Many dental chews and toys marketed for oral health pose fracture risks for teeth or gastrointestinal hazards that can cause significant welfare harm.
Dental health products for companion animals occupy a market space where welfare marketing does not always align with welfare outcomes. Products positioned as beneficial for dental health may simultaneously pose tooth fracture risks, intestinal obstruction risks, or choking hazards. The rule of thumb that safe chews should yield when pressed by a thumbnail helps identify appropriate hardness. Veterinary guidance on safe dental products specific to an animals age, size, and chewing behavior provides the most reliable protection against dental toy-related welfare harm.