Our dog is getting older. We’re not sure how old she is, but she’s definitely at least middle-aged, maybe 7 or 8. She’s an enthusiastic chewer, and that has put her teeth in danger. She is not overly interested in chewing most things, but when she gets interested in a toy or rawhide, she chews the hell out of it. One of her favorite toys recently has been a Nylabone inherited from another dog in the family who didn’t care for it. To make a long story short, she chewed it so single-mindedly that she chipped one of her teeth, and split another one.
According to our vet, nothing is strictly safe for a dog to have in its mouth. I’ve heard the advice before that you should watch your dog as they chew, and we did that, but it’s important to realize that as your dog gets older, its teeth will get weaker and more susceptible to this kind of thing. So make sure your dog has toys that will squish or otherwise yield when she chews on them. Nylabones are particularly hard, while they’re often recommended for dogs that love to chew, I’d recommend staying away from them.