Status: 15.01.2024, 05:46 a.m.
By: Sophie Kluß
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Owners only want the best for their dogs – even when it comes to toys. Öko-Test has taken a close look at 21 products. Most of them turned out to be harmless.
Whether it's a favorite toy or your own collection of colorful toys – one thing is certain: Most dogs love toys and can't get enough of them. The four-legged friends chew on it, tear it across the meadow or simply cuddle with it. Reason enough for Öko-Test to take a closer look at some of the products available on the market. The consumer magazine tested and evaluated a total of 21 dog toys with a price range of 50 cents to 14.99 euros. These include six plush toys and other toys made of rubber and textile materials.
Most of the dog toys tested are harmless. But dog owners should take a close look when choosing. (Symbolic image) © Deutzmann/Imago
Eleven of the tested toys proved to be "very good" and therefore harmless, so that "the four-legged friends can live out their chewing and hunting instinct without hesitation", as Öko-Test writes. What DIY games you can use to keep your dog busy in everyday life.
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Problematic substances in some dog toys
In some rubber and textile toys, on the other hand, problematic substances have been detected by the laboratory. Two of the products tested were also not resistant to saliva and sweat and would therefore rub off.
Optical brighteners, for example, are also problematic. This was detected in white yarn, the filling material or in the labels of seven of the stuffed toys. The brightener is considered an environmental burden because it is difficult to degrade. In addition, the responsible laboratory had found "traces of lead or antimony in some rubber toys". Lead is a heavy metal that is considered a neurotoxin and can accumulate in the body. According to Öko-Test, however, the proven values are "far below the limit values of the toy standard" and would therefore not be devalued.
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Stiftung Warentest has also examined 15 dog toys in more detail. A pollutant analysis revealed carcinogenic substances in four of the toys. Among other things, the Kong Classic stood out.
What to look for in dog toys
In general, when it comes to dog toys, it is important to ensure that the toys correspond to both the chewing force and the size of the dog. Öko-Test editor Marieke Mariani also advises: "Many of the dog toys in the test are harmless. Nevertheless, owners should replace a damaged product immediately." Dog owners should also dispose of worn toys.