Nylabone Dog Treats Are Toxic and Cause Seizures-Reported as Fiction!
Summary of eRumor:
A viral Facebook post warns that Nylabone dog treats are toxic and can cause seizures.
The Truth:
There’s no proof that Nylabone dog chews are toxic, or that they can give dogs seizures.
Those rumors surfaced with a Facebook post from a woman who said she was passing along a message “from a friend” about her 2 year-old dog having a seizure while eating a Nylabone dog chew:
From a friend please read!!!
FYI. To all my friends and family who have a pet. This weekend I bought a couple bones at “pets mart” for Guido and Smudge. The name of the bone is “NYLABONE” chicken flavored. Smudge had a seizure while chewing the bone. He is two. My sister googled the Nylabone. One of the side effects is they are toxic and can cause seizures. Your pet can not digest the bone if they swallow it. And you’ll need to have it surgically removed. There is a push to get them pulled off the shelves. So pet owners beware. I’m buying only natural bones and horns to chew.
It’s true that chicken flavored Nylabone FlexiChew Bones are “not recommended for strong chewers.” That doesn’t mean they’re toxic or can cause seizures, however.
Rather, according to the company’s chew style guidelines, its bones are formulated for specific chewing styles to prevent damage to dogs’ teeth, and to prevent dogs from being able to bite off and swallow large pieces:
Get to know your dog’s chewing style – It is important to select the appropriate chew type, size, and formulation based on your dog’s age, breed, chewing style and weight. The pressure exerted by a dog’s jaw is considerable, and when directed straight down can put tremendous stress on their teeth. It is recommended that non-edible chews be large enough to encourage chewing from the side rather than the top and bottom.
If your dog is between sizes, choose the larger-size chew item. If you have more than one dog in your household, select chews appropriate for the largest, strongest chewer. If your dog is an especially strong chewer, a larger chew may provide more of a challenge.
Nylabone product warnings state that dog owners should call a veterinarian if a dog swallows a large piece of a bone, but there’s been no indication that that would cause seizures. The Canine Journal reports that Nylabones are made from compounds that are very difficult for dogs to digest, which can cause blockage or other severe medical problems:
If your dog has eaten part of a Nylabone, you need to go to the vet immediately! The components of a these bones are very difficult for your dog to digest and can cause many problems, not only to your pup’s health but also to your bank account. It’s important to watch your dog and check his toys each time before giving them to him to make sure the toys are still in good condition and that there aren’t any pieces missing. If your dog swallows a large piece of Nylabone or other chew toy you may have to get an x-ray, have him stay overnight at the vet’s, have him undergo expensive emergency surgery or worse.
For its part, Nylabone released a statement calling accusations that its products are toxic and cause seizures incorrect:
Recently there has been some misinformation about the safety of our products circulating on Facebook. The negative information—mostly originating from and being spread by fake spam accounts—is incorrect, and we would like to set the record straight.
All of our products are made from non-toxic, pet-safe materials and are designed for the specific chewing style and size of your dog. From gentle teething puppies to extreme power chewers, Nylabone has a safe, healthy chew for every dog.
Nylabone stands for the highest quality in chews and treats. It is our goal to exceed consumer expectations for our products in innovation, safety, quality, and the enjoyment of the people and pets we serve.
For decades pet parents like you have trusted Nylabone to help your dog develop positive and healthy chewing habits. If you have any questions or concerns about Nylabone or our products, please contact us at (855) 273-7527 or at http://www.nylabone.com/about/contact-us/
If you see one of these posts on your Facebook newsfeed we encourage you to share the above information in order to help us set the record straight.
So, in conclusion, its true that Nylabone dog chews can be dangerous for dogs if large pieces are swallowed. But there’s no proof that Nylabones are toxic, or that they cause seizures. That’s why we’re reporting this one as fiction.