My dog chews hard. Are lacrosse balls safe? What if she breaks it?

Hi there, Ingestion tennis ball pieces could certainly cause a problem. This behavior unfortunately isn't likely to change. I would try switching to the KONG balls. They are like tennis balls but she won't be able to destroy them, and that will keep her safe. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Pet Coach!

No, it is not safe! The pieces can cause a blockage in the intestinal tact. You might try something harder, such as a Nylabone, if your dog is an overly-enthusiastic chewer. Another possibility is to have the dogs chew only when you are present--so you can monitor the toys frequently for any signs of pieces coming loose.

You are correct that antlers and nylon bones will break teeth, but they can also cause obstructions and/or perforations in the GI tract. I recommend a Kong toy. Those are very tough chew toys that are hard to dogs to destroy. You can also fill them with treats. I'd recommend, as an occasional treat, filling it with peanut butter and freezing it overnight in the freezer. That will keep her occupied for a while.

Hello, actually wood is not the best for your dog. This can lead to splinters and foreign objects that I've seen end up in tracheas, esophagus, stomach, lungs, free floating in the chest or abdomen, or causing major injury to the oral cavity (teeth and gums). If you are going to give Donut a chew toy, I would recommend a Kong toy. You can find these online or at your local pet store. These are better for their teeth and durable. Hope this helps and best of luck.

The nylabone is generally safe to play with and is difficult to chew, so the little bits that could get ingested are not toxic or enough to cause problems. If a bigger piece was somehow ingested, then this would be a problem. Veterinary dentists warn that nylabones are too hard and can lead to tooth fractures, so it's not commonly recommended anymore. The recommendation is to not get chews that are hard enough that they would hurt if you were hit in the kneecap with it. Kongs are usually a safe choice. Here is a link to some more helpful information about nylabones: https://www.caninejournal.com/nylabone-warning/ I hope that helps and all is well with Wolverine.

These tiny pieces should pass through without an issues. It is when larger pieces break off and are ingested that there is cause for concern. Always monitor your dog when he is chewing. Replace the NylaBone if it breaks into several parts or if he can fit the entire bone into his mouth.

Hi there. Yes, I would definitely recommend giving Lirril some things to chew on. It's normal for puppies and adolescents to be very mouthy and want to chew constantly at this age. I normally recommend things like all-natural sturdy rawhide chews, bully sticks, and puzzle toys such as a frozen Kong stuffed with peanut butter. These do not cause cancer, and are generally safe for dogs to chew on.