Choose the Right Toys

Toys for pets are not indulgences but mental health tools that stimulate their senses, instincts and brain

- Nameeta Nadkarni

You have surely noticed the Labubu craze exploding across social media. Children and adults alike seem obsessed with these big-eyed figurines. While they are cute, they also highlight the universal instinct to play. This instinct isn't limited to humans. Our pets, whether dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs, rely on play not just for fun but also for their mental and physical well-being.

Yet in most Indian homes, you'll find a dog with one half-chewed ball or a cat with a string no one's used in weeks. Since play is a key part of our pets' daily lives, it's worth getting their toys right.

When I first got Musafir, my Golden Retriever, I fell into the trap of buying squeaky toys that looked adorable but barely lasted two days. He'd rip through the fabric and chew out the stuffing. It took me a while to learn that durability matters, and enrichment matters more.

The first toy he engaged with was a snuffle mat. I'd hide bits of his dry food in the fabric folds, and he'd spend 30 minutes foraging. Not only did it slow down his eating, but it also tired him out. Snuffle mats aren't just for dogs; cats love them too when sprinkled with catnip.