What Can Dogs Chew On?

Dogs need to chew – after all, it is part of being a dog. Puppies especially explore everything with their mouths, but all dogs need to exercise their jaws and teeth, and if you don’t provide plenty of safe things for your dog to gnaw and chew, they are far more likely to chew things that you don’t want them to!

Carry on reading to find out what dogs can chew and what’s not safe.
 

What isn’t safe for my dog to chew?

Can dogs chew sticks?

Throwing sticks in the park might be the image many people have of a good dog walk, but did you know that vets have advised that it definitely not a good idea? This is because dogs can get splinters or wood fragments stuck in their mouth, gums or throat from carrying a stick – plus sticks can also get stuck in soft ground when you throw them, causing an over - enthusiastic dog to risk getting impaled or injure themselves on them.

If your dog does begin to pick up and carry sticks don’t worry too much, as, most of the time they won’t injure themselves. Instead however encourage them to carry something else by taking a safe toy out with you when you go for walks for them to chase and play with. Look for washable ones and if your dog is a bit of a water baby, ones that float so you won’t have to fish them out of muddy puddles! Think of it as a great opportunity to choose some new toys for your dog! Do check your dog’s mouth and gums if they have been playing with sticks.

Can dogs chew stones?

Some dogs enjoy playing with small stones that they find whilst out on walks and in the garden and some will put those in their mouth. However, if your dog chews on them frequently, it will wear down the enamel on their teeth. Enamel is the protective layer of the teeth and if it’s worn down too much, your dog may experience pain and discomfort when eating. In additions, if swallowed, stones can cause blockages. That’s why it is important to encourage your dog to chew safer items such as dog toys, instead of stones from the garden.

Should dogs chew plastic?

Although the majority of plastic can look soft, if it splits it can often become sharp. This means if your dog tends to chew toys such as Frisbees or plastic objects found around the house, they could inadvertently hurt themselves. We recommend keeping plastic out of a dog’s reach, along with checking toys such as Frisbees regularly for splits and cracks – and not leaving your dog on their own with them. If a plastic toy is beginning to crack, it’s time to throw it away and get a new one. It’s far better to get rubber toys that can be gnawed rather than plastic ones that can splinter and crack.

Can dogs have bones?

Many dog owners like to treat their pup to a real bone to chew on every now and again. Whilst these bones do make for a tasty treat, they can sometimes become harmful. This is because the bones can split and fragment, hurting your dog, and small parts may be swallowed which can cause intestinal discomfort or even serious blockages. Never give your dog cooked bones as these become brittle and will splinter when chewed.

We recommend you watch your dog when chewing on a bone to make sure this doesn’t happen. It may also be worth limiting the amount of time they have with the bone. Better yet, if possible, you could purchase a synthetic rubber bone made for dogs to chew and gnaw on. These bones are much safer and are designed for pets to use, making them a safe and tasty treat for your dog to enjoy.

Can dogs chew corn on the cob?

If someone asked you to name items you shouldn’t let your dog chew on, you probably wouldn’t say corn on the cob. However, corn cobs are best kept out of the way as they can be chewed into small pieces and swallowed. As well as potentially scratching your dog’s mouth, pieces of corn on the cob can be too big to fit through the intestines of smaller breeds. If your dog likes scavenging food (and many dogs do!) then make sure they can’t grab a corn on the cob from the dinner table, kitchen or bin.

What can I give my dog to chew on that is safe?

It’s important to ensure that your dog only chews on things that are safe. The good news is that there are loads of things they can chew on happily and safely to keep them satisfied. Next time you’re in your local pet store why not take a look down the isles for special chew toys that are completely safe? These items are generally made of rubber and are impossible to splinter. Power chewers can start to break off fragments of rubber however – and if that is starting to happen to any of your dog’s chew toys, take them away and replace with new ones.

If you want to treat your dog to a tasty chew treat, try a specific dog chew such as Purina Dentalife Sticks – they can also help keep their teeth clean at the same time.
It’s not always apparent that there are lots of items that, if picked up, can cause your dog trouble. However, with the proper training, knowledge and vigilance you should easily be able to keep on top of what’s in your dog’s chops.

Teaching a dog to drop

If your dog does happen to pick up something up it shouldn’t have, a great lifeskills is teaching them to drop it. One technique is to ask your dog to trade one item for a more desirable one. Use the command ‘drop’ (or something similar) while you swap items. Doing this repeatedly should teach your dog to drop things on cue. This skill can then be used when your dog has something in their mouth that they shouldn’t.

For more dog health advice, read our guide to gastroenteritis in dogs, next.