Dental chews (and chew toys) for dogs are a great addition to an oral home care routine. However, choosing the right dental chew for your canine companion can be daunting, as there are many choices, and unfortunately, many of them may lead to broken teeth instead of benefiting oral health.
Oral play and chewing are important, and chewing can be a source of happiness for most dogs. When deciding on a chew object, it’s important to understand if the chew will be beneficial or cause tooth trauma. Being aware of the tooth anatomy and design of the toy can help in providing tooth-friendly chews.
Dentition Anatomy
Did you know that adult dogs have 42 teeth? Did you also know that dogs have less enamel than we do? Dogs actually have 5-10 times LESS enamel than humans due to their diet and method of eating. Most teeth in the canine mouth are conical in shape for ripping and gnawing. As a comparison, most human teeth have a flat occlusal surface for prolonged chewing due to omnivore eating habits.
Chew Toys
Many oral toys and chews in pet and grocery stores are very hard and, unfortunately, can break teeth. A rule of thumb is that if you believe the product would break your teeth, it can hurt your dog’s teeth. Common chew toys that lead to tooth trauma include bones, antlers, Nyla bones, marrow bones, frozen meat, bully sticks, ice, and rawhides, among others.
The incidence of tooth trauma can also depend on the aggressiveness of chewing behavior, as some dogs chew more enthusiastically than others. Dogs that chew with greater force or enthusiasm will be more likely to suffer tooth trauma.
How Do You Choose a Chew Toy?
Objects with some flexibility are recommended. Rubber and cloth products cause minimal tooth trauma and are generally safe for teeth. All chew objects should be provided under direct supervision.
Here are a couple of guidelines that can be helpful:
- If you can create an indentation in the chew object with a fingernail, it is most likely safe.
- If you do not want the toy thrown at your knee, it is not safe for teeth.
Recommendations for Dental Chews for Dogs that Benefit Oral Health:
- Virbac Veggiedent chews
- Canine Greenies
- Milk-bone dental brushing chews
- Purina Dentalife daily oral care dog treats
- Pedigree Dentastix
- Tartar Shield soft rawhide chews
- Blue Buffalo dental chews
- Whole foods: Carrots and green beans are great natural options.
See the Veterinary Oral Health Council website for a more detailed list of accepted products.
Recommendations for Chew Toys
- Woof popsicle
- Kong toys
- Select Playology toys
- West Paw dog toys—made here in Bozeman!
- Tuffy dog toys
Compassionate Pet Dental Care in Bozeman
Chewing is a natural and beneficial behavior that is important to foster in order to promote tooth health and avoid dental trauma. If a tooth is inadvertently fractured, then it should be addressed to avoid pain and secondary infection. Treatment options for fractured teeth depend upon the severity of the trauma.
If the tooth fracture involves exposure to the pulp cavity, the two primary treatment options are root canal therapy and extraction therapy. If the tooth fracture does not affect the pulp cavity, then an odontoplasty and bonded sealant procedure is often recommended. The latter consists of smoothing the fracture site and applying a dental resin to protect the underlying tooth structure from sensitivity and infection.
At Montana Pet Dentistry & Oral Surgery, we want to set your canine companion up for optimal oral health. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with questions about dental chews, chew toys, or oral care in general.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (05/08/2025) Photo by James Lacy on Unsplash