Dog Toys and Bones that May Be Harmful

If you've had a puppy that has gnawed furniture legs or shoes, you know that providing chew toys for your dog is important. But how do you know what bones and toys are best and not harmful to your pup?

Since it's instinctive for a dog to chew, you can't stop a dog from chewing entirely, but providing proper bones and chew toys can save your furniture and your sanity. Make sure that the toys your pooch has access too can't splinter or be ripped apart and ingested.

What Bones Are Harmful for My Dog?

Dogs need bones or other hard objects to chew to help clean their teeth and exercise their powerful jaw, just like their wild cousins do. Natural bones are best, but don't give your dog poultry bones that have been cooked as they are very thin and brittle and will splinter too easily. Chicken bone shards can puncture a dog's mouth, leaving him open to infection. Sharp pieces of bone can tear the digestive tract, which may require surgical repair.

Hard rubber bones and chew toys provide the strength and resistance a dog needs, but make sure that your choice of synthetic chew toys is as close to indestructible as possible while still having some "give" to it. Chewing something that isn't much more than a rock can cause your dog to break a tooth.

Can I Give My Dog Squeak Toys?

Most puppies love the attraction of a squeak toy, but make sure your dog is supervised while playing. Puppies enjoy ripping into the rubber or fabric to try to get to the squeaker, but ingesting any part of the toy can be harmful to the dog's digestive system. Only allow your dog to play with any such toys while you're with him, and remove and discard the toy when it first shows signs of wear.

Free Alternatives to Expensive Dog Toys

I've wasted plenty of money on squeak toys and dog bones over the years, but I've found that the price tag on a toy doesn't necessarily translate to what's best for my dog. Saving old socks and stuffing one or two into the toe of another and tying a knot is about as thrifty as you can get and my dogs love it better than any toy I've spent good money on. The sock toy has just enough weight to toss around the room, but won't ding your walls if you miss your mark. They can get their teeth into it for a nice game of tug o' war, but it's not hard enough to hurt their teeth.

Why waste money on expensive toys that may harm your dog? Recycle your castoffs and everyone wins.