Is There A Safe Chew Toy for Dogs?

Nothing gets your dog's tail wagging faster than surprising him with a new chew toy. Chew toys are perfect for keeping your dog entertained while fostering chewing habits that are beneficial to his health and well-being. While chewing is a natural and necessary canine behavior, not all chew toys are created equal, and some can do more harm than good. What are the good and bad things about chew toys?

Benefits of Chew Toys for Dogs

Chew toys offer countless benefits to your dog that benefit their mental and physical health. Consider these healthy benefits of chewing:

Good for Dental Health

When your dog eats, bacteria in his mouth combine with food particles to form a sticky film (i.e. plaque) on his teeth. If plaque is not removed within a few days, this substance hardens into cement-like tartar, trapping bacteria in and around the gum line. Over time, plaque and tartar can damage the supporting structures of your teeth and lead to serious dental disease. Luckily, chewing helps break down plaque and tartar on your teeth.

Provides Mental Stimulation

 Dogs need more than just physical exercise to stay healthy. They also need mental stimulation, and chew toys require focus, which can keep your pet's mind sharp.

Stress Relief

You can relieve stress by meditating or focusing on your breathing, and chewing can provide similar soothing effects for your dog. Chewing causes your dog's pituitary gland to release endorphins into the brain, which has a calming effect.

Reduce Problem Behavior

Dogs have a natural urge to chew. When your dog chews on toys, they are satisfying this instinctual urge, and they don't need to chew on your shoes, furniture, or other inappropriate items. Providing a variety of safe chew toys can help keep your dog engaged and reduce the likelihood that they will develop destructive habits.

Unsafe Dog Chew Toys

Certain chew toys can pose a serious risk of injury to dogs. When searching for the ideal chew toy for your dog, avoid the following items:

Bones, antlers, and hooves

These hard chew toys can break your pet's teeth, or puncture their gums and gastrointestinal (GI) tract if they break into small pieces.

Rawhide

Despite its popularity, rawhide also carries many risks. Chemicals used to treat animal hides can be harmful to your dog’s health, and bacteria can coat the surface of raw hides. Raw hides are often high in fat, which can cause gastrointestinal issues in your dog. When chewed, raw hides become soft and sticky, making it easy for your pet to swallow the product, which can then become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestines.

Sticks

Many dogs are experts at finding and proudly showing off sticks, but these items can cause serious harm to your pet. Shavings and splinters can damage your dog’s teeth and the surrounding soft tissues of the mouth. Additionally, these small pieces can become lodged in your dog’s esophagus or intestines, causing extensive infection or blockage.