Nylabone WARNING with Letter & Picture

clarkiek

For those that didn't see the other post here is a link: http://www.weimaraneraddict.com/discussion/nylabone-vt8991.html

I'm upset. Linkin has a broken tooth after using this product for 20 minutes... and I was keeping an eye on him and the bone. After thinking about it and doing some research about the potential dangers of Nylabones I decided to write them a letter. It seems that there have been many worse things that have happened because of this product then broken teeth and tiles. Here is a copy of the letter I sent them:

To whom it may concern:

The first Nylabone I purchased for my Weimaraner was a Big Chew. My dog didn't chew on it, but he loved to carry it around. When he dropped it onto the ground it seemed so heavy that we were concerned that it would hurt his feet, but it didn't seem to bother him. Then we noticed some cracks appearing in our relatively new heated ceramic tiles in the area that he often lay/plays in. Eventually we suspected that the Nylabone was doing it... but had our doubts until we watched a new crack appear when he dropped the bone. Needless to say we weren't happy and tossed the bone.

We then tried the Double Action Chew thinking that it wouldn't be as heavy. We ended up tossing this one too and we weren't planning on buying anymore Nylabones.

Well, our dog is an aggressive chewer so we decided to give it one more try. Today I purchased a lighter weight, non edible Souper Size Nylabone. I thought this would be safe for the tile and for my dog. He weighs around 70 pounds so according to the chart the Souper size is appropriate for him. He LOVED it and I was happy because he finally had something he could chew on. We were both in the same room while he was chewing and I would occasionally take the bone away to check that he wasn't able to break off a large piece. It seemed to be holding up well. I did notice that once in awhile it sounded like the bone or his teeth were cracking. I checked the bone and again it was fine. I checked my dog's teeth and sure enough part of one of his top teeth was broken off! Once again I had to take a Nylabone away. THIS WAS AFTER ONLY ABOUT 20 MINUTES WITH IT! Thank goodness I was keeping a close eye on my dog otherwise he may have ended up with a mouth full of broken teeth.

I am extremely upset with the Nylabones. Having cracked tile was bad enough, but now my dog is missing part of his tooth. There is nothing on the packaging that warns of the potential of cracked teeth or possible damage to property with the heavier bones. On the very fine printed guidelines that are included inside the package it does say that chewing can "put tremendous stress on the teeth." It goes on to say that it's "recommended that non-edible chews be large enough to encourage chewing from the side rather than the top and bottom." Well, I followed the size guidelines according to the chart and after 20 minutes my dog has a broken tooth. I suppose if I would have spent the entire twenty minutes staring at my dog while he was chewing it I could have made sure that he was always "chewing from the side." If this is truly what needs to be done to safely use this product then there should be a warning in bold print on the FRONT of the packaging: WARNING - Don't take your eyes off your dog while enjoying this product. Doing so may result in broken teeth. Furthermore, make sure your dog gently places the bone on any ceramic flooring or it may cause damage.

Because I tried more than one of your products I have cracked tile that will be expensive to replace. I also have to take my one year old dog to the vet to check out his broken tooth. Not only am I out the cost of three rather expensive bones, but I'm also left to wonder how I will pay to replace the heated tiles that are cracked in addition to any vet bills that will come from this.

Here is the bone that broke his tooth:

And a pic of his broken tooth (one of his middle top teeth):

The two bones that cracked our ceramic tile:

weimamama · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Oh NO! poor Linkin!!
Let us know what they say... Shocked

Lily12481 · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject:

To be honest, I've never checked Goose's teeth after his nylagbone chewing. Embarassed

Please let us know what come of your letter. Goose has chewed and/or destroyed the following:

Both of these sizes:

Both large and small versions:

I'd be happy to back you up sista if you need it. Just holla holla! Smile

clarkiek · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

Lily12481 · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject:

clarkiek · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

This is actually the bone that cracked our tile. I'm not sure if it's the same as the big chew.

Lily12481 · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

youhavenoidea · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject:

clarkiek · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject:

Lily12481 wrote:

youhavenoidea · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:09 am Post subject:

tltrooster · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:21 am Post subject:

I have the same bone at home as well, I noticed blood on it after
Champ had chewed on it for a couple of days. I guess the plastic after
him chewing was so rough it was cutting up the insides of his mouth.

I put it up for a while, and he found it and started chewing on it again.
I havent noticed any broken teeth, but its gone when I get home from
work.

Underdonk · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:56 am Post subject:

momofZaneandWyatt · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

We have banned anything that is rawhide, or nylabone in our house. Our first black lab died from not being able to pass the chunks of plastic through his system. This was several years ago...Our old vet even told us to keep both products away from future dogs...

Shannon, Bill and Wyatt

anne · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

Well if a dog is an aggressive chewer then the dog needs something hard otherwise it will demolish anything else. I give my dogs nylabones and also real bones. I have had cracked teeth issues from nylabones or real bones, I am not sure. It doesn't bother the dog so it stayed. I have another dog that pulled its front teeth forward/out from playing tug with another dog, and that tooth ended up having to be removed.

weimdawgs · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject:

The Nylabone that broke Linkin's tooth is the only one ever to survive my guys. They have managed to chew the end flat and one did start to break so I threw that one away.

Silkie destroyed the double action chew. And almost everything else.

Poor Linkin. I am so sorry about his tooth.