Dogs love to chew. Not only is it fun for them, it also helps keep their teeth clean and their jaws strong. For puppies that are teething, chewing may help their gums feel better. But which chew toys and treats are safe for your dog? Here’s a guide to choosing the right chew toy.

What Type of Chewer is Your Dog?

Watch your dog the first few times they play with a new toy to make sure it’s right for how they chew. See if your dog falls into one of the categories below.

• The Shredder
  Put a toy in front of them and they tear it apart. They might even attempt to eat the pieces.
• The Inhaler
  These dogs are like vacuums. Now you see the toy, now you don’t because they swallow it (which is bad!).
• The Lover
  These dogs savor their toys and don't destroy them. They may carry them around and chew them often, but don't destroy or consume them.

Safe Chew Toys for Dogs

When buying treats and toys, if you can’t indent it with your thumbnail or it's not at all pliable, it’s probably too hard and may crack or wear down your dog’s teeth. The following toys are typically safe for dogs.

• Firm Rubber Toys
  The hollow ones (which are great for holding treats) usually work well for all types of chewers. Just choose the size that matches your dog’s mouth.
• Rope Toys
  If your dog is a Shredder, make sure they aren’t pulling out the strings and swallowing them. Otherwise, these are considered safe.
• Durable Stuffed Toys
  These usually aren’t tough enough for a Shredder. An Inhaler is at risk of eating these if they are small enough or if pieces come off. Even with Lovers, avoid stuffed toys with parts that could easily come off, like eyes, bells, or ribbons.
• Tennis Balls
  These are okay for most chewers but keep an extra-close eye on Shredders and even large Inhalers who might destroy and swallow pieces of the tennis ball. Over-chewing of the ball fuzz can wear down their teeth, too.

Dog Chew Toys to Avoid

Treats like rawhides, pig’s ears, and bully sticks have been known to cause tummy troubles and even become stuck in the throat or intestines, causing a life threatening medical emergency. They can also be high in calories. Inhalers should steer clear of these treats in particular. The flavored coatings on some of these treats can also make a big mess on your floors and furniture.

Anything harder than your dog’s teeth can crack or break a tooth, which hurts your dog and your wallet. A cracked or worn tooth can also be hard for owners to notice and over time can lead to tooth and jaw infections. Therefore, you should avoid:

• Bones
• Cow hooves
• Deer and elk antlers
• Chew toys made of hard plastic or nylon

Dog chew toys should provide stimulation for your dog's mind and keep them engaged. While it might be tempting to get hard chew toys that last, it's best to opt for safe chew toys for dogs that aren't too hard and they're able to destroy over time.