Safe Chew Toys and Treats for Dogs

What Can I Give My Dog To Satisfy His Chewing Needs? 

                Most dogs love to chew, and there is no shortage of product to try to satisfy this basal urge in our canine companions.  However, some toys and treats can cause problems for your pet.  Read on to learn which chews vets recommend and which you should avoid. 

                First, some general tips:  know what kind of chewer your dog is (gulper, destroyer or nibbler) and always inspect toys for signs of damage and remove chew treats when they become too small.  When choosing a toy or treat, choose one for your dog’s size/weight and err on the side of it being too large rather than too small.  Small toys could present a choking hazard. Please note that it may also take some trial and error to find a toy your dog likes to chew.

                My personal favorites are Kong brand toys or those made of similar tough rubber (Orbee-Tuff, ChuckIt).  Dogs who are strong chewers generally enjoy these types of toys—they are firm enough to stand up to heavy chewing but still have a little give to them so they will not harm your dog’s teeth.  They usually come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many have openings or grooves into which you can put treats, peanut butter, etc. to entertain your dog and encourage her to chew.  Remember, while difficult to destroy, some dogs will be able to chew pieces off and could swallow them so inspect and replace if they become worn and make sure to choose an appropriate size toy for your dog.

                Rope or plush toys can be good chew toys for many dogs, especially if you have a “nibbler” who is fairly gentle with his toys.  They are soft so they won’t harm your dog’s teeth, but they tend to satisfy a dog’s chewing needs.  However, some dogs will quickly destroy these types of toys and could swallow pieces of rope, cloth or stuffing.  Make sure plush toys are well constructed, and monitor your pet if using this type of toy for the first time to make sure she is not eating the carnage if she rips it up.  

                Rawhide chews, pig ears, and pizzle or bully sticks (dried bull penis) are edible types of chew toys that many dogs do enjoy, but which can also cause some potential problems.  My dog, Stanley used to enjoy rawhide chip daily. They kept him busy and he usually took his time eating them. However, once chewed, he occasionally tried to swallow a small piece whole and I had to retrieve many a piece of rawhide from the back of his throat. My caveats to using rawhide are these: DON’T give them to dogs who are gulpers and wolf down food or treats, ALWAYS SUPERVISE your dog with edible chews-do not leave your dog alone while eating these, use caution or AVOID these types of treats in dogs with food allergies or who experience digestive upset after chewing these treats, and, finally, PURCHASE U.S. PRODUCTS ONLY.  Some products produced outside the U.S. may contain harmful chemicals or bacteria.

                Finally, the vets at Patton do NOT recommend hard chews such as antlers, real bones, hooves, or hard plastic/rubber toys like Nylabones.  These are simply too hard and we have seen countless dogs break their teeth on items like these.  Broken teeth cause pain and infection and need to be extracted. Choose safe options for your pet to satisfy his need to chewing needs and remember to inspect toys frequently and monitor your dog while he chews!

                This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital, serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.