Guide to Today’s Dog Chews – Dogster

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Chewing is as natural for dogs as wagging their tails when they’re happy or barking when they hear your keys at the front door. Unfortunately, dogs’ chewing instinct can quickly turn them into “bad dogs” if they decide to chew on the wrong object, like your table leg or your favorite shoe. Fortunately, dog chews can help redirect your dog’s natural desire to chew into something positive.

With so many options available, choosing the best chews for your pup can be confusing. This guide helps you understand why your dog chews, what types of chews are available, and your dog’s chewing style. With this knowledge, you can choose a chew that your dog likes while considering safety, durability, and other needs, such as dental health.

Why do dogs chew?

To determine which chew is best for your dog, you need to understand why your dog wants to chew. Chewing can be a very positive activity for your dog and helps a dog express the following:

  • Teething: Puppies chew to relieve the pain of their permanent teeth sinking into their gums. Puppies start losing their baby teeth around 3 months of age and all baby teeth fall out by 6 months of age. Just like in humans, it can be painful. Chewing helps relieve discomfort.
  • Investigation: Dogs use their mouths to investigate the world. According to Colin Tennant, chairman of the UK Canine and Feline Behavior Association, “Chewing, for a dog, is like a human opening a door and looking into a room. People are curious, and dogs too. But they investigate with their mouths because they don’t have hands. The texture and taste are particularly appealing to a dog. Colin also says that “dogs often chew things because they like the taste or the smell. In a home, the scents that dogs find most attractive are human scents.
  • Anxiety: Chewing is a coping mechanism for dogs when something in their environment has changed, such as a recent move, new furniture, a new family member, or even being left at home.
  • Pleasure: Some dogs chew simply because they enjoy chewing. It fulfills both a physical and mental health need for a dog, and their chewing on the right things can be a positive experience for them.

8 Types of Dog Chews

There are many types of dog chews. Factors to consider include digestibility, durability, intended use and composition.

  • Indigestible Dog Chews: These are usually nylon or hard plastic making them a long lasting dog chew. Unfortunately, these are not digestible for a dog. If a dog eats it, the material can cause gastrointestinal (GI) blockage that may require surgery. These chews are usually very harsh and can damage a dog’s teeth. Sharp edges of plastic or nylon can also hurt a puppy’s gums. Examples:
  1. Nylabone Breast Cancer Awareness Rose Power Chew Textured Dog Toy
  2. kong extreme
  • Rawhide chews: These are dried animal skins made from leftovers from the leather industry. Rawhide is the inner skin layer of cow, horse and pig hides, and is separated at the slaughterhouse. Rawhide is not digestible, so it can lead to gastrointestinal blockages. Additionally, the skins of these chews are often treated with chemicals to preserve them, which can cause an upset stomach or an allergic reaction. Look for Rawhide made in the USA. Examples are:
  1. Chew and Chew Bones Made in USA Rawhide Dog Bone
  2. Pet Factory 100% Made in USA Beefskin Crisps Rolls
  • Bully Sticks: This is a single ingredient dog chew that is longer lasting, highly digestible and made from beef pizzle (pizzle means penis). These sticks come in different sizes, shapes and flavors. Unfortunately, these sticks can give off a distinct odor that some pet owners don’t find appealing. Some brands offer low-odor varieties.
  1. Chewy Bones & Chews Made in USA Curly Bully Stick
  2. Nebraska Crunchy Steer Sticks for Dogs from Sancho & Lola’s Closet
  • Dental chews: One of the benefits of dog chews, whichever type you choose, is that they help keep your dog’s teeth clean and prevent tartar and plaque buildup. . Dental chews are designed specifically for a dog’s dental health and are digestible. The downside is that they don’t last very long, especially for more aggressive chewers. Examples are:
  1. delicious combs
  2. fantasies
  • BODY PARTS: These all-natural dog chews bring out your pup’s natural instincts. Body parts include bones, pig ears, hooves, windpipes, feet, tails, and even pig snouts. They generally last longer than non-natural chews. However, some parts of the body, such as the ears, can be higher in fat, so they are not suitable for dogs that need a low fat diet. Examples are:
  1. Red Barn Cow Ears
  2. American Farms Smoked Pork Ears
  • Yak Chews: These are all-natural, preservative-free, long-lasting digestible chews made from milk, salt, and lime juice. They are cooked to make a hardened cheese which is shaped into sticks. Yak chews are perfect for the most aggressive chewers. They are tough, so some dogs don’t prefer them. Examples are:
  1. Native Pet All Natural Yak Chews
  2. The Original Himalayan Hard Cheese Dog Chew
  • Antlers: Animals like deer, elk, and moose naturally shed their antlers in the wild. These chews are the unloaded woods. Dog chews can vary in size and toughness depending on the type of wood and how it is cut. If pieces break off and are eaten, they can cause gastrointestinal upset. Examples are:
  1. Primal Pet Foods Moose & Elk Antlers
  2. Red Elk Antler
  • Easy-to-digest chews: These are short-lived chews that your dog can digest, making them one of the safest chews. (You should always watch your dog in case he gets bits stuck in his teeth, like some chews get stuck in human teeth.) Many are called alternatives to rawhide and are made with fish, meat and/or or vegetables among others. They meet your dog’s chewing needs and help maintain healthy teeth. Some are also fortified with vitamins and minerals. Examples are:
  1. SmartBones
  2. The Honest Kitchen Ocean Chews

Choosing the Right Chew for Your Dog

Now that you know some of the reasons why dogs chew and some of the different types of chews available, you may already have an idea of ​​which chews your dog would prefer. A final consideration is determining what type of chewing style your dog has. Don’t just choose a dog chew that your pup likes; choose the safest dog chew based on how your dog chews.

  1. The Inhaler: These types of dogs take any type of chewing as a real challenge to see how quickly they can destroy it and swallow the bits. Typically, they break a chew into large chunks and then eat those chunks almost whole. Digestible chews are best for inhalers.
  2. The Demolisher: These dogs take a new chew and quickly figure out the quickest way to destroy it, but they usually don’t eat the pieces. They just enjoy the challenge of seeing how quickly they can destroy the chew or toy.
  3. The Power Chewer: These dogs need a chew that resists their strong jaws or their excitement to chew. They don’t necessarily want to destroy the chew, but they do need a chew that can withstand heavy chewing. Look for chews specifically made for strong chewers.
  4. The Nibbler: These types of dogs usually take good care of their chew toys and take their time to enjoy the chew.
  5. The Puppy: Puppies either have baby teeth or their permanent teeth have just come in, so they need a soft, gentle chew that won’t hurt or break their teeth. There are chews specifically designed for puppies.
  6. The Senior: An older dog may still really enjoy chewing, but also needs a softer, more forgiving chew. Their older teeth and gums may be more prone to breakage or cuts. There are chews specifically designed for seniors.

dog chew safety

Whichever dog chew you choose, watch your dog with a chew in case he gags or chokes on the item. Always check the chewing gum each time before giving it to them for any damage or wear. If the chew gets too small (small enough for your dog to swallow it whole), remove it from your dog immediately and dispose of it promptly. Also, don’t let the dog chew in the sun or in extreme temperatures. Regardless of the type of material, high temperatures can degrade and weaken chews and make them susceptible to breakage or tearing.

Now that you know why your dog wants to chew, what types of dog chews are available, and how to match that with your dog’s chewing style, you can confidently choose the best dog chews for your pup. This prevents your dog from becoming the “bad dog” who chews “the bad stuff”.

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