Our BC X GSD is six and a half and since she was a few months old we've been giving her something to chew on in the evening - pigs' ears going on to hide chews. We thought we were helping keep her teeth in good condition (to say nothing of giving us a ten minute peace break from all that high octane energy).

Then my OH thought our dog's teeth looked worn down a bit and the points on her incisors looked broken off so we checked with the vet at yearly check up time to be told daily chews are too much, once weekly is sufficient. We're talking quite small chews here, the ones that look like a long cigarette although she used to have bigger ones that could take twenty minutes plus to get through.

We felt bad about this as we really thought we were doing the right thing. I've read lots of books, magazines etc about all aspects of dog care and never come across any kind of warning.

Is this something everyone else just knows? Why isn't there any indication ever given? Ok, we usually buy them loose but we have bought them packaged up and never seen any feeding guide.

Or is our vet wrong?

Ive had 6 dogs, and they have always had hide chews every night. The previous 3, of which lived to 11half and 14 yrs never had a dental or lost any teeth, One of my current ones is 13 in april, and I have had her since 15mths and the same with her. The youngest are 2 and nearly 5 and their teeth are fine too. So whether its a matter of my being just lucky I dont know but none of mine have had problems.

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Does she play with tennis balls? They are know to be abrasive to teeth. I've never had problems with my dogs eating daily chews.

Really? I didn't know that.

Those sound like the same size as the one I give my dog (they are pretty small) and it's the fav part of his day.

Tennis balls can be abrasive like sand paper.

You say her incisors? She wouldn't really chew with them, they only use the incisors to nibble...so not sure how a chew could wear down the incisors?

Do you keep her crated at all while you're out? Chipped incisors could be from biting the bars?

I've never heard of any warning re too many chews. Everyone seems to encourage giving a dog something appropriate to chew on otherwise they're going to pick something inappropriate themselves.

Sorry, I meant her canines. The points are gone and you can see spots inside which is where the dentine has worn down.

No, she's not crated and never chews anything at all while we're out.

Guess she's just not got the best teeth and we've been unlucky.

Reassuring to know others have had no problems.

PS: Yes, she has tennis balls and rubber ones too - could be the explanation. Thanks!

Rawhides and pig's ears shouldn't be capable of that kind of wear.

As others have said, tennis balls are notoriously abrasive. Cooked bones, antlers, hooves and rocks (yes, one wouldn't intentionally give those, but many dogs eat them!) can all break and wear teeth.

If she enjoys chewing, perhaps she'd enjoy some of the Kong toys? They have several that come with deep, corrugated grooves made specially for dental cleaning as the dog chews.

If the dog has really been chewing on nothing that ought to cause excessive wear,s he may just not have great teeth. Some dogs always have problems with their teeth no matter how diligently one brushes them and provides other dental care. Or, if your mixed girl was a rescue, she may just not have been provided adequate nutrition as a very young pup and now you're seeing some lasting impact of that early under-nutrition.