chewing on stuff, so there is no need to buy scented toys or those that have flavor. It is best to choose a toy made of natural and long-lasting materials that will not endanger your pup’s health. Make sure that there are no pieces that can be easily taken apart. Small parts are a big No-No, too, since your dog might accidentally swallow them.
Avoid giving your Corgi any plastic toys too. Most companies and sellers say that plastic toys are absolutely safe, but some early research suggests that phthalates found in the plastic can be linked to some kidney and liver complications in dogs.
Corgis enjoy toys filled with treats too. You can try keeping your Corgi from eating the toys by giving him a toy that gives him or her something to eat every once in a while. Such a toy will keep the dog entertained for quite some time too. Please make sure to put only healthy treats in since Corgis are prone to becoming overweight.
If you want to learn more about choosing safe dog toys and treats, go here.
If you notice your Corgi is eating his or her toys, try to prevent such behavior by using one of the methods we have suggested earlier. If taking away the toys and providing more attention to your dog does not help, turn to your vet for advice.
