Dog Toy Safety Checklist (Printable)
Updated October 31, 2026
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A free printable checklist for choosing and checking dog toys, drawn from the AKC's toy shopping guide, the AKC puppy toy guide and the San Francisco SPCA's toy guide. Free to share or link to.
When buying
- ☐ Toy is sized for your dog's current size; too-small balls can be swallowed or lodge in the throat
- ☐ Durability matches chewing strength (hard rubber or nylon for strong chewers)
- ☐ No strings, ribbons, eyes or small parts that can be chewed off
- ☐ Plush toys: check fillings (avoid nutshells and polystyrene beads) and choose machine-washable
- ☐ Squeakers only with supervision for dogs that "hunt" the squeaker
During play
- ☐ Supervise new toys and soft toys
- ☐ Rawhides, hooves and similar chews are supervision-only
- ☐ Take extra care with toys left in a crate
- ☐ Put destructible toys away when play ends
Weekly inspection
- ☐ Check for rips, deep punctures, cracks and loose pieces
- ☐ Throw out damaged toys
- ☐ Wash toys (how to clean dog toys)
Safety
No toy is truly indestructible. Supervise play with any new toy, check toys for cracks, loose pieces or exposed stuffing, and throw out damaged toys. If your dog swallows part of a toy, or shows vomiting, straining or loss of appetite afterward, call your veterinarian.
Related guides
- Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers: What Actually Holds Up
- Interactive Dog Toys: Types, Uses and How to Pick One
- Puzzle Toys for Dogs: Difficulty Levels and How to Start
- Squeaky Dog Toys: Are They Safe and Which Kind to Get
- Tug Toys for Dogs: How to Choose and Play Safely
Potty training a puppy too? See PottyMat's guides to dog potty pads and indoor potties.