Plastic-Free Dog Toys: What to Look For
Your hound's toy basket shouldn't look like a crime scene.
You know the one. Fluffy stuffing all over the rug. A squeaker hiding under the couch, next to a chewed-up mystery object that nobody can identify, not even your hound.
Most of it is plastic that ends up in landfill for a very, very long time.
If you'd like your hound's toys to be kinder to the planet, here's what to look for.
The short answer
A plastic-free dog toy is made from natural materials: the outside, the inside, the packaging. Check the label for leather, suede, wool, cotton, jute, natural rubber or coconut fibre. If it squeaks, glows or says "polyester", it's just plastic and not fun.
Where plastic hides in dog toys
Plastic is sneaky. It hides in places you'd never think to look.
- The stuffing. That fluffy white filling is usually polyester fibrefill. Polyester is plastic. Your hound pulls it out, you vacuum it up, it goes to landfill, and everyone pretends it never happened.
- The squeaker. Almost always plastic. Also almost always annoying.
- The fabric. Plush, fleece, minky, squishy, and most "soft toy" fabrics are polyester or nylon. Soft to the touch, hard on the planet.
- "Eco" rubber. TPR (thermoplastic rubber) sounds natural. It's not. The clue is the word "plastic" hiding in the middle, hoping you won't notice.
- Recycled plastic toys. Argh, it's still plastic! It still sheds microplastics as your hound chews, and microplastics have been found in our food, water and even our bodies.
- The packaging. A plastic-free toy in a plastic bag with a plastic tag? Retailers love plastic packaging because it's tough and long-lasting. Unfortunately, so does landfill.
What to look for instead
| Material | Why it's great | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Leather or suede | Tough, soft and natural. Compostable at the end of its life. | Tug, fetch and dramatic floppy-toy shaking |
| Coconut fibre | A natural filling with a satisfying crunch. Compost without guilt. | Hounds who like a toy that makes a sound |
| Jute and cotton rope | Plant fibres, great for gripping. | Tug of war and waggy bits to chase |
| Felted wool | Soft, natural and gentle on teeth. | Gentle play and indoor games |
| Natural rubber | Made from rubber tree sap, not oil. | Bouncing and fetching |
But my hound LOVES squeakers…
We hear you. (Unfortunately, so do your neighbours.) Here's our position: NOOOO. No squeakers. Ever.
- They're plastic.
- They're incredibly annoying. Ask anyone who has lived through a 6am squeaker concert with no option to leave early.
- Your hound doesn't actually need one. Your hound also doesn't need the cat's dinner, but here we are.
Our toys are filled with coconut fibre instead. It's crunchy enough to grab the attention of young bouncy hounds right through to the oldest, crankiest ones. Same excitement, no plastic squeaker, and your ears will thank you.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What's it made of, inside and out? If the label only tells you about the outside, be suspicious.
- What's the filling? "Fibrefill" or "polyfill" means polyester. Fancy name, same plastic.
- Does it squeak? Then there's plastic inside.
- How does it arrive? Look for plastic-free packaging, right down to the tape.
- What happens when it wears out? Natural materials can be composted. Plastic won't, no matter how nicely you ask.
A word on safety
Plastic-free doesn't mean indestructible. No toy is, whatever the packet promises. Some hounds can dismantle a toy faster than you can say "drop it". Some can do it while making eye contact.
- Play together. Our toys are designed for interactive play between you and your hound, not for leaving them alone to chew.
- Check toys often. Throw out worn or damaged parts straight away, including filling and fabric.
- Never let them swallow it. No part of any toy is a snack, however delicious it smells.
My dog destroys every toy within minutes
You said it! Think of a dog toy like a bottle of wine in your house; sometimes it lasts a week, other times it lasts an hour, and in some homes it can sit unopened for years. It all depends on the vibe in the room, level of anxiety and personal preference.
Our tip for determined destroyers? Ask your vet about a raw, size-appropriate bone, and always supervise. Never cooked. See how long that takes to tear to shreds.
What happens at the end?
Even the best-loved toy has its day. When a Georgie Paws toy is ready to retire:
- Coconut fibre and jute: straight into the garden compost.
- Leather and suede: compostable, but slow. Cut them into small pieces for your home compost, or use your green waste bin if your council accepts it.
Plastic toys, on the other hand, head to landfill and stay there for a very, very long time. Long after your hound has forgotten it ever existed. WWF-Australia says plastics can take up to 500 years to break down. That's a lot to fetch.
Read more on our Materials & Sustainability page.
Find your hound's new favourite toy
Browse our handmade dog toys, all designed in Australia and made from natural materials like suede, coconut fibre and jute. No squeakers. No polyester stuffing. No nasties.
Your toy basket will look a lot calmer. Your rug will be relieved. Your ears will finally get a day off.
More questions? See our Product FAQs.
