Why Do Dogs Love Squeaky Toys?

As a dog owner, there are few things more annoying than the constant, “Squeak! Squeak! SQU- SQU- SQUEAK!!!” of a squeaky toy, but boy do our furry friends love them. Does your dog? Here are a few fun facts about why your dog might love squeakers so much…

Hypotheses: Why Do Dogs Love Squeaky Toys?

Us vets are always positing about the reasons domesticated dogs do what they do. Squeaky toys aren’t a new phenomenon – they’ve actually been around since the early 20th century – so we’ve had a lot of time to make educated guesses about this particular canine preference. Here are a few of the best hypotheses so far:

• Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves may have listened for “squeaking” sounds of injured or frightened prey to know when to attack.
• Dogs learn to love the sound of squeaks. As they bite down and a noise occurs, the pleasure center of their brain lights up. They keep squeaking to experience that feeling again and again.
• Dogs like the way squeaker toys usually get our attention. For better or for worse, we eventually play/yell/tussle with a toy that won’t stop making noise!

Choosing the Best Squeaky Toy for Your Dog

Nearly every shape and size of dog toy comes in some version with a “squeaker.” The most popular type of squeaky toys are plush toys which are essentially stuffed animals embedded with squeakers. These are easy to squeak, even for small dogs, but be careful that your pup doesn’t pull the stuffing (and plastic squeaker!) out of the toy once he rips into it.  For a large or particularly rough-playing dog, squeaky balls, rubber toys, or plastic shapes usually make a better choice. Thick rubber squeaky toys tend to hold up best, but they can be heavy for all but the most aggressive dogs. Thinner vinyl or plastic squeakers are easy to clean and usually last longer than plush toys, but they still might have to be replaced once their exterior is punctured.

Do All Dogs Like Toys with Squeakers?

Nah, and it’s nothing to worry about if your dog doesn’t. Some dogs just don’t get a thrill from squeaky toys just like all cats don’t like playing with string and all humans don’t like watching baseball on TV. It’s just a personal preference. You shouldn’t worry if your pup’s not into noisemaking toys – most dog owners say you should be grateful! The only time it makes sense to be concerned is if you notice a sudden change in your dog’s behavior. For example, if your dog has been excitedly enjoying his squeaky toy all day and then suddenly becomes disinterested and lethargic, keep an eye on him. If he doesn’t return to his normal self after a day or so or if he seems to become even more lethargic, contact your vet.