Dogs love to chew, and for the most part, pet parents love it too! Chewing is a natural action for dogs. It helps keep their teeth clean and gums healthy and can also be a satisfying activity that keeps your dog calm and engaged.
But chewing the wrong objects can be harmful to your pup, leading to fractured teeth, lacerated gums, constipation or blockages in the intestinal tract that require surgery. Not only are these conditions uncomfortable (or downright painful), but they can also result in a large vet bill.
Why do dogs chew?
Dogs like to chew. Often they chew for fun or stimulation. Chewing can help keep your dog's jaw strong and even clean their teeth (depending on what they're chewing).
Puppy chewing
For puppies, chewing can be a way to relieve the discomfort of incoming teeth (much like it is for infants). Puppies have a reputation for chewing on everything, from newspapers to shoes, but should be carefully monitored and redirected to safer items. If your puppy needs something to chew, you can give them Kong toys, teething sticks, or dental chews as a safer option.
Adult dog chewing
Sometimes, adult dogs chew things they shouldn't too. Often this is behavior you can gently correct by providing safe alternatives and “puppy-proofing" your home (which you can do for your adult dog too!). Try keeping anything your dog might chew out of reach. If they are chewing on furniture, you may consider seeking help from a trainer to help them re-learn better behaviors. If you notice that they are chewing on themselves (paws, legs, belly, or tail), it could be a sign of a skin condition, and you should call your vet.
8 Dangerous items dog chew
The following items may seem innocent, but may ultimately cause your dog (and your budget) harm.
1. Ice
Hoping to snag a fallen icy treat, many dogs come running at the sound of the refrigerator ice machine. But chewing on ice wears down tooth enamel (the protective cover for teeth). Ice cubes are even more dangerous for small dogs because they can choke on them or can fracture a tooth3.
2. Sticks and Wood
Playing fetch is probably one of the most iconic activities you can do with your dogs outside. Many dog owners throw sticks for their dogs to play fetch with at the park or on walks. The problem with throwing sticks or wood is that many dogs will start using them as toys and many dogs will begin chewing on the stick. Wood splinters easily when chewed on and shards can jam into the dog's mouth causing an infection. Also, if pieces of wood are swallowed, it can cause intestinal blockage.
Sticks can create very real and painful injuries. Once they splinter, sticks can puncture a dog's mouth, eyes, throat, abdomen or even heart. They can get lodged in the throat, causing your dog to choke, or get stuck in the digestive tract, creating intestinal blockages.2
3. Rocks
Dogs often utilize rocks as play objects when they're bored. Additionally, if a rock has food particles on it (for example, rocks near your grill) dogs may try to swallow the rock, thinking it is food. Rocks can cause your dog to choke, or result in an intestinal blockage that requires surgery to fix.
4. Bones, Hooves, and Antlers
Bones, hooves and antlers are often given to dogs by owners who think chewing on them is natural for dogs due to their wolfen predecessors. However, when domestic dogs chew the bones down into smaller sizes, they can be accidentally swallowed. If this happens, the bone can become lodged in the intestines.
Bones, hooves and antlers can also splinter, resulting in fragments wedged in the mouth, throat, or intestines that require an emergency visit to remove. Additionally, they can wear down the enamel of the teeth, causing tooth fractures, broken teeth, and gum infections1.
5. Water Bottles
Some dogs love gnawing on water bottles, but water bottles aren't safe for chewing. The cap of the water bottle can come off and the dog can swallow it. Also, dogs can tear off pieces of the plastic, resulting in sharp, rough edges. Your dog may try to swallow these sharp pieces and/or cut their gums chewing on the newly exposed rough edges.
6. Rawhide or Beefhide
While rawhide and beef hide are intended to be gnawed on, once they get soggy, you should really take them away, according to Dr. Fiona Caldwell, a veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital. She explains that it's not safe for dogs to swallow rawhides or eat them quickly because they can cause broken teeth, vomiting, and stomach and GI problems. In some cases, they can also cause choking2.
So, if your dog is a gentle chewer and will just sort of gnaw on the rawhide, let them do so until the rawhide is soggy. If you think your dog may try to eat them, swallow them whole, or just generally chomp them down, you'll want to avoid them.
7. Tennis Balls
Tennis balls may seem bright, fuzzy, and generally harmless, but they pose a number of safety risks for your pup. That fuzz can work like sandpaper on your dog's tooth enamel, grinding it down and away. When swallowed, the fuzz can create blockages in the intestines.
Tennis balls are also coated in dye and unknown chemicals that aren't great for your dog's health. Ultimately though, what makes tennis balls dangerous is that your dog can break them into pieces and swallow the parts, creating a choking hazard and possible intestinal blockages.
8. Hard objects
There's a huge variety of hard objects your dog may find and chew, from black walnut shells to compressed plastic to golf balls. Chewing on anything that's too hard can create dental problems, including fractured, broken, or chipped teeth and bloody or infected gums. If you notice your dog chewing on something very hard, it's best to take it away. This is especially true if the object is small enough for them to swallow.
Safe Chew Toys and Treats for Dogs
So, while sticks, bones, and rawhides are out, there's a host of approved chewing products that have been tested for safety. You can usually find safe chewing options at your veterinarian or pet supply store.
In general, follow these guidelines when choosing something for your dog to chew on:
- Provide chewing items that won't cause a blockage if swallowed
- Toys should be large enough that your dog can't swallow them. And if they chew a toy down to small pieces they could swallow, throw the toy away.
- Chewing items should not splinter.
- The toys/chewing items should have some flexibility and not be rock hard.
- As often as possible provide toys/chewing items that promote healthy gums and reduce tartar.
Chewing Emergency
If your dog is wounded from something they're chewing on or has swallowed something they were chewing, call your vet right away. Your vet will ask you questions about your dog's health and behavior and advise you on the next best steps. Intestinal issues and blockages are one of the most common reasons for a pet hospital visit and they're among the most expensive.
Look at dog insurance from Pets Best to help with veterinary costs!
Fortunately, most pet insurance companies have policies in case this happens. However to avoid the visit and stress altogether, choose safe and approved chewing options for your dog.
13 Dangers of Dogs Chewing Animal Bones. (2021, January 27). Retrieved from South Seattle Veterinary Hospital: https://www.southseattlevet.com/3-dangers-of-dogs-chewing-animal-bones
2Racone, E. (2022, May 19). Rawhide vs beefhide: Which is the healthier option? Retrieved from PetsRadar: https://www.petsradar.com/advice/rawhide-vs-beefhide-which-is-best-for-your-dog
3Turner, B. (2021, August 18). Potential Dangers of Popular Dog Chews. Retrieved from Preventive Vet: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/potential-dangers-of-popular-dog-chews