Choosing appropriate dental toys and treats can help reduce plaque buildup and support oral health. However, not all chew items are safe. Some popular products can cause broken teeth or gastrointestinal injury.
What to Look For
- Veterinary-approved products
- VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval
- Flexible or slightly compressible texture
- Size appropriate for your dog
- Designed specifically for dental health
Recommended Options
- VOHC-approved dental chews
- Rubber dental toys (flexible, not rock-hard)
- Food-stuffed rubber toys
- Veterinary dental diets (when recommended)
- Dental wipes or brushing in combination with chews
**Dental chews work best when used consistently. For adult dogs with full permanent teeth, a nightly veterinary-approved dental chew may help support plaque control.
Use Caution With
- Very hard nylon bones
- Compressed rawhide products
- Large, dense chew blocks
- Hard plastic toys
- Toys that cannot be slightly indented with your thumbnail
Avoid These High-Risk Items
- Antlers
- Real animal bones (cooked or raw)
- Hooves
- Hard yak cheese chews
- Ice cubes for aggressive chewers
- Objects harder than your dog’s teeth
These items commonly cause fractured teeth, which often require surgical extraction.
Safety Tips
- Supervise chewing sessions
- Discard worn or broken toys
- Choose size-appropriate products
- Rotate toys to prevent overuse of one item
- Schedule regular dental evaluations
Dental chews and toys support oral health but do not replace daily brushing. If you are unsure whether a product is safe, bring it to your visit and we will be happy to review it with you.
