Caring for dog toys...

[E's]

Any suggestions re cleaning/sanitizing, rotation of use etc. for toys of a half-grown shepherd-type pup? Maybe this should go on the dog health board - but so far, the one 'suffering' is ME, the dog's granny and sitter. [I have pics, can't post 'em just yet as am having computer probs...]

"Abby" is a beautiful, sweet but very rowdy pup, 5 months old today. Since she is large, she requires sturdy, good-quality chew toys.... which cost a bunch. She is delighted to get them, but gets them 'glommy' in a few minutes, then seems to look for dirty places to 'store' them lol... the plastic ones I rinse, but the furry ones have me baffled: is there some kind of spray that could be used safely? And what about rotating to keep the dog interested? So far, as I say, she is wildly excited and possessive of any toy at first... but then the new wears off and she ignores them - except for a couple of original favorites... Any advice welcome!

[Traci]

Do you have a garment bag for use with your washing machine? That's what I use for some of the cats' toys, zip them up in the garment bag, toss in wash on cold, gentle cycle, dry on low heat or air dry in dryer. For large stuffed toys, you can use a simple plastic hair brush to fluff them back up.

Otherwise, you could run the toys under the kitchen tap, add a drop of Dawn dishwashing soap (the original Blue type), rinse well, wring out, rinse again and let air dry (or toss in dryer for a few minutes). If she's the only one using the toys, you probably don't even have to use the Dawn, as long as they are rinsed thoroughly in hot water.

[Marty]

I put them in the washer also, but run them through 2 rinse cycles to make sure all the detergent is out. I'm not so sure sanitizing is really necessary...dogs get into all kinds of things anyways.

We have so many stuffies that I do rotate them occasionally...to save my sanity mostly!

[k9Karen]

If you're concerned about bacteria, putting them thru the washer and dryer will take care of that. If it's a plastic toy, consider putting it in the dishwasher instead of the clothes washer. Either way, dishwasher, or clothes washer + dryer, all the 'cooties' will be gone.

[E's]

Thanks all. I did not realize the 'stuffies' could be washed. Not that I could (or would) do anything re dishwasher or clothes washer/dryer anyway, except rinsing toys out in the sink, as it isn't my house ... this is all taking place in the cluttered-but-in-a-weird-way-cozy home of my DD and her DH and their son. Their kitchen is neat and clean, as are the bathrooms - but the "great room" is a vast mess of books, half-finished projects, forgotten sports equipment, a 7 ft screened cat cage, exercise equipment, electronic gadgets... and of course the TV... and now a huge dog crate... but thanks to your suggestions, I have a better mental grip and am coping fairly well, all considered...

[k9Karen]

Sounds a lot like my place. Clutter has never bothered me, and I like to have things I'm currently working with close at hand. My mom will attest to the fact that I've never been good at putting things away!