Why Are There Spots of Blood on Your Dog's Chew Toys?
If you see spots of blood on one of your dog's chew toys, then you may not be sure what's going on. Any signs of bleeding are alarming to pet owners; however, this doesn't always mean that your dog has a serious problem.
Why might your dog's mouth or teeth be bleeding after chewing on a toy?
Your Dog Is Teething
If you have a young dog that hasn't yet lost all its baby teeth, then the blood you see may simply be a sign of teething. One or more of your pet's baby teeth may be coming loose ready for the eruption of permanent replacements.
While baby teeth usually come out naturally and simply, your pet will have some bleeding when this happens. Its chew toy may have loosened or even dislodged a tooth when it bit down.
This bleeding should clear up quickly. While it may happen again, it should stop once the baby tooth comes out and the permanent one drops in.
You Dog's Toy Is the Problem
While chew toys are generally strong and safe, they can cause problems if they get damaged or start to fall apart. For example, if your pet has chewed off part of a toy, then it may have sharper edges or pointy pieces on its surface.
As your dog chews the toy, these areas could stick into the gums and soft tissue areas. They could even get stuck between teeth. In all these cases, a sharp edge can cause a small amount of bleeding.
So, check your dog's toy to see if you can see obvious areas of wear or damage. If you think the toy has made your dog's mouth bleed, bin it so that it can't do any more harm.
Your Dog Has Dental Problems
If your dog is past the puppy stage and has all its permanent teeth, and you can't see a problem with the toy itself, then your pet may have a dental problem. In some cases, this is a minor issue.
For example, your dog may simply have a build-up of tartar which has started to inflame its gums. Swollen gums often bleed more easily.
While your vet can clean basic tartar off, bleeding from the mouth can be a sign that your pet has more advanced gum disease. It may also have a loose, decaying or abscessed tooth.
So, if you think that your dog might have a dental problem, talk to a veterinary dentistry specialist. It's important that your pet has a check-up to assess the problem and to see if it needs treatment.
For more tips and information, reach out to a company like Adelaide Animal Emergency & Referral Centre.
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