Chew toys serve as excellent tools to alleviate your dog’s boredom and promote dental health. However, selecting the wrong chew toys can lead to more harm than benefit. Dogs are frequently treated for issues like broken teeth, oral injuries, and enamel damage resulting from inappropriate chewing. Safeguard your dog’s dental well-being by steering clear of these seven harmful chew toys.
1. Bones
Numerous pet owners believe that meat bones are a secure, natural chew toy for their pets. Nonetheless, chewing on any hard material poses a risk of tooth fractures. Dogs are fond of bones and may become engrossed in gnawing off every last bit of tissue, potentially overlooking a cracked or broken tooth. Once the bone is consumed, and the discomfort from the injured tooth sets in, your dog might endure the pain silently, failing to communicate the discomfort to you.
Certain individuals think that fresh bones from the butcher are softer and, therefore, safer. However, it’s crucial never to give your dog any type of bone, as they all carry the risk of causing tooth damage and other issues. Ring-shaped bones, for instance, can become lodged behind a dog’s lower canine teeth, trapping the end of the lower jaw and necessitating removal under anesthesia. Dogs may chew bones into small pieces that they ingest, posing a potential threat of a life-threatening intestinal blockage. Poultry bones, known to splinter, can puncture your dog’s stomach or intestinal wall, making them particularly hazardous.
2. Antlers
Deer antlers are commonly promoted in pet stores as a safe substitute for bones, encouraging dogs to chew. Regrettably, antlers are composed of a material akin to bone and share the same hardness. In the wild, deer employ their antlers for self-defense and in battles with other bucks, given their formidable nature. Furthermore, antlers have a soft center resembling a bone’s marrow cavity, accessible to dogs as they chew the surrounding bone, potentially resulting in tooth fractures and the ingestion of small, hard fragments.
3. Tennis balls
Engaging in a backyard game of fetch is an excellent method to keep your dog active. However, it’s crucial to prevent her from stealing the ball and chewing on it, as the fuzzy outer coating can rub against her teeth, leading to enamel wear. Compounding the issue, the fuzzy exterior of tennis balls tends to accumulate dirt and grit, heightening its abrasiveness. Damage to enamel resulting from chewing tennis balls is a gradual process, often unnoticed by owners until the damage becomes severe, and the pet experiences painful dental sensitivity.
4. Cow hooves
Cow hooves, often considered a natural and safe product for pets, are made of keratin, one of the body’s toughest compounds designed to safeguard the delicate foot structures. Despite their durability, hooves are extremely tough and hard, posing a risk of causing cracked, chipped, or broken teeth, resulting in excruciating pain for your pet. Moreover, hooves have the potential to splinter as your pet tears them apart, and these fragments can lead to injuries by puncturing her mouth or digestive tract.
5. Ice cubes
While ice cubes may appear to be a refreshing treat for your dog during hot days, it’s essential to be cautious. Water becomes dense and hard as it freezes, and if your dog chews on ice cubes, it can result in permanent tooth damage, potentially requiring surgery or extraction. It’s generally safe to place a few ice cubes in your dog’s water bowl on a summer day, but make sure she doesn’t fish them out and attempt to chew on them.
6. Sticks
While your backyard may be abundant with sticks that seem like convenient fetch and chew toys, they can pose risks to your pet’s oral health. Small sticks have the potential to wedge themselves between your pet’s teeth, causing damage to the teeth, bones, and gums. Additionally, sticks can splinter, forming sharp pieces that may puncture your pet’s mouth or digestive tract. Opt for a pet-safe rubber ball for fetch games, and if your dog enjoys chewing on sticks, it’s advisable to keep your yard free of dead branches.
7. Nylon chew toys
Although promoted as a safe chewing option, numerous nylon bones are crafted from hard materials that may harm your pet’s teeth. Opt for chew toys that exhibit a softness allowing indentation when pressed with your thumbnail, yet remain robust enough to resist being chewed into pieces by your pet.
How to Select Safe Chew Toys for Your Pets?
In the face of numerous toys that could potentially harm your dog’s teeth, how do you select safe options? Consider these simple guidelines to find dental-appropriate choices:
- Soft, not hard — Steer clear of chew toys composed of hard materials that may harm your pet’s teeth. Instead, opt for toys crafted from durable rubber or nylon materials capable of withstanding your pet’s robust jaws.
- No bits and pieces — Avoid buying toys that your pet can chew into pieces, as this poses a risk of choking or obstruction.
- Not too small — Select toys that are appropriately sized for your dog, avoiding those that are small enough for her to swallow whole.
While there is a range of chew toys that may potentially harm your pet’s teeth, numerous safe options are on the market, offering hours of enjoyable chewing. Examples include:
- Kong-type toys — Create a special treat by filling a Kong with a blend of dry kibble and peanut butter, then freezing it.
- Rawhides — Rawhides are generally safe, but it’s crucial to closely monitor your pet to prevent her from chewing off pieces. If the rawhide becomes small enough for your pet to swallow, promptly remove it.
- Dental chews — Chews endorsed by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) have the potential to deter the buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth.
- Rubber bones — Opt for textured-surface options to aid in plaque removal as your pet chews.
If you have inquiries about chew toys safe for pets or concerns about your dog’s dental health, feel free to Reach Out to Us.
