You love your dog and would gladly spend all day at home cuddling, playing, and hanging out with them. Unfortunately, you do have to leave the house sometimes, leaving your furry friend all alone. When you do, your dog spends their time sleeping and playing with toys â like the Lamb Chop dog toy!
What Is the Lamb Chop Dog Toy?
The Lamb Chop dog toy is an adorable, stuffed lamb that dogs all over the world love. The lamb dog toy is small, soft, and fun for dogs to toss in the air and curl up with on their favorite bed.
The History of the Lamb Chop Plush Toy
With millions of Lamb Chop plushies sold every year, it really makes you wonder where the Lamb Chop toy came from⊠and we have the answer!
Every dogâs favorite lamb starts as a curly-haired puppet on The Shari Lewis Show, a 1960s production featuring the host, Shari, and Lamb Chop the lamb. In the 1990s, Lamb Chop made a comeback with his own show titled Lamb-Chopâs Play Along.
Why Is the Lamb Chop Dog Toy So Popular?
Itâs hard to say exactly why the Lamb Chop toy is so popular, but one possible reason is the nostalgia behind it. Since the original Lamb Chop character made appearances in both the 60s and 90s, it became a well-known figure in both generations.
For the millennials of the 90s that grew up watching Lamb Chopâs Play Along, the Lamb Chop dog toy brings back memories of spending Saturday mornings listening to stories with Shari and Lamb Chop and their group of fun-loving friends. Itâs thought that this nostalgia drove and continues to drive Lamb Chop dog toy sales each year â not to mention, though, that the plush is adorable!
Why Do Dogs Love the Lamb Chop Dog Toy?
Lamb Chop toys are soft, cuddly, and fun to play with. But, the realistic animal shape and texture of the plush can also serve as a stimulant for your dogâs natural hunting instinct and the squeaker inside aids in capturing their interest.
Comfort and Security
The Lamb Chop dog toy is soft to the touch and just the right size to be cozy and comforting. It fits into most dog beds, dog crates, and under the table -- wherever your dog likes to play or snooze. Itâs been suggested by researchers that dogs grow emotional attachment to toys that they find comforting.
Instinctual Behavior
Not only does Lamb Chop satisfy your dogâs need for comfort and security, but it can also take care of their natural, instinctive needs. More specifically, the needs of hunting and playing. Lamb Chopâs soft texture and semi-realistic look can help stimulate the natural instinct your dog has to hunt prey, while its squeaker aids in capturing your dogâs attention and making play fun.
Ideal for Cuddling and Carrying
This toy is the perfect size for the mouths of many dog breeds, making it ideal for both cuddling and carrying around the house.
Is the Lamb Chop Toy Safe for Pets?
Materials and Durability
All lamb chop toys are made from dog-safe materials that are durable and can withstand hours of rough play, chewing, and tugging. Thereâs no need to worry about harsh chemicals or little bits and pieces that your dog could swallow.
Squeaker Safety Concerns
The only safety concern with lamb chop comes into play specifically for dogs that are prolific chewers. If your dog routinely rips their stuffed toys to shreds and removes the stuffing, you'll want to watch them with Lamb Chop as the toy contains a squeaker that your pup could eat.
Best Practices for Safe Play
To ensure your petâs safety while playing, be sure to take away the squeaker if your pup manages to get it out. Additionally, remove the toy from playtime if your dog is ripping it apart and trying to eat any of its pieces.
Choosing the Right Lamb Chop for Your Dog
Different Sizes and Variations
This cute toy is available in a wide variety of sizes and variations. It comes in mini, regular, and jumbo sizes, and can be found with party hats and other fun accessories.
Squeaky vs. Non-Squeaky
Not every Lamb Chop dog toy contains a squeaker. You can find variations that donât, if you (or your dog) arenât a fan of squeaky toys.
Stuffed vs. Unstuffed
Not a fan of stuffing being strewn all over the house? Not a problem! Lamb Chop can also be purchased as an unstuffed dog toy, proving to be a safer and less messy alternative to the classic.
How to Clean the Lamb Chop Toy
Lamb Chop toys do best when washed by hand, as washing machines can be too harsh on the toyâs soft fur. However, if youâre going to use the washing machine, be sure to turn the water to cold and a gentle cycle, use mild soap, and run the toy through the rinse cycle twice. Then, air dry.
Washing Instructions
Follow these simple instructions to keep your petsâ Lamb Chop clean:
Mix warm water and a gentle dish detergent in a sink or large bowl.
Using a brush, scrub the surface of the toy, paying careful attention to seams and other nooks and crannies.
Rinse with clean water.
Allow to air dry.Â
When to Replace Lamb Chop
Your petâs toy should be replaced once it starts to fall apart and become a safety hazard. If your pet is ripping small pieces off of it, itâs time to replace it.
Alternatives to the Lamb Chop Dog Toy
If you canât find your pet the perfect lamb chop, donât worry! There are other options that your dog will love.
Other Plushies That Dogs Love
When you canât get your hands on a Lamb Chop stuffed animal or are looking to switch things up, the next best thing is another plush toy. Most dogs arenât too picky and will be overjoyed to receive a stuffed duck, hedgehog, fox, hamburger, or anything else.
Durable Toys for Heavy Chewers
For dogs who love to chew, consider rope-style toys, balls, and dental chews. For larger dog breeds, youâll need larger, more durable toys that are made of non-toxic materials like silicone and grade A rubber, as recommended by the National Canine Cancer Foundation.
Interactive Toys for Mental Stimulation
Interactive toys are a great way to keep your dogâs brain healthy and strong. Providing them with interactive toys gets them thinking, solving problems, and strengthening pathways in their brain, which aids in overall brain health. Interactive toys include things like puzzles, treat dispensers, and peek-a-boo-style stuffed animals.
PetMD also recommends snuffle mats and balls, and the classic KONG dog toy.
Conclusion
The Multipet dog toy lamb is one of the most popular dog toys on the market â and for good reason. It appeals to your dogâs need for comfort and security, gets them up and active, and is safe to chew on. If Multipet ever releases any other Lamb Chop-themed products (Lamb Chop dog bed, perhaps?), we hope that theyâll be just as versatile.
