Clean toys last longer and smell better, and routine care prevents stomach upsets from lingering residue. For rubber and silicone, rinse after messy sessions and do a weekly soak in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap; use a bottle brush to reach grooves. For fabric and plush, shake out crumbs, pop into a laundry bag, wash on a cool gentle cycle with unscented detergent, and air-dry thoroughly to protect seams and squeakers. Wooden or rope elements benefit from sun-drying to discourage mildew.
Set up a simple rotation bin system: “in play,” “drying/clean,” and “needs repair.” A quick Friday review—checking for splits, loose stitching, or hardening rubber—keeps surprises away. Retire anything with missing chunks or exposed foam. If a favorite is borderline, repurpose it for supervised games only.
Staleness kills enthusiasm, not lack of features. Reintroduce an old toy in a new context: stuff lightly with different scents (safe dog-friendly options like a tiny smear of plain yogurt, then wash); change the environment (same puzzle, but on a towel or wobble board to add challenge); pair a fetch item with a short sniffing trail so the dog uses nose before eyes.
Storage matters too. Keep toys out of direct heat that can dry and crack materials, and don’t leave treat-dispensers loaded between sessions. A small maintenance habit extends toy life, protects your dog’s health, and keeps play sessions exciting without constant new purchases.