12/11/2026
🦷🐶 CARNASSIAL TOOTH FRACTURES: IS YOUR DOG’S CHEW TOO HARD?
Can you spot where this sweet boy, Chino, has fractured his tooth?
The carnassial teeth are the large cheek teeth towards the back of the mouth, used for shearing and chewing food. These teeth are particularly prone to slab fractures, where a piece of the tooth breaks away, sometimes exposing the sensitive pulp inside.
Chewing on very hard objects can put excessive pressure on your dog’s teeth, causing them to crack or fracture. Common culprits include:
❌ Antlers
❌ Bones
❌ Very hard nylon chews
❌ Hooves and other hard animal products
🐾 How can you help protect your dog’s teeth?
✅ Choose chews that have some flexibility and give when chewed.
✅ Avoid objects that are harder than your dog’s teeth.
✅ Use the fingernail test as a rough guide: if you can’t make an indentation in the chew with your fingernail, it may be too hard. This is not a guarantee of safety, though!
✅ Supervise your dog when chewing and choose appropriately sized products.
✅ Arrange regular dental checks with your vet.
🔎 What signs should you look out for?
Dental fractures can be surprisingly difficult to spot, and dogs may continue eating despite being in pain. Look out for chewing on one side, dropping food, pawing at the mouth, bad breath or a visible chip in a tooth. Some dogs show no obvious signs at all.
🩺 Think your dog may have a fractured tooth? Contact us at Parkside Veterinary Centre for an examination. Fractures that expose the pulp can be painful and may lead to infection, so prompt assessment is important.
💚 A little prevention can make a big difference to your dog’s dental health!
