![chewing on plastic bottle caps chewing on plastic bottle caps](https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1XH8wXRmWBuNkSndVq6AsApXa3/230819896/HTB1XH8wXRmWBuNkSndVq6AsApXa3.jpg)
Intestinal issues and blockages are one of the most common reasons for a pet hospital visit and they’re among the most expensive. – As often as possible provide toys/chewing items that promote healthy gums and reduce tartar – The toys/chewing items should have some flexibility and not be rock hard And if they chew a toy down to small pieces they could swallow, throw the toy away – Toys should be large enough that your dog can’t swallow them. – Provide chewing items that won’t cause blockage if swallowed
![chewing on plastic bottle caps chewing on plastic bottle caps](https://i.redd.it/d6u9odsu7ln21.jpg)
These are available from your veterinarian or pet supply store. In general, follow these guidelines when choosing a toy:
![chewing on plastic bottle caps chewing on plastic bottle caps](https://99designs-blog.imgix.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/TYPES-of-FONTS-e1519053851401.jpg)
There are a host of approved chewing products that have been tested for safety. So what can you give your dog to chew on? Chewing on hard objects can result in a fractured tooth. There are many hard objects your dog could chew on, for instance hard plastic can be as hard as a bone. The dog may try to swallow these sharp pieces and/or cut their gums chewing on the newly exposed rough edges. Also, dogs can tear off pieces of the plastic pretty easily resulting in sharp, rough edges. The cap of the water bottle can come off and the dog can swallow it leading to a blockage. Several dangers can arise though and water bottles should be avoided. Related Article: New dog collar will help owners track pets' whereabouts Bones also wear down the enamel of the teeth. Bones can also splinter resulting in fragments wedged in the mouth, throat, or intestines requiring an emergency visit to remove. If this happens, the bone will become lodged in the intestines. The issue is that dogs chew the bones down and they can be accidentally swallowed. 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.īones are often given to dogs by owners who think chewing on bones is natural for dogs. Also if pieces of wood are swallowed, it can cause intestinal blockage.ĭogs often utilize rocks as a play object when they’re bored. Wood splinters easily when chewed on and shards can jam into the dog’s mouth causing an infection. The danger though is that the dog begins to use sticks as toys and many dogs will begin chewing on the stick. Many dog owners utilize sticks as a fetching toy when outside on walks and at the park. Ice is even more dangerous for small dogs, as chewing on a piece of ice can fracture a tooth. But chewing on ice wears down tooth enamel (the protective cover for teeth). Many dogs come running to the sound of the refrigerator ice machine hoping to snag a fallen icy treat. The following items may seem innocent, but they should not be provided (or available) to your dog for chewing:
![chewing on plastic bottle caps chewing on plastic bottle caps](https://softwareaccountant.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fonts-in-word-3.gif)
All of which can result in a large vet bill. But chewing the wrong objects can be harmful and result in a fractured tooth, lacerated gum, constipation or blockage of the intestinal tract. Chewing also seems to provide a satisfying activity for dogs that calms them and helps in relieving boredom. It helps keep their teeth clean and gums healthy.