For many pup parents, it’s an ongoing dilemma: you want your dog to have plenty of toys to keep them entertained, engaged and happy — but you also hate to see piles of plastic toys that are destroyed in a flash and add to the landfill too quickly.
While it’s always important to supervise playtime and choose toys that are safe and suitable for your particular dog and their needs, there are some factors you can look for if you want to choose pet toys that are a little more friendly to the environment. For example, if you want to make more eco-conscious choices when selecting dog toys, keep an eye out for picks that are:
- Made from sustainable (such as hemp, natural rubber or bamboo) or recycled/upcycled (such as recycled plastic) materials
- Durable and long lasting (as longer-lasting toys means toys stay out of the trash for longer
- Biodegradable and non-toxic
Whether you’re shopping for a gift for your favourite pet parent or you’d like to start gradually replacing your own pup’s toys with more environmentally friendly dog toy options, we’ve rounded up some options that are perfect for any pup’s playtime. Check out these eco-friendly alternatives, or get inspired to find similar options at your local pet store.
A recycled-cotton macramé tug toy
For many dogs, there’s nothing quite like a good game of tug — and these handmade macramé tug toys are just the thing to make those games extra fun (and more eco-friendly, thanks to 100 per cent recycled cotton cord). Ideal for fetch or tug of war with your dog, these versatile toys are made in Quebec.
KnottyPawsShop Macrame Dog Toy, Etsy, $15.
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A fun (recycled plastic) flying disc
Ideal for moderate chewers who love to run, chase and chew, this flying-disc dog toy may look like an old-school plastic Frisbee disc — but look a little closer. The toy is made with eco-friendly zero-waste Zogoflex and recycled ocean-bound plastic.
West Paw Seaflex Sailz Dog Toy Flying Disc, Amazon, $18.
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A tough turtle with recycled-plastic cloth
Want a toy that uses recycled materials, but that’s a bit more soft and cute? This sweet turtle toy is great for dogs to cuddle with, durable (with double stitching and reinforcement) and made with recycled materials — more than 80 per cent of the toy’s cloth and stuffing are made with recycled plastic.
Beco Rough & Tough Recycled Plastic Turtle Dog Toy, Amazon, $36.
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A recycled rubber ball to chuck
Does your doggo love to run fast and chase a ball? Made from recycled natural rubber, this 2-1/2-inch-diameter ball is easy to clean and designed to fit any medium ball launcher from the Chuckit! Brand (sold separately).
Chuckit! Recycled Remmy Ball, Amazon, $11.
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A biodegradable hemp dog bone toy
Handmade from durable hemp canvas (and stuffed with natural A-grade hemp fibre), these adorable hypoallergenic dog bone toys are naturally anti fungal and anti bacterial. Even better? When the toy reaches the end of its time with your pup, it’s also biodegradable and compostable. The seller reminds us that even tough toys made from non-toxic materials shouldn’t be eaten — so always supervise your pup for playtime.
BohemiHandcrafted Small Hemp Dog Bone Toy, Etsy, $21.
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Natural rubber treat toys
Natural rubber is durable and eco-friendly, making it a great base for many dog toys. Take these pear-shaped treat toys: made from pet-safe, thoroughly tested natural rubber, these toys are durable and keep their shape, while also making a fun activity for your pup (you can put treats or kibble inside for your dog to discover).
Chew King Premium Treat Dog Toy, Pack of 2, Amazon $25.
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A natural rubber toy with some squeak
Is your pup an aggressive chewer? Natural rubber toys are a good choice for dogs that do best with tough toys, too. Made with environmentally friendly non-toxic natural rubber, this super-cute hippo toy is easy to chew and features a built-in squeaker (take note: the squeaker might be more fun for your dog than it is for you).
PETIZER Squeaky Dog Toy, Amazon, $20.
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A bamboo bone
Bamboo is a durable material that can be a good fit for dog toys. This KONG CoreStrength Bamboo bone toy features bamboo-infused material to help create a longer-lasting toy that also entices chewing for dogs. The bone also features raised nubs and textures to help keep teeth cleaner.
KONG CoreStrength Bamboo Bone Large, Amazon, $18.
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