Looking for dog chew treats that last? These days there are so many options it can make your head spin as fast as your dog chasing its tail! There are multiple benefits to these types of treats. They provide puppies that are teething with much-needed use of their teeth, while also helping adult dogs keep a healthy mouth of strong teeth and a strong jaw. Certain chew treats now include minerals to make teeth stronger as well as providing some much-needed dental hygiene that helps in cleaning a dogs teeth as well as keeping their breath fresh. Studies have even shown that chewing can release endorphins in the dogs brain so its also providing much internal mental satisfaction as well. While we want our pups to enjoy all the pleasures of being a dog (not to mention stronger and healthier teeth), the biggest concern here is safety. It’s important to steer clear of treats that are either not the right size for your dog or that break to into sharp and potentially dangerous pieces. In both cases there are choking hazards that dog owners will very much want to avoid. In this post, we wanted to give an overview of the types of hard chew treats dog owners might be considering purchasing.
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Bones
What dog doesn’t salivate simply at the thought of a meaty delicious bone? Chewing a bone seems to be a blissful yet primal experience for dogs. They can feel in their element while also working on that shiny smile. Bones come in different quality materials and sizes, so always make sure the bone is the right fit for the size and strength of your pup. Rule of thumb is to get a bone that’s at least the size of your dogs muzzle. Anything smaller than that can pose a serious choking risk. Rubber or silicone bones are recommended by vets as a safer choice than natural bones. The materials are easier on the teeth and jaw and present less risk of breaking into sharp pieces. If you wanted to get your dog a natural bone, beef marrow is the toughest and most durable and therefore safer. It is not advised that you give your dog chicken or pork bones, these are not as dense and the likelihood of them breaking is higher.
Rawhides
Rawhides are sold almost anywhere you can find dog stuff, and are one of the most popular chew treats for dogs around. Almost limitless options of flavors or even fillings abound. But recently more is coming out about rawhides actually not being good because they are not digestible, and could potentially make certain dogs sick or have painful stomachs. We have used rawhides with our dogs and have never noticed any negative effects. But there is enough stories out there to warrant a word of caution against rawhides. Perhaps they may be phased out gradually as we advance in how dog chew treats are made.
Hooves/Antlers
This is probably the most controversial area on this post. Some people swear by cow hooves and say that they are durable and their dogs love them, but they also come with a big warning from some dog owners. If you do any search on cow hooves for dogs you will surely find some negative comments and articles. People who have bought these hooves have said that they chip and break to cause very sharp and potentially lethal pieces.
If you are considering purchasing one of these make sure you research what you are buying and take note of any negative feedback that may be attached to that product. But other dog owners have said that these hooves last long and provide great chew time for their best friends.
Pig Ears
We included pig ears on here because they are a nice option for dogs that may have trouble with their teeth but still need something hard to chew in order to keep them strong. These pig ears are good for soft chewers or pups with any dental problems. They are fully digestible and one of the safer options when it comes to dog chew toys. Something to keep in mind, however, is that these are not every day treats. They actually contain a very high amount of fat and thus should be considered more of a treat for special occasions.
Conclusion
There are infinite amounts of hard chew treats for dogs in today’s world. It really is a good day to be alive as a pup! But some options seem to be better than others. When looking for chew treats, make sure to buy one that is made out of quality material. We would thus therefore advise one to look for more reputable brands that have a big base of customers and reviews and maybe stay away from brands that are somewhat unheard-of and might produce a less quality product. Quality in this case is of the utmost importance because poor quality could mean a trip to the pet hospital for your pup. If the buyer really wants to avoid the choking hazards that comes with some of the treats listed above, the best bet may be a rubber or silicone chew treat that is durable and won’t break up into smaller sharp pieces. And once again, make certain that the treat you choose is at least as long as your dog’s muzzle in order to ensure its not too small.
We hope that this list has helped you to form a clearer picture of the kind of chew treat is best for your dog. It is our goal to help dog owners provide the best life possible for their dogs, and living the best life possible involves having some good quality chew time on a tasty new treat. When you are able to find the right chew treat for your pup it crosses off one of the things on the list of a happy dog. It’s just one component of many that are part of making that good dog life.
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