One of the genuine pleasures of having a pet in your life is sharing fun times. Playing with your pet is good for them, and it’s good for you too.

FOR DOGS

Play provides dogs with a mental break, physical activity, and stress relief. It also strengthens the bond between your dog and your family. Play is vital in helping your dog use pent-up energy - keeping him alert and less likely to become bored and exhibit destructive behaviour.

There are many ways to play with your dog: from a simple game of fetch, to tug-of-war, to organized activities such as flyball or agility. Some toys even stimulate your dog’s intellectual abilities.

What’s your dog’s favourite toy? If you would like to tell us about it, provide a user review of any dog toy carried by A Pet’s Life, or provide further advice to other dog owners about playing with their dog, click here. We’d be happy to hear from you.

A few of our favourite dog toys are:

Chuckit! Especially the Launcher. If your dog is ball crazy, there’s nothing better than a Chuckit Launcher. It keeps your hands slobber free and you can wing that ball a long ways. Chuckit also makes a bunch of other cool fetch toys, including the Flying Squirrel, which takes the traditional Frisbee and makes it way, way better for your dog. For more information about Chuckit products, click here. Better yet, come in and see the real things at A Pet’s Life.

The Holee Roller and Megalast – JW Pet Products makes a terrific line of well thought out toys. For bigger dogs, play tug with a Holee Roller and see how the design allows both you and your dog to really hold on. The Megalast Ball and Bone are extra tough, and will keep your dog busy for hours. Smaller dogs love the Cuz toys, which are like squeaky balls with feet. For more information about JW Pet products, click here. Or, come in to see the real things at A Pet’s Life.

The Hurley, The Huck, and The Zisc – Westpaw Design makes several different types of dog toys, including squeaky plush things and fetch and throw things, but our favourites are their really tough and durable chewing toys. The Huck, the Hurley, and the Zisc will provide a lot of fun, and they last and last. Westpaw also makes Ecobones, which are plush toys make of 100% recycled fibers. For more information about Westpaw dog toys, click here. Much better, though, to see the real things at A Pet’s Life.

Skineez – If your dog likes plush toys, these are probably the best you can get. What’s different about Sknieez is that they have no stuffing for your dog to pull out, spread around the house, and worst of all, to eat! They come in a bunch of different types: Fox, Raccoon, Skunk, Chipmunk, Rabbit, and Squirrel. Each one has two squeakers, one in the head and the other in the tail. Skineez bring out your dog’s natural predatory instincts and he’ll have great fun flip flopping and tossing them around. Come in to A Pet’s Life and see the Skineez.

FOR CATS

Play is just as important for cats, although you may need to be a little more persistent and creative. Play relieves boredom and stress, provides exercise, and satisfies your cat’s predatory instincts.

Try using a wand toy, a swat toy, or even a simple furry mouse. Fresh catnip is a deep source of amusement and satisfaction for many cats.

A few of our favourite cat toys are:

Catit Eco Terra Toys – This is a new line from Hagen, and they are made from natural materials like cornhusk, raffia, and linen, all woven together. And, they are packaged with recycled materials. There’s a wide variety of sizes and types to choose from, all certain to keep your cat entertained for hours. You can look at what’s available here, or see the real thing at A Pet’s Life.

Small Furry Mice – Most people would rather their cat didn’t bring a real mouse home, and even fewer enjoy seeing kitty satisfying her primal instincts by playing with one. That’s probably why these small furry mice toys are far and away the most popular cat toy around. They’re the right size, they look right, and they really let your cat explore her predatory side without upsetting anyone. Get them singly, in multiple packages, with or without catnip, and in varying colours and types. Just be sure you keep some of these around, your cat will thank you for it.

Cat Charmer – Wand toys like the Cat Charmer let you play with your cat while watching television, reading, or visiting with friends. This is a safe interactive toy that creates plenty of aerobic exercise for your cat. The flexible wand with a long multicoloured fabric ribbon becomes an enticing target for your stalking kitty as you twirl and whirl it about. The Cat Charmer can really bring out the kitten in cats of all ages.

Yeowww Catnip – You’re right, catnip is not technically a toy, but it is so often just the thing to keep your cat amused and entertained. And Yeowww Catnip just might be the best there is. It’s organically grown, so there are no chemical or pesticide residues to be concerned about. It’s tested for freshness, colour, and aroma to make sure that it is the most potent available. And why is it called Yeowww? Try some with your cat and you’ll find out. You can find more about Yeowww Catnip here, but your cat will be much happier if you just come in to A Pet’s Life and get some.

We always have a great selection of dog and cat toys, and are constantly searching for new and exciting products that will enhance your relationship with your pet. Come in and see what’s available.