Maya Ellison
Dogs love to chew, and chew toys are a great way to keep them occupied, provide mental stimulation, and help them cope with anxiety. However, some popular chew toys, such as hard plastic bones, may not be the best choice for your dog's health. Hard plastic bones can be too hard for your dog's teeth, leading to fractures and other dental issues. They can also break into small pieces, which your dog might swallow, causing digestive issues or even obstruction. So, while providing chew toys for your dog is important, it's crucial to select ones that are safe and suitable for their chewing style and breed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hardness | If the chew is harder than the teeth, there is a probability of causing tooth injuries |
| Obstruction risk | There is a risk of chunks that are indigestible coming off and being swallowed |
| Choking hazard | Chunks can get lodged in the trachea or oesophagus |
| Tooth fractures | Hard plastic and nylon bones can be too hard for dogs' teeth, causing fractures as they chew |
| Digestive issues | Swallowing pieces of plastic can lead to digestive obstruction, pancreatitis, and diarrhea |
| Allergic reactions | There is a risk of allergic reactions |
| Eco-friendliness | Nylon dog toys create microplastics that end up on the floor and in the stomach |
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What You'll Learn
Hard plastic bones can damage dogs' teeth
The pressure from chewing very hard objects is not evenly distributed over the whole tooth, which can result in slab fractures, where the surface of the tooth flakes off. This can be exacerbated in breeds with strong jaws, such as German Shepherds, which are more prone to aggressive chewing. Hard plastic bones can also lead to digestive issues if a dog swallows pieces of the bone that break off.
To avoid damaging your dog's teeth, it is recommended to choose chews that are softer than a dog's teeth, such as bully sticks, which are shaped like natural bones but have a softer texture. Compressed rawhide can also be beneficial for removing plaque and tartar, although thicker forms such as those found in rawhide bones may be too hard. Softer alternatives to nylon bones, such as BetterBone Soft, are also available for puppies and senior dogs.
It is important to supervise your dog when giving them any type of bone or chew to ensure they do not swallow pieces that could cause choking or gastrointestinal obstruction. If you are concerned about your dog's oral health or the safety of their chew toys, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
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Plastic bones can cause gastrointestinal issues
Plastic bones can be dangerous for dogs. While they are designed to break into small chunks, these can be sharp and cause damage to the mouth. They can also be too hard for dogs' teeth, causing fractures and slab fractures, where the surface of the tooth flakes off. The upper fourth premolars are the teeth most commonly affected, and they are two of the major teeth used to chew food.
If a dog swallows large chunks of plastic, this can lead to a digestive obstruction, and at the very least, diarrhea. When pieces of plastic sit in the stomach, the body keeps trying to break them down, which can lead to pancreatitis.
It is important to note that some dogs are naturally aggressive chewers, and for these dogs, a long-lasting, durable synthetic bone may be beneficial. However, it is always a risk that they may damage their teeth or swallow pieces of the bone, leading to gastrointestinal issues.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to try alternative chews such as bully sticks, which are shaped like natural bones but have a softer texture that is easier to digest. Dental dog chews are also an option, though there is little proof that they improve dental health more than other chews. For puppies, ice cubes can be a good option, but they should be crushed, as large cubes can be hard enough to cause trauma to teeth.
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Raw bones are dangerous for dogs
While hard plastic bones can be too hard for dogs' teeth, leading to tooth fractures, raw bones are also dangerous for dogs. Raw bones can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, choking, and even death.
Raw bones, whether from a cow or a chicken, are naturally much softer than the cooked bones most humans are used to dealing with. However, the problem with raw bones is that they can be contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella, which can cause serious illness in dogs. Raw bones can also contain sharp edges that can damage a dog's mouth, throat, and intestines.
Dogs' molars are positioned against each other at a scissor-type angle, which means that the pressure is not evenly distributed across the tooth. Chewing on very hard substances can cause slab fractures, where the surface of the tooth flakes off. Raw bones from larger animals, such as bison, cow, or deer, are typically sourced from tougher areas, such as the knuckle or femur, and are much harder and denser, increasing the risk of tooth damage.
Raw bones can also be a choking hazard, especially for dogs with damaged or missing teeth. Large pieces can break off and lodge in the dog's trachea or oesophagus, causing obstruction and potentially leading to death. Even if the pieces are small enough to pass into the stomach, they can still cause digestive issues. The high acidity of a dog's stomach, ranging from 1.08 to 2.05, can help break down bone pieces, but this process can also lead to increased acidity in the intestines, causing pancreatitis.
Therefore, it is crucial to supervise dogs when giving them any type of bone or chew toy and to seek veterinary advice to ensure the safety and well-being of your pet.
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Bully sticks are a safer alternative
Bully sticks are made from bull penises, or pizzles, and are 100% beef tendon. They are tasty, all-natural, and provide high-quality beef protein, which is easy for dogs to digest. They are also a great source of taurine, an amino acid that contributes to your dog's heart, muscle, and eye health.
In addition to their health benefits, bully sticks are a long-lasting treat that can keep your dog entertained and satisfy their natural urge to chew. They come in various thicknesses, sizes, and shapes, making them suitable for dogs of any breed, age, or size, including puppies.
While some people give their dogs hard plastic bones, these can be too hard on their teeth and may lead to fractures or other dental injuries. Hard plastic bones can also break into small chunks, which can be swallowed and cause digestive issues or even choking hazards.
Therefore, bully sticks are a safer and more nutritious alternative to hard plastic bones, providing various health benefits and a satisfying chewing experience for dogs.
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Synthetic bones are good for mental stimulation
Synthetic bones are a great way to provide mental stimulation for dogs. Dogs need constant action, especially high-energy breeds and puppies. Synthetic bones and chews are designed to keep dogs mentally stimulated, busy, and their jaws exercised. These synthetic alternatives are especially helpful for puppies who are teething or dogs that are hyper chewers.
Synthetic bones can also help curb behavioural problems. Dogs are natural chewers, and synthetic bones can prevent them from chewing other items such as furniture. They can also help alleviate anxiety and provide an outlet for destructive chewing behaviours. Synthetic bones can also relieve teething pain for puppies, as they provide a constructive way to comfort their discomfort.
Synthetic bones can be safer than natural bones, which can cause gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, choking, and even death. Raw bones in particular can be dangerous and unhealthy for dogs. Synthetic bones are designed to be durable, non-toxic, and less likely to cause dental or digestive issues.
However, it is important to ensure that dogs do not swallow pieces of synthetic bones. Owners should supervise their dogs when giving them synthetic bones to ensure their safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Hard plastic bones can be too hard for dogs' teeth and cause fractures as they chew. They can also break into small chunks, which can be accidentally swallowed and cause digestive obstruction. Therefore, hard plastic bones are not good for dogs.
Bully sticks are shaped like natural bones but have a softer texture that is more palatable and easy to digest. Compressed rawhide can also be beneficial for removing plaque and tartar, but thicker versions can result in dental fractures.
Bones and chews can provide mental stimulation and keep dogs' jaws exercised. They can also help curb behavioural problems by satisfying dogs' natural urge to chew.
If you notice your dog's mouth bleeding, this could be a sign that their chew toy is too hard and is causing tooth fractures. Other signs include cracked teeth and digestive issues such as diarrhoea.
The "`thumbnail test'" is a good way to determine if a chew toy is too hard. Press the toy with your thumbnail, and if it gives, then it is likely safe for your dog. If you can't indent the toy with your fingernail, then it's too hard and could damage your dog's teeth.
