Chews and bones for dogs: how to choose safe ones

PawTrace is not a vet. This guide shares what we found in the sources listed below; ask your vet about your own dog.

Key takeaways

• The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (U.S.) says fractured teeth are commonly caused by chewing very hard objects, and that vet dentists suggest you should be able to make a dent in the item with your fingernail (Cornell).
• Cornell advises against giving bones, antlers or hooves of any kind (Cornell news, November 29 2017) and says rawhide, where considered safe, always needs supervision (Cornell).
• Merck (U.S.) lists real bones, hooves, antlers, hard nylon toys, rocks, fences and cages as causes of fractured teeth, and bones as the most common esophageal foreign object in dogs (Merck, updated October 2025).
• PHAC counts uncooked bones and dehydrated treats such as rawhide, pig ears and bully sticks as raw products that can carry germs (PHAC, September 27 2024). Its investigation of a 2025 outbreak, closed on January 30 2026, counted 37 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella illnesses linked to dog food and treats, 3 of them in Ontario; the recalled products were raw pet treats (PHAC notice).
• The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal (U.S.) signals plaque and tartar control. The VOHC does not test products itself; it reviews data that manufacturers submit. The seal is not a hardness rating (VOHC).
• We found no Canadian vet association statement on chews. The sources here are U.S. veterinary schools, the Merck Veterinary Manual and Canadian public health bodies.
• Ask your vet which chews suit your dog’s teeth, size and chewing style, and see your vet the same day if a tooth breaks or your dog gags, vomits or stops eating after a chew.

Chew types compared

The table uses only what the cited sources say. “No source found” means we looked and did not find a veterinary or public health statement we could cite.

Chew type	What the sources say	Source
Cooked bones	Cornell discourages bones of any kind. Merck lists real bones as a cause of tooth fracture and the most common object found in the esophagus. We found no source that ranks cooked bones above raw ones.	Cornell and Merck (U.S.)
Raw bones	The same tooth and esophagus risks apply. PHAC counts raw bones as raw products, and the CVMA says raw meat-based products can carry bacteria that harm pets and people.	Cornell, Merck (U.S.); PHAC, CVMA
Antlers	Cornell lists antlers with hooves and bones as items that can break teeth or splinter and cause stomach problems. Merck lists antlers as a cause of tooth fracture.	Cornell and Merck (U.S.)
Hooves	Same as antlers: tooth fracture, splintering and stomach problems.	Cornell and Merck (U.S.)
Rawhide	Cornell says some rawhides are considered safe but always need supervision. Merck lists rawhide pieces among objects found in the esophagus. PHAC counts rawhide among dehydrated treats that are raw.	Cornell, Merck (U.S.); PHAC
Bully sticks and other animal-part chews (ears, snouts, ligaments)	AAFCO (U.S.) says chews made from hooves, ears, bones, ligaments, snouts and pizzles are not nutritionally complete and some are high in calories. PHAC names pig ears and bully sticks among dehydrated treats that count as raw. We found no vet source on the hardness of any specific product.	AAFCO (U.S.); PHAC
Dental chews	The VOHC seal (U.S.) covers plaque, calculus or both. The VOHC reviews submitted data and does not test products itself. Its site advises the right size for the dog’s body weight and watching the dog chew, to reduce obstructions from dental chews. The seal is not a hardness rating, so apply the fingernail test to a chew that carries the seal too.	VOHC (U.S.)
Nylon	Merck lists hard nylon toys as a cause of tooth fracture. Apply the fingernail test.	Merck (U.S.)
Rubber	We found no veterinary source that ranks rubber toys. Apply the fingernail test, and choose the size for your dog’s weight (VOHC).	No source found
Ice cubes, rocks, fences, cages	Cornell: do not let your dog chomp on ice cubes (licking or playing with ice is fine). Merck lists rocks, fences and cages as causes of tooth fracture.	Cornell and Merck (U.S.)

The fingernail test, and what it cannot tell you

Cornell’s page on fractured teeth says veterinary dentists “suggest that you should be able to make a dent in the item with your fingernail”. Cornell’s 2017 article adds that a chew should be bendable. This is the only hardness rule we found from a veterinary source, and it comes from the U.S., so we label it that way. Our teething guide uses the same Cornell source for puppies.

How to apply it:

1. Press your thumbnail into the chew at its hardest point. If it leaves no dent, the chew may be too hard.
2. Try to bend it. A chew that will not flex at all is a poor match for the rule.
3. Pick the size for your dog’s weight (VOHC), and check the chew again each time you hand it over.

The test measures hardness only. It does not tell you whether a chew splinters, whether a small piece can be swallowed, or whether it carries bacteria. Cornell notes that larger chews are harder and may not suit small dogs, so pair the test with a size check and with supervision.

What can go wrong

Risk	What the sources describe	What to do
Fractured teeth	Merck: fractured teeth should be inspected by a vet to see whether the tooth pulp is damaged; treatment is extraction or a root canal. Signs include a tooth your dog resists having touched or tapped, and a tooth with a reddish-brown, purple or grey colour (Merck).	Call your vet the same day.
Throat or esophagus blockage	Merck: sudden heavy drooling, gagging, regurgitation and repeated swallowing are signs of an esophageal foreign object. If one is found, “it should be removed immediately” (Merck).	Go to a vet or emergency clinic at once.
Stomach or intestinal blockage	Merck lists lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting as the main signs of small-intestine obstruction, and says surgery is needed to relieve most obstructions. Young, large-breed dogs are more likely to swallow a foreign object, and dogs that have eaten inappropriate items before often do so again (Merck).	Call your vet and report what your dog chewed.
Choking and gut damage	Cornell (2017): hard or abrasive items can become choking hazards and can cause serious damage to the gastrointestinal tract.	Supervise every chew.
Bacteria on raw chews	PHAC: Salmonella and E. coli have been found in commercially prepared raw pet food and treats. Some people in the 2025 outbreak became ill without handling the products, through contact with dogs that ate them or with contaminated surfaces (PHAC notice).	Wash hands, keep raw chews away from children, and read the label to see whether a product is raw or cooked.

For general emergency signs, see Emergency signs every owner should know. A tooth that has cracked, or a dog that is drooling heavily, gagging or vomiting after a chew, needs your vet the same day.

Supervision and size rules

Cornell says: “Ideally dogs should be supervised with toys,” because it is hard to predict how a given dog will handle an object. The VOHC site gives two ways to reduce obstructions from dental chews: give the right-sized product for the dog’s body weight, and give chews only when you are available to watch the dog chew. Put the rules together:

• Stay in the room while your dog chews, and pick the chew up when you leave.
• Choose the size on the package that matches your dog’s weight (VOHC). Cornell notes larger chews are harder and may not suit small dogs, so test hardness at every size.
• Do not let a dog that has swallowed inappropriate items before chew unsupervised, and tell your vet about the history (Merck).
• Keep chews separate from your own food, and wash your hands after handling them (PHAC).
• Ask your vet about your dog’s chewing style. We found no vet source that defines a “power chewer” or sets a discard point for a worn chew, so we state no rule for either.

Age: puppies, adults and seniors

Puppies chew to relieve gum discomfort while baby teeth are replaced. That is a separate topic, covered in our teething guide. This guide applies to every age. The Cornell hardness rule holds for a puppy, an adult and a senior alike, and dental disease changes how comfortable a dog is on a chew. Our dental care guide covers brushing, the VOHC seal and professional cleanings, and our senior dogs guide covers older dogs. A dog with a painful mouth should see a vet before it gets another chew.

Handling raw chews safely

PHAC’s raw pet food safety page (September 27 2024) and its 2025 outbreak notice give these steps, which apply to raw treats and chews as well as raw meals:

• Check the label for whether a product is raw or cooked, and store it according to the package guidelines.
• Wash your hands with soap and water right after handling any type of dog food or treat, and after contact with dogs or their waste.
• Do not let your dog lick your face, mouth or open wounds.
• Use dedicated dishes and utensils for your dog, and wash and sanitize containers, utensils and surfaces that touched dog food or treats.
• Store pet food and treats away from human food and out of young children’s reach.
• Adults over 65, pregnant people, children 5 and under and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness (PHAC).

If a recall covers a chew you own, stop using it and put it in the regular household trash, as the Health Canada notice for the 2025 raw pet treat recall advises. Search Recalls and safety alerts for the product. Our label guide explains how recalls are posted.

The VOHC seal (U.S.)

The VOHC “authorizes the use of the VOHC Registered Seal on products intended to help retard plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals”. Its council has nine veterinary dentists and dental scientists, and it states that it does not test products itself: it reviews data that manufacturers submit. The seal can be for plaque, calculus or both. A seal tells you a product has shown plaque or tartar benefit in submitted data. It says nothing about the product’s hardness, splintering or bacteria, and it does not replace brushing.

Calories and chews

AAFCO (U.S.) says chews, bones and toys made of hide, hooves, ears, bones, ligaments or snouts are exempt from registration and full labelling unless the maker claims nutritional value, that they are “not nutritionally complete or balanced”, and that some can be quite high in calories, so use them sparingly (AAFCO). Count chews in your dog’s daily food, and ask your vet to set the amount if your dog is gaining weight.

Myth vs fact

Myth	Fact
Cooked bones are the safe kind.	We found no veterinary source that ranks cooked bones above raw. Cornell advises against bones, antlers and hooves of any kind.
A chew sold for dogs is safe for my dog.	The VOHC does not test products, and its seal covers plaque and tartar control, not hardness. Apply the fingernail test, check the size and supervise.
Rawhide is risk-free because it is dried.	Cornell says rawhide always needs supervision. PHAC counts rawhide as a raw product, and says Salmonella and E. coli have been found in commercially prepared raw pet treats.
A dental chew replaces brushing.	The VOHC seal covers plaque and tartar control only. See our dental care guide for brushing and cleanings.
If my dog loves it, it is fine.	A dog cannot judge hardness. Merck lists real bones, hooves, antlers and hard nylon as causes of tooth fracture.

Frequently asked questions

Are antlers safe for dogs?

Cornell (U.S.) lists antlers with bones and hooves as items that can break teeth or splinter and cause stomach problems, and Merck (U.S.) lists antlers as a cause of fractured teeth. Cornell advises avoiding them. Ask your vet before you give one.

What should I do if my dog swallowed a piece of a chew?

Call your vet or an emergency clinic. Merck lists lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting as common signs of a blockage, and says heavy drooling, gagging and repeated swallowing point to an object in the esophagus. Tell the vet what and when.

Is it safe to give my dog a raw bone from a butcher?

PHAC does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats, and counts raw bones as raw products. Cornell advises against bones of any kind because of tooth and stomach risks. Ask your vet.

Can I use the fingernail test on every chew?

Use it on any chew you can press. It is a hardness check from Cornell (U.S.). It does not cover splintering, small pieces or bacteria, so supervise and check the size too.

What chew is best for a puppy that is teething?

See our teething guide. It covers puppy chews in detail, and your vet can advise on your puppy.

Find a vet or a dog service near you

If your dog has broken a tooth or you want advice on chews, use our Find a vet directory. For trainers and other dog services that can help with chewing and mouthing, see Dog services. A listing is not a recommendation, and PawTrace does not rate clinics or businesses.

This guide is in a series that publishes together. See also Dry, wet, fresh, raw or freeze-dried: how to choose dog food in Canada and How to read a dog food label in Canada.

Keep reading

• Teething survival kit: what puppies should chew, and what to bin
• Dental care for dogs: brushing, chews and cleanings
• Emergency signs every owner should know
• Toxic foods and household hazards for dogs
• Senior dogs: signs of ageing and what to do

Sources

All links were checked on October 23 2026. Sources marked (U.S.) are not Canadian.

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (U.S.): Risks of a fractured tooth (undated page)
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (U.S.): FDA bone treat warning, Cornell veterinarian explains how you can protect your dog (November 29 2017)
• Merck Veterinary Manual (U.S.): Dental disorders of dogs (full review May 2018, updated October 2025)
• Merck Veterinary Manual (U.S.): Disorders of the esophagus in dogs (updated September 2024)
• Merck Veterinary Manual (U.S.): Disorders of the stomach and intestines in dogs (updated June 2026)
• Veterinary Oral Health Council (U.S.): About the VOHC seal (undated page)
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Pet food and treats (modified September 27 2024)
• Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada: Raw pet food safety (modified September 27 2024)
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Public health notice, outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to dog food and treats (final update January 30 2026)
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association: Position statement, Safety of Raw Meat-Based Pet Food Products (October 16 2023)
• AAFCO (U.S.): Treats and Chews
• Government of Canada: Recalls and safety alerts

General information only. This guide is not veterinary advice. Ask your vet which chews suit your dog. Written by the PawTrace Team.

Keep reading

Readers of this guide also read

Health & vetDog toys: how to choose by age, size and chewing styleMatch dog toys to your dog's age, size and chewing style. Six toy types, safety checks for squeakers,…Read the guide →Health & vetGrain-free dog food and heart disease (DCM): what the research saysDoes grain-free dog food cause heart disease? What the FDA investigation (U.S.) and its 2022 update say, what…Read the guide →Health & vetItchy dog: allergies, hot spots and when to see the vetWhy is my dog itchy? Fleas, skin infection, environmental and food allergy, hot spots, Canadian flea and pollen…Read the guide →

Get your free pet-insurance shortlist →Check a breeder in the directory →