What Are Interactive Dog Toys?
Regular dog toys are passive – they sit and do nothing no matter what you do. Interactive dog toys on the other hand respond to specific actions taken by the dog playing with them. There can also be various responses that change according to each toy’s design. Interactivity is a feature and less of classification; the toys sorted into this category have different approaches or solutions to their challenges. That provides your dog with different experiences every time they engage with the toys.
Chew toys, for example, have a linear and limited interaction. These dog toys can also be designed to present a dog with various challenges and create engagement through the learning experience such as ones with a cavity to put treats into. Treat toys can be interactive, especially when they’re made with a puzzle feature.
What Are Smart Dog Toys?
When talking about smart dog toys, we’re looking at dog toys with advanced features that are usually digital. Those features are helpful to the dog and the owner in various ways. A simple example would be an automatic dog feeder that can come with a camera, microphone, speaker, and a mobile application with WIFI or Bluetooth functionality. Others can be complex machines with programmed controls, behaviors, and responses. Some smart dog toys can also make your dog smarter by presenting it with a challenge. The reward will most likely be tasty treats with the smell acting as strong encouragement for the dog to complete the task.
They’re All Just Electronic Dog Toys … Right?
Not all of them are electronic dog toys, most of them are battery powered, but some can be made from simple materials like wood. Puzzle toys, a subset of smart dog toys, will usually be simple pet-safe materials with no advanced features or battery. Nina Ottosson’s line of dog toys are a perfect example of interactive dog toys that aren’t electronic.
Why Interactive Dog Toys Are Worth Their Hefty Price Tags
Designing a compelling interactive dog toy is a difficult job. Combine that with the high cost of the electronic dog toy components leads to higher prices than say a rubber ball. The best options among all the interactive toys on the market are few and far between, making them feel super expensive compared with the plethora of cheaper and inferior ones as well. But even by the lower standards of those bottom-of-the-barrel products, they still cost more than twice as much as any other decent dog toy that isn’t interactive. Chances are, however, that your dog will spend more time on average with something interactive if they connect with it and are more engaged.