Is the squeaking bad for dogs?

Aside from problems related to ingesting squeaker toys,  is it no reason to think that squeaker toys are also inherently bad for dogs?

Dogs can respond differently to squeakers, but which can sometimes be negative.

Some dogs become hyperactive when they hear squeaker toys, leading to behavioral problems if left unchecked. They may also become aggressive at the sound, which can cause more serious and more immediate problems. For the most part, dog squeaking toys are only bad if your dog can chew them apart or swallow them whole.  

What are dog squeakers made of? Most inexpensive dog squeak toys consist of flexible plastics such as vinyl, more commonly known as PVC. Some are made of rubber, although these are also synthetic polymers.  That means that they fall into the same broader category as plastics and carry many of the same risks.  The ‘best’ dog squeakers contain only natural rubber.  Natural rubber is made of plants and falls under natural polymers called isoprenes. We non-scientists know natural rubber as latex.  As long as your dog isn’t allergic to latex (latex allergy is rare in dogs), this is the safest material for making dog toys.  It is important to know that there is no regulatory oversight for the production of dog toys. Unfortunately, that means that an unscrupulous manufacturer can use any material they choose, no matter the potential health risks.

Do the rubber squeaky dog toys hurt dogs'ears?

Squeaky toys for dogs are generally safe for dogs'ears. Naturally, canine ears are far more sensitive to ours, as they can hear up to between 47,000 to 65,000 H while humans can only hear up 20 kHz. This is why dog whistles are often outside a human range of hearing. However, in general, even if the high-pitched noise is irritating to us, dog squeaky toys are not dangerous to dogs, as they can hear sounds at much higher frequencies. What may happen is that squeaky toys can mimic the sound of dying or crying young animals, and this causes excitement for most dogs. High-pitched noises, in general, can cause varying degrees of hyperarousal. Most of the time, this simply means a dog becomes curious or wants to play. In some cases, this excitement can lead to a fear or even an aggressive response, although this is extremely rare. Anxious or fear aggressive dogs can have noise phobias. However, this is usually caused by overwhelming sounds such as thunder or firecrackers. Theoretically, dog squeakers spark a noise phobia, but this is highly unusual.  

Why do dogs like squeaky sounds?

We can’t say for certain, but there is a consensus that it is instinctive. Squeaky toys make a noise that arguably sounds like the prey consumed by dogs’ ancestors. Dogs tend to respond to high-pitched noises with curiosity and excitement. Even speaking to dogs in a higher pitch can lead to more excitement.  For most dogs, the sound is an attention grabber. Chewing, playing tug, or running after the squeaky toy can also connect the sound with the action of playing or attention, making the squeaky sounds positive for them.  

Final Word Squeaky dog toys have long been a favorite dog toy. However, several factors make them a potential health risk. 

Therefore, one has to be cautious when buying squeakers online.