I am not sure I have seen any rules. Yes, any toy too small is a choking or blockage hazard. I go through this every year with a new puppy. When we bring one home, we dig out smaller toys for it. Then sometime, we have to decide they are too small and put them up. Often we put the small toys up when we have a larger visitor coming and then don't get them out again.

One thing is that hard toys including Nylabones should be too big for a strong chewer to get back between their molars. Normally Nylabones are among the safest chews, but some dogs do crack teeth on them. Of course Nylabone makes consumable chews too, which dogs can quickly chew down too small.

I think some toys come with size recommendations on them. Perhaps when your dog grows out of the range, them remove them.

Aster answered on 11/30/10. Helpful? / 1

It depends on your dog, whether he has a tendency to eat his toys or not. I've never seen a dog choke on a tennis ball, but if a determined toy-eater tried it, I'm sure it could happen. Know your dog, know your limits. I wouldn't give ANY toy to a new dog until I figured out their habits- do they chew and spit out the pieces, or do they swallow them? Do they try to gulp down bones or rawhide, or take their time?

Oh, and there is a BIG difference between play toys and chew toys. DON'T let a dog munch on play toys like balls, frisbees, squeakies, etc. Usually plastic and not made to stand up to chewing. Don't leave a dog with one unattended.

Sampson answered on 11/30/10. Helpful? / 2