My Dog Ate A Nylabone: What Should I Do Now?

Nylabone chew toys are a subject of debate among dog owners because they are a good tool for your dog’s dental health, but can also represent a potential danger if you don’t follow the safety guidelines.

If your dog swallowed a Nylabone you should immediately visit your veterinary.

In the worst-case scenario, an emergency surgery might be necessary to get the toy out of your dog’s system before it causes irreparable damage.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate a Nylabone?

Dog chewing nylabone

As the name suggests, Nylabones are usually made of nylon, which is a synthetic material made through a chemical process that involves coal, air, and water.

Other Nylabones can be also made from plastic or rubber, which of course doesn’t make them any safer to eat for your pet.

Their main purpose is to help dogs overcome issues like anxiety, channel their destructive behavior, and of course, to help them keep their teeth in good health.

Because of this, it’s common to give Nylabones not only to adult dogs but to puppies as well, especially during their teething period.

If your dog or your puppy ate a Nylabone you need to bring them to the nearest clinic for a check-up.

Big pieces of Nylabone can hardly pass through their gastrointestinal apparatus and therefore are hard to expel through the stools.

Side Effects of Eating a Nylabone

If they get stuck, they could cause suffocation or dangerous clogs inside your dog’s stomach or intestines. The small intestine is especially at risk in this case.

Plastic and rubber don’t get digested by the strong acids in your dog’s stomach and not to mention if the toy got in contact with anything dirty it could also cause a bacterial infection.

Your veterinary will be able to assess the situation and decide the proper course of action to take care of the Nylabone and restore your pooch good health.

In some cases, this might mean proceeding through surgical procedures to remove the object from the body.

Are Nylabones Safe for Dogs?

Bulldog chewing bone

Nylabones are made specifically to answer some of your dog’s needs.

They’re supposed to help them clean and floss their teeth and gums, and to strengthen their jaw.

There are also edible Nylabones that are completely safe for your dog to eat and are no different from a normal treat but should not become part of their daily diet.

All Nylabonees are designed and produced considering dog’s safety as the most important aspect, but given that the primary purpose of non-edible Nylabones is that of flossing, some grain-like pieces may rise to help clean their teeth and consequently be swallowed by your dog.

However, they are so small that they will most probably be digested and expelled with no problem.

Bigger pieces of Nylabones are actually not supposed to break off under your dog’s chewing and if that happens it means you didn’t choose the right type of chew toy for your dog.

Are non-edible Nylabones Dangerous?

No, but accidents can happen.

Taking care of a dog is like taking care of a small child and this means that even when something is supposed to be safe for them, there are always precautions to take in order to prevent them from getting hurt.

Safety Tips When Giving Nylabones to Your Dog

If used properly, Nylabones are toys that will make your life as a pet owner much easier and will make your dog happy.

In fact, a dog eating Nylabone is a dog that doesn’t chew on furniture, shoes, or other precious items in your home.

Nylabones can serve as a tool to teach them boundaries for their gnawing habits and will prevent mouth diseases by keeping their teeth and gums healthy.

However, not all Nylabones are meant for your dog and their safety starts from the choice of the chew toy to purchase.

List of safety tips to follow

Here are some tips to keep in mind when giving your dog Nylabones:

Choose the right size

You’ll need to take into consideration the size of your dog before buying a Nylabone.

You can’t give a puppy-sized toy to an adult dog, because the smaller the toy the higher the risk of your dog swallowing it by mistake.

At the same time, a toy that is too big for your dog’s mouth could cause them to strain and even damage their jaw.

The toy should allow your dog to move its mouth as usual, with a proper vertical movement.

Consider jaw strength

A big size dog doesn’t necessarily have a strong jaw. It’s up to you to know what kind of chewer your dog is.

If your dog is a strong chewer, the jaw could be forced to work under a lot of pressure that will stress the teeth if your dog chews in the usual vertical movement.

In this case, buying a bigger toy and encourage your dog to chew it from the side could prevent them from straining their jaw.

If you’re not sure about the jaw strength of your dog, you should ask your veterinarian for advice.

Remember chewing habits

Is your dog the type to shred a whole pillow to pieces within seconds? Or a single stick can keep them entertained for several days?

You should take into consideration your dog’s chewing habits when choosing their toys.

A chew toy with a stronger texture might be ideal for pups with destructive habits.

The size plays a role in this case as well: choosing a too-small toy for a strong chewer may mean that the toy won’t last a single day.

Avoid bacteria

A chew toy is by definition something that will end up in your dog’s mouth and even if it’s not edible, it’s important to keep it clean and away from anything and any place that could present bacteria.

In fact, your dog should have their playtime with toys at home and in a safe space, possibly with some kind of mat underneath so that they don’t risk dirtying the toy and at the same time making it easier for you to clean up afterward if there’s need for it.

Take proper care

You should clean the Nylabone regularly, but avoid using chemical products or soaps. Simply cleaning it with a soft brush and warm water will be enough.

And keep them away from heat sources: these toys are made from plastic and rubber and will start to melt or break apart if left near something hot.

That will make it easier for your dog to swallow big chunks, so it must be absolutely avoided.

Replace frequently

Chew toys aren’t forever and depending on your dog’s habits, they may need to be replaced often.

The older the Nylabone gets, the higher the risk of your dog swallowing pieces of it by mistake.

You should keep an eye on their toys and when you see that the knuckles are starting to wear down, it means it’s time for a new toy.

Usually, Nylabones also come in different flavors that are attractive to your dogs, like beef or chicken.

However, as they get old they will probably start to lose their flavor and therefore their attractiveness, and your dog might indulge in old habits like chewing on your slippers.

That’s also why it’s important to replace these toys as necessary.

Always supervise

As mentioned before, dogs are just like little kids.

As you would not leave your child alone at any time of the day, not even during their playtime, you should not leave your puppy unsupervised with their chew toys.

Keeping an eye on them will give you insight into what kind of chewer your dog is and if the toy you provided is the right one for them.

If you see them struggling to chew or you see the toy breaking apart, you should immediately take it away from them before they get hurt.

Furthermore, if anything happens to them while they’re playing with the Nylabone, you can intervene promptly.

Can Dogs Eat Nylabones?

Boxer dog

Nylabones are chew toys that aren’t meant to be eaten.

There are edible Nylabones on the market, but most of them will be non-edible and even though they might taste like food, your dog shouldn’t be allowed to eat them.

If a dog eats a Nylabone, the toy can cause great damage to their intestines or even put their life at risk.

Smaller parts like those that end up between your dog’s teeth for flossing may not cause big troubles if swallowed, but if your dog manages to break apart a big chunk of the toy, expensive surgery might be required.

It’s important to supervise your dog’s playtime with these toys and to get in contact with your veterinary as soon as possible if something goes wrong.

Given the seldom but nonetheless present risks related to Nylabones, it would be a good idea to consult your vet before buying one of these products for your dog or puppy.

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