Most people know that Dog Chews like to chew. Chewing is a natural behavior of all dogs. It allows them to explore the world around them, exercise their jaws, and even brush their teeth. Above all, it will keep them busy mentally and relieve boredom.
However, when dogs lack the right objects to chew on, it can lead to destructive chewing and other behavioral problems. Providing plenty of chew toys is one way to allow your dog to fulfill his natural desire to gnaw things. Providing your dog with tasty, edible chews is another way to satisfy your dog’s need to chew while offering a tasty treat.
With so many types of chews on the market, it can be difficult to decide which are the safest and healthiest chews for your dog.
Avoid dog chews
While no chew is 100% safe for dogs, some are particularly dangerous.
Indigestible chewing gum such as hard plastic or nylon gum: Any chewing that is indigestible usually has a high chance of at least causing gastrointestinal blockage or indigestion. Hard plastic or nylon chews for dogs are often too hard and can damage the teeth. In addition, chewing creates rough edges that can cause injury. These toys are not digestible and cause GI obstruction or damage when consumed.
Chewing Too Hard: If you think the chew is too hard for your dog to bite off and swallow, then it is probably too hard for your dog to chew. Chewing very hard can cause tooth fractures or oral injury. Generally, any chew that would hurt if you hit your knee with it is too hard for your dog.
Animal hooves, antlers, and bones: Hard animal parts, and especially cooked bones, pose the greatest risk to your dog’s teeth and GI tract because they are very hard and indigestible. If your dog doesn’t break the tooth first, he might manage to break off a piece and swallow it.
Some animal horns (such as buffalo or goat horns) soften and fray a little when dogs chew on them. These may be less dangerous to the teeth and easier to tolerate by the GI tract. However, they should be used with extreme caution.
Rawhide: This is a somewhat controversial chew. Although many dogs can handle rawhide, it is important to know that large pieces of rawhide are not easily digestible and can cause GI blockage or irritation. In addition, rawhide is often treated with potentially harmful chemicals.
However, there are a few exceptions. Some types of rawhide are specially designed by veterinarians with safety and digestibility in mind. Ask your vet for more information about safe rawhide chews that can help keep teeth clean.
Digestible chews for dogs
There are many chews on the market today that can be considered safer for dogs because they are digestible and not too hard on the teeth. It is important to remember that even large pieces of digestible gum can still cause GI upset or blockage. Always supervise your dog after chewing. If the dog seems to be swallowing large chunks, remove the chew. In addition, if your dog develops vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of illness, see your veterinarian immediately.
The positive aspect of digestible chewing gum is its increased safety. The downside, however, is that they don’t last very long and tend to be more expensive than bones and hooves. To save money, try balancing between chew toys and edible gum. Aggressive chewers might benefit from something like a food-filled Kong Ultra, bully bars, beef trachea, or flavored dental chews.
Sticks: One of the most popular dog chews today. Made from beef pizzas (yes, that means penis), they’re dense, flavorful, and come in a variety of sizes. The sticks are among the longest-lasting of the safer chews and dogs love the taste and texture. The negative thing about bully bars is that they can be a bit expensive and smell pretty bad.
In addition, some experts are concerned about their safety from bacterial contamination. Look for bullies from reputable sources. And try low-odor tyrant sticks to save your nose.
Beef Trachea: Sometimes called “windies” or “moo tubes,” beef tracheas are primarily made of cartilage and contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which are good for joints. Beef tracheas last almost as long as bully sticks, but it really depends on the dog. They can also be more expensive than bully sticks, although they don’t tend to smell as strong.
Other animal parts: Can be good or bad depending on the source. When in doubt, ask your vet about the safety of chewing gum. In general, the safer parts of the animal to chew include the aortas, tendons, esophagus, and tripe. Ears are more controversial because they are closer to rawhide in terms of digestibility (plus, pig ears tend to contain a lot of fat). Some animal horns soften when chewed and fray into small, digestible pieces, but these should be used with care.
Flavored Chews: Greenies or N-Bones are made with digestible ingredients such as wheat gluten, corn starch, and meat or poultry meal. These completely edible ingredients are not ideal for dogs on a strict grain-free diet due to allergies or owner preferences. These gummies also tend to go very fast, especially around aggressive gummies.
Which chews are best for your dog?
For overweight dogs or dogs with sensitive stomachs, it may be best to stick with non-edible chew toys. For healthy but selective dogs, you may need to try several different types of chews before you find what works best for your dog. Overall, healthy and undemanding dogs will probably like a little bit of everything. Just make sure that no one treats or chews make up more than about 10 percent of your dog’s diet.
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