truthaboutpetfood

Thanks to one of my wonderful newsletter subscribers, the following is a true story regarding a dangerous dog toy.  Please click on the link and read the story…

http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/

The terrible accident that happened with this toy concerns me a great deal.  It could happen to any dog with probably numerous brands of toys.  Please check every toy you have around the house to see if it is similar in design as the toy described in the story.  My suggestion is for you to discard these toys immediately. 

The design concern is that unlike typical squeak toys – there is an open hole in the dog toy.  When the toy is chewed on - it creates a vacuum and as in this case the dogs tongue can be (was) sucked inside the toy.  A dogs jaw is very powerful and although you might think the toy is strong enough not to be chewed enough to create suction – it can happen easier than you think.  I’ve seen this type of toy design many different times and my guess is that this story is one of many similar stories. 

Check to see if any of your dog’s toys could cause a similar injury.  Also be very cautious of toys that can be easily pulled apart or torn up.  I can’t count the number of stories I’ve heard of pets swallowing large enough pieces of toys or chews that could not be passed.  An obstruction in the intestinal system could cost your friend’s life.  Another reason to also monitor what they leave you in the back yard!  Cats can get into similar problems by chewing on and eating ribbon or string (or similar) that can cause an obstruction. 

Other dog toy concerns…

I have learned over the years that rawhide dog chews do not break down in the stomach and/or intestines as well as pork hide chews. Rawhide is not as digestible as pork hide.  Dogs will tend to chew on the rawhide until it becomes soft and can swallow a piece much larger than can easily be passed.  Since rawhide is more difficult to digest, it could cause an obstruction.  There is never a guarantee that an accident won’t happen but, should your dog swallow a large piece of pork hide, the chances are better that the chew will be digested if it is pork hide versus rawhide.  They can look exactly the same so be careful – read the label closely. 

Better safe than sorry - always monitor your pet chewing on toys or anything!

Thank you Misty for sharing this story.