5 Dangerous Items Dogs Like to Chew
Chewing is one of the most natural activities that dogs participate in. Doggie parents support chewing because it keeps their canine entertained and engaged. It is also helpful in keeping your dog’s jaw strong and its dental health on the right track. With that being said, chewing the wrong objects can be harmful to your dog’s health.
A Word About Chewing in Puppies
Just as it is with infants, chewing can be a means of relieving the discomfort of incoming teeth in puppies. This is why puppies are infamous for chewing on anything they can get their little mouths on. Be extra aware of what your puppy is chewing on, as they are especially vulnerable to swallowing pieces of an object that could get lodged in their intestines and do them harm.
Dangerous Items That Dogs Like to Chew
The following items should not be given to dogs for the purpose of chewing.
1. Ice Cubes
Giving ice cubes to your dog seems innocent enough, and many people choose to do so. However, in deciding whether you should or not, consider the size of your dog. If you have a small pup, it can choke on ice cubes or even get a tooth fracture. Another problem with ice cubes and your dog’s teeth is that chewing on ice wears away tooth enamel.
2. Sticks
Sticks are great fun to use as natural toys when playing a game of fetch. The only problem with using sticks to play fetch is that many dogs begin to see sticks as toys that they should chew on. Allowing your dog to chew on a stick puts them at risk of getting wood splinters in their mouth. Swallowed pieces of wood could cause a blockage in the dog’s intestines.
3. Rocks
If your dog is really bored and has no other toy to chew on, it may try chewing on a rock. This becomes dangerous as your dog may accidentally swallow it. Your dog might choke on the rock on the way down, or the rock could cause a blockage somewhere in the dog’s G.I. tract.
4. Bones
Many people feel it is only natural for dogs to chew on bones, as dogs have throughout history. However, the reality of the situation is that when you allow this, you are risking their health. Domestic dogs chew bones down into smaller pieces that can splinter and do damage inside of their body. Giving your dog hooves and antlers to chew on can cause the same result. When this happens, it requires an emergency visit to the vet to save their life.
5. Water Bottles
A dog that chews on a water bottle might decide to chew the cap right off of the top. The next thing that might happen is that it gets lodged in his throat. Your dog’s teeth may pierce the plastic of the bottle, resulting in the plastic cutting its gums.
Providing Your Dog With Safe Chew Toys
Asking for recommendations from your veterinarian is always a smart idea. Until then, here are a few guidelines that can help you pick out the right chew toys.
- It should never be able to cause a blockage if your dog swallows it.
- It is large enough that the dog can’t swallow it.
- It should not be able to splinter.
- It should be flexible, as opposed to hard as a rock.
- When available, choose a toy that promotes dental health.