CHEW TOYS FOR DOGS

 Here is my article on Chew Toys For Dogs.

No chew toy is 100% safe for all breeds of dogs. 

Dogs and especially puppies NEED to chew, it’s a great natural calming behavior and reduces boredom.  All puppies go through a teething stage, and should stick to softer chews until they loose all their puppy teeth.   Older dogs may benefit more from softer chews as well.   Supervise play, especially with new chews which may not be as durable as they first seemed, and remove any chews from your dog that are causing you concern. 

There are many benefits from dog chew toys, but many risks involved  as well- I’ve made a list of some favorites to help make the choice easier for you, and safer for your dog.

I usually try to buy the extra large size because there is less risk of the dog choking while trying to gulp it, or getting it stuck in or around their jaws. The XL sizes are also often the most challenging size for the dog as well.  Many chews can and do break or chip teeth while the dog is enjoying them, which is something to consider as it can lead to expensive dental work.

Sticks : Natural wooden sticks are a favorite chew for many dogs- but can splinter, and the bark can cause diarrhea in some dogs.  Never let the dog chew on pressure treated wood.

Always avoid any smaller balls which have a single air hole-  these can create a suction trap for a dog’s tongue, and ultimately cause the death of an otherwise healthy dog. 

Tennis balls:  What dog doesn’t love a tennis ball?!  Unfortunately, these have been known to be a deadly choking hazard with certain individuals.   Tennis balls are also naturally very abrasive, and if played with often can round off a dog’s canine teeth to the point of needing repair.   Some companies like Kong now make tennis balls especially for dogs from a special fabric which I’m told is less abrasive.   There are also larger versions of the standard tennis ball, which many dogs prefer. 

Yak Chews:  These are fairly expensive, and vary considerably in quality from different manufacturers.  Some will last aggressive chewers a long time, others are gone in a few minutes.  We have to weigh all the cost versus benefits here-  a healthy treat, dogs love them, non staining, non smelly, non greasy, are fairly long lasting, and the entire chew is edible- when it get smaller microwave it for a few seconds and it softens so the dog can easily chew up and digest the remaining piece. 

Bully Sticks: Another fairly expensive chew.   Most dogs absolutely love chewing on these dried bull penises.  😝  They are a healthy and fully digestible treat, but can also be a choking hazard if the dog tries to gulp down a large piece.  There are special holders available now for bully sticks that may help prevent gulping.  

Rubber toys:  Kong brand is probably the most widely known brand. They are durable, come in standard hardness, extra soft for puppies and senior dogs, and extra strong for the power chewers out there.  Many of these products and can be filled with quality canned dog food and frozen solid for a long lasting healthy treat. They can be easily washed with a bottle brush, and are dishwasher safe.

The West Paw “Qwizl” ( large version) is soft, durable, made in the USA, and  dishwasher safe.  It can be used as a fetch toy, and it floats in water as well.  I use quality semi soft treats like Newman’s Own Beef Jerky and Full Moon Beef Strips which are easily stuffed inside the toy.  It is a bit on the pricey side, but West Paw offers a one-time replacement or refund per toy if your dog doesn’t love it.  

Marrow bones:  I use raw beef ones with the marrow scraped out and replaced with quality canned dog food, frozen so they last longer.  Dogs love bone marrow, but eating too much can cause unwanted weight gain and digestive upset.  Marrow bones have been known to be a choking hazard, get stuck in a dog’s jaw sideways, or around their lower jaws, so they should be big enough that this doesn’t happen. 

Smoked knuckle bones:  Long lasting chew which most dogs enjoy.  Are usually pretty greasy at first, feeding it outside or putting down newspaper can help.  Fully digestible, I buy sourced  in the USA brands. Smoked bones may cause constipation if excessive amounts are eaten.  Pieces can splinter off, chip dog’s teeth,  or become a potential choking hazard. 

Antlers: Elk antlers are chewing favorites, especially the split Elk antlers which allow the dog easier access to the small amount of hard marrow inside.  Have been known to chip teeth on some dogs.

Gorilla Chews: Are a long lasting chew made from Java wood.  Some pieces may splinter off while the dog is chewing, although I’m told this is not common. 

Horns: Water Buffalo horns have become very popular, I’ve found them to get long sharp splintery edges , and are extremely smelly when the dog chews on them. 

Rawhide:  one of the most popular and deadly dog chews on the market.  Rawhide, unless broken down into very tiny pieces, can cause obstruction in the the dog’s digestive tract, often resulting in surgery or death.  It’s also a common choking hazard, I personally had to use pliers to remove a piece of rawhide- saving a neighbor’s dog’s life.  The chemical treatment process through which most rawhide itself is made by is definitely NOT something I want on a chew for my dog.  

I use the rubbery “Holee Roller” toys and stuff “Newman’s Own Beef Jerky “ folded in in half through the holes. You can even put treats in the smaller balls then put several of those into a bigger ball for extra long enjoyment.   There are different sizes and thickness versions of “Holee Roller” toys available.

Another very good but expensive dog chew is the “ Earth Animal No-Hide Wholesome Dog Chews” hand made in the USA, again I buy the large version as they can be a choking hazard if your dog is a gulper.   Kenji my ACD really loves these.
I buy the salmon ones, I tend to stay away from chicken- as it is the most popular dog food ingredient, and most likely to cause allergies because of it.  Fish is usually the smelliest of the meats, which is also a selling point because dogs often lead with their noses. Ingredients are Salmon, Brown Rice Flour, Agar-Agar, Organic eggs, Olive oil, Banana Powder, and Pineapple Stem.

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If your dog is choking on a chew:

1-Open the dog’s mouth and try to remove the chew.

2-The Heimlich Maneuver can be used on dogs, there are videos online showing how.

3-Sometimes a blow with the flat of your hand between the dogs shoulder blades will dislodge the chew.

4- If all else fails, and the dog is dying, try pushing the chew in past the throat so they can breath again.  This is used only a last resort as it can create other health issues. 

Dog chews should never be used as a substitute for interaction with you, no toy or chew out there will replace the training or the love and affection your dog gets from their person.  

More articles on Potty Training, Fear Aggression, and Nail Trimming are available at my links below.  The sites are open to the public and free of charge. ❤️🐺❤️

https://allbasics-dogtraining.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AllBasicsDogTrainingKimChappell/