One of a dog’s favorite activities is chewing. If you’ve had the misfortune of finding one of your shoes chewed up, you’re familiar with your pup’s likes. Chewing is a natural habit that is beneficial for your pup’s health. It also keeps them busy and provides them with a lot of enjoyment.
Just because a dog loves to chew, doesn’t mean what they pick to chew is safe or healthy. Even sticks, which seem to go hand-in-hand with dogs, can harm your pup if it chews on it.
Here are some ways to choose better treats and chews for your dog.
What is a Dog Chew?
A dog chew can be whatever your dog chooses to chew on. Dogs can chew on anything they see, including furniture, your shoes, sticks or rocks in the yard, or their food bowls (and yours). Dogs and wolves in the wild will chew on items like sticks, bones, tendons, and raw meat.
Chewing is a natural instinct for your dog. It helps:
- Keep their teeth healthy
- Relieve boredom
- Relieve stress and anxiety
- Provide important nutrients
- Protect hips and joints with collagen-rich chews
How much your dog benefits from chewing depends on the type of chew. They obviously won’t get any benefits from chewing up your shoes. However, many of the premade dog chews offer proper ingredients for better nutrition and health.
Your dog is luckier than some, because it has you to choose healthier and better chewing options for it!
What Makes a Dog Chew Bad?
Items like shoes don’t offer your pup any health benefits. Although it may well provide them with a lot of fun. It can also be unhealthy for your dog to chew on things like wood, material, or some types of plastic.There are several reasons that some dog chews can be bad for your pup.
Choking
If your dog chews on something too small, your dog may end up swallowing chunks that are too big to go down. It can then choke on the pieces that break off. Big chunks of bone, sticks, pieces of items like shoes, yak cheese, and anything that can break off into chunks or get small enough to swallow can provide a hazard for your pup.
Sticks or wood pieces can also splinter and cause cuts in your dog’s mouth or digestive track.
When your offered dog chew starts getting small enough to break or swallow, it’s time to take it away and give your pup a new chew.
Tooth Damage
Dog chews can be too hard for dogs with sensitive teeth or for older dogs. If you give them a chew that’s too tough, it can cause their teeth to break. It’s better to stick with softer chews, especially if you have an elderly pup.
Indigestion
Some chews, like rawhide, can be difficult for your dog to digest. They get soggy and gummy as they’re chewed down. This can cause your pup to have tummy troubles if it swallows the pieces. It can even cause intestinal blockages. Chews that have connective tissues and cartilage are safer for your pup to chew and will cause less digestive issues.
For your own health and safety, remember that many dog chews are not always cooked. They can have bacteria on them, that while safe for your pup, can harm you and your human family. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the chews.
It’s recommended that you always supervise your dog when they have a new chew. Even if your dog seems to handle each chew treat or toy without any issues, something can always break off and cause your pup to choke. Teeth can break as well. Picking safer chews can lessen the risk of something happening, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Best and Long-Lasting Chews
Now that you know some of the negative side effects of picking the wrong chews, or letting your pup chew on sticks in the yard, here are some better, and safer picks.
Not-Hides
Rawhides can be hard to digest, and hide chews in general are frowned upon. It’s better to pick a hide-alternative, like hide-free and collagen-based dog chews.
Bully Sticks and Beef Tendons
Bully sticks are high in protein, low in fat, and easy to digest for dogs of all ages. They last for a long time but aren’t so tough that your dog’s teeth break. Beef tendons are also a great choice for dental care. The stringy parts get between your dog’s teeth and act like floss. They also soften as they’re chewed, making them safe for all dogs.
Lamb Horns and Raw Bones
Yes, lamb horns sound like a strange choice. They’re hard and long-lasting, and not as tough as antlers or bones. They can be stuffed with nutrient-filled marrow, making them a healthy choice. You can also fill them with yummy treats for your pup, making them a more interactive treat.
Raw bones, on the other hand, can provide important minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Unlike cooked bones, which can crack and splinter, raw bones can be chewed into pieces to make them easy to digest.
Collagen Chews, Dental Chews, & Stuffed Beef Strips
Collagen chews are made from the inner layer of tissue. They also aren’t chemically treated, unlike rawhide, which makes them much more digestible for your dog.
Dental chews are made specifically for helping your dog’s teeth. They’re designed to keep your dog chewing for as long as possible, and are soft and small enough for puppies and smaller breeds.
Stuffed beef strips have a tough exterior with a soft, crumbly meat-filled interior. They’re flavourful and easy to digest, though not as long-lasting as some of the other chews. They make for a special treat for your pup that will keep them chewing as long as the chew lasts.
Other mentionable and safe chews include:
- Coffee Wood-softens as it’s chewed, making it less likely to splinter
- Elk Antlers
- Beef Hooves
- Beef Strips/Chomper Sticks
- Knuckle Bones
- Turkey Necks
- Bladder/Cod Sticks
- Himalayan Yak Cheese-irrestible to most dogs
- Silicone Dog Toys
- Rubber, Nylon, and Rope chew toys
Some of these chews, and several others that didn’t make the list, sound a little tough to handle-literally. However, your pup will love them, and that’s what counts.
Natural chews are always the best choice when picking a chew for your pup. Dog toys that are made specifically for chewing are another great pick. Also, keeping plenty of favoured chews on hand will encourage your pup to stop chewing up your shoes!
Final Thoughts
Just remember to use wisdom when giving your pup a chew. Don’t give them a chew that’s too easy to swallow and get choked on, follow any guidelines on the packaging, and always monitor them when they chew. Try out different types of chews, and you’ll soon learn your dog’s favorite chew.
After that, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy some special treat time with your furry family member!