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Why does my dog chew and eat toys, then vomit them? How to stop it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 9 years and 10 months old

Whenever we give my dog a toy or ball he always chews it into peices then swilled it then vomits it. We have tried lot of toys. Why does he do that?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 13th, 2017

Hello, and thank you for using PetCoach. This is normal behavior for many dogs - some dogs enjoy chewing and swallowing their toys, which is unsafe and so with those dogs we need to be careful of the types of toys they get, and only let them play with toys when they're supervised. If Buddy continues doing this, he runs the risk of getting a GI obstruction, if he ever swallows a piece that he can't vomit back up and can't pass through in his stool. In the most serious cases, we have to do surgery to remove objects that get stuck in their GI tract! Kong toys tend to be some of the most durable for these dogs - make sure you get toys that are big and tough enough that Buddy can't chew it into pieces, and only let him play while supervised. Here's a good durable one:
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/extreme-kong-dog-toy

Otherwise, Buddy might just be a dog who can't play with nondigestible toys, and you might need to stick with toys that are meant to be chewed up and swallowed, such as dental chews. Good luck, hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Steve Popish, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 25th, 2017
Lucky is a chewer for sure. Chewing can be helpful to prevent dental tartar and normally is not a problem unless your dog swallows pieces that could cause an obstruction of the intestines. My recommendation would be to find a small number of specific toys or chews that cannot be destroyed such as greenies or rawhides that promote dental tartar prevention but are ok if they swallow small pieces. My dog likes Greenies and chews and likes the taste as well as digested them completely, You may want to check with your local veterinarian as well to see what they recommend for chewing. Toys that contain stuffing or plastic can be a problem if swallowed, so be very selective. Limit the number of toys to just those that are safe and Lucky will of fine. Good luck. Steve Popish, DVM
9Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 22nd, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend using toys such as Kong or toys that are more difficult to destroy so that you do not have to worry about this problem. The kong toys are nearly indestructible. If he continues to chew and destroy the kong toys even, I would recommend against giving him any toys that he can easily destroy and give him digestible bones instead to help prevent a foreign body obstruction with non-digestible material. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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