28 Feb Safe Chewing and Playing
Everybody knows that a dog loves to chew toys– what cartoon dog has ever been shown without a bone to chew? Whether it’s a bone, a toy, or a tennis ball, chewing provides entertainment, stress relief, and even some dental benefits. But not all dog chew toys are created equal.
Some popular options can actually put your dog’s dental health at risk, leading to painful tooth fractures or other health issues. Before handing over a new chew toy, it’s important to know what’s safe and what could cause harm. Keep reading to learn which chew toys and playthings are best for your pup and which ones to avoid.
Dog Chew Toys to Avoid and Alternatives
Real Bones
Walk into any pet shop, and you’ll find an aisle overflowing with real bones of all sizes, marrow bones, beef femurs, and more. Unfortunately, real animal bones are far too hard for dogs to chew on. These bones are one of the most frequent culprits causing broken teeth in dogs.
Dogs love to gnaw on these bones with their back teeth, frequently leading to fractures of the upper fourth premolar or, less commonly, the lower first molar. When teeth break, it can expose the pulp canal and lead to infection, which requires treatment – either extraction or root canal treatment.
Antlers
Like real bones, real antlers are also too hard and frequently break teeth.
Hard Plastic Nylon “Bones”
These toys are too hard for dogs to chew on. You’re probably catching on to the theme here! Anything that is too hard to indent with your thumbnail, gently flex or whack across your knee is too hard for a dog to chew on and could lead to broken bones.
Soft Rubber or Plush Toys
These toys are much safer for teeth than hard toys. Some dogs will destroy softer toys and may accidentally or intentionally ingest the pieces, which can lead to an intestinal blockage.
Always supervise your dog playing with toys and remove any small pieces that get torn off. If your dog is one to shred and ingest toys, stick to more durable rubber toys such as products made by the brand’s Kong Extreme or GoughNuts.
Tennis Balls and Frisbees
Tennis balls and frisbees aren’t too hard, so they must be safe, right? Wrong! While these toys aren’t necessarily too hard, they often have a “furry” covering, which is actually really abrasive. Some dogs spend their lives with a ball in their mouths, and the constant rubbing of this “fur” can wear down their teeth like sandpaper.
In some cases, the abrasion can be so severe that it can affect the long-term health of the teeth. Safer options include rubber balls such as those made by the brand Chuck-It, rubber balls, hockey balls or rubber frisbees.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your dog happy and healthy means choosing the right toys for chewing and playing. While real bones, antlers, and hard plastic toys may seem like good options, they can be too tough on your dog’s teeth, leading to painful and costly dental issues. Even soft toys and tennis balls come with risks if they’re not used with supervision. Opting for durable yet safe alternatives, like rubber toys from trusted brands, can help protect your dog’s teeth while still satisfying their natural urge to chew.
At Animal Dental Care in Fort Collins, we strive to provide the best possible care to all of our patients. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s dental health, contact us today to schedule an appointment. With the right choices, you can ensure your pup enjoys safe and fun playtime for years to come!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (02/28/2025) Photo by Taylor Sondgeroth on Unsplash