I’m an expert vet – four dog toys you should NEVER own… they’ll cost you £1,000s & will KILL your pup
A VET expert has revealed FOUR dog toys you should never buy – they’ll cost you £1,000s and could kill your pup.
These items may seem appealing to pet owners, but they can be deadly – don’t be caught out.
BONES
Marrow bones are perhaps one of the first things that come to mind when picturing a dog toy.
These long lasting chewy treats are cheap and can be picked up easily.
However, it is important to do one crucial thing before giving it to your pooch, say experts at River Road Veterinary Clinic.
Make sure to remove the fatty marrow in the centre of the bone, as this substance can cause pancreatitis in some dogs.
They should also be given to your pup raw as cooking bones and cause them to splinter when they’re gnawed on.
The third rule of thumb when buying this teeth cleaning snack – always pick one longer than the dog’s snout.
This will prevent the bone becoming lodged behind their lower teeth – which often requires surgical intervention.
RUBBER BALLS
The experts also warned against giving your canine companion rubber balls.
Other than becoming a choking hazard, these toys can get stuck on a dog’s mouth if there is only one hole.
With a single hole there is no where for pressure to be released, and if it stays attached for a long time, this could cause irreversible tissue damage.
Another vet told of the time he had to perform life-saving surgery on an 11-month-old pup after he popped two rubber balls and swallowed them.
SMALL OR BROKEN TOYS
It may seem simple, but many owners buy toys that are small enough to be swallowed.
Other accidents may happen if an existing toy has been chewed to pieces and your dog chokes on one of the fragments.
Some people may have other animals in the house, such as a cat, and their pup may opt for their plaything instead.
If any of these items are ingested they can become lodged in the intestines and require emergency surgery.
This could cost thousands of pounds in vet bills.
RAWHIDES
Another type of bone, rawhide, can also cause serious problems.
If your four-legged friend breaks off fragments and swallows them, it can result in intestinal issues.
The bone shards increase in size after being ingested and surgery is again one of the only ways to remove the blockage.
It is important to keep an eye on your pooch while they enjoy a rawhide bone.
This comes as other vets have issued further warnings to keep your dog safe.
Dr Hunter Finn took to TikTok to reveal the small sign that could mean your pooch needs an emergency spinal cord assessment.
Another veterinarian also raised the alarm about five foods you should never give your pet as some could be lethal.
Raisins, onions and garlic were just a few of the examples the vet gave and even revealed that dried grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs.
One more expert revealed the reason why you need to keep common bathroom items away from your dog.