Don’t Let Dogs Chew Bones or Tennis Balls

There are plenty of fun and simple alternatives to tennis balls and bones that won't easily wear down enamel or break teeth. Reddogs/Shutterstock

Q: Baxter, my 5-year-old retriever mix, broke a tooth while gnawing on a bone. The veterinarian extracted the fractured tooth and remarked that Baxter’s enamel was badly worn, probably from chewing on tennis balls. Can you suggest some safe chew toys?

A: The nylon fuzz on tennis balls damages enamel in two ways: It’s abrasive, even when clean, and it picks up dirt that acts like sandpaper on teeth.