Why do dogs like squeaky things?

Category:

As-Seen-With-Cathy-Rosenthal - 2

Encourage Kindness to Animals!

Highly-acclaimed children's books for your child or organization

Why do dogs like squeaky things?

Updated Dec 8, 2024

Does your dog go crazy every time you bring home a squeaky toy. Does he grab it and shake his head back and forth as if he is trying to kill it. After the squeaker stops working, does he drops the toy and never touch it again.

Well, once upon a time, when dogs hunted and killed their prey, they would chase and catch animals precisely because they made noise. A plastic squeaky toy offers the same instinctual satisfaction without the mess. And yes, it’s common for dogs to lose interest after the squeaker stops. They consider the job done.

Please follow and like us:
Pin Share

Nonprofit 501(c) Organizations Copy Usage Notice
Nonprofit 501(c) organizations ONLY are welcome to use these posts on their websites free of charge. Please credit the original article by including the following attribution and with a link to the original article.

For Example:
This article originally appeared on CathyRosenthal.com | Why do dogs like squeaky things?

Thank you for helping us spread the message of compassionate care and responsible pet ownership!

Cathy Rosenthal 2026

Cathy Rosenthal (aka The Pet Pundit), CHES, CFE

Animal Welfare Communications Strategist, Writer & Educator

Cathy M. Rosenthal is an award-winning humane educator and author, animal welfare strategist, pet columnist, and speaker who has spent more than 38 years working in animal welfare with local and national humane organizations. She helps people better understand and care for animals through her nationally syndicated My Pet World column and has been the longtime pet columnist for the San Antonio Express-News since 2003.

In addition to her writing, Cathy develops humane education, leadership, customer service, and compassion fatigue training programs for animal welfare organizations nationwide, and has helped raise millions of dollars through grant writing, strategic communications, and program development.

Cathy is the editor and curator of Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare and is the author of several books, including Grant Writing Boot Camp for Animal AdvocatesThe Lucky Tale of Two Dogs, and The Happy Tale of Two Cats, which was the 2026 winner of the Association of Professional Humane Educators’ (APHE) "Educator’s Choice Award" for Best Humane Education Book for Young Children. She also received the 2026 APHE Nathania Gartman Heroes Award for Impact in Humane Education. Her humane education programs in Texas have reached more than 45,000 elementary school children since 2019.

She resides in Texas with her husband, their cat Sterling, and a former community cat, Maddie, who successfully negotiated an indoor living arrangement but still considers human affection highly negotiable.

Was this article helpful? Share with others!

URL has been copied successfully!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Other Articles You Might Enjoy

Helping a small overprotective dog feel at ease

Dear Cathy, My Chihuahua is extremely protective of me. No one can touch me or come near me. I want to learn how to teach ...
Read More

Why Some Dogs Greet You with a Toy in Their Mouths

By Cathy M. Rosenthal Some dogs greet their favorite people with a toy in their mouth—not to share, but to celebrate. It’s their joyful way ...
Read More

Discouraging dog’s distressing poop eating

Dear Cathy,  What can I do to discourage my doxie's occasional dog-poop eating? I try to pick it up every day but sometimes she gets ...
Read More

Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare is on Sale Now! Special website-only price for a limited time! Order your copy today.

Scroll to Top
0