Dogs, and puppies especially, have a behavioural and physiological need to chew. They chew as a form of play, they chew to eat, they chew to relieve boredom, stress and anxiety, and they chew because it makes their taste buds happy! We want to encourage our dogs to chew because of all these great advantages. We also have to make sure that our fur family are chewing safely. Giving them flavoursome, healthy, natural chews is an excellent way to do this.
Puppies get their tiny, sharp, needle-like baby teeth early on, sometimes within days or weeks of being born. These needle-like baby teeth will begin to fall out around 16 – 24 weeks of age. Generally, an adult dog will have 42 teeth, and they all come through within those two months. That’s a lot of activity, and it makes them want to chew on everything. It’s important to be especially mindful during this time because curious puppies are still learning. They’re learning what they can and can’t chew on, and which things can get them into trouble. The best way of preventing your puppy chewing something you would rather they didn’t is to have lots of things that are appropriate for them to chew on.
Rawhide treats are widely available and given commonly. However, they do have some drawbacks. Rawhide can (depending on the source) contain small quantities of toxic chemicals and bacteria which could make your pet unwell. In addition, rawhide can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract in some dogs as the product can be hard to digest.
In the last few years, vets and nutritionists have highlighted the hazards that rawhide ‘treats’ can pose. If you’re looking for a healthy, safer alternative for your dog, there are plenty of other options now available. This article will help you to find the perfect chew for your puppy or adult dog and understand what each type is and why they’re beneficial.
One important note: with any sort of chew, it’s essential to pay close attention to what your pet is doing, especially when you first introduce the item. If it’s something which may break into small pieces, you have to be careful they don’t choke, or try to swallow too big a piece.
Bully sticks are bull penises. Yes, that’s not a typo. The origin of this treat can sometimes make owners feel uncomfortable, but these are the crème de la crème of chews. Almost all dogs love them because they are stinky and tasty (and disgusting!). Bully sticks are a single-ingredient product, 100% natural and much safer than rawhide chews. In terms of size, you’ll generally see 12-15cm or 20-25cm sticks. Other names for them include: bull sticks, bull pizzles, pizzle sticks or pizzles. They’re softer than bone but they’re still tough enough to last a reasonably long time.
Pizzle sticks are fully digestible and chewing them is good for teeth and gums. The action of chewing will remove some of the plaque build-up on teeth (although nothing can replace tooth brushing for good oral hygiene).
Bully sticks provide a positive outlet for your dog’s desire to chew while you are busy with something else. They are excellent as distraction and entertainment treats because chewing is a natural stress reliever for dogs. Not only are you giving them something to do, you’re providing your dog with an opportunity to reduce their own anxiety.
Like most natural chews, they have a distinct odour (they definitely smell!!). While your dog may adore it, it can be a little too pungent for our delicate human nostrils.
Dogs with more powerful jaws will have less trouble breaking down a bully stick – some need less than an hour. The key is to buy the size of bully stick appropriate to the size and strength of your dog.
A large or giant breed dog, or an especially powerful chewer, ought to have a larger sized bully stick to ensure that it will last a longer period of time. A small/medium breed, puppy or senior pet may only require a thin, short bully stick to occupy them for several hours or even days.
Pig ears, snouts and tails make great natural chews for puppies. They’re primarily cartilage, so very little fat and no worry that it’s indigestible. The chewing and gnawing of the ear alone can take down the inflammation of the gums and remove some of the plaque on whatever little teeth are in there.
Pigs trotters are naturally healthy. Being a natural chew, they vary in size and shape. They are a better choice for adult dogs due to their size, but puppies can have fun gnawing them too. They are packed with nutrients and rich in goodness. Not only are they completely digestible, but also utterly delicious. They are very similar to snouts, ears and tails, but trotters are much longer lasting because they are bigger.
If you’re looking for a vegetarian 100% natural chew (or just want to mix things up a little), Himalayan yak milk chews are the chew for you. They’re made solely of yak and cows milk. The only thing added is a little lime and salt and they’re then smoked to form a hard, tasty, cheesy chew. They are a digestible alternative to rawhide. Dogs love the flavour and the chewing challenge. They are excellent for power chewers as they are tough and hard enough to keep even the most determined chewer entertained for a couple of hours! As the chew gets smaller it poses more of a choking risk. They can be microwaved for 30-45 seconds and transformed into a puffed-up treat with a crunchy texture to prevent any problems.
Delicious furry rabbit ears are an irresistible, healthy treat for your dog. Rabbit ears are unusual, and possibly slightly disturbing to look at! You may not have come across them before because high street pet shops tend to avoid offering them. If you’re looking for nutritious, natural chews for your dog, or even a treat which offers health benefits as well as being delicious, this is the one for you!
Benefits of rabbit ears
Improved dental health: Since rabbit ears are dried, they create an abrasive action against the surface of the teeth as they are chewed. This removes plaque and food build up.
Improved digestion: These rabbit ears are covered in hair. This is a type of fibre which is poorly digested. As the hair travels through the intestines, it gently brushes trapped, undigested food away. This improves the ability of the surface of the intestine to absorb nutrients.
Natural deworming: As the hair passes through the intestines, it helps to remove worms. Worm egg counts (or de-wormers) will still be required to keep the worm burden low because hair doesn’t kill the worms.
Improved anal gland health: As already mentioned, hair contains fibre, which helps to firm up the stools. If your dog struggles with recurrent anal gland impactions, firmer stools will help squeeze them as they pass by. This will result in fewer impactions and secondary infections.
Hypoallergenic: Although dogs can be allergic to rabbit proteins, it is rare. Rabbit is likely to be a novel protein so most dogs with allergies can tolerate it well.
Deer antlers are wonderful natural chews for your dog.
Antlers contain many minerals including potassium, zinc, calcium, and manganese to promote healthy muscles and bones, and a healthy coat. Best of all, antlers will stand up to even the toughest power chewers!
Antler has some unique and proven benefits:
High in natural minerals and nutrients
Helps improve circulation and metabolism, reduces cholesterol
Strengthens bone structure, muscles, and joints
Maintains healthy cells, aids the immune system
Helps prevent inflammation from arthritic conditions
Made from our Grade A Antlers that are naturally shed each year, from free-ranging deer that live natural lives. No deer are ever harmed
Low odour, no stains and lasts for ages.
If you speak to your vet about antlers, you will most likely be advised to stay away from them. Along with bones, they can cause broken teeth due to their hard, inflexible nature. Split antlers avoid this risk. They are split lengthwise to expose the nutritious and delicious centre. Dogs don’t have to chew quite so hard to get to the good stuff!
Venison Tendon
Tendons are tough, flexible cords of fibrous collagen tissue that attach muscles to bones. They do not make good meat for human consumption because they are far too tough for us to chew. Therefore, they are separated from the meat commercially produced for humans.
100% Venison.
No artificial additives.
Gluten- and lactose-free.
Hypoallergenic.
Low in fat and cholesterol.
Helps support healthy teeth and gums.
So, what type of chew do I choose?
Your dog is going to chew — it’s just a part of being a dog. And it’s quite an important part, too! Whether they’re a puppy or an adult dog, all dogs need to chew. Puppies chew when they’re teething and when they are exploring their new world. Then they continue through adulthood to keep their masticatory (chewing) muscles strong, their teeth clean, and their brain engaged.
Chewing is good for your dog’s mental and physical health, so it’s important that you provide them with plenty of safe and appropriate things to chew on. Fail to do so and they’ll come up with their own chews, like your most expensive pair of shoes, the legs of your dining room chairs, the nearest electric cord, or even your arm!
A word of warning though: All chews have the potential to cause problems. Always closely observe your dog the first few times they’re eating a new type of chew. And, even in the long-term, supervise, and if you’re worried, don’t leave your dog alone with it.
If you notice any of the following, take the chew away and check in with your vet.
Blood on the chew or space where they’ve been chewing it
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Less energy, appetite loss, or disinterest in playing after chewing on a particular treat.
Any of these signs could be cause for concern, it is important to always err on the side of caution. That said, here are my top tips for choosing a chew for your dog:
If your dog is a power chewer, avoid rabbit ears or pigs ears and go for a longer lasting, hardier type of chew like a yak chew, bully stick or antler.
If your dog is prone to allergies, choose a chew which is a source of novel protein like rabbit ears or venison tendon. Something your dog is unlikely to have had before.
If your dog has a tendency to put on weight, avoid the bully stick and pigs ears, snouts, tails and trotters and go instead for the yak chew, or antler.
Rabbit ears, pig tails and pig snouts go down very well with puppies and older or lazier chewers.
Get yours now!
Placing an order is easy. Hop on over to the shop and grab your dog a fabulous new chew! I offer free, next day delivery if you’re local to St. Neots (for orders placed before 3pm). Alternatively, if you live further afield, I am more than happy to pop things in the post for you!
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