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 instincts can quickly turn them into “bad dogs” if they decide to chew on the wrong object, such as a table leg or your favorite shoe. Fortunately, dog chew products can help redirect your dog’s natural desire to chew into something positive.
With so many options available, choosing the best chew for your dog 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 candy your dog likes while considering safety, durability, and other needs, such as oral health.
Why do dogs chew?
To figure out which chew is best for your dog, you must understand why your dog wants to chew. Chewing can be a very positive activity for your dog and helps him demonstrate the following:
- Teething: Puppies chew to relieve pain caused by permanent teeth growing through the gums. Puppies begin to lose their baby teeth around 3 months of age, and all baby teeth will fall out by about 6 months of age. As with humans, this can be painful. Chewing helps reduce discomfort.
- Investigation: Dogs use their mouths to investigate the world. According to Colin Tennant, President of the UK Cat and Dog Behavior Society, “For a dog, chewing is like a human opening the door and looking into the room. People are nosy, and so are dogs. But they investigate orally because they have no hands.” The texture and taste are especially appealing to a dog. Colin also says, “Dogs often chew on things because they like the taste or smell. In the home, the smell that dogs find most appealing is the smell of humans.”
- Anxiety: Chewing is a coping mechanism for dogs when something in their environment changes, such as a recent move, new furniture, a new family member, or even abandonment. stay at home.
- Enjoyment: Some dogs chew just because they love to chew. It meets the physical and mental health needs of a dog, and having them chew the right treats can be a positive experience for them.
8 types of chewing dogs
Many different types of chewing dogs exist. Factors to consider include digestibility, durability, intended purpose, and composition.
- Indigestible chews: These are usually nylon or hard plastic, making them chewable for a long time. Unfortunately, they are not digestible for a dog. If a dog ingests it, the material can cause a gastrointestinal (GI) blockage and surgery may be required. These chews are usually very hard and can damage the canines. The sharp edges of plastic or nylon can also hurt a puppy’s gums. For example:
- Rawhide chewed: These are dried animal hides made from the leftovers of the leather industry. Rawhide is the inner skin of cow, horse and pork skin, which is separated at the slaughterhouse. Rawhide is not digestible, so it can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction. In addition, the skin of these chews is often treated with chemicals to preserve it, which can cause stomach upset or allergic reactions. Look for Rawhide made in the USA. Eg:
- Bully stick: This is a single-ingredient, longer-lasting, highly digestible dog chew food made with beef pizza (pizzle means penis). These sticks come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and flavors. Unfortunately, these sticks can carry a distinct smell that some pet owners don’t find appealing. Some brands offer low-odor varieties.
- Chewy Bones & Chews Made in USA Curly Bully Stick
- Nebraska Crunchy Steer Sticks for Dogs from Sancho & Lola’s Closet
- Dental Chewing: One of the benefits of dog chews, whichever you choose, is that they help keep your dog’s teeth clean and prevent tartar and plaque buildup. Dental chews are specially designed for your dog’s oral health and are digestible. The downside is that they don’t last long, especially against more aggressive ruminants. Eg:
- Body Parts: These all-natural chew dogs bring out your puppy’s natural instincts. Body parts include bones, pig ears, hooves, windpipe, paws, tail, and even a pig’s snout. They are usually more permanent than unnatural chewing. However, some body parts, such as the ears, may contain more fat, so they are not suitable for canines that require a low-fat diet. Eg:
- Chewing Yak: This is a long-digestible, all-natural, preservative-free chew, made with milk, salt, and lime juice. They are baked to form a hard cheese that is shaped into sticks. Yak chews are great for more aggressive chewers. They are hard, so some dogs don’t like them. Eg:
- Antlers: Animals such as deer, elk, and moose shed their antlers naturally in the wild. These swabs are waste swabs. Chewing dog velvet can vary in size and toughness depending on the type of velvet and how they are cut. If fragments break off and are eaten, they can cause GI upset. Eg:
- Easy to chew: These are short-lived chew foods that your dog can digest, making them one of the safest dog foods to chew on. (You still need to supervise your dog in case he gets stuck in his teeth, such as certain chewy items that get stuck in human teeth.) Many are called cowhide alternatives and are made from fish, meat and/or vegetables among others. They satisfy your dog’s chewing needs and help maintain healthy teeth. Some are also enriched with vitamins and minerals. Eg:
Choose the right chews for your dog
Now that you know some of the reasons dogs chew and some of the different types of chews available, you probably already have an idea of what kind of chew your dog prefers. One final consideration is determining your dog’s chewing pattern. Don’t just choose a dog chew that your dog likes; Choose the safest dog chew based on how your dog chews.
- Inhaler: These types of dogs treat any chew as a real challenge to see how quickly they can destroy it and swallow pieces. Usually, they break a piece of chew into large chunks and then eat almost the whole thing. Easily digestible chewable tablets are best for inhalers.
- Destroyer: These dogs chew on a new piece and quickly determine the fastest way to destroy it, but they usually don’t eat the piece. They just enjoy the challenge of how fast they can destroy the toy or toy.
- Skill Chew: These dogs need a chew that stands up to their strong jaws or the excitement of chewing. They may not necessarily want to destroy the chew, but they do need a chew that can withstand heavy chewing. Look for chews made specifically for strong chewers.
- Rodents: These types of dogs are usually interested in chewing and their toys and take the time to enjoy chewing.
- Puppies: Puppies have grown their baby teeth or new permanent teeth, so they need to chew gently and softly so as not to hurt or break their teeth. There are chews made specifically for puppies.
- Old Dog: An old dog may still really enjoy chewing but also needs softer, more forgiving chews. Their larger teeth and gums may be more prone to breaking or breaking. There are chews that are made specifically for seniors.
Dogs chew safely
No matter which dog food you choose, supervise your dog by chewing in case they gag or choke on objects. Always inspect the chews each time before giving them to them for damage or wear. If the chew becomes too small (small enough for your dog to swallow whole), remove it from your dog’s body immediately and dispose of it immediately. Also, do not let your dog graze in the sun or extreme heat. Regardless of the material, high temperatures can degrade, weaken the chews, and easily break or tear.
Now that you know why dogs want to chew, what types of dog chew products are available, and how to match your dog’s chewing style, you can confidently choose the best chew for your dog. me. This keeps your dog from becoming the “bad dog” who ruminates on the wrong thing.
