Old Dog Products

Quality of life & the last chapter

What to Do With Old Dog Toys: Donating Used Dog Toys

By The Old Dog Products team · Published

Not veterinary advice. This article is general information to help you care for your dog at home. It isn’t veterinary advice and can’t replace an exam. If you’re worried about your dog, call your vet.

Most dog homes end up with a basket of toys nobody plays with any more. Older dogs often lose interest in squeaky toys, or can’t manage the hard chews they loved when they were younger. Rather than throwing them out, many of those toys can go to a shelter or rescue.

If you only have a minute

  • Call or check the website of your local shelter or rescue first. Needs vary.
  • Only donate clean toys in good condition.
  • Throw away anything torn, chewed into pieces or missing stuffing.
  • Many shelters also welcome towels and blankets.

Do shelters take used dog toys?

Many do. Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) says shelters and rescue groups always need towels, toys and other supplies. It suggests checking their websites for wish lists, or calling to ask what’s in short supply (Humane World for Animals). Some shelters only accept new toys, so ask before you drop anything off.

How to donate used dog toys

  1. Sort the basket. Pull out anything that’s falling apart.
  2. Clean what’s left. Wash fabric toys and scrub rubber toys with hot, soapy water, then let them dry fully.
  3. Check the shelter’s wish list. Look at their website or call.
  4. Bag them up and label them, for example “used dog toys, washed”.
  5. Drop them off at the time the shelter suggests.

What toys are good to donate?

  • Sturdy rubber toys with no cracks or chunks missing
  • Balls that aren’t split or worn through
  • Rope toys with no loose strands
  • Fabric toys with seams intact and no stuffing showing

What not to donate

  • Toys with holes, loose stuffing, or squeakers that are coming out
  • Chews that have been worn down to small pieces
  • Anything sticky, mouldy or smelly after washing

These belong in the trash. A damaged toy can be a choking risk for the next dog, too.

Other ways to pass toys on

  • Rescue groups and foster homes. Smaller rescues often need supplies for dogs in foster care.
  • Friends and neighbors with dogs.
  • Community groups and swap pages in your area.

Choosing toys for an older dog

If your senior dog has gone off their old toys, it’s worth seeing what they do enjoy now. Many older dogs like softer toys that are easy on the mouth, or simple sniffing games that don’t need much running. If your dog has stopped wanting to chew, or seems sore when they do, mention it to your vet. See our senior dog dental care guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I donate toys without visiting a shelter?

Some shelters share online wish lists so you can send new items straight to them. For used toys, you’ll usually need to drop them off. Call first.

Is it better to donate money or toys?

Both help. Humane World for Animals notes that shelters have bills to pay and that money donations help cover daily costs and supplies (Humane World for Animals). If you have toys in good condition, ask whether they’re needed.

Sources