

Also, buying a dog toy that makes similar sounds to a plastic bottle when chewed can help reduce the risk of cuts associated with broken pieces. So, bottom line, don’t leave your dog unattended with a plastic water bottle. “Let it be one of the things your dog gets only when he’s with you - it will make your time with him even more special.” “If you can be certain that your dog will never be left alone with one, a water bottle is a very entertaining toy,” she says. If you really want to give your dog plastic water bottles, be sure to follow Erb’s advice. When the plastic water bottle breaks, it also creates sharp edges that can cut your dog’s mouth, resulting in another vet visit. Once broken, those pieces can be ingested, causing a blockage that requires emergency vet care - frequently surgery - and can be fatal. Young puppies, for example, can break a plastic bottle pretty easily. *Dog friendly rental filter applied to results Removing the cap might help a little, but still doesn’t make it safe because even little dogs’ jaws are more than strong enough to tear off some of the bottle itself.” At this point, a cap or piece of the bottle itself might be ingested, causing a life-threatening emergency. Eventually, after the initial thrill of ‘killing’ the bottle, a dog will probably settle in for a good chew.


But, just because dogs love them, doesn’t mean they’re safe.Įrb cautions, “Dogs and puppies should never be left unsupervised with one. “Diving into a wading pool filled with them is an exciting confidence building activity for puppies.”Īs dog owners, we love to give our pups something they like, and seeing their joy when they play with a plastic water bottle makes it an irresistible treat.

“Many people give them to their dog to play with, and some store-bought toys even have them instead of stuffing,” says AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Hilarie Erb. It’s a mystery, but dogs love to bite into plastic water bottles and hear them crunch and crackle.
