Can a Nylabone cause a blockage

Are Nylabones safe for dogs? We asked a vet everything you need to know

If youre wondering, Are Nylabones safe for dogs?, youre not alone. These plastic-flavored toys can cause a bit of confusion so weve called in an expert to clear some things up.

Many doggie parents have wandered round the pet store with opposing opinions on whether or not theyre safe for dogs to get their teeth on. After causing a bit of mystery as to what exactly they are on the face of it, Nylabones seem a brilliant idea. A great chewing toy that looks like a bone, tastes great, is more hardy and tougher than some other toys, and is likely to be enjoyed just as much as the longest lasting dog chews.

However, despite appearing as a no-brainer and being relatively popular, why are some people sitting on the fence about them or not considering offering these to their dogs at all?

The confusion over whether they are a real bone or not and the associated dangers of feeding dogs real bones is one cause an explanation. Many people mistakenly think Nylabones are to be ingested, which they are not. They are meant for chewing not swallowing. If you're looking for treats that are safe and fully edible on the other hand try some of the best dog treats.

On the positive side, Nylabones are a tasty toy and chew for your dog to devour gnawing on and will last a decent amount of time. For most dogs, a Nylabone will keep them occupied and happy but as they are made from plastic there is a risk of part of the plastic bone fracturing off. This rogue piece of plastic could then splinter your dog's internal tissues should they swallow the said part, which, although it may not happen often, can occur.

We did some further digging to establish a better answer to your question are Nylabones safe? or should you opt for an alternative chew or distraction method? With help from an experienced vet, youll find everything you need to know about Nylabones in our informative article below.

What is a Nylabone?

You'd be forgiven for thinking that a Nylabone is an edible bone. After all, the word 'bone' is baked right on into the name, plus, they come coated in flavoring, what could be more suitable for consumption than that?

Nylabone is a very unfortunate choice of name because it's actually a toy and not a food product. Created in the 1950s, Nylabones are made from a form of plastic called Nylon and then coated in delicious flavors, such as peanut butter, chicken or bacon to give them their delicious taste.

The whole purpose of creating the Nylabone was to create a toy for aggressive chewers that would help teach them appropriate chewing behavior. By coating the toy in flavors that dogs naturally find appealing, the idea is that your dog will go for their new toy rather than your clothing or furniture.

Separation anxiety in dogs is also quite a common issue, so some pet parents find that using Nylabones is a great way of soothing their hound when theyre home alone. As a non-edible chew, Nylabones come in a range of shapes, sizes, and flavors, and include rings that can be given to teething puppies.

Are Nylabones dangerous?

Speaking to Dr Jo Woodnutt a qualified vet, she says, The jury is out on this! Whether Nylabones are safe for dogs or not will depend a lot on your dog and their style of chewing. If your dog likes to eat things and has a powerful jaw, its possible theyll swallow bits of Nylabone.

She adds, While the plastic is not in itself dangerous, if enough is swallowed it could cause a blockage (intestinal obstruction), which would require emergency surgery to remove. On the other hand, if your dog is a gentle chewer and prefers to rip things up rather than eat them, Nylabones may be safe.

If youre wanting to get your dog a Nylabone (and plenty of pet parents do!), then the most important thing is to use your common sense. Just like with any of the best dog toys, we recommend you inspect your dog's Nylabone regularly, looking for any signs of cracks and splinters. When it starts to look really worn, is close to breaking, or has started to break, replace it with a new one.

A great way to avoid mistaking a Nylabone for an edible item is to carefully check what the product is made from before you buy it. Online retailers, such as Amazon, clearly list 'nylon' or 'plastic' in the material section of the product description, so taking a look at this will help prevent confusion.

You'll notice there are a lot of Nylabones on the market, so it's worth thinking through what you're primary purpose is for purchasing this toy. For example, some are great for teething puppies while others will do a brilliant job of keeping your canine companion's pearly whites in tip-top condition. Make sure you select the right Nylabone for your dogs size, age, and needs.

Joanna Woodnutt

Dr Joanna Woodnutt specializes inhelping clients understand their pets better.After graduating as a veterinarian from the University of Nottingham, Dr Woodnutt went on to practice companion animal medicine in the Midlands. She soon developed a love of consulting and helping clients with medical problems such as dermatology, behavior, and nutrition.

Heres what the team at Nylabone have to say about picking out one of their products:

It is important to select the appropriate chew toy type, size, and formulation based on your dog's age, breed, chewing style, and weight. The pressure exerted by a strong chewer's jaw is considerable, and when directed straight down can put tremendous (as much as 450 psi) stress on the dog's teeth. It is therefore recommended that nonedible chew toys be large enough to encourage chewing from the side rather than the top and bottom. If you have more than one dog in your household, select chew toys that are appropriate for your largest, strongest chewer.

Any dog thats been given a Nylabone should be supervised when using it. While the Nylabone has been constructed to make sure large chunks cant be broken off, nothing is ever 100% safe and if your dog does snap off and swallow a large piece, theyll need to be taken to the vet immediately.

Nylabone safety tips

1) Conduct regular checks: Its a good idea to have a look at your dogs Nylabone after each use. While that may sound like were being pedantic, regularly inspecting the chew toy will let you quickly catch if any pieces have been broken off. Youll also be able to spot when the Nylabone is starting to wear down, and needs replacing.

2) Supervision: Never leave your dog alone when theyre playing with their Nylabone. It can be frustrating when youve finally got some peace to have to keep watching them, but if a piece breaks off youll be able to move it out of their way so that it doesnt present a choking hazard.

3) Proper storage: Being made of plastic, the Nylabone will be affected by the heat if its left out in the sun. When plastic melts, it releases toxic chemicals, so always store this toy away when not in use, preferably out of reach of your dog.

A final word on Nylabones

So there you have it, everything you need to know about Nylabones! Remember, non-edible Nylabones are no more dangerous than other chew toys when used under the proper supervision, but they are most definitely not to be ingested.

If youre feeling concerned about getting your dog a Nylabone, but still need a toy that will hold up to an aggressive chewer, why not check out our guide on how to use Kong toys?

Were huge fans of these hollow rubber toys, and they can be smeared with peanut butter, yogurt, canned pumpkin, or dog food, for a delicious mentally and physically stimulating treat.

Nylabone Warning: Are Nylabones Safe For Dogs?

I was rushing my dog to the emergency veterinarian. All I knew is that she had ingested part of her Nylabone chew toy. I just wanted her to feel better. Was it as simple as letting it pass through her? Did she need medication? Surgery? I had no idea what was in store for us.

This has not actually happened to me, but many pet owners have. These accidents are creating concern about these toys, prompting pet owners to ask a lot more questions. You may also be wondering the same thing. Are Nylabones safe for dogs? When should you throw them away? What happens if they chew some of it off? Well answer these questions and tell you about some of the Nylabone warnings that you should be aware of.

Nylabone Non-Edible Chew Disclaimer

Before diving in too deep on this subject, lets read the disclaimer that Nylabone had a few years back about their non-edible chews.

NON-EDIBLE CHEW PRODUCTS are made with plastic, rubber, or nylon. They are NOT intended for consumption. During normal chewing, tiny bristle-like projections are raised that help clean teeth. If these tiny pieces (no larger than a small grain of rice) are ingested, they should pass through. A dog should not be able to break off larger pieces of any Nylabone Non-Edible Chew.

They also state that it is important to read the warnings for any toy or chew that you purchase for your dog so that you are aware of the potential hazards. And they advise if you think that your dog swallowed a large piece of a Non-Edible Chew, to take the chew away and contact your veterinarian for advice.

Find the best indestructible toy for your dog

Can Dogs Eat Nylabones?

Technically they can, but they shouldnt. Nylabones are non-edible so they are not intended to be ingested.

Nylabone Safety Tips

Follow these three pillars of safety when using a non-edible Nylabone chew or any dog toy.

Vigilance

Always keep an eye on the quality of the toy to make sure all parts are intact and small pieces arent breaking off during play sessions. You should check the toy before, during, and after each playtime. If it appears to be breaking down significantly or the ends have reduced in size significantly, you should consider taking it away and giving your dog a new toy to enjoy.

Supervision

Just like you would not leave a small child to play on its own, you should not leave your dog alone during playtime either. If a piece breaks off and presents a choking hazard, you will want to be on hand to take it away and redirect your dogs curious energy.

Proper Care

Since this product is made of nylon (essentially food-safe plastic), you will not want to subject it to harsh heat, chemicals, or other abuse. Keeping it intact and safe means maintaining a healthy storage location. Its probably also best to keep these toys for inside play.

Find a safe Nylabone for your dog

Help! My Dog Ate Part Of A Nylabone! What Do I Do?

If your dog has eaten a large piece of Nylabone, you need to go to the vet immediately! The components of these bones are challenging for your dog to digest and can cause many problems, not only to your pups health but also to your bank account. Its critical to watch your dog and check his toys each time before giving them to him to make sure the toys are still in good condition and that there arent any pieces missing.

If your dog swallows a large portion of Nylabone or other chew toys, go to your vets office immediately for an exam. He may have to get an x-ray, stay overnight, undergo expensive emergency surgery, or worse.

For the extreme case, where playtime turns into an accident, you will want to be prepared with pet insurance to avoid paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars in vet bills. This way, you can focus your attention on helping your dog instead of worrying about how you are going to pay for everything.

Are Nylabones Safe For Dogs?

If used as instructed, they should be. But, there are many things youll want to know about Nylabone safety before purchasing one. If you keep in mind these simple safety checks, then your dog should be able to enjoy these chew toys safely.

What Size Of Nylabone Should I Get?

Nylabones come in different sizes, so make sure you are purchasing the correct size for your pup. You dont want to get a Nylabone made for a puppy and give it to your 90-pound Labrador Retriever. Shell have that thing torn up so fast that youll be on your way to the vet immediately!

When Should I Replace My Dogs Nylabone?

If you are wondering when to throw away Nylabones, you should replace your dogs non-edible Nylabone chew when the knuckle ends wear down or if it becomes too small to chew safely (if it is so small that your pup could swallow it, throw it out).

Frequently inspect any chew before giving it to your dog to make sure its whole and intact, with no missing pieces. Replace a Nylabone when knuckle ends are worn down, or if it becomes too small to chew safely. Nylabone Chews and Toys should not be boiled or placed in a dishwasher, washing machine, convection, or microwave oven.

Can Puppies Have Nylabone Edible Chews?

Nylabone edible chews are best for dogs with permanent teeth (not young puppies). We recommend you talk to your veterinarian before giving a new type of chew toy or treat.

What Is Your Dogs Chewing Strength And Style?

There are also different types of Nylabones available for different chewing strengths and styles. So make sure you know your pup and what style you should get. You can always address your concerns with your vet and see what they think is best.

Choosing The Right Nylabone

This video can help you learn more about Nylabone and which type is best for your pup.

Seeking an alternative? Read our reviews of chew toys for power chewers. If you have a heavy chewer in your house, we encourage you to check out our heavy chewer dog subscription box reviews.

Tagged With: Digestion, Emergency