7 Cute Reasons Why Do Dogs Like Squeaky Toys 

Have you ever wondered why do dogs like squeaky toys so much? Well, you’re not the only one, as I myself have wondered the same thing for the longest time!

Many of us find the sound of squeaky toys almost unbearable. A few things are as annoying as hearing a repetitive high-pitched sound over and over again – but our furry companions seem to love it!

Why are canines so obsessed with them? And should you even give squeaky toys to your pooch, or are they bad for them? After months of research and conversation with other dog behaviorists, I finally got my answer!

Here’s everything you need to know: 

Why Do Dogs Like Squeaky Toys So Much?

Our dogs have many behaviors we don’t really understand. From cute activities, such as sleeping with their bums next to us, to gross ones, such as licking our feet or rolling in poop, our dog’s mind can be a mystery. 

The same goes for the dogs’ complete obsession with squeaky toys. They can spend hours upon hours playing with them, nearly driving us nuts! I think every dog owner has regretted giving their dog such an item at least once.

Well, believe it or not, our dogs aren’t doing this with the idea of annoying us – at least not to the extent we think they are.  

In fact, there are seven natural reasons why dogs like squeaky toys despite them sounding so horrific to us. 

Here’s what they are:

1. Prey Drive

Did you know that squeaky toys can awaken your dog’s inner wolf? Yes, that’s true; even your tiny Chihuahua or goofy Labrador share ancestors with wild wolves, and squeaky toys are an excellent way to satisfy their natural prey instincts. 

While this might not be apparent to us, squeaky toys resemble small animals in both their shape, size, and sound. They are fuzzy and tiny, and the high-pitched squeaking sound they produce resembles the sound of small prey animals when they are in danger.

Some toys even have smells and tastes that your dogs might like!

All of this helps fulfill the dog’s natural instinct and encourages them to keep on playing. 

And if your dog can chew through the toy and tear it to shreds – even better if you ask him! 

While this might seem disturbing to us, when a dog tears apart his favorite squeaky toy, he feels instant gratification. This tells him that his bite is strong enough and that he has fulfilled his purpose, which is to hunt.

2. Mental Stimulation

Squeaky toys are an excellent source of mental stimulation for your pooch, and they provide unique psychological benefits.

Boredom isn’t good for anyone, and this includes your pets. If your dog gets too bored, he can develop destructive behaviors. A good way to battle this is to provide him with proper toys that will fulfill his natural urges. 

Biting on a squeaky toy has a similar effect on dogs as playing your favorite interactive video game has on you. It feels good, affects their reward center, and it occupies their attention. 

Not only that, but such toys can help with training. They can serve as positive reinforcement and a way to focus your dog’s attention on something. 

Finally, isn’t it better for a dog to chew on a toy, even if it’s an extremely loud, annoying one, than to chew on your shoes?

3. Your Pup Loves Playing With You

Maybe your dog doesn’t really love his toy as much as he loves you. 

When we get annoyed by the sound of the toy, we will get up to take the toy away from the dog. Or, when we think our dog is cute while playing, we’ll start playing with them. 

One of the main reasons why your puppy might be playing with the squeaking toy is to get your attention in hopes you’ll play with him.

A study by dog behavior experts has shown that dogs’ interest in toys increases with human interaction. In other words, any toy is more fun if we play with it with our pup. 

Dogs love to play games with us. They see us as members of the pack, and they’ll want to spend as much time with us as possible. A good way to do this is by doing things that annoy us simply because we’ll react to them. 

This is why your dog might steal your socks and run away or why some canines might seem mischievous. There aren’t many other ways in which they can ask us for attention – other than, maybe, putting their paw on us. 

When you dedicate even a moment of time to your dog after he played with a squeaky toy – whether that is to take the toy away, play with him, or just gently pat him on the head – you’re giving him a sign that he’s doing something good. 

So, the next time you see your dog taking his toy next to you and playing there, there’s a good chance he’s doing this on purpose as he is lonely and wants to get some attention from you.

4. The Urge To Chew

Another way in which squeaky toys help fight boredom is by providing a healthy outlet for your dog’s chewing instinct. 

Dogs love to chew on things. This is why there are so many dog treats for chewing – your dogs adore them!

Younger dogs can especially benefit from solo plays with chew toys, but older dogs will love them, as well.

Chewing is fun for dogs, and it feels good on their teeth and gums. It also helps exercise their jaws, giving them strength and satisfying their natural urges.  

Also, such interactive toys are good for your dog’s mental well-being. They might be the same as good exercise or meditation sessions are for us. 

Keep in mind that each dog might have his preferred type of squeaky chew toy. This usually depends on their age, and so we can generally see that:

• Young puppies might enjoy soft toys that can help with teething. 
• Senior dogs might prefer stuffed toys that won’t hurt their aging teeth and gums.
• Large, strong breeds might need sturdier toys that aren’t that prone to tears. 

In general, pet parents should find a type of squeaky toy that will be strong enough that your dog doesn’t rip it apart the moment he bites on it, but also soft enough not to hurt your companion’s delicate teeth. 

Contact your local pet store worker if you are unsure about the right type of toy for your pet.

5. Health Benefits 

Chewing toys is more than just fun for dogs. They can provide specific health benefits and make sure your pup is strong and healthy. 

For example, certain toys can help improve your pooch’s dental hygiene. Squeaky toys can be especially useful for this purpose. How so?

When a dog chews a toy with spiky nubs, the rubber massages their gums and removes tartar, plaque, and buildup between the dog’s teeth. 

The sound of squeaker toys encourages dogs to chew them for a long time, which only increases the benefits these toys bring to your four-legged friend.

Certain types of squeaky toys, such as squeaky balls, can also force your dog to stay more active. Your pup will chase the ball around the house or backyard, loving the toy squeak, which can end up being a real physical exercise!

A proper amount of activity is essential for a dog’s well-being, as it can help promote joint and heart health and decrease the chances of certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia.

6. Comfort

Squeaky toys can provide comfort for lonely dogs or for dogs suffering from anxiety. 

Some canine breeds are known as velcro dogs. This includes Golden Retrievers, Chihuahuas, Pugs, and even some Doberman Retrievers! These dogs can get separation anxiety when left alone for prolonged periods of time.

Any toy can play an important role in keeping your dog occupied while you’re not home, but squeaky toys and stuffed toys seem to work the best. 

Not only will they keep your dog’s company, but the sound they make can keep him from feeling alone. 

Also, by satisfying a dog’s urge to chew, toys can help him feel purposeful even when you’re not alone, something that is important for every canine.

Still, the best way to make sure your pooch is not lonely or bored is to give him lots of different types of toys, so he can find plenty of creative ways to spend his time waiting for you. 

7. They Are Tons Of Fun 

Finally, maybe your dog simply thinks that this type of interactive play is so much fun that he doesn’t want to do anything else for hours!

This is especially true if you’ve got him a new toy. On such occasions, the joy of squeaking is on a whole other level!

I mean, just try to get yourself in your dog’s shoes. He’s got an object that he can play tug of war with, cuddle with, share with his best friend, and use to solve certain problems. And it squeaks! What could be more fun!?

Our dogs love having the time of their life. And it’s a good thing they can do that with a harmless toy, from the comfort of their favorite spot. 

The only downside is that your dog can have a kind of love affair with his favorite toy. In other words, if he loses it or tears it apart, he might even get depressed! This is why it’s always a good idea to get harder toys that can last for a long time.

Finally, unless the sound of squeaking is too much for you, you should allow your dog to spend as much time playing as he’d like. Considering all the benefits of squeaky toys, there’s really not a better way for a pup to spend his evening. 

Do Dogs Like Squeaky Toys Because It Sounds Like A Dying Animal?

There’s a rumor circulating online that one of the main reasons dogs love squeaky toys so much is because the sound reminds them of dying animals. Is there truth to this terrifying rumor? The answer might not be as straightforward as you think.

It is true that dogs prefer toys that can be dismembered; a study from several years ago proved that this is true.

The same study has shown that solo play typically affects a dog’s predatory instincts, and that it resembles hunting for prey. 

The squeaking of a dog’s toy certainly resembles a smaller animal that is struggling to get away from the predator. This can be a terrifying fact to accept, especially if you look at how adorable our little Poodle is.

However, this has more to do with the dog’s hunting instincts than with our Fido being a horrific rabbit killer. 

So, while it is true that some dogs might find some allure in confusing the high-pitched noise with the sound of little animals drawing their last breath, this probably isn’t the case for most canines. In fact, there isn’t proof that this is even the main reason why dogs love this sound.

What’s more likely is that your dog is simply having fun playing with the toy, as the sound and the texture of the toy is giving him the illusion of playfully hunting. 

Should You Give Dogs Squeaky Toys?

Some pet parents are against giving their dogs squeaky toys, worrying that these can be harmful. While it’s true that any object can be a hazard if used incorrectly, there are, in fact, many benefits to giving your dogs squeaky toys. 

These types of toys give numerous benefits to your canines, both physical and mental. 

They are a great way for your dog to deal with boredom, especially if they are home alone. Nothing can make a dog feel not left out as spending time with an object that produces sounds!

Also, they provide a great outlet for dogs to satisfy their natural urges to bite, chew, and gnaw at things. All of these behaviors are healthy for our pups, and squeaky toys are a great method of letting all that excess energy out. 

As mentioned before, they can be used as training tools that can help your dog teach not just new tricks, but also how to behave properly. 

They can also improve your dog’s dental health, which can be very useful if you have a dog that isn’t a fan of teeth cleaning.

While dental chews are always a better option, squeaky toys can motivate dogs to chew on them for a long time, increasing the benefits. 

Finally, squeaky toys can increase the bond between you and your furry companion. A dog might be chewing on a loud toy to get your attention and invite you to have some fun with him. 

So, while they might not be the music for our ears, squeaky items are some of the best toys you can get for your playful furry friend.  

Potential Dangers  

Despite everything I’ve just said, I would lie if I’d claim that there are no potential dangers to giving squeaky toys to your dog. 

Here are some of them:

Choking Hazard 

First, and probably the most obvious one, squeaky toys can be a choking hazard, especially if you’ve picked the wrong size. 

Large dogs need toys that are big enough for them not to swallow. Otherwise, you might be in for a nasty surprise once you find out the toy has disappeared from your home!

Some squeaky toys might also be manufactured improperly. They have parts that can be bitten off or ripped apart, and your dog might end up swallowing them. 

While this can happen to any toy, squeaky toys do seem to have the potential to be made in a way that makes them unfit for strong chewers, so be very careful when picking the right item from the pet store. Always choose the most superior dog toy you can find to avoid any possible complications.

Hearing Loss

While rare, some badly made squeaky toys can damage the dog’s hearing. 

Most toys designed for dogs are just loud enough to be engaging, but they won’t cause any harm to your pup. As long as the sound is less than 110 decibels, your dog should be just fine.

However, some people like to give their canines toys that are designed for humans. Dogs have stronger hearing than us, so they are more sensitive to loud noises. If the high-pitched sound is too loud, it might even cause permanent harm to your dog’s hearing. 

Always choose toys specifically made for canines to avoid this from happening.

Destructive Behavior

Not only that, but squeaky toys that can easily be taken apart can encourage destructive behavior if you’re not being careful. 

If your pup learns that you’ll jump from excitement every time he rips something apart, he’ll think this is a positive behavior he should keep on doing. As he cannot differentiate a toy from, let’s say, your new shoes, you can end up in lots of trouble. 

Because of this, you should never react too strongly if you notice your pup has destroyed his new toy. Try staying as calm as possible while taking the toy remains from him and throwing them away. 

Finally, it might be a good idea to consult with a dog expert when choosing the right toy for your beloved companion. It’s not only important to learn why do dogs like squeaky toys, but also to know how to pick the right one that will give your dog plenty of benefits and none of the downsides. 

Never punish your dog for playing with a squeaky toy, no matter how annoyed you might be. If the sound is too much for him, gently take the toy away from him and try finding a replacement that will be more silent. 

And remember – it’s important to spend some quality fun time with your pet.