A woman called me the other day, frantic that her six month old Labrador puppy, Max, was choking. I asked her if Max could have gotten into anything. She said Max had been eating a rawhide bone a short while earlier. I told her to check in the pup’s mouth, and I heard her shout, “Oh, my gosh!” She was able to get her hand down the dog’s mouth and hook her finger behind a large piece of rawhide wedged in there. Luckily, she was able to dislodge it. This woman and Max were both very fortunate. What if that had happened while Max was left alone?

Dog’s get into all sorts of stuff they shouldn’t, but quite often they are given things they shouldn’t have. Like every good dog owner, you want to make your dog happy, but how do you discern which toys and treats are safe? Some owners give their dogs just about anything under the sun—from worn out shoes and socks to steak and chicken bones left over from dinner. Others may pick out any toy that looks cute. Both groups unknowingly put their dogs at risk for choking, intestinal obstructions, or stomach and pancreatic infections, any of which may cause death.

Stuffed toys, socks, towels, in fact, anything that can be torn apart, can potentially be swallowed and cause problems. I’ve seen dogs swallow socks whole and need them surgically removed.

What about rawhides, pig ears, or Nylabones? Rawhides are usually well-tolerated, but they may cause stomach upset, or become a choking hazard as mentioned earlier. It is best to observe your pooch if you give him or her one. Pig ears are trouble. Though dogs seem to love them, I’ve seen far too many dogs become very ill after eating them. Nylabones can also be dangerous. Made from nylon, these knobby bones are supposed to stand up to chewing, but if a dog bites off a large enough piece, this indigestible material could spell danger.

What should you leave with your dog to keep him or her occupied while you are gone? Provide only sturdy toys that won’t shred, break up or be swallowed whole. When it comes to dog toys, one size does not fit all.

‘Til next time,

Dr. Steve

p.s. Marrow bones are good, but make sure to boil them for 3-5 minutes to kill off any potentially dangerous bacteria

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